A number of Orange County community leaders realized that it was time for world-class performing arts venues. They also wanted a dedicated arts campus, where both local and regional performing artists as well as renowned guest artists from around the globe could perform in this region of Southern California. Major educational institutions were also being built and businesses were establishing their headquarters here. The Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society of Orange County and Pacific Chorale required a concert hall that was suitable for their needs and their performances. It should provide a space where these organizations, as well as the Orange County Performing Arts Center and the community, can grow and gain greater prestige and recognition.
The Center was established in the Costa Mesa, California area on a 5-acre parcel of land donated by local Segerstrom families and led financial gifts. It was completed in the mid-’70s. Construction began in 1983.
When the Orange County Performing Arts Center was opened in September 1986, the vision of its founders became a reality. It hosted a concert at the Segerstrom Hall, an opera house-style hall. It was one the most technologically advanced and innovative homes for performing arts in the country. The Center’s leadership also added to the performances of Pacific Symphony, the Philharmonic Society and Pacific Chorale acclaimed international ballet companies, national tours by Broadway musicals, jazz greats and award-winning chamber ensembles, cabaret performers and children’s theatre. The Center established an ambitious education department that aims to bring young people to the new campus to see professional performances, and to provide meaningful arts programs for schools throughout the county.
On September 15, 2006, the Center’s new Renee-and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall was opened. It is named after its founder chairman and his wife. Samueli Theater, a 500-seat multi-purpose venue that is part of the concert hall complex, was named after the Henry Samueli family foundation. Leatherby’s Cafe Rouge was named in honor of George Leatherby, a long-standing Orange County philanthropist. It offers a taste for the culinary arts on the Center’s campus.
The Center’s name was changed to Segerstrom Center of the Arts on January 12, 2011. This change is in honor of the Segerstrom family’s extraordinary contributions. The Center’s success has been built on their unwavering dedication and generosity. Segerstrom Center for the Arts was established to operate the theatres and the Argyros Plaza. It also owns and manages the 14-acre campus, which includes the Tony(r), Award-winning South Coast Repertory as well as the new Orange County Museum of Art site, scheduled for construction in 2019.
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Costa Mesa Playhouse