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Home / My Fair Lady John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts January 16

My Fair Lady John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts January 16

United States national cultural center in Washington, D.C.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts
Kennedy Center seen from the Potomac River, June 2010.jpg

Kennedy Center seen from the Potomac River

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts is located in Central Washington, D.C.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts

John F. Kennedy Memorial Middle for the Performing Arts

Location within Central Washington, D.C.

Testify map of Key Washington, D.C.

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts is located in the United States

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts

John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts

John F. Kennedy Memorial Heart for the Performing Arts (the United States)

Show map of the United states of america

Address 2700 F Street, NW
Location Washington, D.C., United States
Coordinates 38°53′45″N 77°03′21″W  /  38.8957°N 77.0559°Westward  / 38.8957; -77.0559 Coordinates: 38°53′45″N 77°03′21″Westward  /  38.8957°Due north 77.0559°W  / 38.8957; -77.0559
Public transit WMATA Metro Logo.svg Washington Metro
WMATA Blue.svg WMATA Orange.svg WMATA Silver.svg at Foggy Bottom–GWU station
Bus transport Metrobus
Owner Usa government
Operator John F. Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts
David Rubenstein, Chairman
Deborah Rutter, President
Type Performing arts center
Capacity Concert Hall: 2,454
Opera Firm: ii,294
Eisenhower Theater: ane,161
Terrace Theater: 475
Theater Lab: 398
Family Theater: 320
Jazz Lodge: 160
Construction
Broke ground December 2, 1964
Opened September 8, 1971 (1971-09-08)
Architect Edward Durell Rock
Structural engineer Severud Associates
General contractor John McShain
Tenants
National Symphony Orchestra
Washington National Opera
Website
www.kennedy-center.org

Bust of John F. Kennedy by Robert Berks located contrary the entrance to the Opera Business firm in the Eye

The John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts (formally known as the John F. Kennedy Memorial Eye for the Performing Arts, and unremarkably referred to as the Kennedy Center) is the United States National Cultural Center, located on the Potomac River in Washington, D.C. Information technology was named in 1964 as a memorial to assassinated President John F. Kennedy. Opened on September 8, 1971, the center hosts many different genres of operation fine art, such as theater, dance, orchestras, jazz, pop, and folk music.

Authorized by the 1958 National Cultural Middle Act of Congress,[1] which requires that its programming be sustained through individual funds, the eye represents a public–individual partnership. Its activities include educational and outreach initiatives, almost entirely funded through ticket sales and gifts from individuals, corporations, and private foundations.

The original edifice, designed by architect Edward Durell Stone,[1] was constructed by Philadelphia contractor John McShain, and is administered as a agency of the Smithsonian Institution. An earlier design proposal chosen for a more curvy, spaceship-inspired building similar to how the Watergate circuitous appears today.[2] An extension to the Durell Rock Building was designed by Steven Holl and opened in 2019. The center receives annual federal funding to pay for edifice maintenance and operation.

History [edit]

The idea for a national cultural center dates to 1933 when First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt discussed ideas for the Emergency Relief and Civil Works Administration to create employment for unemployed actors during the Great Depression.[iii] Congress held hearings in 1935 on plans to establish a Chiffonier level Department of Science, Fine art and Literature, and to build a monumental theater and arts building on Capitol Loma near the Supreme Court edifice. A 1938 congressional resolution chosen for structure of a "public building which shall be known as the National Cultural Center" well-nigh Judiciary Square, but nothing materialized.[three]

Flags in the Hall of States

The idea for a national theater resurfaced in 1950, when U.S. Representative Arthur George Klein of New York introduced a bill to authorize funds to plan and build a cultural middle. The bill included provisions that the center would prohibit any bigotry of bandage or audience. In 1955, the Stanford Enquiry Found was commissioned to select a site and provide design suggestions for the heart.[4] From 1955 to 1958, Congress debated the idea amid much controversy. A beak was finally passed in Congress in the summer of 1958 and on September four, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into police the National Cultural Middle Act which provided momentum for the project.[five]

This was the first time that the federal authorities helped finance a structure defended to the performing arts. The legislation required a portion of the costs, estimated at $10–25 one thousand thousand, to be raised within five years of the bill's passage.[vi] Edward Durell Rock was selected equally architect for the projection in June 1959.[seven] He presented preliminary designs to the President's Music Committee in October 1959, along with estimated costs of $50 million, double the original estimates of $25–30 million. Past November 1959, estimated costs had escalated to $61 million.[8] Despite this, Stone's pattern was well received in editorials in The Washington Post, Washington Star, and apace canonical by the United states Commission of Fine Arts, National Upper-case letter Planning Commission, and the National Park Service.[9]

The National Cultural Center was renamed the John F. Kennedy Middle for the Performing Arts in 1964, following the assassination of President Kennedy.[10]

Fundraising [edit]

The National Cultural Middle Board of Trustees, a group President Eisenhower established Jan 29, 1959, led fundraising.[6] Fundraising efforts were non successful, with just $13,425 raised in the showtime three years.[11] President John F. Kennedy was interested in bringing civilisation to the nation's uppercase, and provided leadership and support for the project.[12] In 1961, President Kennedy asked Roger L. Stevens to help develop the National Cultural Middle, and serve as chairman of the Board of Trustees. Stevens recruited First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy every bit Honorary Chairman of the Center, and former Beginning Lady Mamie Eisenhower as co-chairman.[13] In Jan 1961, Jarold A. Kieffer became the first Executive Director of the National Cultural Center, overseeing numerous fundraising efforts and assisting with the architectural programme.[14]

