A ribbon-cutting ceremony Saturday celebrated the opening of Millikin University’s newest building, the Center for Theatre & Dance. The building is the new home for Millikin’s College of Fine Arts and School of Theatre & Dance and gave the school the opportunity to thank the supporters of the project and the community of Decatur.
For several months, the Millikin University campus community witnessed a change in scenery with the construction of the new Center for Theatre & Dance, all starting with a groundbreaking back on May 18, 2018. This past August, the doors to the $29 million building were opened to students, faculty and staff.
“The Center for Theatre & Dance represents more than just a state-of-the-art building designed to provide Millikin students with high-quality Performance Learning experiences. It is a structural recognition of the importance of the visual and performing arts in our lives and in our community,” said Millikin President Dr. Jim Reynolds.
Located at the former site of the Richards Treat University Center, the Center for Theatre & Dance features a 260-seat flexible theatre, including an orchestra pit, balcony and tech gallery with a tension wire grid. The new building also features lighting and sound labs, a costume studio, a costume classroom, collaboration spaces, acting studios, design classrooms, practice rooms, modern theatre equipment and offices and support facilities for current staff, with room for growth. The innovative facility has become the new face of the School of Theatre & Dance.
“Students will be able to learn performance, directing, design, production and management in all new spaces equipped with the latest technology,” said Mary Black, director of the School of Theatre & Dance.
The Center for Theatre & Dance is one of three building projects under Millikin University’s $85 million “Transform MU” capital campaign. Thanks to visionary and generous alumni and community leaders, as well as the investment of University resources by Millikin’s Board of Trustees, the facility was realized with a groundbreaking two years ago.
The architectural partner for the project was Decatur-based design firm BLDD Architects, Inc., who worked with several Millikin students, faculty, administrators, alumni and donors during the developmental process.
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