About

The Michael D. Eisner Center for Performing Arts is home to the departments of dance, music and theatre, creating a dynamic, interactive space where students and faculty can collaborate across disciplines. The building is named for Michael D. Eisner ‘64, a Life Trustee of Denison University, a former chairman and chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company, and founder of the Tornante Company.

Within almost 108,000 boldly designed square feet, the Eisner Center houses state-of-the-art stages and rehearsal spaces, numerous classrooms and offices, as well as many open spaces especially configured to encourage interdisciplinary activity.

“The relevance of the performing arts in our individual lives and in society cannot be over-emphasized. The arts are relational. They can unite us across differences; they can give us new insights, and they should exist in an inter-disciplinary environment as in this new building. There has never been a time when the arts are more important than today.”

Michael D. Eisner ’64, Denison Life Trustee

Named & Performance Spaces

Sharon Martin Hall

The Sharon Martin Hall is the crown jewel of the Eisner Center. Named for Denison Trustee Sharon Smith Martin, a member of the Denison Class of 1965 and an ardent supporter of the arts, the 400-seat proscenium theater has been built with the ability to accommodate a wide variety of performances. Multiple stage and seating configurations allow for an array of stagings and audience sizes. Acoustics can be adjusted to deaden the space for amplified sound — or liven it for acoustic and orchestral performances.

Points of interest:

Automated line sets make it possible to fly set pieces in and out, accommodating a wide array of lights and other possibilities.
A mechanical pit lift provides for a proper orchestra pit and makes possible several different stage configurations.
The balcony seats 77 people, the stage thrust/orchestra pit seats 180 audience members.

Burke Recital Hall

Built in 1972 and seating 255 audience members, the Burke Recital Hall has been the home of many student productions. A remodel two years ago included theatrical lights, and audio system. A six-foot stage extension has been added, along with new carpet and reconditioned seats. A new chamber rehearsal room, piano lab and multi-purpose class room are directly across from the Recital Hall.

Thorsen Dance Studio, Room 271

The Thorsen Dance Studio is named for Denison Trustee Jamie Thorsen, a member of the Denison Class of 1977. Thorsen Studio, which seats up to 156 people, is an extremely versatile studio. Multiple connection points along a grid for lighting, audio, and projection, allow choreographers to orient performances virtually any direction. The Harlequin sprung-floor system offers the latest technology with three layers of basket-weave substructure, subfloor, and vinyl flooring. In addition, radiant heating in the floor the dancers’ comfort and to reduce risk of injury.

Points of interest:

Side lighting through ‘torms’ (tormentors)
Black-out curtains for performances can be opened for natural light in classes

Large Rehearsal Space

The Large Rehearsal Space can seat up to 156 people. It is exactly same size as the Martin Hall stage, which allows rehearsals to be at the same scale as performances. The slightly scaled-back rigging, lighting and AV systems are similar to the Martin Theatre, and the Large Rehearsal Space also can be used for performances, classes, and the occasional meeting.

Points of interest:

Two-story glass wall allows a ‘peek behind the curtain,’ to see art in the making
Theater-making classes are held here, with ample room for movement and experimentation.
A flexible grid makes small productions possible.

Medium Rehearsal Space

The Medium Rehearsal Space is the prototypical versatile space, equipped for teaching, choral rehearsals, and theater lab work.

Points of interest:

A ceiling-mounted camera projects on a screen so students can observe the teacher playing.
Clerestory windows provide natural lighting.
Retractable choral risers allow flexible seating.

Martha “Gay” Reese Lobby

Directly off the Broadway entrance, the Reese Lobby adjoins the administrative offices for Dance, Music and Theater. For 15 years, this spot was home to the Denison Summer Theatre, a popular theatre troupe that performed under the iconic Big Blue Tent, graphically represented here by the blue lines on the wall.

Points of interest:

Work space for student workers as well as a Library/Seminar room also are adjacent to this space.
The Martha “Gay” Reese Garden is located just outside the doors.

Burpees Seedy Theatrical Improv Green Room

The Green room is named for Denison’s Burpees Seedy Theatrical Improv Troupe, the nation’s oldest college comedy improv group. Traditionally, the Green Room is used as a ‘star’ dressing room for visiting artists. Technology allows the Green Room also to be used as a seminar room when not in use for productions. The nearby Dressing Room is functional for a large cast.

Points of interest:

The Green Room has 2 ADA accessible makeup stations.
The Dressing Room has 30 makeup stations
Curtain configurations in the Dressing Room allow for six distinct dressing areas.

Osborne Music Library [Osborne Music Library (Room 217), Music Department Office (Room 139), Choral Library (Room 239)]

The Music and Choral libraries, in addition to the Music Department Office, have been named in honor of Professor Emeritus William N. Osborne. Funds were donated by the Denison Singers in honor of their longtime director.

Denison Museum with Burke Gallery

A teaching museum, the Denison Museum engages in and supports learning and inquiry in the liberal arts. The museum’s collection, which is accessible for student and faculty research, holds more than 8,000 artifacts from cultures across the globe. The Burke Gallery displays curated shows drawn from the museum’s collection or from visiting exhibitions.

Hylbert Family Studio Theatre

Formerly known as the Black Box Theatre, the 3600-square-foot Hylbert Family Studio Theatre seats an intimate audience of up to 150, with upgraded audio, lighting and seating capabilities.