The Capitol Theatre is the grand dame of Utah entertainment venues and holds a special place in the hearts of theater-lovers state wide. Generations of memories live in the Theatre and many more are waiting to be made.
On Monday, October 15, Ballet West, Utah Opera, and the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts launch the joint Take Your Seat in History campaign. This campaign allows patrons to name a Capitol Theatre seat for a ten-year period and support the programming in the venue.
Patrons are encouraged to “find their seat” (for as little as $100, all tax deductible) at artsaltlake.org. Seat sales begin on Monday, October 15 at 10 a.m., and will be sold by ArtTix.
“The Capitol Theatre is a treasure for Salt Lake City residents,” said Ballet West Executive Director Michael Scolamiero. “Our patrons have a deep connection to this theater where ballet, opera, and art thrive. I know they will be excited to have their names, or the names of their families, engraved in a place where they have laughed, felt inspired, and made lasting memories.”
“We are pleased to join forces to work collaboratively on the Take Your Seat campaign with our partners Ballet West and the Center for the Arts,” said Paul Meecham, President and CEO of Utah Symphony | Utah Opera. “This is an innovative way for our audiences to personalize a little piece of the Capitol Theatre and support and preserve the artistic legacy we all strive to create and nurture.”
All contributions will be split evenly between Ballet West, Utah Opera, and the Center for the Arts, which will use their portion of funds raised to establish the Capitol Theatre Innovation Development Fund.
“The Innovation Development Fund will support eligible arts organizations create and perform new works at the Capitol Theatre,” said Sarah Pearce, the Center for the Arts Director. “Our goal with this new program is to provide spaces and services to help build on the artistic legacy of this beloved Theatre.”
The Capitol Theatre is owned and operated by the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts and Ballet West and Utah Opera are long-time Residents at the venue. ArtTix is the official ticketing agency for the Theatre. In spring 2019, the Capitol Theatre will undergo a major six-month renovation, including a seating reconfiguration on the Orchestra Level to include new ADA seats and a new center cross-aisle.
About Salt Lake County Center for the Arts
Since 1977, the Salt Lake County Center for the Arts mission has supported arts organizations around the county with our spaces, places and services. The Center for the Arts is the owner and operator of Maurice Abravanel Hall, Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and the Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center (opening in 2020), and operator of the George S. and Dolores Doré Eccles Theater. Center for the Arts also owns and operates ArtTix, the official ticketing agency for all events at these four venues and manages Salt Lake County’s public art program. Through its Residency Program, the Center for the Arts provides direct support to Ballet West; Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation; Plan-B Theatre Company; Pygmalion Productions; Repertory Dance Theatre; Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company; SB Dance; Utah Museum of Contemporary Arts; and Utah Symphony Utah Opera.
About Ballet West
Ballet West, one of America’s premiere ballet companies, has earned an international reputation for artistic innovation and excellence since its founding in 1963. For more than 50 years, the Salt Lake City-based Company has entertained and excited audiences in its home state and worldwide by presenting the great classics, fascinating historical masterpieces, and new cutting-edge creations with the highest artistic and professional standards. The Company continues to build future ballet artists and audiences by providing classical ballet training through its four campuses of The Frederick Quinney Lawson Ballet West Academy. Ballet West also offers impactful education and outreach programs each year to over one hundred thousand children and adults across the state of Utah.
About Utah Opera
Utah Opera has been part of the Utah community for 40 years and engages audiences through inspiring operatic performances that showcase emerging and established artists, celebrate traditional works, and champion the American operatic tradition. The opera company presents four annual productions at the historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre and regularly partners with Utah Symphony and other organizations for special presentations. Utah Opera operates a state-of-the-art production studios where productions are rehearsed and costumes, props and set pieces are designed, built, rented out and stored. The opera currently has 19 full sets and costumes for 50 full productions in its inventory. Utah Opera also offers a Resident Artist Program, a nationally recognized young artist training program for professional singers and pianists who perform for nearly 100,000 students each year free of charge through the organization’s education and outreach activities.