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20 Bangor Metro september 2010
students had the opportunity to record
and mix a concert by Grammy Award-
winning artist Paul Sullivan for a live
album. NESCom has launched a new
major in entertainment production.
Recently, Stack walked into the theater's
rehearsal hall upstairs and discovered a
graphic crime scene for a forensics class.
It's the opportunity for practical experi-
ence in the creative economy that excites
Stack about the Gracie.
"Not art for art's sake, but art for every-
body's sake and everything's sake," Stack
says. "And that's the strength of Husson."
Keeping with this theme, the theater
itself is also physically accessible to all.
There are few stairs in the theater and
plenty of handicapped-accessible seating.
Also, dressing rooms are spacious and
specially equipped for those who have
trouble walking.
The building's architecture is like an
exclamation point of its purpose, says John
Rohman, WBRC chairman of the board
and a Husson alum. The roof gracefully
slopes and a curved wall of windows allows
light for inspiration. The brick in the design
shows the building is still one with the
others on campus, just a bit more modern.
"We really wanted there to be a vivid
demonstration that this was a different
facility on campus, but still be sympathetic
to the campus design," Rohman says.
Visible from afar, the building also is
front and center on campus when entering
through the main entrance, an intentional
design choice, says Beardsley. Husson
wants the theater to be an extended invi-
tation to the Bangor community, and envi-
sions performances by members of the
Bangor Symphony Orchestra and local
theater and dance groups, as well as the
possibility of a resident theater troupe. It's
his hope that the theater will be a perma-
nent invitation to the people of Bangor.
"We want no town and gown division,"
says Beardsley. "We're of Bangor, not just
located in Bangor."
"People thought it was
ridiculous because [at the
time] they were just trying
to make ends meet."
­Bill Beardsley
One West Market Square
Downtown Bangor
945-3132
www.grasshoppershop.com
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