The total cost of structure was $70 million.[x] Congress allocated $43 meg for construction costs, including $23 million as an outright grant and the other $20 million in bonds.[12] Donations also comprised a pregnant portion of funding, including $five million from the Ford Foundation, and approximately $500,000 from the Kennedy family unit.[15] [sixteen] Other major donors included J. Willard Marriott, Marjorie Merriweather Post, John D. Rockefeller Iii, and Robert W. Woodruff, also as many corporate donors.[16] Foreign countries provided gifts to the Kennedy Center, including a souvenir of 3,700 tons of Carrara marble from Italy (worth $1.v million) from the Italian government, which was used in the building's construction.[17]

Construction [edit]

President Lyndon B. Johnson dug the ceremonial start-shovel of globe at the groundbreaking for the Kennedy Center December two, 1964.[eighteen] All the same, debate connected for another year over the Foggy Lesser site, with some advocating for another location on Pennsylvania Artery.[15] Earthworks of the site got underway on December 11, 1965, and the site was cleared past January 1967.[19]

The first performance was September 5, 1971, with 2,200 members of the general public in attendance to see a premiere of Leonard Bernstein'southward Mass in the Opera Firm,[10] while the Center's official opening took identify September eight, 1971, with a formal gala and premiere performance of the Bernstein Mass.[20] The Concert Hall was inaugurated September 9, 1971, with a performance by the National Symphony Orchestra conducted past Antal Doráti.[20] Alberto Ginastera's opera, Beatrix Cenci premiered at the Kennedy Center Opera Firm September 10, 1971. The Eisenhower Theater was inaugurated October xviii, 1971, with a functioning of A Doll's House starring Claire Flower.[21]

Architecture [edit]

Architect Edward Durell Stone designed the Kennedy Centre.[22] Overall, the building is 100 feet (thirty m) loftier, 630 feet (190 m) long, and 300 anxiety (91 one thousand) wide. The Kennedy Center features a 630-foot-long (190 m), 63-foot-high (xix m) one thousand foyer, with 16 hand-blown Orrefors crystal chandeliers (a gift from Sweden) and cerise carpeting. The Hall of States and the Hall of Nations are both 250-foot-long (76 one thousand), 63-foot-high (xix m) corridors. The edifice has drawn criticism near its location (far abroad from Washington Metro stops), and for its calibration and form,[22] although it has also drawn praise for its acoustics, and its terrace overlooking the Potomac River.[22] In her book On Compages, Ada Louise Huxtable called information technology "gemütlich Speer."[23]

Cyril M. Harris designed the Kennedy Center's auditoriums and their acoustics.[24] A key consideration is that many aircraft fly along the Potomac River and overhead the Kennedy Centre, as they have off and country at the nearby Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. Helicopter traffic over the Kennedy Center is too fairly high. To proceed out this dissonance, the Kennedy Center was designed equally a box inside a box, giving each auditorium an actress outer vanquish.[25]

After the original structure was marked for expansion, a competition in 2013 selected Steven Holl Architects to undertake the design.[26] The extension, chosen The Attain, opened in 2019.[27]

Artwork [edit]

The plaza entrance of the Kennedy Eye features two tableaus by German sculptor Jürgen Weber; created between 1965 and 1971, which were a souvenir to the Kennedy Heart from the West High german authorities. Almost the north end of the plaza is a display of nude figures in scenes representing war and peace, called War or Peace. The piece, viii ft × 50 ft × one.5 ft (ii.44 m × xv.24 m × 0.46 thousand), depicts five scenes showing the symbolism of war and peace: a war scene, murder, family, and creativity.[28] At the south cease is America which represents Weber'southward image of America (viii × fifty × i.5 ft.). Four scenes are depicted representing threats to liberty, technology, strange aid and survival, and complimentary speech.[29] It took the artist iv years to sculpt the two reliefs in plaster, creating 200 castings, and another two years for the foundry in Berlin to cast the pieces. In 1994, the Smithsonian Institution's Relieve Outdoor Sculpture! program surveyed War or Peace and America and described them as being well maintained.[28] [29] Another sculpture Don Quixote by Aurelio Teno occupies a site near the northeast corner of the building. King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia of Espana gave the sculpture to the U.s. for its Bicentennial, June 3, 1976.[xxx]

Venues [edit]

Layout of the iii main theaters at the Kennedy Center

The Kennedy Middle has three primary theaters: the Concert Hall, the Opera House, and the Eisenhower Theater.

Concert Hall [edit]

The Concert Hall, located at the south end of the Heart, seats 2,442 including chorister seats and stage boxes, and has a seating arrangement similar to that used in many European halls such as Musikverein in Vienna. The Concert Hall is the largest functioning infinite in the Kennedy Heart and is the home of the National Symphony Orchestra. A 1997 renovation brought a high-tech acoustical canopy, handicap-attainable locations on every level, and new seating sections (onstage boxes, chorister seats, and parterre seats). The Hadeland crystal chandeliers, given by the Norwegian Crown, were repositioned to provide a clearer view.[17] Canadian organbuilder Casavant Frères constructed and installed a new pipage organ in 2012.[31]

Opera House [edit]

The Opera Business firm, in the middle, has about two,300 seats. Its interior features include walls covered in red velvet, a distinctive blood-red and gold silk drape, given past the Japanese regime, and Lobmeyr crystal chandelier with matching pendants, which were a gift from the government of Austria.[17] It is the major opera, ballet, and large-scale musical venue of the Center, and closed during the 2003/2004 season for extensive renovations which provided a revised seating arrangement and redesigned entrances at the orchestra level. It is the dwelling of the Washington National Opera and the annual Kennedy Center Honors.

