Shelbie Harris
Staff Writer
Idaho State University’s Stephens Performing Arts Center allows big name acts to come perform in Pocatello.
Ten years ago, before the $34 million, 123,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art complex debuted in October 2004, most shows by big-name performers were held in Holt Arena.
Over the years the entertainment industry has changed, particularly the equipment necessary to put on a successful, entertaining show.
Constructed in 1970, Holt Arena’s infrastructure no longer supports this equipment.
“Our infrastructure, specifically our ability for the rigging in the facility, is not sufficient for what these current groups need,” said Director of Events George Casper.
“The speakers and lights are heavy equipment, and are hung from the ceiling. We just don’t have the capability from a roof structure to handle [the weight],” he added.
In addition to infrastructure issues, another important factor to consider when it comes to putting on a big show is attendance.
“In the past, five, six [or] seven thousand people was a very, very good crowd for these types of shows,” said Casper. “Now they are playing huge arenas that allow for 18 to 20 thousand.”
The infrastructure and design of Holt Arena limits how many people can attend an event within the facility.
The stage must be put in the center of the arena, playing back to one side, which puts capacity at an event of this nature to about 9,000 people.
Although big-name acts requiring attendance of more than 9,000 are unlikely to come to Pocatello without upgrading the facility at Holt Arena, this does not mean other stronger acts cannot come to perform at the Stephens Performing Arts Center.
“With the [Performing Arts Center] we’ve got the best facility in the entire northwest,” said Casper.
“Without a doubt, every performer that comes in there to perform tells me it is what of the finest venues they’ve ever performed at,” he added.
The unique design of the Jensen Grand Concert Hall located within the Stephens Performing Arts Center is what attracts the stronger acts.
“With the ability to ‘tune the hall’ there are five different tuning devices located in the hall,” Casper said.
Large sound baffles located on the stage, a thick black sound curtain as well as a state of the art panel-section located on a fifteen foot track that eject and retract into the room are the main tuning devices that are used.
Performances to be held at the Stephens Performing Arts Center include Rodney Carrington on Oct. 4 at 7 and 9:30 p.m., Josh Turner in late October and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band in early November.
Along with these performers, ISU entities including theatre and dance, the civic symphony and the music program are all scheduled to perform throughout the year, allowing for a variety of events inside the facility.
ISU football, men’s basketball and community events such as high school football, the Bengal Dash and Chrome in the Dome will take place in Holt Arena.
Tickets for the events at the Holt Arena or Stephens Performing Arts Center can be purchased at the Campus Connection desk in the Pond Student Union Building or by calling the Box Office at 282-2831 or 282-FANS (3267).
