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Harris Theatre resumes its rightful place at the heart of arts at Mason

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After 18 months of renovations, Harris Theatre on 亚洲AV鈥檚 Fairfax Campus is once again open for performances.聽

鈥淲hile most of the impact of the improvements will be felt by the students, faculty and staff of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, the entire Mason community now has the opportunity to experience tomorrow鈥檚 stars before they become famous in a modernized, intimate space,鈥 said Dan Hobson, production manager for the (CVPA).

The venue's busy spring schedule includes the Mason Players performance of 鈥淓verybody鈥 on March 31-April 2, the School of Dance's Spring New Dances on April 15-16, and Mason Opera's presentation of 鈥淟a Cenerentola鈥 on April 29-May 1.聽

lobby of Harris Theatre
The Harris Theatre renovation features an expanded lobby, an updated ticket office, a new entrance near the walking meditation garden, and a marquee to announce upcoming performances. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

鈥淗arris is right at the heart of arts at Mason, and it鈥檚 great to have it back,鈥 said CVPA Dean Rick Davis.

Opened in 1980 and named for the late Mason benefactor Holbert L. Harris, the proscenium theater seats 460 and is one of the most-used spaces on campus. The renovation features an expanded lobby, an updated ticket office, a new entrance near the walking meditation garden, and a marquee to announce upcoming performances.

Another plus: Dedicated restrooms. Previously patrons and performers had to exit the theater and go down the hall and into the former Robinson Hall B to use the restroom. This is no longer the case. The renovation includes both a performers鈥 restroom and designated restrooms for patrons.

plaque inside Harris Theatre with Harris likeness
The theatre is named for the late Mason benefactor Holbert L. Harris. Photo by Shelby Burgess/Strategic Communications

The renovation also includes new air handling systems, new stage equipment and more storage, and a new stage-level dressing room. Prior to the renovation, the only dressing rooms available to performers were one floor down and under the stage. Those old dressing rooms have also been upgraded with new individual stations and chairs and will still be used. 聽聽

鈥淭he house lighting is now energy efficient, and the stage lighting has been upgraded to provide consistency during performances,鈥 said Hobson.聽

鈥淚t is CVPA鈥檚 busiest venue for student performances, in addition to hosting visiting lectures, panel discussions and screenings,鈥 said Julie Thompson, executive director for Mason's Center for the Arts. 鈥淭he theater鈥檚 location on Wilkins Plaza and next to Horizon Hall is a newly prominent spot on campus.鈥

鈥淭heaters, like any sort of machine, have a maintenance and a lifespan schedule,鈥 said Davis. 鈥淗arris Theatre was like that old car in the driveway you know is still running鈥攊t still gets you to the grocery store, but it didn鈥檛 get very good mileage and needed to go to the shop a lot.鈥

He added: 鈥淓very day I take a walk down that pathway and go between Horizon Hall and Harris Theatre and just marvel at what used to be and what is now. It鈥檚 just beautiful.鈥