Orpheum's HALLORAN CENTRE Officially Opens with Ribbon Cutting, Dedication

Today at 2:00 PM the Memphis Development Foundation (MDF), which operates the Orpheum Theatre, formally dedicated the newest and largest capital project in its history: the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education. The ceremony included a ribbon cutting, flag presentation, dedication prayer, and reception. Event speakers included MDF Board Chairman Andy Taylor, Mayor AC Wharton, Jr., Mayor Mark H. Luttrell, and Orpheum President & CEO Pat Halloran. Mr. Taylor led the ceremony, and Dr. Scott Morris presided over the dedication.

"We have waited four long years for this day," said Pat Halloran. "Everyone involved in this project has worked very hard to make the new Centre a reality. After years of careful planning and 18 months of construction, the Centre is finally opening its doors."

The idea of the new Centre began in 2009 when the Orpheum's education programs reached capacity. The historic Orpheum was not imagined as a space for classrooms when it was built in 1928, and the theatre's limited space forced community programming to work around the theatre's performance schedule rather than compliment it. In 2011, after an exhaustive search in the Downtown area for suitable off-site classroom space, the MDF Board approved a proposal to build an education facility. The parking lot adjacent to the Orpheum Theatre was purchased in 2012 for $1.2 million, and construction for a new performing arts center broke ground in March, 2014. Today, September 23rd, 2015 the building officially opens to the public.

Located at 225 S. Main, adjacent to the historic Orpheum Theatre, the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education features added classroom space, a 361-seat theatre, dance studio, cutting-edge audio/video lab, and rehearsal hall, allowing the Orpheum to expand its education initiatives to better serve individuals of all ages. The Centre will increase the Orpheum's programming capacity and enable the organization to serve a projected 100,000 students, teachers, and families on an annual basis by its fifth year of operation. Expanded and increased programming is being developed in the following areas:

· Professional workshops for educators

· Intensive workshops in musical and technical theatre

· Career assistance and training for aspiring arts professionals of all ages

· Technical training in sound and lighting for students, schools, and local non-profits

· Professional training in arts and non-profit management

· Financial management and responsibility courses for young adults

· Music series, documentary film series, and expanded Family and Student Matinee Series.

Among the Centre's most advanced technological amenities is Meyer Sound's Constellation acoustic system. Constellation is a complete solution of equipment and services provided exclusively by Meyer Sound. This groundbreaking technology enables the acoustical properties of a room to be altered to suit the nature of the event taking place. Combining a patented algorithm, advanced digital processing, and miniature transducer technology with decades of research into the acoustical attributes of exceptional listening spaces, Constellation provides flexibility unattainable with traditional mechanical methods of variable acoustics.

"The Halloran Centre provided a great opportunity for us to partner with Meyer Sound, which is known world-wide for its quality and innovation," said Alice Roberts, Orpheum Vice President of Programing and Education. "Through the Orpheum's relationship with Meyer Sound, our students will have the opportunity to learn directly from the talented and groundbreaking engineers that represent Meyer excellence."

In addition to state-of-the-art performing arts amenities, the new Centre includes variety of spaces that can be rented for community events:

· A modern 40-seat Boardroom that overlooks Main Street

· A beautiful Lobby which includes 2,191 square feet of welcoming and open space

· A stylish Lounge that accommodates up to 75 guests

· A spacious 3,658 square foot Reception Hall perfect for weddings, galas, or banquets.

A $14.5 million dollar project, the MDF has raised 98% of the funds needed to complete its capital campaign goals. With roughly $200,000 left to raise, the Foundation projects that the Centre will be paid for by the end of the year.

"Today is a great occasion for the school children and art lovers of Memphis and the Mid-South," said MDF Board Chairman Andy Taylor. "Memphis Community support has made this state-of-the-art Performing Arts & Education Centre possible. We believe it will play a large part in performing arts education and training for teachers and students for many years to come. We are very grateful to all the individuals, foundations and corporations whose support and generosity has made this Centre possible. Special thanks is also due to the MDF Board of Directors; the Orpheum Staff; The Crump Firm Architects; Grinder, Taber & Grinder, Inc. Construction; and Bologna & Associates Consultants for bringing Pat's vision to fruition."

In December 2014 Pat Halloran, longtime President and CEO of the Orpheum Theatre, announced his plans to retire. Halloran joined the Orpheum staff in 1980 and will have completed 35 years of service when he retires on December 31, 2015. Upon his retirement, Halloran will move to the new Centre's offices and begin a consulting role. His new duties will include continued fundraising efforts for the building's operations and new program development.

The successful completion of the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education serves as Halloran's last and largest project among many major accomplishments that include the 1983 renovation and the 1996 stage expansion of the historic Orpheum. By the time of his retirement, Halloran will have spearheaded over $30 million in capital improvements to the Orpheum performing arts campus, which - under his direction - has become a vital contributor to the economic success and cultural vibrancy of Downtown Memphis.

For more information about the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, visit www.orpheum-memphis.com or contact one of the following staff members:

· Donations and support: Leanne McQuown, 901.525.7800 or mcquown@orpheum-memphis.com

· Renting space at the Halloran Centre: Ron Jewell, 901.529.4239 or jewell@orpheum-memphis.com

· Education programming: Alice Roberts, 901.525.7800 or education@orpheum-memphis.com

· Press inquiries: Christina Torres, 901.529.4287 or torres@orpheum-memphis.com

The Orpheum, consisting of the Orpheum Theatre and the Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education, is operated by the Memphis Development Foundation, a non-profit organization that seeks to provide quality, diverse entertainment and education programming to the Memphis region while preserving and improving the historic Orpheum Theatre and the Orpheum's role in downtown Memphis development. For more information, visit www.orpheum-memphis.com.

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