Eisenhower Theater [edit]

The Eisenhower Theater, on the north side, seats near 1,163 and is named for President Dwight D. Eisenhower, who signed the National Cultural Center Act into law on September 2, 1958. Information technology primarily hosts plays and musicals, smaller-scale operas, ballet and contemporary dance. The theater contains an orchestra pit for upwardly to 35 musicians that is convertible to a forestage or additional seating space. The venue reopened in Oct 2008, post-obit a sixteen-calendar month renovation which altered the color scheme and seating arrangements.

Other performance venues [edit]

Entrance to the Theater Lab

The Millennium Phase in 2019

Other performance venues in the Center include:

  • The Family Theater, with 324 seats, opened Dec 9, 2005. It replaced the former American Film Institute Theater located adjacent to the Hall of States. Designed by the architectural firm Richter Cornbrooks Gribble, Inc. of Baltimore, the new theater incorporates a computerized rigging system; and a digital video projection system.
  • The Terrace Theater, with 513 seats, was constructed on the roof terrace level in the late 1970s as a Bicentennial gift from the people of Japan to the United states of america. Information technology is used for chamber music, ballet and contemporary trip the light fantastic, and theater.
  • The Theater Lab, with 399 seats, currently houses the whodunit Shear Madness which has been playing continuously since Baronial 1987.
  • The Millennium Phase. Part of the concept of "Performing Arts for Everyone" launched by Chairman James Johnson in the winter of 1997, the Millennium Stage provides free performances every evening at 6:00 pm on two specially created stages at either cease of the Thousand Foyer. A broad range of fine art forms are featured on the Millennium Stage. These include performing artists and groups from all 50 states and an Artist-in-Residence program featuring artists performing several evenings in a calendar month. Every show on the Millennium Phase is available every bit a simulcast of the alive show at 6:00 pm, and is archived for after viewing via the Kennedy Middle'due south website.
  • The Terrace Gallery. On March 12, 2003, the infinite formerly known every bit the Educational activity Resource Center was officially designated the Terrace Gallery. Information technology is now home to the Kennedy Eye Jazz Club.

River and rooftop terraces [edit]

The Kennedy Center offers ane of the few open-air rooftop terraces in Washington, D.C.; it is costless of charge to the public from 10:00 a.m. until midnight each day, except when closed for individual events. The broad terrace provides views in all four directions overlooking the Rosslyn skyline in Arlington, Virginia, to the West; the Potomac River and National Drome to the Southward; the Washington Harbor and the Watergate Complex to the North; and the Lincoln Memorial, Department of Land buildings, George Washington University and the Saudi Embassy to the East.

The Grand Lobby, at 63 feet (19 m) high and 630 feet (190 chiliad) long, is one of the largest rooms in the world. If laid on its side, the Washington Monument would fit in this room with 75 feet (23 g) to spare.

Productions [edit]

Trip the light fantastic toe [edit]

World premiere performances of Kennedy Centre-commissioned works have been offered through a commissioning program for new ballet and dance works. These works accept been created past America's foremost choreographers—Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch, and Merce Cunningham—for leading American trip the light fantastic companies including American Ballet Theatre, Ballet West, Houston Ballet, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Pennsylvania Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet. The Kennedy Eye formerly supported and produced the Suzanne Farrell Ballet in performances at the Centre and on extended tours.

The Centre sponsors two annual trip the light fantastic toe residency programs for immature people; Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell and the Dance Theatre of Harlem Residency Program, both now in their 2d decade. The Kennedy Center's Gimmicky Dance serial offers a wide range of artistic perspectives, from the foremost masters of the genre to the art form's newest and most heady artists. In the 2008/2009 serial, the Kennedy Center recognized Modern Masters of American Trip the light fantastic toe, bringing Martha Graham Dance Company, Merce Cunningham Trip the light fantastic Visitor, Limón Dance Company, Mark Morris Dance Group, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company and Paul Taylor Dance Company.

Educational activity [edit]

In contempo years the Kennedy Center has dramatically expanded its education programs to reach young people, teachers, and families throughout the nation. The 2005 opening of the Family Theater has helped achieve this.

Performances for Young Audiences [edit]

Theater for Young Audiences (TYA)

The 2008–2009 season programming for Performances for Young Audiences reached more than 100 performances for young people and their families and over 110 performances for schoolhouse audiences. The season included four Kennedy Centre-commissioned world premieres: The Trumpet of the Swan, a musical adapted by Pulitzer Prize winner Marsha Norman from the book by East.B. White with music by Jason Robert Chocolate-brown; Mermaids, Monsters, and the World Painted Regal, a new play by Marco Ramirez; Unleashed! The Secret Lives of White Business firm Pets, a new play by Allyson Currin in collaboration with the White House Historical Clan; and OMAN...O man!, a new dance production conceived and directed by Debbie Allen and is role of the Center'south Arab festival, Arabesque: Arts of the Arab World. Theater for Young Audiences on Tour toured with two nationally touring productions of The Phantom Tollbooth and Blues Journey.

