Forbes Center To Hold First Open House Since 2010
September 07, 2018
By MEGAN WILLIAMS
Daily News-Record 9/6/18
HARRISONBURG — For the first time since opening its doors in 2010, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts will open its doors to the public for an open house on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
While the center hosted an open house eight years ago that more than 3,000 people attended over the course of a weekend, Forbes has not opened its doors to curious community members in the last eight seasons.
“By opening our doors it’s a way to invite someone other than our traditional audience,” said Regan Byrne, the executive director of the Forbes Center. “Like families with young children who are interested in the arts.”
The open house will include backstage tours as well as educational workshops and mini performances in the venues every 15 minutes. The tours and performances are an opportunity for traditional audience members to see spaces they might not have; and for families it’s a chance to see performances that they might not have been able to if they have young children, Byrne said.
Sessions and performances run the gamut, and include something for everyone. For kids there is face-painting, creating a theater mask, theater games and an opportunity for families to dance together. There are sessions on lighting, percussion, costuming and stage combat. Additionally, there is a session called “The Wonders of a Steinway Piano.”
Byrne said the sessions and performances are meant to be accessible to everyone, and enjoyable for a diverse audience, not just the people who frequent the Forbes Center.
“We take our role very seriously,” she said. “We want young audiences to appreciate what we do. Early introduction is so critical to build
future audiences.”
James Madison University opened the 1750,000-square-foot, $90.5 million state-of-the-art facility in August 2010. The center houses the university’s dance, music and theater programs. Free parking will be available in the Warsaw Parking Deck, directly behind the Forbes Center. For additional information about the open house contact Jun Kulju, public relations coordinator at the Forbes Center at 540-568-7131.
Members of the JMU Children’s Theater rehearse a scene from “Go, Dog! Go!” in the Forbes Center’s Studio Theatre in June 2015. On Saturday, the performing arts center will host an open house for the first time since 2010.
Daily News-Record 9/6/18
HARRISONBURG — For the first time since opening its doors in 2010, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts will open its doors to the public for an open house on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
While the center hosted an open house eight years ago that more than 3,000 people attended over the course of a weekend, Forbes has not opened its doors to curious community members in the last eight seasons.
“By opening our doors it’s a way to invite someone other than our traditional audience,” said Regan Byrne, the executive director of the Forbes Center. “Like families with young children who are interested in the arts.”
The open house will include backstage tours as well as educational workshops and mini performances in the venues every 15 minutes. The tours and performances are an opportunity for traditional audience members to see spaces they might not have; and for families it’s a chance to see performances that they might not have been able to if they have young children, Byrne said.
Sessions and performances run the gamut, and include something for everyone. For kids there is face-painting, creating a theater mask, theater games and an opportunity for families to dance together. There are sessions on lighting, percussion, costuming and stage combat. Additionally, there is a session called “The Wonders of a Steinway Piano.”
Byrne said the sessions and performances are meant to be accessible to everyone, and enjoyable for a diverse audience, not just the people who frequent the Forbes Center.
“We take our role very seriously,” she said. “We want young audiences to appreciate what we do. Early introduction is so critical to build
future audiences.”
James Madison University opened the 1750,000-square-foot, $90.5 million state-of-the-art facility in August 2010. The center houses the university’s dance, music and theater programs. Free parking will be available in the Warsaw Parking Deck, directly behind the Forbes Center. For additional information about the open house contact Jun Kulju, public relations coordinator at the Forbes Center at 540-568-7131.
Members of the JMU Children’s Theater rehearse a scene from “Go, Dog! Go!” in the Forbes Center’s Studio Theatre in June 2015. On Saturday, the performing arts center will host an open house for the first time since 2010.
