A shining new star in Meridian

By Penny Kemp / special to The Star

July 20, 2006 08:57 pm

— On Sept. 8, the doors will open on a vibrant new hub for performing arts, education and conferences in the heart of Meridian’s historic downtown.
The Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts represents a $25 million restoration project that is already contributing to downtown growth and revitalization. The center includes the restoration of the Grand Opera House of Mississippi, and the Marks-Rothenberg and the Newberry buildings.
Residents of Meridian and the region can look forward to a diverse offering of performing arts that appeal to a wide range of audiences.
The center’s grand opening weekend features Linda Ronstadt, recognized by many as the gold standard for many female singers, inspiring the likes of Trisha Yearwood, Sheryl Crow, Lucinda Williams and Tift Merrit.
Mixed in throughout the season are other artists staying true to, or returning to, their roots, ranging from singer-songwriter greats, Lyle Lovett and John Hiatt; Mississippi native and blues legend, Bo Diddley; jazz icon and Pulitzer Prize winner Wynton Marsalis; to the acclaimed Soweto Gospel Choir from South Africa; the originator of progressive Irish dance, Trinity Irish Dance Company; and the premier African-American dance company, Ailey II.
There are also family and matinee performances, comedy and theatrical performances. Patrons will have the option of purchasing season packages or tickets to individual shows. Performance tickets range from as little as $8 to as much as $100, with the average ticket price running about $35.
“We gravitated to artists with a strong appreciation for authenticity in their genre and their presentation,” said Dennis Sankovich, executive director of the MSU Riley Center.
“We felt it was only befitting to feature a range of roots-based performances in this incredibly intimate theatre that was built to offer the same type of cultural diversity over a century ago.”

Uncovering beauty
Restoring the 1889 opera house to its original beauty involved a group of nationally recognized experts. New York based, EverGreene Studios is responsible for the meticulous restoration of the theatre’s interior details.
Specializing in the conservation and restoration of architectural ornamentation in historic buildings, EverGreene has successfully completed hundreds of complex projects in the United States, including numerous National and State Register properties, National Historic Landmarks and locally designated landmarks.
Jeff Greene, founder and president of EverGreene Studios, is intimately involved in the restoration of the Grand Opera House.
“I’ve traveled the country uncovering and restoring historic treasures and I can say without hesitation, Meridian’s Grand Opera House is an exceptional case. A true gem, this theatre is a time capsule or treasure trove of sorts, beautifully displaying and documenting decorative experimentation that took place during the Victorian era,” Greene said.
“I fell in love with the Opera House from the moment I saw it. The number and types of wall coverings combined with the elaborate figurative papier-mache ornamentation is breathtaking. Restoring this theatre has been a career highlight and one of my most favorite projects in recent memory.”
The theatre is also being updated to provide technical capabilities and modern amenities you find in the most advanced theatres of today.
Retained to assist with renovation, Schuler & Shook Theatres Consultants is an internationally recognized firm with extensive experience in planning performance facilities — from 100-seat theatres to 3,000-seat opera houses to 15,000-seat music theatres.
When the restoration is complete, the stage house, audio, video and lighting technology will be state-of-the-art.

Conference capabilities
The center, which is also designed as a multifunctional conference facility, is already attracting statewide and regional conferences and events for associations, corporations and individuals.
“We’re already experiencing an extremely positive response from meeting planners. The center’s rich atmosphere, combined with the latest technology, has tremendous appeal as a superior alternative to the all-too-familiar, nondescript conference settings,” said Dede Mogollon, conference sales manager for the MSU Riley Center.
“To top off the experience, we are committed to provide a level of customer service and attention to detail that is in keeping with the extraordinary facility.”

Educational opportunities
In addition to hosting artistic performances and conferences, the center is committed to improve education in this area.
The center will provide arts education training for teachers and curriculum-based performing arts presentations for students in kindergarten through 12th grade, as well as workshops and special programs for college students.
“Research has proven that the arts are an incredibly effective tool for learning. Exposure to theater, music, dance and visual arts can be used to stimulate and enhance true learning for students and adults of all ages,” said Charlotte Tabereaux, education director for MSU Riley Center.
“This center’s facility, programming and partnerships with organizations like The Kennedy Center and Mississippi Arts Commission, will be invaluable in helping to create wiser young people throughout this region.”
Clearly much more than a stunning facility, the MSU Riley Center is a dynamic, ambitious organization that will improve this area’s quality of life and contribute to economic development.
Described by many as Mississippi’s new shining star, the MSU Riley Center is a center that all Meridianites can be part of and proud to call their own.

Penny Kemp is marketing director of the Mississippi State University Riley Center for Education and Performing Arts.

Season tickets on sale now
Season tickets for the MSU Riley Center’s opening season are on sale now.
Anyone who has purchased tickets to any Riley Center event (i.e., Gala, Ronstadt or Vienna Choir Boys performances) should automatically receive a season brochure in addition to other people captured in the database through online activity and other marketing efforts.
Additional season brochures and order forms will be available at the box office. You may also go to the Web site to review the line up and download a subscription order form.
Order forms and payment must be mailed, faxed or hand delivered to the box office.
Tickets to individual shows will go on sale in mid August. Those can be purchased at the box office, online or via phone.
The Riley Center temporary box office is located at MSU-Meridian Campus, 1000 Highway 19 North. Box office hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Friday.
For more information, call (601) 696-2200 or visit the Web site, www.msurileycenter.com.

SUBSCRIPTION PACKAGES
Patrons will have a selection of subscription packages to choose from, including:
The Everything Package
Tickets to all performances, which includes Main Stage, Matinee and Family Series
• $760 per person for section A seating which includes the Parquet level (main floor) and Dress Circle level (first balcony)
• $670 per person for section B seating which includes the Gallery level (second balcony)
The Main Stage Package
Tickets to Main Stage Series (no matinee or family shows)
• $690 per person for section A seating which includes the Parquet level (main floor) and Dress Circle level (first balcony)
• $620 per person for section B seating which includes the Gallery level (second balcony)
The Viewer’s Choice Package
Create your own customized series by picking five or more events. Cost varies based on performances selected.
The Premium Box & Loge Packages
For information about individual and corporate packages for premium box and loge seating (loose seating on first balcony, near stage with optimal sight lines and acoustics), please contact the box office.

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