Overture Center for the Arts - Photography by Ian Bartlett

Overture Center for the Arts

Madison, Wisconsin

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Overture Center for the Arts opened on September 18, 2004. Designed by renowned architect
Cesar Pelli, the new facility replaces the Madison Civic Center. $205 million was spent to build
the facility, all of it provided as a gift by Madison philanthropist W. Jerome Frautschi.
The facility consists of 7 performance areas: Overture Hall, Capitol Theater [formerly Oscar Mayer Theatre],
the Playhouse [formerly Isthmus Playhouse], Promenade Hall, the Rotunda Stage, Rotunda Studio,
and Wisconsin Studio. 3 community galleries, as well as the James Watrous Gallery and the
Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, also call the center home.

Last update: 7/15/06

All photos taken April 23, 2006, except:
May 8, 2005 [3rd rotunda staircase photo]
July 9, 2005 [first rotunda dome photo]
September 1, 2005 [All rotunda photos, 2nd dome photo]
November 5, 2005 [Capitol Theater entrance]

Cameras: Kodak DX7630 [3rd Rotunda staircase photo], Canon Digital Rebel [All others]

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Exterior

The main entrance facade was originally part of Yost's Department Store.

This entrance was originally part of the Capitol Theater when it was constructed in 1927.

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The Rotunda Lobby

This dedication can be found immediately to the left after entering.

[you can see it in the photo above this one, on the right]

This passage leads to the Crossroads entrance, as well as the Madison Museum of
Contemporary Art.

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2nd floor

The Promenade Lounge is a modest-sized meeting area overlooking State Street.

The rotunda. Seen downstairs is the Rotunda Stage.

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Lower Level

The Rotunda Stage is a small, intimate venue used primarily for Overture's "Kids in the Rotunda" series.
It is also the only performance area open to the public at all times.

Interesting fact: I actually had to LAY on the Rotunda Stage's audience risers to take this photo. Standing and looking up would have given me one heck of a neck ache.

Looking up into the dome from the Rotunda Stage.

I did stand up to take this one, though. Ow.

The trademark dome as seen from outside. At night, LED's light up the dome, creating an amazing landmark
on State Street.

The rotunda staircase

For those playing the home game, this is the one taken with my brother's point and shoot (the Kodak) during my first-ever visit to Overture. I've never been able to duplicate the result since.

Overture Hall lobby----> Madison Museum of Contemporary Art----> Rotunda at Night---->

2005-06 Ian Bartlett.