Harris Theater (Chicago)

Infobox Theatre
name = Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance


image_size = 250px
caption = Harris Theater (left) from Randolph Street
address = 205 E. Randolph Street
city = city-state|Chicago|Illinois
country = USA
designation =
latitude =
longitude =
architect = Hammond, Beeby, Rupert, Ainge Architects
owner =
capacity = 1525
type =
opened = November 82003
yearsactive = 2003–present
rebuilt =
closed =
othernames = Harris Theater
Harris & Harris Theater
production =
currentuse = Music and Dance performance
website = www.harristheaterchicago.org/

Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance, Harris & Harris Theater or most commonly Harris Theater is a 1525-seat theater for the performing arts located along the northern edge of Millennium Park on Randolph Street in the Loop community area of Chicago in Cook County, Illinois, USA. Constructed from 2002–2003, it is the city's premier performance venue for small and medium sized performance groups. [cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpark.org/artandarchitecture/harris_theater.html|title=Art & Architecture: Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance|accessdate=2008-06-03|publisher=City of Chicago] The theater was named for its primary benefactors, Mr & Mrs. Irving Harris.cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/28/obituaries/28harris.html|title=I. B. Harris, 94, Philanthropist and Executive, Dies|accessdate=2008-06-04|date=2004-09-28|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times] Although the theater was founded to serve as the home to several local mid-sized performance organizations, the theater began offering subscription series of traveling performers in its fifth season.

Details

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width1 = 96
caption1 = Inside Harris Theater (2006-10-23)

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width2 = 85
caption2 = The Harris Theater is underground. (2006-06-03)

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caption3 = Inside Harris Theater (2006-10-23)


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caption5 = The theater is a privately owned institution serving mostly local mid-size nonprofit arts companies and projects, including those sponsoring touring artists such as Old Town School of Folk Music. The building is located on ground leased from the City of Chicago. Construction began on February 12002, and the theater opened for use on November 82003.cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A00E1DE1E30F937A35752C1A9659C8B63|title= Arts Briefing|accessdate=2008-06-04|date=2003-11-04|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Van Gelder, Lawrence] cite web|url=http://www.pbcchicago.com/subhtml/proj_display.asp?Agency_Code=LMP#peri|title=Millennium Park Projects|accessdate=2008-06-03|publisher=Public Building Commission of Chicago] The theater was opened to serve as the home venue for a dozen arts groups that perform a variety of types of dance and music. The founding companies are: Ballet Chicago, Chicago Opera Theater, Chicago Sinfonietta, The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Joffrey Ballet of Chicago, Lyric Opera Center for American Artists, Mexican Fine Arts Center Museum, Muntu Dance Theatre of Chicago, Music of the Baroque, Old Town School of Folk Music, and Performing Arts Chicago. When the Harris Theater opened in 2003, it provided an aspiration for small dance companies such as Luna Negra Dance Theater. [cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FE93A8742D9440E&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=The Harris Theater is ready, but can dancers afford rent?|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2003-11-02|publisher=Newsbank|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Smith, Sid] This was an aspiration that Luna Negra quickly achieved. [cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:ADHB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=1157969E30A0E5F8&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=Dance companies premiere new works|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2006-11-10|publisher=Newsbank|work=Daily Herald|author=Vitello, Barbara] [cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=11C6213AC6335760&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=On the Latin beat - Vilaro's dance piece celebrates mambo pioneer|accessdate=2008-08-29|date=2003-11-02|publisher=Newsbank|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Weiss, Hedy]

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width1 = 88
caption1 = Looking up the steps

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width2 = 88
caption2 = Harris Theater steps

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caption3 = Aon Center from underground in the Harris Theater


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caption5 = The theater, locally known as Harris Theater, is a first newly constructed space in Chicago dedicated for the performing arts since 1929.cite web|url=http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/about/history|title=History of the Harris Theater|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park|date=2006] The theater was built to fill a need identified in a study by the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation for a flexible, affordable, technically and physically modern downtown performance venue in Chicago for use by itinerant performing arts companies. Many of Chicago’s major philanthropic organizations and resident performing arts companies formed a partnership to bring the project to fruition. The non-profit Harris Theater provides subsidized rental, technical expertise, and marketing support. Today, the Theater underwrites over two-thirds of the daily usage costs for its non-profit user groups while providing marketing, box office, front-of-house, and technical services at no extra charge.cite web|url=http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/about/mission|title=Abouth Harris Theater: Mission|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park]

