Wortham Theater Center
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The Wortham Theater Center is a performing arts center in Houston, Texas. The Center was designed by Eugene Aubrey of Morris Architects and built entirely with $66 million in private funds. It officially opened on May 9, 1987 with one of the inaugural performances being a modern dance program, Tango Argentino, in the Brown Theater and Robert Wilson and David Byrne's The Knee Plays , presented by the Society for the Performing Arts in the Cullen Theater.
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[edit] Significant private funding
A significant portion of the funding came from estate of the late Gus S. Wortham (1891-1976), a local philanthropist and founder of American General Insurance Company. The Wortham Foundation contributed $20 million for the construction of the new Theater Center, which was named for him. In spite of the late 1980s banking and oil recession, more than 3,500 donors committed funds for the new facility in a major community effort with nearly 2,200 individuals donating $100 or less to the capital campaign. Additionally The Cullen Foundation contributed $7.5 million and the Brown Foundation gave $6 million to the building fund.
[edit] Performance and other facilities
- The Brown Theater, with 2,423 seats, is named for donors Alice and George Brown. It is used primarily for opera and large ballet productions.
The Houston Ballet began its first season on September 2, 1987 with Janie Parker and Li Cunxin staring in the world premiere of Ben Stevenson's new production of Romeo and Juliet. This was followed by Houston Grand Opera’s first season on October 15, 1987 with Plácido Domingo and Mirella Freni in a new production of Verdi's Aida.
- The Cullen Theater ,with 1,100 seats, is named for donors Lillie and Roy Cullen. It is used for smaller ballet productions and other events.
[edit] Some additional facts about the Theater Center
- The glass entry arch is 88 feet tall.
- The Helen Hayes Chandelier installed in the Green Room was originally installed in New York City's Fulton Theater (renamed Helen Hayes Theater in 1955) in 1911. During the demolition of the theater the chandelier was purchased by Houstonians Billy and Janie Price who donated it to Wortham Center.
- The grand staircase, which is actually a bank of escalators, is surrounded by a site specific installation by renown New York sculptor Albert Paley.
