Dedication of the Hilton U. Brown Theatre

Description:	An audience watches the entertainment during the formal dedication of the Hilton U. Brown Theatre on Sunday, June 26, 1955, while a portion of the seating for the Butler Bowl (renamed the Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl in 2017) is visible in the background. When the Butler Bowl opened in 1928, it could seat approximately 35,000 people and there was an option to add additional seating for a total capacity of more than 70,000 spectators. By the 1950s the need for such a large stadium was no longer necessary and in 1953, Butler University signed a contract with the city of Indianapolis, allowing them to build an open-air theatre at the southern end of the stadium. Indianapolis leased the land from the University, paid the construction costs, and had control of the theatre from around June 15th to September 1st each year, but it was available for University use at other times. Among other events, spring Commencement was held at the theatre for almost twenty years. Construction started in June 1954 on the approximately $350,000 to $400,000 theatre and roughly 16,000 seats were removed from the south side of the stadium, making way for the new theatre. Opening in 1955, the Hilton U. Brown Theatron was named for Hilton U. Brown (Class of 1880, M.A. 1882), President of the Butler University Board of Directors from 1903 to 1955. The structure was renamed the Hilton U. Brown Theatre circa 1963 and from 1955 to 1992 it was the home of Starlight Musicals who produced musicals and concerts each summer. Designed by Lennox & Matthews & Associates, Inc., the 148 by 500 feet theatre stage forms a roof over a two story structure, accommodating features such as dressing, rehearsal, and storage rooms; a scenery and prop construction space; and a freight elevator for moving sets and equipment. Five flagpoles at the back of the stage support backdrops and more than 3,000 stadium style seats provide accommodations for the audience. The dedication was attended by Brown, Indianapolis Mayor Alex M. Clark, Butler University President M. O. Ross, and J. I. Holcomb, who succeed Brown as President of the Universitys Board of Directors. The program included speeches as well as music provided by an orchestra, the Murat Shrine Chanters, and the Kings of Columbus Columbians. A subsequent gala opening held on Thursday July 7, 1955, kicked off the first day of summer musical programming with the opening night performance of South Pacific. The theatre was demolished in 2005, in preparation for the construction of the Apartment Village.
Origin:	1955-06-26
Source:	http://palni.contentdm.oclc.org/cdm/ref/collection/BldgsGrnds/id/2919
Collection:	Butler University Buildings and Grounds Collection
Rights:	http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC-EDU/1.0/
Copyright:	In Copyright - Educational Use Permitted
Geography:	Indianapolis, Indiana, United States, 39.843801, -86.165976 39.843801 -86.165976
Subjects:	Amphitheaters Theaters Audiences Flagpoles Stairs Hats Piano Football stadiums Butler University--Buildings, structures, etc. Butler University--History Indianapolis (Ind.)--History People Hilton U. Brown Theatron Hilton U. Brown Theatre Stages Starlight Musicals Butler Bowl Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl Fairview campus

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