In the theater's fifth season (2008–09), it began to present its own music series of touring groups. In this endeavor, it has entered the domain of the Auditorium Theatre and the Symphony Center's Chicago Symphony Orchestra. [cite web|url=http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/files/S-T%20season%20annct%203.26.pdf|title=Harris Theater plans its own music series.|accessdate=2008-06-04|date=2008-03-26|publisher=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Patner, Andrew] Thus, in addition to the numerous resident performing arts programs, it is offering series subscriptions for what is called the "Harris Theater Presents" series. The music series for the fifth anniversary season includes a five-concert classical music series and a three-performance dance series by the San Francisco Ballet and the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company.cite web|url=http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/files/Tribune%20season%20annct%203.26.pdf|title=Harris Unveils Biggest Subscription Series Yet|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=Chicago Tribune|author=von Rhein, John] This is the first time that they have offered a subscription series and many of the performers are by internationally acclaimed artists.cite web|url=http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/files/Fall%2008-09%20season%20release%20FINAL.pdf|title=HARRIS THEATER FOR MUSIC AND DANCE ANNOUNCES A WORLD-CLASS 5TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON FEATURING THE FIRST-EVER HARRIS THEATER PRESENTS SERIES OF CHICAGO PREMIERES, ARTISTIC COLLABORATIONS AND A LINE-UP OF SOME OF THE WORLD’S NOTABLE ARTISTS WORKING TODAY|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=harristheaterchicago.org|date=2008-04-02]

It has been one of the theatres involved in the Chicago International Film Festival. [cite web|url=http://www.chicagofilmfestival.org/cgi-bin/WebObjects/CIFFSite.woa/wa/Theaters/3|title=Harris Theater|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=Cinema/Chicago] In 2005 the theater hosted the 14th annual Jazz Dance World Congress. [cite web|url=http://travel2.nytimes.com/2005/08/08/arts/dance/08jazz.html|title=At a Dance Festival, Jazzy Is as Jazzy Does|accessdate=2008-06-04|date=2005-08-08|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Kinetz, Erika]

The theater is named for its primary benefactors, Mr. & Mrs. Irving Harris. The Harrises have also been the primary benefactors of the Irving B. Harris Graduate School of Public Policy Studies at The University of Chicago and several other causes for the arts and youth. Previously the Harrises donated $7 million in 1993 to fund the Joan and Irving Harris Concert Hall at city-state|Aspen|Colorado's Aspen Music Festival and School.cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CSTB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FB95DB32DF9B471&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2 |title=Curtain time is 5 months away for new theater|accessdate=2008-06-06|date=2003-06-04|publisher=Newsbank|work=Chicago Sun-Times|author=Delacoma, Wynne] The $15 million gift and a $24 million construction loan to the Music and Dance Theater Chicago were believed to be largest single monetary commitment ever to a performing arts organization in Chicago.cite web|url=http://www.pbcchicago.com/upload/538.pdf|title=Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Commit $39 Million to Music and Dance Theater Chicago|accessdate=2008-06-04|date=2002-02-04|publisher=Public Building Commission of Chicago]

pecifications

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width1 = 137
caption1 = Full stage.

