Branson Theater, which has undergone a major renovation, will get a new name Friday: The Brody Theater.
The East Campus theater, the principal venue for the drama program for 34 years, will be renamed in honor of Duke alumnus and Theater Studies Council member Dr. Harold J. Brody (T'70) of Atlanta.
Duke needed a place to present small musical and non-musical theater pieces to the university and local community. It needed a little jewel," said Brody, whose gift funded the renovation. "That's what I believe the Brody Theater will be."
The dedication of the new Brody Theater will take place Friday, Oct. 20, at 4 p.m. with a ribbon cutting, remarks by President Brodhead, and comments from Brody and Department of Theater Studies Chair John Clum. Broadway actor and Duke alum Brian Charles Rooney (T'99) and student musical group Hoof ‘n' Horn will perform.
Festivities will continue Saturday and Sunday with performances, workshops and readings.
My family and I have history in Branson," Brody said. "My sister Betty and I were involved in a number of performances there through Duke Players when we were undergraduates, both on and offstage. It gives me special pleasure to contribute to a theater that I have known well for over 35 years."
George McLendon, Dean of Arts and Sciences, matched the grant for the renovation.
At one time a Mechanical Engineering lab, Branson Theater Since has been a classroom for acting and directing and a studio theater facility that has housed student-directed productions and the annual New Plays Festival.
With its makeover, with better lobby space and technical support facilities, we hope the Brody Theater will be a center for small theatrical productions with something going on there every weekend," Clum said.
Other performances over the weekend include internationally known performance artist Tim Miller opened the week of celebration with a performance art workshop for students on Monday and performed for a full house of students, faculty and Triangle residents Monday evening. For a complete schedule, click here.