On June viii, 2016 it was announced that the Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences-commissioned musical Elephant & Piggie's We are in a Play!, with book and lyrics by Mo Willems and music by Deborah Wicks La Puma, volition transfer to the Off-Broadway New Victory Theater in January 2017.[32]

National Symphony Orchestra Performances for Young Audiences

Members of the National Symphony Orchestra will continue to present Teddy Acquit Concerts throughout its seasons. During these concerts, children anile iii to five bring their favorite stuffed animal to interactive musical programs featuring members of the NSO. Members of the NSO present NSO Ensemble Concerts, connecting music with various schoolhouse subjects such as science and math, Kinderkonzerts, introducing kids to orchestral instruments and classical composers, as well as NSO Family Concerts.

Kennedy Heart American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) [edit]

Started in 1969 past Roger Fifty. Stevens, the Kennedy Middle's founding chairman, the Kennedy Center American Higher Theater Festival (KCACTF) is a national theater program involving 18,000 students from colleges and universities nationwide which has served as a goad in improving the quality of college theater in the United states of america. The KCACTF has grown into a network of more than 600 academic institutions throughout the country, where theater departments and student artists showcase their piece of work and receive outside assessment by KCACTF respondents. Since its establishment in 1969, KCACTF has reached more than 17.5 one thousand thousand theatergoing students and teachers nationwide.

Changing Education Through the Arts (CETA) [edit]

The Kennedy Middle's CETA plan's mission is brand the arts a critical component in every child'southward didactics. CETA, which stands for Changing Didactics Through the Arts, creates professional evolution opportunities for teachers and school administrators. Each year over 700 teachers participate in approximately lx courses that focus on ways to integrate the arts into their teaching.[33] The Kennedy Heart'southward CETA program also partners with xvi schools in the Washington DC Metro area to develop long-range plan for arts integration at their schoolhouse. Two of these schools, Kensington Parkwood Elementary Schoolhouse in Kensington, Doc and Woodburn Uncomplicated Schoolhouse for the Fine and Communicative Arts in Falls Church, Virginia serve as Research and Development schools for CETA.

Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell (EBSF) [edit]

Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell is a three-week summer ballet intensive for international pre-professional ballerinas ages xiv–18. Suzanne Farrell, one of the most revered ballerinas of the 20th century, has been hosting this Balanchine-inspired intensive at the Kennedy Center since 1993.[34] [35] During their three weeks in Washington, D.C., Farrell'south students practise technique and choreography during twice daily classes, vi days per week. Outside of the classroom, excursions, activities and performance events are planned for EBSF students to fully immerse themselves in the civilisation of the nation's capital.[34]

Festivals [edit]

The Kennedy Middle presents festivals celebrating cities, countries, and regions of the earth. The festivals are filled with a broad range of performing arts, visual arts, cuisine, and multi-media. In 2008, the Center presented an exploration of the civilization of Nippon entitled Japan! civilisation + hyperculture. The 2009 Arab festival was an unprecedented exploration of the civilisation of the 22 Arab countries in the League of Arab States, titled Arabesque: Arts of the Arab Globe. In 2011, the Kennedy Centre presented maximum Republic of india, a iii-calendar week-long celebration of the arts and civilisation of the sub-continent.

Jazz [edit]

Since its institution in September 1971, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has showcased jazz in solo, various ensembles, and big ring settings. In 1994, the Kennedy Center appointed Dr. Billy Taylor as Artistic Advisor for Jazz, and his first installation was his own radio testify Billy Taylor'south Jazz at the Kennedy Centre. Featuring his trio and invitee artists in performance and word, the series ran for seven seasons on NPR. Since Taylor's appointment in 1994, the Center has initiated numerous performance programs to promote jazz on a national stage, featuring leading international artists and rising stars, including: the Fine art Tatum Piano Panorama, named afterward Dr. Taylor's mentor; the Louis Armstrong Legacy, highlighting vocalists; the Mary Lou Williams Women in Jazz Festival, the first festival by a major establishment promoting outstanding female jazz artists; Beyond Category, featuring artists whose piece of work transcends genre; the Platinum Series, with internationally acclaimed headliners; Jazz Ambassadors with the United States Section of State, sending musicians on worldwide goodwill tours (1998–2004); the KC Jazz Lodge, a highly praised intimate setting; and Discovery Artists in the KC Jazz Society, highlighting upwardly-and-coming talent. Kennedy Middle and NPR annually collaborated on the dearest holiday circulate 'NPR's Piano Jazz Christmas', until the retirement of host Marian McPartland, and hence the evidence, in 2011. Since 2003, the Center's jazz programs have been regularly circulate on NPR's JazzSet with Dee Dee Bridgewater. Recent highlights, produced by the Heart, take included Dandy Vibes, A Salute to Lionel Hampton (1995); Billy Taylor's 80th Birthday Commemoration (2002); Nancy Wilson, A Career Celebration (2003); Michel Legrand with Patti Austin, part of the Center's Festival of France (2004); A Tribute to Shirley Horn (2004); James Moody'due south 80th Birthday (2005); and Benny Golson at 80 (2009). In March 2007, the Eye hosted a once-in-a-lifetime celebration, Jazz in Our Fourth dimension, which bestowed the Centre's Living Jazz Legend Award to over 30 revered artists. During Dr. Taylor's tenure, the Center has created recognized educational initiatives, including national jazz satellite altitude-learning programs; adult lecture serial; principal classes and workshops with national artists and local metropolitan Washington, D.C. students; and Betty Carter's Jazz Ahead—continuing the vocaliser's legacy of identifying outstanding young talent. In 2015, Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett performed there as part of their Cheek to Cheek Bout.

