Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts
Built in 1984, the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts is named for Ron Houston, whose generosity led to a significant expansion of performance facilities available to Northwest theatre students. The center also includes the Mary Linn Auditorium, named after Mary Casteel Linn, a former University Regent and dedicated patron of the arts. The 1,099-seat theater can accommodate a full symphony orchestra, or it can be scaled down for more intimate productions. The Houston Center also houses a “black box” theater as well as the offices and production shops of University Theatre. A Studio Theatre addition connected to the Houston Center for the Performing Arts on the southeast side opened in 2008. The Studio Theatre functions as a drama laboratory and contains state-of-the-art technology, including an articulated lighting grid, a makeup lab/classroom and a new lighting and sound control system. The Studio Theatre seats up to 250 people, depending on how the space is configured, and provides a more intimate environment for student and departmental performances.