ISU Bengal

Issue date: 3/30/05 Section: News

Media Credit: Jesse Sena The floor seats and balcony seats at the ISU Jensen Grand Hall in the Performing Arts Building.

Media Credit: Jesse Sena A shot of the stage of the concert hall.

The final addition of the newly constructed L.E. and Thelma E. Stephens Performing Arts Center, the Jensen Grand Concert Hall, will host its opening concert on Saturday, April 1 at 7:30 pm. By invitation only, the concert will be an eclectic mixture of performances meant to showcase not only the variety of entertainment the Hall is expected to bring to Southeastern Idaho, but also of the acoustic flexibility of the Hall's construction.

"The design of the Hall is leading-edge and incorporates many new concepts in technology," said George Casper, the Center's director of events.

Only one part of the approximate $34 million Center, the Jensen Grand Concert Hall has been heralded by acoustic consultants of the project as being one of the finest in its class, according to Casper. Its ability to acoustically accomodate different kinds of performances lies in its state of the art construction and technological features.

Each wall of the Hall houses three side-tuning panels, each weighing 17,000 lbs., that can be flattened or deployed up to 15 feet from the wall to provide optimal reverberations for any kind of performance. While front and back curtains and removable sound absorption panels help to absorb sound, over-stage canopies provide additional acoustic flexibility. The Hall is also equipped with a very quiet ventilation system so as not to disrupt performances.

Due to all of its nuances in technology and cutting-edge design, Casper said he anticipates it to be recognized at the national level.

"The Hall offers a tremendous amount of acoustical flexibility that will give performers an optimal performance situation," said Casper.

While the other two venues of the Center, the Bistline Thrust Theater and the Rogers Black Box Theater, seat 446 and 210 people respectively, the Hall seats an audience of 1,200.

Kent Tingey, Vice President for University Advancement, also said he is excited for the potential of the Center, which has been under construction since June 2002.

"We're pleased for what this will mean for ISU, this part of the state and all of Idaho," Tingey said. "It will provide opportunities we have only dreamed of in the past."

In addition to the three performance venues, the Center has accommodations to house the Department of Theater and Dance, computer labs, set construction areas including space for sewing machines and dye vats, as well as office space.

Tingey said the Center will provide more opportunities for current ISU students as well as help the University to recruit prospective students. He also hopes the Center will bring more culture and refinement to the Pocatello Community, to the region and state.

"It will only enhance what is already being done here in the arts," Tingey said.

Though the Hall's first performance is Saturday, there is still work to be done. According to Casper, there is minor construction that needs to be finished, and Tingey says the University is still continuing fundraising efforts.

To date, $30 million has been raised for the Center in gifts and pledges from approximately 750 individuals and businesses, though construction is estimated at $34 million.

Funding for the Center was part of a 5-year, capital campaign initiated by President Bowen. The campaign sought to raise $102 million for the Center's construction as well as scholarships and academic enhancements such as computers.

"I think it is important to recognize how many people were involved in this project." Capser said. "I thank all of them and am looking forward to working with [the Center] because it is tremendous for the University and community."

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