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The Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Mississippi is a majestic 88,000 square foot facility located at the intersection of University Avenue and Old Taylor Road on the Oxford campus. Standing six stories tall, with three stories located below ground, the center seats more than 1,100 inside its regal main hall.
The Ford Center not only brings new amenities to campus performing arts facilities, but also places them for the first time under one roof : dressing rooms, conference and office space, concessions, cloakrooms and rest rooms accommodating thousands of visitors.
In 1998 a gift of $20 million by the Jackson based Gertrude C. Ford Foundation helped begin the first phase of construction in May 2000. The Mississippi Legislature also played a part in the center, first appropriating $500,000 for planning and then $10 million for the facility.
The Ford Center, which was completed in December 2002, greatly cultivates the cultural environment of the university community and strengthens the cultural bonds between Ole Miss and the public.
We hope you enjoy your tour!!
Main Lobby - This general entrance, located on the center's second story, is accessible through the circle drive. Immediately, many visitors may be struck by the towering space above the main lobby, which extends 38 feet in to the air. Standing on the lobby floor - which is made of Georgia marble - guests also may notice the university emblem, which is embossed on glass throughout the area. Numerous skylights also add to the center's delightful airiness.
Rehearsal Hall/Reception Studio - This rectangular mirrored room is used for rehearsals, warm-ups, receptions, seminars, and other activities. The intimate studio offers flexible lighting and seating to form a "black box" or non-traditional theatrical performance space. It features a special wooden floor that actually is suspended, making it elastic to all movement. Dancers are much less susceptible to getting shin splints on this shock absorbing floor. Risers also can be folded and moved out depending on the desired function of the room.
Dressing Rooms - There are four rooms - two star dressing rooms and two chorus dressing rooms in one suite. Two chorus rooms each accommodate 12 or eight people comfortably. The side-by-side mirrored rooms also includes restrooms. There is a wardrobe suite that houses two additional chorus dressing rooms, a common area that houses the necessary equipment to maintain wardrobes, and this area also includes restroom and shower facilities.
Green Room - This is where the main performers/guests wait to go onto stage. There is ample room for dining and equipment for listening and watching the performance.
Receiving Area - It comes with a loading dock capable of holding two 18 wheeler tractor trailers. Major theater or dance companies back their trucks into this area to unload equipment. The backstage freight area, which is about 9 feet by 9 feet, is enclosed by thick black doors, which prevent sound from entering the main hall.
Basement Storage - This hidden space is a functional place for stowing large equipment, as well as for concealing the center's heating and air conditioning systems.
On stage - Eighty feet exists between the stage and its drapery, which hangs high from the ceiling. The orchestra pit, a "false stage," rests on a hydraulic system enabling it to be easily raised or lowered at will. Once lowered, some 60 or more seats can be added to make an additional seating area. Overhead, there also is a drop down projector screen system to complement lectures, presentations or other programs.
Looking out into the audience, visitors may notice the rigging that is suspended some 80 feet into air. The rigging is a system of electrical levers that works lighting, curtains, scrims, and other functions. On stage are three trap doors, which can be used by theater and dance companies and behind the back wall is an ample grand piano storage room for our Steinway and Yamaha pianos.
Other important points of interest here are three towering "shells," pieces of equipment which are moved into place on an air cushioned machine and placed around the symphony seating area. The shells, which can be changed size and repositioned anywhere within the side and back walls of the stage, to reflect sound into the auditorium. They produce a wooden buffer and can be pulled out to form a wall.
Audience seating - Walking to stage right (or auditorium left), guests get an ideal view of the 18 private box seats, with nine on each side. The first balcony is called the "mezzanine." Next, comes the balcony, and then, at the far back of the hall, is a line of seats called the "parterre." Behind the central booths, located far up in the back wall, are the light and sound studios.
All three levels of Ford Center seating are handicap accessible.
Additional Rooms of Interest - Ticket booths, a coatroom, concession stand, and restrooms can be found on the first floor.
Offices - Down the Gallery on the right, are center's offices, and a large conference room. Also, an additional entrance is here. Mezzanine Level - Visitors will be pleased to get a full view of the main hall from a higher level. Guests will notice that before they enter the main performance area, they first entered a small dark room called a "light lock room." All guests enter these small rooms before they enter the main hall. Such rooms prevent light from seeping in and distracting performances on stage.
University Avenue - An exquisite rose garden and sculpture grace the exterior of the center and further enhance the Gertrude Castellow Ford Center for the Performing Arts' attractive location on University Avenue. Bright lights that are aimed at and illuminate the center at night, cast a breathtaking glow around the elegant facility.
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