Building the Performing Arts Center
Sitting in the middle of campus, the James C. Olsen Performing Arts Center (formerly referred to as the Center for the Performing Arts, the Performing Arts Center, or the PAC) is an integral part of UMKC student life. Every day, students study in the lobby, practice in the dance studios and music rooms, and perform in the center’s two theatres. Most UMKC students likely don't know that the PAC took an incredible amount of work, fundraising, and political maneuvering to be constructed, or that it generated a significant amount of controversy.
Since the 1960s, Dr. Patricia McIlrath had been aware that UMKC needed a new theatre. The Playhouse, which had been built as a temporary military structure in 1943, deteriorated throughout the decades until it was entirely demolished in 1978.
In 1966, the university received a large grant from the Kenneth A. and Helen F. Spencer Foundation. The university announced that part of the money would be used for a performing arts center.52
Because UMKC had become a public university when it joined the University of Missouri system in 1963, large scale building plans had to be approved by the state legislature. The proposed consturuction of a large and expensive performing arts center provoked a great deal of political debate among Missouri politicians.
Initially, the PAC was to be financed by a gift of $5 million from the Crosby Kemper Foundation, as well as smaller individual donations adding up to $3 million. After a great deal of legislative debate and negotiation regarding the amount of public funding which the PAC and other building projects should receive, the Missouri legislature finally agreed to provide the project with $6 million.47 Dr. McIlrath was optimistic, saying, “With the promise of a new performing arts center on the horizon, M.R.T. begins this new decade with new strength."12
With the promise of a new performing arts center on the horizon, M.R.T. begins this new decade with new strength.Dr. McIlrath
However, in December of 1975, when the university received bids from construction companies, the costs were much higher than expected. The lowest bid estimated needing $15.3 million to complete the project.4 Because of this, the plans for the PAC were severely cut and ultimately the Crosby Kemper Foundation withdrew their funding.51 The future of the project seemed uncertain.
Luckily, a donation of $2 million from Helen Spencer, as well as smaller donations from private donors, guaranteed the Performing Arts Center’s future.7 Because of Helen Spencer’s donation, the main theatre within the Performing Arts Center was named after her, becoming the Helen F. Spencer Theater.
The university hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on November 7, 1976. The ceremony highlighted the contribution of Helen Spencer, who removed a shovelful of dirt alongside the acting UMKC Chancellor, Dr. Wesley Dale. During the ceremony, state senator Harry Wiggins said,
“We as a society are not building here a structure of bricks and mortar, but we are building a monument to the great masters for all time, as long as men and women can see, hear, and enjoy.”48
We as a society are not building here a structure of bricks and mortar, but we are building a monument to the great masters for all time, as long as men and women can see, hear, and enjoy.Senator Harry Wiggins
Construction of the PAC took three years. On June 20, 1979, UMKC held a reception honoring both Dr. Patricia McIlrath and Helen Spencer. The ceremony also highlighted the announcement that a new nonprofit, Missouri Repertory Theater Inc., would henceforth manage the Missouri Repertory Theatre. According to the UMKC Chancellor, George Russell, this company would “do all the contracting that is very hard for the university to do.” During the ceremony, Dr. McIlrath said,
“My feelings at this moment are too deep for words. The tributes do not belong to me but to all of you people that have made this possible– not an adequate, not a good, but an excellent theater."56
Less than a month later, on July 5, 1979, Hamlet by William Shakespeare opened as the first production in the new Performing Arts Center. 600 audience members attended the opening performance, including “past and present mayors, numerous captains of industry and commerce, and sundry patrons of the arts.”6 Local newspapers praised the building’s “much-touted capacity for special effects” and even its “exceptional legroom."5 On August 26, 1979, UMKC officials dedicated the Raymond B. White Recital Hall, a smaller academic theatre in the PAC. Once again, a local newspaper highlighted the technological advancement of the theatre, including “a talking computer” which controlled various aspects of the stage.49 The Performing Arts Center was officially dedicated on October 14, 1979, in an “open air ceremony” attended by “about 300 officials and guests."50 At long last, Dr. McIlrath’s dream of a full performing arts center was realized.
