New Beginnings for the Arts
Many of you might remember the M.K. Cox Performing Arts Center with that dingy and old feel to it. But that feeling is now gone thanks to the old building being newly renovated into this jaw dropping venue that sparkles into the night now known as America First Performing Arts Center. This new performing arts center is located here on our beautiful campus and it is a meaning and representation of what can happen when our school and community come together as one.
The entire reason that the building was needing some renovation was because it has been around for 40 years. It took about two years from start to finish to get all the renovations completed and the staff trained that will be running it from day to day. This has all lead up to the ribbon cutting and grand opening that happed on Saturday. Even though its projected opening was supposed to be three months ago.
“You really couldn’t hear what was going on in other places on the stage…sound varied about every 10 or 15 feet depending on where you sat,” said Dean Jeff Jarvis, dean of the College of Arts.
Now since the renovation the sound can be heard from any seat in the house, and makes you feel like you are at a full blown concert.
“[Performing] makes me feel amazing, especially when playing,” said Tammy Tremea, a member of the Southwest Symphony Board and plays in the orchestra. “I feel like our symphony is already good but playing here just elevated it. I want to perform here.”
In addition to the sound improvements that happened to the entire theater. The venue was also modernized with very extensive digital upgrades.
“Bulk of the programming in the building is not digital”, said Jarvis. “With the programming being digital now it gives the opportunity to our school and the community to have things such as a road show come perform here and just overall improve the center.”
Other big changes visitors will immediately notice is the new lobby. A lobby is such a vital part of any performing arts center because audiences like to congregate and discuss after any performance, but the old building lacked a lobby, leaving no room for those post show conversations. In the lobby you will notice on both sides that there are couches and just seating all around the edges for you to talk comfortably. Other big eye-catchers are the Hall of Fame wall, concession stands, and tables all over for whatever needs one may have.
Making your way through the lobby you will also notice the two double staircases right in front of you on both sides that will lead you to the upper sections. But, once you step into the actual theater you will immediately notice the brand new seating, the newly added balcony, the orchestra level, and additional seating on top of that. Other items you might observe as well are the brand new lights that have been put in. These lights are bright enough to help you find your seat whenever and even brighter to light up any performance that may happen in here.
Some behind-the-scenes improvements that you might not know about are the brand new dressing rooms, which there are ones specifically for students and then others for celebrities. Other improvements include extra storage space on both sides of the stage and underneath, two loading docks for trailers, and a brand new bonus room upstairs for banquets and other events.
A lot went into this renovation and a huge part of that are the donors. And this renovation project cost about $34.3 million. There were a lot of helping hands involved as this center is for the school, community, and city.
Some of those helping hands include names such as “American First Credit Union, Utah Tech University, City of St. George, and Washington County,” said Sherry J Ruesch, Utah Tech University Assistant Vice President of Facilities Management.
Some might still be wondering why the name was changed, well for starters it is pretty simple. It all has to do with money.
“[The name] changed because America First Credit Union came forward with a large donation to go towards the remodel and construction,” said Ruesch.
The new beginning that has happened here for the America First Performing Arts Center that started immediately after that ribbon was cut is a chapter people are really excited about more than nervous. This was shown through the enormous amount of chatter happening between others and just the pure joy and happiness that was being shown on people’s faces. You could truly feel the energy inside that theater especially when there was not a single empty seat or phone in sight when that curtain raised and the first performer hit the stage.
Now with the building entering its new chapter there are many new and exciting opportunities to be looking forward to. Such as the possibility of travel broadway shows and the return of the Utah Symphony. The next show one can catch here though is Oct. 2 at 7:30 p.m. when the music department will be having there showcase concert.
