Cowan Hall

Cowan Hall is home to the Department of Theatre and Dance. It is the main campus venue for theatrical performances, concerts, convocations and ceremonies. It houses The Fritsche Theatre, an auditorium with more than 1,000 seats; a scene shop for the construction of production sets and props; costume shop; music studio; classrooms and offices. Cowan Hall was built in 1951 for $500,000 and named for alumnus Dr. Clyde E. Cowan. The first performance held on its stage was the Westminster Choir. Cowan Hall underwent renovation in 2004-05.  Major improvements were made to the acoustics, the scene shop, the lobby and The Fritsche Theatre. The improved Cowan Hall was dedicated on May 19, 2005, with a ribbon cutting by Nevalyn Fritsche Nevil ’71, a lead donor and president of the Theatre Advisory Board.