From George Mason University:
George Mason University broke ground this week on an $8.5 million, 14,000-square-foot addition to the Hylton Performing Arts Center on its Science and Technology Campus in Prince William County.
The Education and Rehearsal Wing, slated to open in 2018, will be used by regional arts organizations, Mason students, Prince William County and city of Manassas schools, and the business community.
The 10-room addition, next to the Hylton’s Gregory Family Theater, will be accessible from the Didlake Grand Foyer. It will feature six practice/teaching rooms, two classroom/ensemble rooms and two rehearsal spaces. The smaller of the two rehearsal halls will be named the Ballard Postma Studio in recognition of a generous gift from Hans and Mary Postma of Haymarket, Va. Ballard is Mary Postma’s family name.
“This campus is where STEM becomes STEAM—Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics,” said Ángel Cabrera, George Mason’s president. “Discoveries of all kinds are being made here, and with this new wing, even more musicians, actors and dancers will have the opportunity to develop their skills and pursue their artistic passions.”
“This much-needed new space will allow creativity and collaboration to flourish at the Hylton Center,” said Rick Davis, the center’s executive director and dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. “Our community has spoken. This beautiful wing will be filled with teaching, learning and rehearsals on the day it opens.”
The project is funded in part by $6 million from the Commonwealth of Virginia, and through the continued support of retired Virginia Sen. Charles Colgan.
An additional $2.5 million gift from the Cecil and Irene Hylton Foundation, along with the Postmas’ gift and other private donations to be sought over the next two years, will complete the funding for the wing, including adding state-of-the-art equipment.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Thursday and attended by about 200 guests, who heard remarks from Cabrera and Davis.
The project is expected to take 12 to 18 months to complete and is planned to open in time for the 2018-19 performance season at the Hylton Center.
