Official Ribbon Cutting Announced for the Hylton Performing Arts Center Educational and Rehearsal Wing Dec. 3

(Manassas, VA)— The Hylton Performing Arts Center announces an official ribbon cutting  celebration for the new Education and Rehearsal Wing, which will take place on December 3 from 5 to 7 p.m. The invitation-only event is open to press and will include representatives from the Prince William County Chamber of Commerce.

Members of the media interested in covering the Education and Rehearsal Wing Ribbon Cutting Event must RSVP to Kirstin Franko at kfranko@gmu.edu or call 703-993-8794.

“The Wing is a place to dream, learn, polish, hone, explore—to let ideas and notes and voices and limbs soar, shares Rick Davis, Executive Director of the Hylton Center and Dean of George Mason University’s College of Visual and Performing Arts. “This Wing makes the Hylton Center complete and transforms us from a place where great art happens to a place where great art is created.”

The Education and Rehearsal wing includes two rehearsal halls, six practice rooms, two classrooms, and two additional lobby spaces, allowing the community to utilize the Hylton Center in an expanded way to educate, rehearse, perform, and collaborate. The Wing completes the original vision for the Hylton Center, finalizing its footprint with a design informed by nearly a decade of programming experience and a clear understanding of what this region requires in order to excel as a sophisticated arts community. This expansion allows artists and arts educators in our community to fully facilitate the entire life-cycle of artistic creation.

The Wing features two impressive new spaces—one rehearsal hall the floor size of the Merchant Hall stage and the other the footprint of the Gregory Family Theater, which will enable arts groups to stage full-scale rehearsals or performances. The spaces feature flexible seating, advanced acoustic treatments, and sprung dance floors.

The outfitted practice rooms and classrooms will empower students and artists of all ages to learn and perfect their craft at the Hylton Center, under the tutelage of George Mason University’s nationally renowned professors, Lifelong Learning lecturers, and professional artists.

All of the spaces in the new Education and Rehearsal Wing will also play a role in serving community events—from corporate meetings and conferences to galas and celebrations. For more information about facility rentals, contact Sales and Community Outreach Manager Susan Landess at 703-993-9344.

The Ribbon Cutting event will begin at 5 p.m. with a reception in the large rehearsal hall. Invited guests are encouraged to explore the new space and enjoy light fare as a jazz trio from George Mason University’s School of Music plays before the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony gets underway at 5:45 p.m. with Rick Davis, Executive Director of the Hylton Performing Arts Center and Dean of Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, giving remarks and sharing a toast.

The creation of the Education and Rehearsal Wing could not have been realized without public support by the Commonwealth of Virginia and the generous support of many private donors. Early contributions, including substantial support from the Cecil and Irene Hylton Foundation, spurred momentum for the Hylton Center’s Capital and Endowment Campaign, which is now over 75% of the way towards achieving its goal of $31.5 million. The campaign, in addition to raising the funds for the Education and Rehearsal Wing, has also raised funds for the Hylton Center’s Endowment, ensuring artistic excellence for generations to come. For more information on remaining opportunities to support this campaign and gain recognition in the new Wing, contact Director of Development, Eileen Kennedy at 703-993-6092 or ekenned9@gmu.edu.

About the Hylton Performing Arts Center
Dedicated to bringing a world-class performing arts venue to the Prince William region, the Hylton Performing Arts Center was born out of a partnership among Prince William County, George Mason University, the City of Manassas, the Commonwealth of Virginia, and individuals and businesses in the private sector. Soaring more than nine stories and boasting a stunning mix of copper, glass, and masonry, the 85,000square-foot center is home to two unparalleled performance venues for local arts groups and performers from around the world, as well as university-related activities. Construction of a new Hylton Center Education and Rehearsal Wing is under way and expected to be completed in 2019. This expansion will provide nearly 17,000 square feet of additional space for rehearsals, classes, and performances, allowing the artists and arts educators of our community to fully facilitate the entire life-cycle of artistic creation. The Hylton Performing Arts Center, the only building of its kind in the area, has quickly become the cultural hub of Prince William County and the surrounding communities and is a shining example of civic collaboration and commitment to the arts.

About George Mason University
George Mason University is Virginia’s largest public research university. Located near Washington, D.C., Mason enrolls 37,000 students from 130 countries and all 50 states. Mason has grown rapidly over the past half-century and is recognized for its innovation and entrepreneurship, remarkable diversity, and commitment to accessibility.