WORTHAM THEATER CENTER: A 16 YEAR OVERVIEW
Downtown Landmark Celebrates 16 Years of Great Events In The Theater District

CEF department director Dawn Ullrich serves cake to Society for the Performing Arts' Toby Mattox, Houston Ballet's C.C. Conner, Houston Grand Opera's David Gockley and DaCamera of Houston's Gary Wood, during a Sweet 16 party held in Wortham's Grand Foyer on October 16.

October 16, 2003 -- Wortham Theater Center represents Houston's can-do spirit at its very best.

Built at the height of the 1980s oil bust, Wortham Center was funded entirely by the private sector. More than 3,500 donors contributed $66 million to build a new performing arts mecca amid a period of job losses and recession. It was a true community effort -- 2,200 individuals gave $100 or less.

What's more, the 437,500-square foot facility was completed four months ahead of schedule and $5 million under budget, a testament to Houston's trademark ability to get things done. At the time, Wortham Center was the first major opera house built in the U.S. in more than 25 years, further underscoring Houston's capacity to do things other communities would not dare under take.

The building is the legacy of the late Gus S. Wortham, the founder of American General Insurance Company whose foundation contributed $20 million to the capital campaign. The Cullen Foundation and the Brown Foundation chipped in with $7.5 million and $6 million, respectively, in a demonstration of the collective strength of Houston's philanthropic spirit.

Today, in its 16th year, Wortham Center remains one of Houston's most visible buildings and continues to be one of Houston's premier performing arts venues. Since its opening on May 9, 1987, Wortham has entertained audiences totaling an estimated 6 million people. It has also served as the backdrop for hundreds of social gales, civic meetings, corporate and group events, and even weddings. Wortham Center is a community center as well as a performing arts venue.

Bold and beautiful, the Wortham is a facility like no other. A wonder of technology, it is a masterful, creative playground for performing artists, and unrestrained in the exuberance of its architecture. Eugene Aubry of Morris Aubry Architects designed Wortham Center.

The facility features two theaters, the Alice and George Brown Theater and the Roy and Lillie Cullen Theater.

At 2,465 seats, the Brown is the "big house" at Wortham. The 17,000 square-foot stage is primarily used for major performances by Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera. Despite its size, no seat is more than 138 feet from the stage.

The 1,100-seat Cullen Theater hosts smaller opera and ballet productions and serves other arts groups, such as Society for the Performing Arts and Da Camera of Houston. Its intimate size is ideal for solo artists, chamber music, small touring shows and recitals.

Wortham Theater Center is managed by the City of Houston's Convention & Entertainment Facilities Department, Dawn Ullrich, director, and Michael Williams, building manager.