November 12, 2004 -- The City of Houston and the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department have installed three electronic marquees in the downtown Theater District to inform patrons about upcoming events in an enhanced fashion.

Jones Hall has a new marquee above its front doors at 615 Louisiana, while Wortham Center will have two marquees – one in front of the building, fronting Texas Avenue, and one on the eastern perimeter of the property, along Smith Street at Prairie. The electronic signs take the place – at the same locations – of the previous marquees, which required the manual installation and removal of letters. The switch to electronic marquees was approved by Houston City Council in June and the work was performed by Daktronics, Inc., at a cost of $677,176.

“Electronic marquees are the industry standard in the world of performing arts, and our resident companies will use them to better inform their customers about upcoming events,” said Dawn Ullrich, director of the Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department, which manages both Jones Hall and Wortham Center for the City of Houston.

“The flexibility of the message system and the creative possibilities in using color and photography will allow us to deliver much more information to potential ticket-buyers,” Ullrich added. “This more fluid format is the way the world views information these days. We have needed to replace the static, manual marquees for a number for years.”

Ullrich reiterated the marquees will be used solely for events held inside the venues and are not available for lease.

Toby Mattox, executive director of Society for the Performing Arts, which presents shows at both Jones Hall and Wortham Center, said he was pleased by the new technology provided by the City.

“The new marquees allow for colorful and active messages that will not only captivate passersby, but should also inspire them to actually see the performances,” Mattox said.