Redbud Theater To Be Retired

3/12/04

DENTON — Texas Woman’s University will retire Redbud Theater later this year, following a facilities assessment that identified the need for a new performance space. The assessment is part of an aggressive building and renovation program that includes a new campus in Houston, construction of new student housing and renovation of the Old Science Building in Denton and improvements to the Dallas-Parkland campus.

Cost is the primary factor in the decision to close the 45-year-old building. Plans for replacing the theater are in the early stages. Drama classes and performances will be held at other locations on campus to ensure that the program remains strong and is a vital part of the School of the Arts.

“TWU is committed to providing state-of-the-art facilities to support its excellent academic programs, including drama” said Dr. Carolyn Gunning, interim provost. “Holding productions in other venues will allow audiences to experience TWU theatre in new ways and take the program to new audiences.”

Faculty and administrators are determining other locations on campus where set design, costuming and lighting classes currently taking place in Redbud can be held. Some off-campus production venues already have been secured.

“We're identifying suitable alternative performance sites on campus, in Denton and in the Dallas-Fort Worth area,” said Sharon Benge, TWU drama program director. “Locations at TWU could include the gardens, Margo Jones Performance Hall, the Patio Building and the amphitheatre. Creative Denton sites include an old farm property, a Victorian house and even a bowling alley. Additionally, we have secured the galleries in the Fort Worth Museum of Modern Art and a small thrust theater in downtown Fort Worth for productions in the late fall.”

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For Further Information Contact:

Roy Kron
Director of News and Information
Tel: (940) 898-3456
e-mail: rkron@twu.edu