#stage center

[dragonfire1000]

[jodiduby]

[ombuarchitecture]

MUMMERS THEATER (THE STAGE CENTER THEATER) 

OKLAHOMA CITY

By John M Johansen

John M Johansen ushered in a new era of architecture in 1970 in Oklahoma City with his radical Mummer’s Theatre (later known as the Stage Center). Johansen, who received the prestigious American Institute of Architects Honors Award for his design, incorporated two major influences in his design - brutalism and systems theory - to create one of his most successful projects. “My purpose was to excite, intrigue, tempt, and entrap. In the Mummers Theater, theater goers are drawn into a building as stage set and feel themselves actors among professionals on the stage itself, in a total, combined performance. As I like to make the analogy, such buildings are like artful, subtle women who, offering love, do not give themselves, but ask to be taken.”  -  John M Johansen FAIA

THE FINAL ACT

July 2014 - The Mummer (Stage Center) Theater is in the process of being destroyed. Architects throughout the world, architectural historians, students of architecture, countless lovers of the avant-garde building, and even Frank Gehry - who spoke out about the importance of protecting and preserving the building and how it influenced his own career - could not stop the arrogant destruction of his historic, iconic American building.

(see the video)

Read more: johnmjohansen

Photos: abandonedok

[jwdonley]

What are your thoughts on the demolition of this landmark in downtown OKC?

[whywevote]

The Best Buildings Do Not Wreck Their Owners

They are wrecking the Mummers Theater/Stage Center building in downtown Oklahoma City. It is likely because of some essential design flaws in the building itself. Often overlooked, those flaws caused it to be financially toxic to each of its owners. In addition, its bold design that made it so notable also made it a relic that could not be used for new purposes.

And so, the building that has…

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[jodiduby]

Oklahoma City and Baltimore (my current city of residence and city of origin, respectively) share a bit of architectural heritage--each are home to one of two surviving theaters by Harvard Five architect John Johansen.  OKC's Mummer's Theater aka Stage Center has just emerged on the losing side of a preservation battle that would be all-to-familiar to fans of Baltimore's Mechanic. 

Last month plans were approved to demolish the 44-year-old structure--Preservation Oklahoma filed an appeal which was heard and denied this past week.  Thus Stage Center finds itself in the same limbo as the Mechanic: usefulness outlived, awaiting imminent demolition to pave the way for the towers of urban redevelopment.

[neiuenglounge]

free tickets for students, faculty, and staff

free tickets for students, faculty, and staff

Arthur Miller’s drama All My Sons opens on Thursday, February 20 at 7:30 PM and runs the 21st, 22nd, 27th and 28th at 7:30 PM. It also runs March 1st at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM in the Stage Center Theatre located in building F. Faculty, staff and students may obtain a free ticket by presenting their current school ID card at the Information Center located in the Village Square of student union. For…

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[activator-inhibitor]

Stage Center in Oklahoma City, designed by John Johansen in 1970. Unfortunately soon to be demolished.

via okcmod