The city of Houston is undoubtedly one of the rapidly developing metropolises, which keeps pace with the times aiming to advance digital technologies. The city does not also forget to take care of its creative side. For example, the famous Theatrical District, consisting of 17 blocks, includes many artistic sites. We’re going to talk about one of these locations, which is one of the bullets in the city’s creative clip.
To confirm the above statement, the subject of our story appeared on the city map not so long ago, which means that artistic life in Houston is still in the process of development. Houston Trend will tell you more about that.
Hobby Center
Almost at the turn of the millennium, in the very heart of the city, Hobby Center opened its doors and became a member of the large family of Theatrical District in 2002.
The theater was named after the former lieutenant governor of Texas, William P. Hobby, Jr. It is 60-foot-high and is located in a picturesque place. William’s family became patrons during the construction of the building and their foundation donated the name to the future theater. As often happens, the building itself did not appear from scratch. It was converted on the site of the famous Sam Houston Coliseum, which began its history in 1928.
As for neighbors, the center building is located near Tranquility Park and Houston City Hall.
Through the pages of the chronicles
The project was developed by architects from Robert A.M. Stern, also known as RAMSA, whose creations adorn many international metropolises. Morris Architects became assistants in creating the design of the future building of the theater. Representatives of a well-known company in the city, Lyda Swinerton, undertook to implement the drawings on paper. After a short construction, two buildings with steel columns, curtain walls and seam roofs rose in the city center. Since then, musical and theatrical performances have been held in Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall.
As for the first hall, it can house 2,650 spectators, and it seems that this figure is sufficient proof. There is an acoustic system in the hall especially equipped for theater on Broadway productions. The point is that such productions as Hamilton, Wicked, The Lion King, Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera and a number of others require special sounding. For romantics, a theater under the stars can be arranged here, not literally of course. An artificial atmosphere is created by means of golden lattices and multi-story columns. The Joe and Lee Jamail dome ceiling, which is decorated with twinkling fiber optic stars replicating the starry sky of Texas, complements the image. It is noteworthy that Sarofim Hall consists of three tiers. But there are other interesting points that characterize the aforementioned Zilkha Hall.
The second hall has only 500 seats, which is significantly different from Sarofim Hall. It should be noted that the Uniquely Houston program takes place here, which is the only performing arts series of its kind in America. The stage of Zilkha Hall is designed mostly as a starting point for small and medium-sized theaters and groups in Houston. Such famous groups as the Psophonia Dance Company, the Maggini String Orchestra and Ars Lyrica Houston took their first steps in this hall. The design highlight of the hall is the two-part bronze sculpture of the British sculptor Tony Cragg, called “In Minds,” which represents the profiles of people at Hines Plaza.
The theatre is owned by the Hobby Center Foundation, which has always aimed to popularize the culture of Houston, provide a world-class art life and promote the development of musical theater. Is it so or not? Perhaps, those who have personally experienced the cultural level of Hobby Center have a certain answer to this question. But there is a feeling that the reviews will be exclusively positive.