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width2 = 160
caption2 = PerformersThe theater is located mostly underground, [cite web|url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9F03EED81030F933A15755C0A9629C8B63|title= TRAVEL ADVISORY; Chicago Adds Bold Touches to Its Lakefront|accessdate=2008-06-04|date=2004-06-20|publisher=The New York Times Company|work=The New York Times|author=Hall, Christopher] with an underground passage to the adjacent underground Millennium Park Garage. Its underground design with a commonly used Millennium Park Garage entrance causes many to miss the spatial grandeur of the lobby only to experience a cramped feeling in the staircases that they must take the time to descend. The entire auditorium is contained in a convert|100|ft|m|1|lk=on|adj=on square cube. There is an above ground street glass-walled edifice and lobby entry at 205 E. Randolph Street. The theater cost $52.7 million. It is located beneath and behind the Jay Pritzker Pavilion and this has the benefit that the park's indoor and outdoor performance venues are able to share a loading dock, rehearsal rooms and other backstage facilities.cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=103E954310A1AB15&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title= Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance - ** - 205 E. Randolph Drive - Hammond Beeby Rupert Ainge, Chicago|accessdate=2008-06-06|date=2004-07-18|publisher=newsbank|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Kamin, Blair] Designed by Hammond, Beeby, Rupert, Ainge Architects, it won the American Architecture Award for 2002. The modern lobby spans several metallic and neon floors in what is described as an explosive manner. The theater's sightlines and acoustics provide a modern audience experience in an industrial stainless-steel bolstered environment.cite web|url=http://www.centerstagechicago.com/music/clubs/harris-theatre.html|title=Harris Theater for Music and Dance|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=Centerstage Media LLC.] The theater also has a rooftop terrace that is available for private events. [cite web|url=http://www.millenniumpark.org/privaterentals/rooftop/|title=Private Events: Photo Galleries: Rooftop Terrace|accessdate=2008-06-13|publisher=City of Chicago] Designer Thomas Beeby had previously designed the Harold Washington Library Center and the Art Institute of Chicago Building's Rice Wing.

The following are the theater specifications: 1525 capacity, proscenium (and stage) width — convert|45|ft|m|1, proscenium height — convert|30|ft|m|1, stage depth — convert|45|ft|m|1, offstage right — convert|26|ft|m|1, offstage left — convert|27|ft|10|in|m|1 and staging area — convert|27|ft|4|in|m|1 x convert|83|ft|8|in|m|1. [cite web|url=http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/rent|title=Rent Harris Theater|accessdate=2008-06-04|publisher=Harris Theater for Music and Dance at Millennium Park] The theater's seats are arranged with approximately 600 main floor seats, 500 raised orchestra level seats and 400 balcony seats. In addition, the modern orchestra pit, which can be closed, accommodates 45 musicians. The theater has convert|75|ft|m|1 of fly space. The theater has convert|75|ft|m|1|adj=on steel-reflector towers flanking the proscenium to help focus sound.cite web|url=http://docs.newsbank.com/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info:sid/iw.newsbank.com:NewsBank:CTRB&rft_val_format=info:ofi/fmt:kev:mtx:ctx&rft_dat=0FB771FAEEFA1752&svc_dat=InfoWeb:aggregated5&req_dat=AA98CDC331574F0ABEAFF732B33DC0B2|title=New theater named for its benefactors|accessdate=2008-06-06|date=2003-06-04|publisher=newsbank|work=Chicago Tribune|author=Smith, Sid and John von Rhein] The theater has maplewood seats, carpeting and walls with a muted color scheme — blacks, charcoals and grays. The modest palette is appropriate for this modest structure that attempts to complement the exuberant neighboring pavilion. The theatre won the 2005 American Institute of Architects Chicago Institutional Design Excellence Award. [cite web|url=http://www.aiachicago.org/special_features/2005DEA/awards.asp?subID=43|title=Joan W. and Irving B. Harris Theater for Music and Dance|accessdate=2008-07-09|publisher=AIA Chicago]

Notes

ee also

*List of theaters for dance

External links

* [http://www.millenniumpark.org/parkevents/parkmap.pdf Millennium Park map]
* [http://egov.cityofchicago.org/webportal/COCWebPortal/COC_ATTACH/Community_Areas_LOOP.pdf City of Chicago Loop Community Map]
* [http://www.harristheaterchicago.org/ Official website of the Harris Theater in Chicago]

Geographic Location
Center = Harris Theater
Northeast = Illinois Center
East = Exelon Pavilion
Southwest = Chase Promenade
West = Exelon Pavilion
Southeast = BP Pedestrian Bridge
Northwest = Illinois Center
North = Illinois Center
South = Jay Pritzker Pavilion