Hearst Greek Theatre
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Address | 2001 Gayley Rd |
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Location | Berkeley, California |
Owner | University of California, Berkeley |
Operator | concerts promoted by Another Planet Entertainment |
Type | amphitheater |
Capacity | 8,500 |
Opened | 1903 |
Website | |
Hearst Greek Theatre
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Berkeley Landmark #153
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Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Architect | John Galen Howard |
Architectural style | Greek Revival |
MPS | Berkeley, University of California MRA |
NRHP Reference # | 82004644[1] |
BERKL # | 153 |
Significant dates | |
Added to NRHP | March 25, 1982 |
Designated BERKL | February 25, 1991[2] |
The William Randolph Hearst Greek Theatre, known locally as simply the Greek Theatre, is an 8,500-seat amphitheater owned and operated by the University of California, Berkeley in Berkeley, California, USA.
The Greek Theatre hosts The Berkeley Jazz Festival, pop, rock, and world music concerts, UC Berkeley graduation ceremonies, occasional addresses by noted speakers, and other events. Past speakers include President Theodore Roosevelt, William Randolph Hearst, and the Dalai Lama.
Contents
History
The Hearst Greek Theater was built in 1903 on the site of a rough outdoor bowl already in use as an amphitheater since 1894 known as "Ben Weed's Amphitheater". The project was championed by University of California president Benjamin Ide Wheeler and was the first University building designed by John Galen Howard. Its construction was financed by newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst, after whom it was named. The design of the theater is based directly on the ancient Greek theater of Epidaurus.
It officially opened on September 24, 1903 with a student production of The Birds by Aristophanes. However, while still under construction in May 1903, the theatre hosted a graduation ceremony with an address by President Theodore Roosevelt, who was a friend of Wheeler's from New York.
In 1957, a basement backstage area was added, which was designed by Ernest Born. It includes a large plaza flanked by two stage-level constructions.[3]
It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1982.[1]
Over the years, the Greek Theatre has seen performances from hundreds of musical and theatrical artists. The Greek has also long been the venue for a number of annual UC Berkeley events including departmental graduation ceremonies, the Commencement Convocation for graduating seniors, and the Big Game Bonfire Rally before the Big Game each year with Stanford. Charter Day ceremonies and inaugurations of University of California presidents and Berkeley chancellors have been held in the Greek Theatre. Berkeley High school also uses the Greek Theatre for their graduation ceremonies.
Another Planet Entertainment became the exclusive concert promoter at the Greek in 2004.[4]
In May 2012, a seismic retrofit and expansion was completed by Overaa Construction. Four new reinforced concrete columns were added and concealed in the original structure.[3][5]
Gallery
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Michael Moore giving a public speech here in October 2003.
See also
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References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ Clear Channel Loses Greek Theater Concerts
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
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- Commons category link from Wikidata
- Pages with broken file links
- 1903 establishments in California
- Amphitheaters in California
- Buildings and structures in Berkeley, California
- Music venues in the San Francisco Bay Area
- Theatres on the National Register of Historic Places in California
- National Register of Historic Places in Alameda County, California
- University of California, Berkeley
- John Galen Howard buildings
- Greek Revival architecture in California
- Visitor attractions in Berkeley, California
- Event venues established in 1903