Biggest Dang Thing We Ever Saw

UT PAC's Bass Conert Hall is already the largest performance space in Austin, boasting 3,000 seats and playing host to everyone from Ballet Austin to the touring company of Movin' Out (and, really, every other large scale performance that comes from, or to Austin).

In case they're not already impressive enough, Bass has just been approved by the UT Board of Regents to spend $14.7 million dollars renovating and upgrading the theatre. The goal is to make Bass a "glowing beacon for the arts in Austin." [Ed. Note -- Isn't the Long Center saying the same thing?] Included in the renovations are plans to add a glass front to the facade (like in the header photo), expand the lobby and atrium, and create a state-of-the-art theatre with improved acoustics, lighting and audience space.

Even more impressive, however, is what they intend to do with all their new stuff. "We will become an incubator for new work by American artists," says PAC director Pebbles Wadsworth. Did we hear that right? New American work in a theatre with tons of money? Doesn't that go against the very moral fabric of our society? Couldn't that destroy the space-time continium? 1.21 gigawatts? $14.7 million dollars? All right, we're done.

But seriously, it looks like the PAC is, at least at the moment, following through on their bold statements. As part of of their 25th Anniversery Season, they'll be hosting Austin alternative theatre mainstay Salvage Vangaurd Theater and their production of Intergalactic Nemesis (which is also running this June at the Blue Theater, FYI). When we read that, our jaws dropped. Apparently, "the big picture" is being revealed in the coming weeks. We'll keep you posted, but till then, we'll encourage you to join us in being really. Freakin'. Excited.

Photo (c) UT PAC