National Symphony Orchestra (NSO) [edit]

The National Symphony Orchestra, the Kennedy Heart's artistic affiliate since 1987, has commissioned dozens of new works, among them Stephen Albert's RiverRun, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Music; Morton Gould'south Stringmusic, likewise a Pulitzer Prize-winner; William Bolcom's Sixth Symphony, Roger Reynolds'south george WASHINGTON, and Michael Daugherty's UFO, a concerto for solo percussion and orchestra.

In addition to its regular season concerts, the National Symphony Orchestra presents outreach, instruction, and pops programs, also as concerts at Wolf Trap each twelvemonth. The almanac American Residencies for the Kennedy Centre is a programme unique to the National Symphony Orchestra and the Center. The Center sends the Orchestra to a different country each year for an intensive flow of performances and teaching encompassing full orchestral, sleeping room, and solo concerts, master classes and other pedagogy sessions. The Orchestra has given these residencies in 20 states so far: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, North and South Carolina, Oklahoma, N and South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, Nevada, and Wyoming/Montana.

The NSO recording of John Corigliano's Of Rage and Remembrance won a Grammy Award in 1996.

Performing Arts for Everyone (PAFE) [edit]

The Kennedy Centre is the only U.South. institution that presents a gratuitous performance 365 days a year, daily at 6pm (12 apex on December 24). The Millennium Stage, created every bit part of the Heart's Performing Arts for Anybody initiative in 1997 and underwritten past James A. Johnson and Maxine Isaacs, features a broad spectrum of performing arts, from dance and jazz, to chamber music and folk, comedy, storytelling and theater. In the past twelve years, over iii million people have attended Millennium Stage performances. The Millennium Stage has presented more than than 42,000 artists, which includes over iv,000 international artists from more 70 countries; performers representing all 50 states; and 20,000 Washington-surface area ensembles and solo artists. The Charlie Byrd Trio and the Billy Taylor Trio were the first artists to delight audiences with a gratis performance on March 1, 1997. In 1999, the Center began web-casting each nighttime's live operation, and continues to archive and maintain each result in a database of over 3,000 performances which may exist accessed via the Center's website. Performing Arts for Anybody initiatives besides include low- and no-cost tickets bachelor to performances on every stage of the Kennedy Center, and several outreach programs designed to increase access to Kennedy Center tickets and performances.

The Conservatory Project [edit]

An initiative of the Millennium Phase, the Conservatory Project is a semi-annual event occurring in February and May that is designed to present the best young musical artists in classical, jazz, musical theater, and opera from leading undergraduate and graduate conservatories, colleges and universities.

Artist Residencies [edit]

The Kennedy Center hosts residencies for artists to collaborate with the Eye's performing ensembles, programmers, and community initiatives. The Center holds positions for Composer-in-Residence, Educational activity Artist-in-Residence, and Culture Artist-in-Residence. The current artists-in-residence are The Roots, author Jacqueline Woodson, composer Carlos Simon, and pianist Robert Glasper.[36]

Theater [edit]

The Center has co-produced more than 300 new works of theater over the past 43 years, including Tony-winning shows ranging from Annie in 1977 to A Few Practiced Men, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, The King and I, Titanic, and the American premiere of Les Misérables. The Center also produced the Sondheim Celebration (vi Stephen Sondheim musicals) in 2002, Tennessee Williams Explored (three of Tennessee Williams' classic plays) in 2004, Mame starring Christine Baranski in 2006, Funfair! in 2007, August Wilson's Pittsburgh Bicycle (Wilson's consummate x-play cycle performed as fully staged readings) and Broadway: Iii Generations both in 2008, and a new production of Ragtime in 2009. The Kennedy Heart Fund for New American Plays has provided disquisitional support in the evolution of 135 new theatrical works. In 2011, a new production of Follies starring Bernadette Peters opened at the Eisenhower Theater, and transferred to Broadway that fall.[ needs update ]

Kennedy Heart Honors [edit]

Since 1978, the Kennedy Centre Honors have been awarded annually by the Center's Board of Trustees. Each twelvemonth, five artists or groups are honored for their lifetime contributions to American civilisation and the performing arts, including dance, music, theater, opera, flick, and tv set.[37] The Center has awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor since 1998.

Local performing arts organizations [edit]

Many local arts organizations present (or have presented) their work at the Kennedy Center. Some of these include:

  • American Flick Constitute
  • The Washington Chorus
  • The Cathedral Choral Society of Washington
  • Choral Arts Society of Washington
  • Opera Lafayette
  • VSA arts
  • The Washington Ballet
  • Washington Concert Opera
  • Washington National Opera
  • Washington Performing Arts Society[38]
  • Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company
  • Young Concert Artists of Washington[39]

Other events [edit]

During the American Bicentennial, the Kennedy Center hosted numerous special events throughout 1976, including six commissioned plays.[xl] The center hosted free performances past groups from each state.[41] In December 1976, Mikhail Baryshnikov's version of The Nutcracker ballet played for two weeks.[42] The Kennedy Eye too hosts special inauguration events and galas.

