Dean’s Insider: Bass Concert Hall turns 40 with a bright future ahead
Forty years ago this spring, Bass Concert Hall opened its doors and ushered in a new era for live performance in Austin. Since then, the stage has hosted everything from Broadway musicals to world-class touring ensembles to stand-up comedy.
And Texas Performing Arts (TPA) stage supervisor Conrad Haden has been there for all 40 years. In a terrific recent Spectrum News story, Conrad takes viewers on a behind-the-scenes tour of Bass Concert Hall and reflects back on his time in the venue.
Of course, this year has been the most challenging year on record for TPA, but executive director Bob Bursey is doing his best to make lemonade out of the lemons handed to him by a global pandemic and position the organization for a bright future.
While the stages have gone dark this year, Bob’s worked with his team to find creative ways to make good use of their spaces. The venue invited audiences back in for socially distanced, timed reservations to view Behind the Scenes: The Art of the Hollywood Backdrop, and they’ve also partnered with Fusebox Festival to create a much-needed residency program to support Austin-based artists and offer them space and support to create new work.
As we look ahead to the days when we are able to invite audiences back into Bass Concert Hall for live performances, we expect the venue to emerge stronger than ever. TPA recently announced its upcoming Broadway in Austin season for 2021-22, and it’s a stellar lineup with Hamilton, The Lion King, Mean Girls and other blockbuster hits.
And while the stages have been dark, TPA has taken the opportunity tackle updates and renovations in Bass to improve safety and the patron experience. When patrons return in the fall, they can expect to see new seating with improved sightlines in the balcony, a refreshed lobby space with additional circulation space to reduce crowding, improved audio/visual systems, better aisle lighting, fresh carpet and more. Additionally, the venue’s ventilation system has been upgraded to provide better air filtration throughout the hall.
I’m grateful to Bob for his steady leadership and to the entire TPA staff for their creativity and resilience in a year that has rocked the performing arts. I know they’re eager to see Bass stage light up again and for audiences to return to live performances.
