The Ware Center - Millersville University
Front of The Ware Center in Lancaster, PA.
Former namesPennsylvania Academy of Music (2008–2010)
Address42 N. Prince Street
Lancaster, PA 17603
LocationLancaster, PA
OperatorMillersville University
TypePerforming arts center
CapacitySteinman Hall: 350
Lyet Lobby: 300
Atrium: 300
Owen Salon: 120
Binns Room: 100
Construction
Broke groundMay 20, 2006 (2006-05-20)[1]
OpenedJune 11, 2008 (2008-06-11)[2]
ArchitectPhilip Johnson
Website
www.artsmu.com

The Ware Center is a performing arts center located in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. First opened in 2008, it has been a satellite campus of Millersville University since 2010. Along with the Winter Center, The Ware Center is a venue for Millersville University’s Department of Visual & Performing Arts.[3][4][5]

History

Originally designed by architect Philip Johnson and noted acoustician Cyril M. Harris, the $32 million building opened in 2008 as the home of the now defunct Pennsylvania Academy of Music.[6][4][7] The building became available due to the bankruptcy of the PA Academy of Music at the same time Millersville University was planning an extensive renovation of its main campus arts center.[7] Millersville University began leasing the building in June 2010, shortly after the PA Academy of Music left the building.[8][9][10] The Pennsylvania Department of General Services then bought the building from Union Community Bank on Millersville's behalf for $10.9 million in March 2011.[8][10] $14.5 million was originally allocated by the state of Pennsylvania for purchasing the 63,000-square-foot building on Millersville's behalf, as well as equipping, furnishing and renovating it.[10]

At that point, the building was known as “Millersville University-Lancaster”,[11] as it wasn’t until September 12, 2011 that it was renamed “The Ware Center” in honor of philanthropists Paul W. and Judy S. Ware at a dedication ceremony in the building’s main theater, Steinman Hall.[7][12]

In 2012, The Ware Center underwent a $2.4 million renovation to better adapt it to Millersville University's needs; among the renovations was the creation of larger classroom space and lighting and acoustic improvements to Steinman Hall.[8][10]

Concerts and Events

Crowd applauding a performance at a live theater.
A crowd watches a performance at Steinman Hall inside The Ware Center of Millersville University in downtown Lancaster, PA.

The building plays host to various musical, theatrical, dance, poetry, lecture, and other artistic events throughout the year, including on Lancaster city’s First Fridays.[3] It is also rented out as a private event venue and banquet hall for meetings, conferences, and weddings.[6]

Lancaster’s local newspaper LNP has referred to The Ware Center as “the busiest exhibit, performance, classroom and event space in Lancaster County”.[13]

Notable Performers at The Ware Center

Venue Spaces

Atrium at The Ware Center

The Ware Center features several state-of-the-art venues for live theater and concerts, as well as conferences, meetings, and art exhibits.[17]

  • Steinman Hall - a 350-seat concert hall, with acoustics designed by Cyril M. Harris, an award-winning acoustician who designed over 100 concert halls around the world, including the Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center[17][18]
  • Lyet Lobby - 3,000 square foot reception hall featuring floor to ceiling windows
  • Atrium - Banquet hall with a glass pyramid ceiling
  • Owen Salon - A third-floor room that overlooks the Lancaster skyline
  • Binns Room - Lecture hall used by Millersville University
  • Regitz Art Gallery - This gallery is open the first Friday of every month featuring a new exhibit by a local artist

Lancaster Campus of Millersville University

Since 2010, The Ware Center has been used as a Lancaster City campus of Millersville University. With over 20 classrooms, The Ware Center hosts classes for nearly 1,000 Millersville University students during Fall and Spring semesters.[19]

Community Involvement

Due to its close proximity to Gallery Row in downtown Lancaster, The Ware Center has taken a lead in promoting arts within the city. The Community Arts Advisory Council gathers together business leaders and benefactors of the arts to promote events and seek community partnerships.[20] The Arts Smarts summer camp provides children with the opportunity to explore building through visual and performing arts.[21] The Regitz Art Gallery features a local artist exhibition the first Friday evening of the month during Lancaster's First Friday event.[17]

In 2014, The Ware Center received the Building the Community Award from Central Penn Business Journal.[22]

References

  1. ↑ "Music academy is architect's finale". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  2. ↑ Holahan, Jane (2008-06-12). "Academy of Music makes world-class debut". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2017-04-12.
  3. 1 2 "The Ware Center - Arts at Millersville University". www.artsmu.com. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  4. 1 2 MillersvilleU (2011-09-13), Video Tour of The Ware Center at Millersville University Lancaster, retrieved 2017-03-14
  5. ↑ "Jazz Fest will featured noted artists at Lancaster venues this weekend". PennLive.com. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  6. 1 2 "Ware Center - Lancaster - Arts at Millersville University". www.artsmu.com. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  7. 1 2 3 Writer, BERNARD HARRIS Staff. "Ex-Pennsylvania Academy of Music building renamed Ware Center". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  8. 1 2 3 "Success story CPBJ". Central Penn Business Journal. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  9. ↑ "Foundation head challenges academy on fund withdrawals CPBJ". Central Penn Business Journal. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Writer, JANE HOLAHAN Staff. "Ware Center enters next phase: renovation". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  11. ↑ Editor, JANE HOLAHAN, Entertainment. "The Ware Center's Harvey Owen is the man". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2017-03-14. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  12. ↑ "Presenting "The Ware Center" – Millersville News". blogs.millersville.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  13. ↑ Writer, TIM MEKEEL Staff. "YEAR IN REVIEW: Weak economy a key influence here in 2011". LancasterOnline. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  14. ↑ "Broadway Star Patti LuPone Comes to Lancaster This Month". Broadway World. Retrieved 24 February 2020.
  15. ↑ @violincase (March 22, 2017). "Getting inspired in Lancaster, PA. Concert tonight at the Ware Center!" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  16. ↑ "Narek Hakhnazaryan at the Ware Center". Instant Encore. Retrieved 13 July 2021.
  17. 1 2 3 "Event Spaces at the Ware Center". www.artsmu.com. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  18. ↑ "Acoustial Society of America Gol Medal Award - Cyril M. Harris". Archived from the original on June 27, 2007. Retrieved May 1, 2017.
  19. ↑ "Millersville University - The Ware Center". www.millersville.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
  20. ↑ "Arts Advisory Council - Millersville University". www.artsmu.com. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  21. ↑ "Community Events - The Ware Center". www.artsmu.com. Retrieved 2017-04-11.
  22. ↑ "Millersville University Ware Center Receives Community Award – Millersville News". blogs.millersville.edu. Retrieved 2017-03-14.
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