In 1977, the Opera House hosted George Bernard Shaw's Caesar and Cleopatra with Male monarch Harrison and Elizabeth Ashley.[43] The American Ballet Theatre has also frequently performed at the Kennedy Center.[44] The troupe's 2004 production of Swan Lake, choreographed by Kevin McKenzie, was taped in that location, shown on PBS in June 2005, and released on DVD presently later on. Productions of The Lion King and Trevor Nunn's production of My Off-white Lady (choreographed by Matthew Bourne) were presented in the 2007–2008 season, to name a few.[45]

The 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert was held on September 14, 2021, and is scheduled to air on PBS on October 1, 2021. Audra McDonald hosted, and First lady Jill Biden gave opening remarks.[46]

Millennium Phase Archives [edit]

The Kennedy Center stages complimentary daily performances on its Millennium Phase in the Grand Foyer. Featured on the Millennium Stage are a range of art forms, including performing artists and groups.

The two theaters of The Millennium Stage are equipped with lights, sound systems, and cameras. Every gratuitous consequence performed at this stage is recorded and archived on the Kennedy Center's website. These archives have been bachelor to the public for complimentary since 2009.[47]

VSA [edit]

VSA (formerly VSA arts) is an international nonprofit arrangement founded in 1974 past Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith to create a society where people with disabilities learn through, participate in, and enjoy the arts. VSA provides educators, parents, and artists with resources and the tools to support arts programming in schools and communities. VSA showcases the accomplishments of artists with disabilities and promotes increased admission to the arts for people with disabilities. Each year vii one thousand thousand people participate in VSA programs through a nationwide network of affiliates and in 54 countries effectually the world. Affiliated with the Kennedy Eye since 2005, VSA was officially merged into the organization in 2011 to become office of the Eye's Department of VSA and Accessibility.

Renovations and expansion [edit]

On June 16, 1971, Congress authorized appropriations for i year to the Board of Trustees for operating and maintenance expenses. In following years, the appropriations were provided to the National Park Service for operations, maintenance, security, safety and other functions not directly related to the performing arts activities.[48] The National Park Service and the Kennedy Eye signed a cooperative understanding requiring each party to pay a portion of the operating and maintenance costs based on what proportion of fourth dimension the building was to be used for performing arts functions. The agreement did not specify who was responsible for long-term capital improvement projects at the Kennedy Centre, along with just periodic funding by Congress for one-time projects.[49]

1990–2005 [edit]

In fiscal years 1991 and 1992, Congress recommended that $27.7 meg be allocated for capital comeback projects at the Center, including $12 million for structural repairs to the garage and $xv.7 million for structural and mechanical repairs, likewise every bit projects for improving handicapped access.[50] In 1994, Congress gave full responsibleness to the Kennedy Center for capital improvement projects and facility management.[51] From 1995 to 2005, over $200 million of federal funds were allocated to the Kennedy Center for long-term capital projects, repairs, and to bring the center into compliance with modern burn safety and accessibility codes.[51] Improvements included renovation of the Concert Hall, Opera House, plaza-level public spaces, and a new burn down warning organization.[52] The renovations projects were completed 13 to fifty percent over upkeep, due to modifications of plans during the renovations resulting in overtime and other penalties.[53] Renovations to the Eisenhower Theater were completed in 2008.[45]

2013–present [edit]

Beginning in 2013, the Center commenced with an 60,000 square feet (5,600 m2) expansion project on iv acres in the Center'southward South Plaza. The expansion adds classroom, rehearsal, and performance space and includes three pavilions (the Welcome Pavilion, the Skylight Pavilion, and the River Pavilion), reflecting pool, a tree grove, a sloping lawn to be used for outdoor performances, and a pedestrian bridge over Rock Creek Parkway.[54] [55] The architect is Steven Holl,[55] with assist from architectural house BNIM.[56] Edmund Hollander Mural Architects is the landscape architect.[57]

Plans for the project began afterward David Chiliad. Rubenstein donated $50 million to the eye.[56] A groundbreaking ceremony took identify in December 2014. Originally estimated to toll $100 one thousand thousand, the cost of the project grew to $175 million, and design changes and a major D.C. sewer project significantly delayed construction. The expansion, entitled the Achieve, opened on September 7, 2019 with an opening arts festival.[55] [58] [59] The fundraising goal for the new Attain arts centre grew to $250 meg[60] as the project progressed, and the target was achieved just ii days before opening. Since its opening, the Accomplish as received several design awards, such as the Architect's Newspaper Best of the Year Honor in the Cultural category and an Honor Award in the 2020 AIA NY Design Awards.[61] [62]

Direction [edit]

Prior to 1980, daily operations of the Kennedy Middle were overseen past the chairman of the board of directors, and by the board itself. Aspects of the heart'southward programming and operations were overseen by various other people. George London was the Kennedy Heart's first executive director (oftentimes called "artistic director" by the press, although that was non the formal title), serving from 1968 to 1970,[63] while William McCormick Blair, Jr. was its first administrative director.[64] Julius Rudel took over as music director in 1971.[65] In 1972, Martin Feinstein replaced London and held the position of artistic director until 1980.[66] Marta Casals Istomin was named the first female person creative managing director in 1980, a position she held until 1990;[67] she was likewise the kickoff person to be formally invested with that title.[68] [69]

In 1991, the board created the position of chief operating officeholder to remove the day-to-day operations of the Kennedy center from the chairman and board. Lawrence Wilker was hired to fill the position, which after was retitled president.[70] The artistic manager continued to oversee artistic programming, under the president'southward direction.

