DIANA CHAPMAN WALS H ALUMNAE HALLPhotography by Peter Vanderwarker

BUILDING HISTORYAlumnae Hall was designed by the prolific academic and institutional architects, Cram and Ferguson, in 1922. Used for large gatherings, reunions, College convocations, and social events, the Jacobean style building features a brick and limestone exterior and a vaulted interior. With a main stage theater for 1,000 and many function and gathering spaces, Alumnae Hall is a memorable building. By the 1980’s Alumnae Hall did not meet the needs for contemporary performance, teaching or College gathering, and its theater was compromised by poor acoustics and sight lines, lack of accessibility, and minimal lobby and rehearsal spaces. The systems were outdated and the building was not air-conditioned or code compliant. The interiors had seen many changes in finishes and the loss of original architectural detail and many special features.

PROGRAMAlumnae Hall has always held an important role as the main venue for ceremonial events and the performing arts. Serving the College’s Theatre Studies Program, Alumnae Hall contains two performance spaces—a 1,000-seat auditorium for theatre productions, College programs, and large special events. The lower-level former college “Ballroom” was converted into a flexible rehearsal and informal performance space, sub-dividable into two rooms, with a terrace fronting Lake Waban. Even with this transformation, the new space retains its original wood flooring, marbleized columns, wall paneling, appealing french doors, and its coffered ceiling—now acoustically treated with careful insertion of hidden grills for air conditioning. A third performance space, the Ruth Nagel Jones Theatre, is an informal small venue, and now includes a welcoming and well identified entry, box office and lobby, displaying information about the College’s theatre programs.