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About Bicknell Center

Music. Theatre. Dance. Art. We have it all!

Located at Pittsburg State University, the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts serves as a cultural and creative hub for the campus and community.

We provide:

  • Rehearsal and performance spaces for a variety of ensembles that are part of Pittsburg State University’s Department of Music.
  • Set construction, costume creation, rehearsal, and performance spaces for Pitt State Theatre.
  • Rehearsal and performance spaces for students pursuing a minor in Dance.
  • Communal gathering spaces for a variety of shared experiences by university faculty, staff, students, and the community.
  • We present an annual collection of diverse speakers and productions touring regionally and nationally of interest to the campus and community.

Our center was designed and constructed by renowned theater architects with versatility in mind. We hosted our first season in 2015.


Features:

  • Linda & Lee Scott Performance Hall (1,000 seats)
  • Dotty and Bill Miller Theater (280 seats)
  • Art Gallery (3,000-square feet)
  • Rehearsal Hall (2,900 square feet)
  • Dean Family VIP Room (1,600 square feet)
  • Paul Bergant Family Lobby
  • Green rooms, dressing rooms, a scene shop, and more

We also are equipped with broadcasting equipment to bring our performances to the world.


Alignment with University Strategic Initiatives: Community Engagement and Partnerships

Partner with other organizations, alumni, and donors to advance shared educational, athletic, artistic, cultural, economic, environmental, and social priorities.

7.1 Utilize the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts to deveop an essential education and entertainment engine for the region.

History:

The decades-old dream of a new performing arts center at Pittsburg State University to take the former Carney Hall took a giant leap forward early in 2013 when construction work began on the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts at the corner of Homer and Ford streets.

A groundbreaking was held on Feb. 1, 2013. On Dec. 7, 2014, the center opened with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and tours.

On March 12, 2015, the center celebrated with a gala performance hosted by our namesake, Gene Bicknell, with music by the University Choirs and the Southeast Kansas Symphony. The performance was supported by student performers in many arts-related academic programs across campus. 

Since then, we have hosted tens of thousands of audience members for memorable performances including national tours of Broadway shows, VIP speakers, concerts, and plays. We annually host the H. Lee Scott Lecture Series and Women in Government Lecture Series.

 

view of stage during production of broadway show rent