Highlights of the Orange County Performing Arts Center
The late 1960's was the period when a performing arts center in Orange County was proposed. A number of leaders in that Californian community decided to have a world-class performing arts venue where artistic organizations in their county could perform. It was also the time when the county's population and business environment had grown.
There are various events that have marked the creation of Orange County Performing Arts Center. The Segerstrom family of the Orange County made a five-acre land donation for the original facility in 1979. The creation of Orange County Performing Arts Center was made through private funding. No government funding was accepted nor solicited during the construction of the performing arts complex in the Orange County.
The existence of Orange County Performing Arts Center was marked during the groundbreaking event on July 7, 1983 and the grand opening of the Segerstrom Hall on September 29, 1986.
The Segerstrom family was influential in the founding of the performance arts complex in Orange County where the family donated another parcel of land for the construction of concert hall, an education center and multi-use theatre in 1998. The land deeded was also aimed for a community plaza.
During the year 2000, Henry Segerstrom bestowed a lead gift amounting to 40 million dollars. This is a charitable contribution to the 200 million dollar capital campaign of the Performing Arts Center.
The groundbreaking event celebrating the expansion of Orange County Performing Arts Center was marked by the Pacific Symphony concert in Segerstrom Hall on Febrauary 6, 2003.
On September 15, 2006, another highlight in the history of Orange County Performing Arts Center is the inauguration of Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. This was marked by a concert performance of Pacific Symphony. A spectacular performance by Placido Domingo was also heralded during the inauguration of the new concert hall.
Samueli Theater, a multi-functional 500-seat facility of the performing arts complex was opened with a Sheryl Crow concert. It was followed by another performance of Camp Freddy and a recital of Mariinsky Theater Conservatory artists.
The Orange County Performing Arts Center is the artistic home of major performing arts organizations. They include the Philharmonic Society of Orange County, Pacific Symphony, the Pacific Chorale and Opera Pacific.
Moreover, the performing arts center also offers performing arts programs. Its programs include Family Series, On Stage at the Center, The Center's Arts Teach, Educator Professional Development, the Center's Arts Connect, Masters at The Center, Summer at The Center and Tomorrow's Stars at The Center.
Orange County Performing Arts Center is a world-class performing arts complex. It was vision made into a reality.
