October 24, 2014
On October 10, the College dedicated the long-awaited Kevin and Karen Kennedy Center for Theatre and the Studio Arts before more than 100 guests. The completed 86,424-square-foot facility includes two theaters, an outdoor amphitheater, costume shop, scenery shop, dressing rooms, woodworking studio, sculpture studio, casing workshop, video production room and studio spaces for drawing and printmaking. Opening the center made the College’s goal of housing a first class arts facility a reality.
Kevin Kennedy ’70 said that when he was a student, he took his studio art classes on the fourth floor of the Root building. Kennedy said he was “overwhelmed” by how beautiful the new building is and the way it fits in with its setting.
“It was humbling and daunting to have my and my wife’s names attached to such a building. President Stewart said things about me that made me wonder who she was talking about. It never, ever occurred to me that I’d be standing in front of a building like that,” Kennedy said of the dedication ceremony. “It was a perfect fall day at Hamilton College, it was great to see so many people there.”
“The opening was fun, and very busy, but also incredibly humbling for us students. It was surreal to get to meet some of the people for which our spaces are named,” said Wynn Van Dusen ’15, who spoke at the dedication. “The Kennedy Center is the product of lots of hard work and diligence, but also of incredible generosity, and it was a privilege to get to personally thank the people who made it a reality. It was also quite moving to see so many people who are adamantly supporting the arts at Hamilton. That meant a lot to me.”
President Joan Hinde Stewart and Kennedy both emphasized the years of thought and planning that led to the state-of-the-art space. Planning began about 15 years ago, according to Kennedy, and construction began in July 2012. Vice President of Administration and Finance Karen Leach said one of her favorite parts of the Kennedy Center opening was the Physical Plant reception for the workers who constructed the building. “It was extraordinary to see all the people who used their hands and hearts to make such a beautiful and functional facility showing off their superb work for their families,” she said.
“The planning process was lengthy and extremely thoughtful. A great many people were involved over a good many years. We wanted to have a building that would support the best in teaching and the best in learning. Fortunately, we had generous donors who believed in our vision,” Stewart said.
Kevin and Karen Kennedy donated $10 million to the project and Eugene Romano ’49, for whom one of the new theaters is named, donated $2.5 million.
“The long effort was worth it: we have a beautiful and highly functional building. It will bring the community—both the Hamilton community and the broader community — together around the arts. I particularly like the way the Kennedy Center frames various views of our campus and dialogues with the Wellin Museum, which is opposite it. I look forward to experiencing and enjoying the wonderful things that our students and faculty will make and do in our fine new facilities,” Stewart said.
Students and faculty alike look forward to the Kennedy Center’s future. Leach said she hopes the Kennedy Center and Wellin Museum create an “Arts Quad that knits the two sides of campus into one.” Van Dusen said she thinks the Kennedy Center will bring many more students to Hamilton’s arts programs.
“I think there’s going to be a big influx of students getting involved in every aspect of the arts—be it through taking classes, auditioning for plays, or even just coming to see performances,” Van Dusen said. “I’m used to a very small theatre department, and though I wouldn’t trade it for anything, I think it’s exciting that more people are probably going to be joining the community.”
Already, students benefit from and enjoy the Kennedy Center and all it has to offer. Van Dusen said she loves the Edwin Barrett Studio Theater, Green Room and rehearsing in the Romano theater. She said the Kennedy Center has already made her life much easier since classes, rehearsals and professors offices are all in the same place.
“I guess my favorite thing might be no more long hikes from List to Minor Theat!” Van Dusen said.
Kennedy said the appreciation of the arts he learned at Hamilton had a tremendous and lifelong impact on him.
“It is my hope that the Center will give Hamilton a competitive advantage in attracting art students, and all students interested in liberal arts education. I hope the building wears well and is an effective place for students for many years to come,” Kennedy said.
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