Michael Kaiser became president of the Kennedy Center in 2001. He left the organization when his contract expired in September 2014.[70] [71]

In September 2014, Deborah F. Rutter became its third president; she is the starting time woman to hold that post. Rutter had previously been president of the Chicago Symphony Orchestra Association, a position she held from 2003.[67]

Board of Trustees [edit]

The Kennedy Centre Lath of Trustees, formally known every bit the Trustees of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, maintains and administers the Center and its site. David M. Rubenstein is the chairman of the lath.

The honorary chair members of the board are the First Lady and her living predecessors. Members of the board are specified by xx USC 76h and include ex officio members such equally the Secretary of Wellness and Human being Services, the Librarian of Congress, the Secretary of State (substituting for the Director of the Us Information Agency after that agency was abolished), the Chairman of the Commission of Fine Arts, the Mayor of the District of Columbia, the Superintendent of Schools of the Commune of Columbia, the Director of the National Park Service, the Secretarial assistant of Education and the Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, too as 36 general trustees appointed past the President of the United States for six-twelvemonth terms.[72]

See besides [edit]

  • Listing of memorials to John F. Kennedy

References [edit]

Notes

  1. ^ a b "U.S. capital seeks to build civilisation centre". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Printing. October 21, 1962. p. 2.
  2. ^ Tom (Feb 24, 2014). "The Kennedy Center Could Have Looked Similar This". Ghosts of DC . Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  3. ^ a b Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Centre: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. 50: 527–528.
  4. ^ "Timeline of SRI International Innovations: 1940s - 1950s". SRI International. Archived from the original on November 29, 2006. Retrieved July 1, 2012.
  5. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Middle: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. fifty: 529.
  6. ^ a b Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Middle: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Social club. fifty: 541.
  7. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. fifty: 542.
  8. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. fifty: 543.
  9. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Eye: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. fifty: 544.
  10. ^ a b c Robertson, Nan (September vi, 1971). "At Concluding, the Performances Brainstorm". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  11. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. 50: 545.
  12. ^ a b Lydon, Christopher (September 6, 1971). "Kennedy Arts Center Primps for Opening and Hopes to Brand Profit". The New York Times.
  13. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Society. 50: 546.
  14. ^ Press release [1]. The John F. Kennedy Library. Retrieved: vi March 2020
  15. ^ a b Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Order. fifty: 564.
  16. ^ a b Curtis, Charlotte (September 3, 1971). "Clamor Continues for Seats at Kennedy Eye Opening". The New York Times.
  17. ^ a b c "$3-Million in Gifts Adorn Center". The New York Times. September vi, 1971.
  18. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Heart: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Club. 50: 560.
  19. ^ Meersman, Roger (1980). "The Kennedy Center: From Dream to Reality". Records of the Columbia Historical Club. fifty: 568–569.
  20. ^ a b Schonberg, Harold C. (September 2, 1971). "Kennedy Hall Gets Acoustics Workout". The New York Times.
  21. ^ Hutchinson, Louise (October 19, 1971). "Eisenhower Theater Opening Performance Seen by Nixons". Chicago Tribune.
  22. ^ a b c Weeks, Christopher (1994). AIA Guide to the Architecture of Washington, D.C. (Third ed.). Johns Hopkins University Printing. ISBN9780801847134.
  23. ^ Huxtable, Ada Louise (2008). On Compages: Nerveless Reflections on a Century of Change . Bloomsbury. p. 82. ISBN978-0-8027-1707-viii.
  24. ^ Roth, Leland K. (1982). A Concise History of American Compages. Westview Press. p. 337. ISBN978-0064300865.
  25. ^ Raichel, Daniel R. (2000). The Scientific discipline and Applications of Acoustics . Springer. p. 252. ISBN978-0387989075.
  26. ^ "Steven Holl Receives Approval for Kennedy Center Pedestrian Bridge". ArchDaily. July 31, 2016. Retrieved May 9, 2018.
  27. ^ "Welcome to the REACH | the Kennedy Middle | Kennedy Center".
  28. ^ a b "War or Peace, (sculpture)". Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey. Smithsonian Institution. 1994. Retrieved November four, 2014.
  29. ^ a b "America, (sculpture)". Save Outdoor Sculpture, District of Columbia survey. Smithsonian Establishment. 1994. Retrieved Nov 4, 2014.
  30. ^ "Kennedy Unit to Go Male monarch's Gift". Spartanburg Herald-Journal. Associated Printing. May 9, 1976. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  31. ^ Wakin, Daniel J. (September 27, 2011). "Kennedy Center to Supplant Its Pipe Organ". The New York Times.
  32. ^ Swain, Marianka. "New Flavor Announced for New Victory Theater". broadwayworld.com.
  33. ^ "Ceta: Program Overview". Retrieved Dec 18, 2011.
  34. ^ a b "Exploring Ballet with Suzanne Farrell". Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  35. ^ "Dance Spotlight: Learning Curve". Archived from the original on July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 16, 2015.
