Flickinger Center for Performing Arts
Encyclopedia
Flickinger Center for Performing Arts is a 590-seat theater
in Alamogordo, New Mexico
. This is also the name of the nonprofit organization that operates the theater. The Flickinger Center put on a variety of entertainment, including concerts, plays, musicals, dance recitals, and beauty pageants, both by professional stage companies and by local amateur groups.
In 1988 Alamogordo resident Margaret Flickinger bought the Sierra Theater,
a 1950s-style movie theater
, and donated it to the organization.
The theater and the organization were renamed Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts. The inaugural performance at the theater was in December 1988 by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra
. The inaugural season started in October 1992.
The building has undergone two major renovations. In 1990–1991 the Flickinger Center organization ran a capital campaign that raised $1 million, until then the largest fund-raising campaign ever held in Alamogordo. The movie theater was converted into a live theater by creating a 40 feet (12.2 m) by 32 feet (9.8 m) stage and adding an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, a wardrobe and orchestra room, and additional lighting. A second round of renovation was performed in 2007, after securing capital outlay grants of $1 million from the State of New Mexico
. This renovation provided additional restrooms, a new sound booth, a handicapped-seating area, and an ADA-compliant ramp.
At the end of the second renovation the theater had given up 90 seats and seated 590.
, and received a lease on the property with an option to purchase. Ownership was transferred so that state funding could be used to renovate the building. The organization pays no rent, but provides services to Otero County including some performances that are free to County residents.
The Flickinger Guild, founded in 1991, is a volunteer group that does most of the operating work of the Center, and does some fundraising.
Alamogordo Music Theater, a local amateur group, has performed most of its shows since 1989 at the Center. During the summer the Flickinger Center organization presents the Tailgate Summer Jazz Series, outdoor concerts performed in the parking lot of the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
The Miss New Mexico
Scholarship Pageant is held each June at the Flickinger Center; it has been held in Alamogordo since 1998.
Theater (structure)
A theater or theatre is a structure where theatrical works or plays are performed or other performances such as musical concerts may be produced. While a theater is not required for performance , a theater serves to define the performance and audience spaces...
in Alamogordo, New Mexico
Alamogordo, New Mexico
Alamogordo is the county seat of Otero County and a city in south-central New Mexico, United States. A desert community lying in the Tularosa Basin, it is bordered on the east by the Sacramento Mountains. It is the nearest city to Holloman Air Force Base. The population was 35,582 as of the 2000...
. This is also the name of the nonprofit organization that operates the theater. The Flickinger Center put on a variety of entertainment, including concerts, plays, musicals, dance recitals, and beauty pageants, both by professional stage companies and by local amateur groups.
History
The nonprofit Alamogordo Civic Auditorium, Inc. was created in 1983 to provide a facility for the performing arts in Alamogordo and Otero County.In 1988 Alamogordo resident Margaret Flickinger bought the Sierra Theater,
a 1950s-style movie theater
Movie theater
A movie theater, cinema, movie house, picture theater, film theater is a venue, usually a building, for viewing motion pictures ....
, and donated it to the organization.
The theater and the organization were renamed Flickinger Center for the Performing Arts. The inaugural performance at the theater was in December 1988 by the New Mexico Symphony Orchestra
New Mexico Symphony Orchestra
The New Mexico Symphony Orchestra entered Chapter 7 bankruptcy on April 20, 2011, announcing that it would cease operations and existence. Orchestra members were notified of the board's decision to file for bankruptcy by email, a few hours after the vote was taken...
. The inaugural season started in October 1992.
The building has undergone two major renovations. In 1990–1991 the Flickinger Center organization ran a capital campaign that raised $1 million, until then the largest fund-raising campaign ever held in Alamogordo. The movie theater was converted into a live theater by creating a 40 feet (12.2 m) by 32 feet (9.8 m) stage and adding an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, a wardrobe and orchestra room, and additional lighting. A second round of renovation was performed in 2007, after securing capital outlay grants of $1 million from the State of New Mexico
New Mexico
New Mexico is a state located in the southwest and western regions of the United States. New Mexico is also usually considered one of the Mountain States. With a population density of 16 per square mile, New Mexico is the sixth-most sparsely inhabited U.S...
. This renovation provided additional restrooms, a new sound booth, a handicapped-seating area, and an ADA-compliant ramp.
At the end of the second renovation the theater had given up 90 seats and seated 590.
Governance and operation
In 2003 the organization transferred ownership of the building to the County of OteroOtero County, New Mexico
-2010:Whereas according to the 2010 U.S. Census Bureau:*72.7% White*3.5% Black*6.7% Native American*1.2% Asian*0.2% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander*4.2% Two or more races*11.2% Other races*34.5% Hispanic or Latino -2000:...
, and received a lease on the property with an option to purchase. Ownership was transferred so that state funding could be used to renovate the building. The organization pays no rent, but provides services to Otero County including some performances that are free to County residents.
The Flickinger Guild, founded in 1991, is a volunteer group that does most of the operating work of the Center, and does some fundraising.
Programs
The Flickinger Center presents a variety of entertainment, including concerts, plays, musicals, dance recitals, and beauty pageants. Shows include both professional stage productions and local amateur groups.Alamogordo Music Theater, a local amateur group, has performed most of its shows since 1989 at the Center. During the summer the Flickinger Center organization presents the Tailgate Summer Jazz Series, outdoor concerts performed in the parking lot of the New Mexico Museum of Space History.
The Miss New Mexico
Miss New Mexico
For the state pageant affiliated with Miss USA, see Miss New Mexico USAThe Miss New Mexico competition is the pageant that selects the representative for the state of New Mexico in the Miss America pageant. Delegates from New Mexico have each reached the Semi Finals of Miss America six times .-...
Scholarship Pageant is held each June at the Flickinger Center; it has been held in Alamogordo since 1998.