North Central College officials say the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center is a gift to the community but they too, feel like children on Christmas morning now that the facility is opening. Here, Donald Hackl, front, president of Loebl, Schlossman and Hackl, discusses the architectural significance of the new facility, joined by Jennifer GoodSmith, assistant vice president of marketing and communications, from left; Harold Wilde, president of the college; acoustician Richard Talaske; Brian Lynch, fine arts director; and Rick Spencer, vice president of institutional advancement.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The stage is set, the players in place and the audience primed.
The proverbial curtains of the Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center will open today like layers of wrapping paper unveiling the $30 million venue North Central College officials say is a gift to the city.
But they too, feel like eager children on Christmas morning watching the venue finally become a reality and hearing both students and world-renowned artists let their music soar through the hall.
The 57,000-square-foot center at the corner of Ellsworth Street and Chicago Avenue includes the 605-seat Wentz Concert Hall, 150-seat Bartley and Maricela Madden Theatre and Schoenherr Art Gallery as well as rehearsal and teaching space.
The project was funded entirely through donations.
The college will officially dedicate the hall at 10:30 a.m. today with a celebration that will feature music by its concert winds, women's chorale and concert choir along with numerous special guests. Informal tours will be available before and after the dedication.
For a full schedule of events and ticket information for the new venue, visit northcentralcollege.edu/show.
What people are saying:
"I don't think there's been an event like this, a moment like this in Naperville, for 82 years when our predecessors dedicated Pfeiffer Hall."
- Harold Wilde, college president
"It gives me goosebumps every time I come in here to think about that impact it's going to have on the community for years and years to come."
- Rick Spencer, vice president of institutional advancement
"What we have now is this ... facility that we can bring world class artists into, we have Madden black box that is going to afford our students the ability to work on an intimate scale of acting and improve their skills."
- Brian Lynch, director of fine arts
If you go
What: Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center dedication
When: 10:30 a.m. today
Where: Wentz Concert Hall, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville
Info: northcentralcollege.edu
North Central College junior Mike Krieglstein practices his upright bass in a rehearsal room at the new Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center. The rooms are designed to be soundproof so students can practice in multiple rooms at once without being disturbed.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The 605-seat Wentz Concert Hall was carefully constructed so that every angle and material used would contribute to its world-class acoustics. Features like retractable curtains also make it adaptable to a variety of performers including jazz, amplified music, choral groups and an orchestra. The stage is large enough to accommodate a full orchestra or chorus and its designers say there isn't a bad seat in the house.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
A dressing room and makeup room give performers at Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center plenty of space to prepare before going on stage. Television screens will allow them to see what is happening in both the concert hall and black box theater.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The $30 million Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center was funded entirely through donations. North Central College received more than 2,600 contributions including over 600 from Naperville residents who were not alumni.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The Bartley and Maricela Madden Theatre, a black box facility, features portable seats, stage and equipment so that it can be used as a theater, dance studio or classroom.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The 57,000-square-foot facility includes a concert hall, black box theater, art gallery, classrooms, offices and rehearsal space.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The Schoenherr Art Gallery currently features a J.P. Morgan's Art Collection, with 41 pieces from established and emerging modern artists including Andy Warhol. Longtime Dick Tracy artist Dick Locher, a Naperville resident, is scheduled to show off his work next month.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
A dressing room and makeup room give performers at Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center plenty of space to prepare before going on stage. Television screens will allow them to see what is happening in both the concert hall and black box theatre.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer
The Wentz Concert Hall and Madden Theatre each have their own lobbies and ticket offices so performances can run simultaneously.
Tanit Jarusan | Staff Photographer