Batavia’s new state-of-the-art Fine Arts Center will make its public debut on …
Posted By Admin on August 28, 2011
Updated: August 24, 2011 12:50PM
The curtain will rise Saturday at the new Batavia Fine Arts Center.
The visual and performing fine arts theater, on the Batavia High School campus, was built as part of the Batavia School District’s $75 million building referendum supported by the community in April 2007.
But don’t call it a high school auditorium.
“This is a state-of-the-art facility,” said Roger Breisch, Batavia Chamber of Commerce executive director. “It will rival anything in downtown Chicago. To call it an auditorium is wrong.”
The Batavia Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a red carpet gala from 6 to 11 pm Saturday to unveil the new facility to the public. Black tie is optional. The facility is at 1201 Main St., but visitors are asked to enter from West Wilson Street. Admission is free.
Dominic Cattero, hired to manage the new Fine Arts Center, said he has visited many venues through his involvement with the Illinois Arts Council. He, too, said it is a premiere fine arts facility.
“This venue at the very top of fine arts theaters and performing arts centers,” Cattero said.
Cattero, a Batavia High School graduate, performed in his high school theatrical productions and went on to pursue a fine arts degree in theater in college. Cattero directed his first production at Batavia High School in the spring: the last high school musical in the cafetorium, built in 1992.
“Everything artistic is a possibility,” Cattero said of the future plans for the facility.
The Main Stage Theater has seating for 890 people. In addition, there is a Black Box theater for intimate performances, a Courtyard Theater and a two-story art gallery, as well as state-of-the-art sound, lighting and staging equipment.
On Saturday, tours of the facility will be given, followed by a one hour performance in the Main Stage Theater featuring various community organizations. Performances will be held in the Black Box Theater and Courtyard Theater, as well.
“This is a performing arts center that will become known as a gem to the area,” Cattero said.
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