  36. ^ "50th Anniversary Season | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-middle.org . Retrieved April 10, 2021.
  37. ^ Boliek, Brooks (September 8, 1994). "Kennedy nods to Douglas, Gould". The Hollywood Reporter.
  38. ^ Washington Performing Arts Social club website
  39. ^ Immature Concert Artists of Washington website
  40. ^ Darling, Lynn (January i, 1977). "Bicentennial Hailed for Its Legacies". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  41. ^ "Critics' Roundtable The Arts: Poised for 1977". The Washington Mail service. January 2, 1977. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  42. ^ Kriegsman, Alan G. (January two, 1977). "The New Nutcracker: An Artistic Coup". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  43. ^ Quinn, Emerge (January 12, 1977). "Male monarch Harrison: 'The World Was A Rather Different Identify Then'". The Washington Post . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
  44. ^ Kriegsman, Alan M. (Apr 11, 1977). "ABT'southward Last Weekend: Upbeat Performances". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  45. ^ a b Smith, Tim (March 6, 2007). "Kennedy Heart announces details of 2007–2008 season". The Baltimore Lord's day. Archived from the original on March 24, 2007.
  46. ^ Marsh, Kayla. "All Is Bright Over again: Inside The Kennedy Center's Star-Studded 50th Anniversary Celebration Concert", District Fray, September 16, 2021; and Hampton, Olivia. "Stars shine for Kennedy Heart 50th anniversary show", DC Metro Theater Arts, September sixteen, 2021
  47. ^ "Millennium Stage". Kennedy Center. Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  48. ^ General Accounting Function (Feb 1993). "Kennedy Center: Information on the Upper-case letter Comeback Programme" (PDF). p. two.
  49. ^ General Bookkeeping Function (February 1993). "Kennedy Centre: Information on the Capital Comeback Program" (PDF). p. 3.
  50. ^ General Accounting Office (February 1993). "Kennedy Centre: Information on the Capital Comeback Plan" (PDF). GAO Report to Congress. p. 4.
  51. ^ a b Government Accountability Office (April 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Burn Safety Issues, Construction Projects, and Financial Management Needed" (PDF). p. 1.
  52. ^ Government Accountability Office (April 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Burn down Safety Issues, Construction Projects, and Fiscal Direction Needed" (PDF). p. three.
  53. ^ Regime Accountability Role (Apr 2005). "Stronger Oversight of Burn down Safe Issues, Construction Projects, and Financial Management Needed" (PDF). p. 4.
  54. ^ Peggy McGlone, Completion of Kennedy Center expansion nevertheless more than a year away, Washington Mail (May eight, 2018).
  55. ^ a b c "Expansion Project". John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
  56. ^ a b "KC house BNIM will assistance blueprint $100 million expansion of Kennedy Center". Kansas Metropolis Star. April iv, 2013. Retrieved Nov iv, 2014.
  57. ^ "The REACH at the [sic] The Kennedy Centre". The Kennedy Middle. Retrieved Oct 28, 2018.
  58. ^ "Welcome to the Attain | The Kennedy Centre | Kennedy Center". www.kennedy-center.org . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  59. ^ "Attain Opening Festival Annunciation | Kennedy Center". world wide web.kennedy-center.org . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  60. ^ "Kennedy Eye celebrates latest expansion 'The Reach' with free opening festival". WTOP. September seven, 2019. Retrieved September 12, 2019.
  61. ^ "Announcing the winners of the 2020 AN All-time of Design Awards". The Architect'southward Newspaper. December two, 2020. Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  62. ^ "THE REACH". AIA New York . Retrieved July 12, 2021.
  63. ^ Davis, Peter G. (September 17, 1981). "Nov. 4 Gala to Honor George London". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  64. ^ Robertson, Nan (February 1, 1968). "Rudel and Blair Accept Kennedy Arts Center Jobs". The New York Times . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
  65. ^ Taubman, Howard (August 30, 1971). "Rudel Logs a Hectic Day In Kennedy Center Roles". The New York Times . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
  66. ^ Saxon, Wolfgang (Feb 7, 2006). "Martin Feinstein, 84, Dies; Led the National Opera". The New York Times . Retrieved March 12, 2016.
  67. ^ a b Boyle, Katherine (December 10, 2013). "Deborah F. Rutter to Become Kennedy Center's Tertiary President". The Washington Post . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  68. ^ "Kennedy Middle Artistic Director". Christian Science Monitor. February 29, 1980. Retrieved November iv, 2014.
  69. ^ Cummings, Judith; Krebs, Albin (February 27, 1980). "The Kennedy Center Names a New Artistic Director". The New York Times . Retrieved November 4, 2014.
  70. ^ a b Boyle, Katherine (January 23, 2013). "Kennedy Center Will Begin Search to Replace President Michael M. Kaiser". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 17, 2013. Retrieved November four, 2014.
  71. ^ Pogrebin, Robin (December ten, 2013). "Kennedy Center Names New Chief". The New York Times . Retrieved November iv, 2014.
  72. ^ "Board of Trustees". Retrieved April 13, 2021.

External links [edit]

  • Official website
  • The John F. Kennedy Heart for the Performing Arts at Google Cultural Institute

furnellprinnybod59.blogspot.com

Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Kennedy_Center_for_the_Performing_Arts