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33-815: Dallas Theater Center produces its original works at the Kalita Humphreys Theater , the Margot and Bill Winspear Opera House , and the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre as part of the AT&;T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District . Founded in 1959, Dallas Theater Center was one of the first regional theaters in the United States with Paul Baker at the helm and it also served as Baylor's graduate drama program. The Frank Lloyd Wright-designed Kalita Humphreys Theater

66-405: A plane crash in 1954 and her parents donated $ 120,000 to the theater as a memorial. The theater was recognized as a historic city of Dallas landmark in 2007. In 2009, Dallas Theater Center moved its administrative offices to the Dee and Charles Wyly Theatre at the AT&T Performing Arts Center in the Dallas Arts District , but continues to produce shows in both spaces and continues to manage

99-404: A theater on land donated by Sylvan T. Baer along the picturesque Turtle Creek . Wright, busy at the time with other projects, suggested that if the committee could use a plan already in his files he would agree to the project. The original design had been created for a West Coast theater in 1915 and later adapted for Hartford, Connecticut. Neither of these theaters were built for various reasons and

132-460: A unified, interrelated composition. The term "organic architecture" was coined by Frank Lloyd Wright (1867–1959); it was a continuation of the principles of his master, Louis Sullivan, whose slogan "form follows function" became contemporary architecture's watchwords. Wright altered the statement to "form and function are one," citing nature as the clearest illustration of such integration. A consistent thread runs across his whole body of work, which

165-496: Is also a significant player in organic architecture history. He is best known today for the Steiner concept of education or Waldorf schools, as well as being the father of the biodynamic approach to agriculture, but he also created a number of structures in the early 1900s and introduced his ideas about transformation into architecture. The original Goetheanum he constructed was an early example of organic architecture; but, due to fire, it

198-676: Is reflected in the later work of futurist architect Buckminster Fuller . In his book The Breaking Wave: New Organic Architecture, Architect and planner- David Pearson created the Gaia Charter, a set of rules for organic architecture. Pearson draws inspiration from various movements, including Celtic design, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts, and Antoni Gaudí's work. "Let the design: There are contemporary creations of organic architecture. The definition of 'organic' has dramatically changed during recent times. Avoiding materials of construction that require more embodied energy to build and sustain it, when

231-558: Is the core of structure; it may be seen when walls, floors, and roofs are packed together, but it is invisible when it is free. He states: "The reality of the building does not consist of the roof and the walls but the space within to be lived in" . An Area can only be completely appreciated when viewed from one point to another as you move from one space to another. Proportion and Scale- Nature has its own proportions and scales, and changing them would result in ludicrous or illogical shapes. According to Wright, "Integral harmony of proportion to

264-469: Is the residence Wright designed for the Kaufmann family in rural Pennsylvania. Wright had many choices to locate a home on this large site but chose to place the home directly over the waterfall and creek creating a close, clamorous dialog with the rushing water and the steep site. The horizontal striations of stone masonry with daring cantilevers of colored beige concrete blend with native rock outcroppings and

297-632: The Kalita Humphreys Theater stage during his time, including The Latent Heterosexual , Shadow of an Eagle , Blood Money , and Preston Jones' A Texas Trilogy . Other notable productions include DTC's Give it Up! which transferred to Broadway as Lysistrata Jones and Bella: An American Tall Tale which transferred to Playwrights Horizons . Multiple productions at Dallas Theater Center have transferred to New York City's Public Theater , including The Good Negro in 2009, Giant in 2012, and The Fortress of Solitude in 2014. In 2017, DTC

330-422: The Kalita Humphreys Theater. In April 2018, Kalita Humphreys Theater hosted Dallas Theater Center's production of “The Trials of Sam Houston”, a world-premiere play written by Aaron Loeb . The Kalita Humphreys Theater also remains in use as a regional theater space by other local performing arts groups. In 2010, Uptown Players, a growing gay-focused theater company moved to the Kalita Humphreys Theater and occupies

363-429: The addition of a gift shop and beverage bar, and a large opening was made to help the flow of patrons into the auditorium. Located off one side of the theater was the library and conference room, named for Mr. Robert D. Stecker, who was an original committee member and the dedicated President of the organization. The library granted graduate degrees in theater from Baylor University and later Trinity University . Today

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396-473: The architect refers to as 'Organic Architecture'. In this situation, some people view the term 'organic' as a synonym for 'natural,' connecting Organic Architecture with the use of curved and free forms, replicating natural shapes, or using environmentally friendly materials. This is to misinterpret the term. While natural materials are frequently used in Organic Architecture to strengthen the link between

429-458: The back of the theater. Window coverings in Wright's design were later requested by Paul Baker because "theater was not just performed at night." Originally, stage lights were housed in the ceiling but proved difficult to adjust, and today's lighting system was added later. Texas Instruments donated the first digital soundboard to be used in a theater. Due to rising costs during the construction of

462-531: The basement is occasionally used as a black box theater. The Wyly Wing, named for Charles and Dee Wyly, was added in 1969 as a separate building designed in the style of Wright. A porte cochere connected the two buildings. The space today includes the Lay Studio ("Frank's Place") and Wynne Studio, which serve as education rooms and performance spaces, plus a lounge, kitchen, waiting room and offices. The original lobby ended where today's center wall stands. In 1990

495-529: The building blends naturally and sits seamlessly to its surroundings, reflecting cultural continuity, it is 'organic' and is idealistic. Examples include leaving natural material, such as bedrock , exposed and unsculptured, such as the underground Rådhuset metro station in Stockholm , which appears to occupy a natural cave system. Building and Site- The site is earth but raw; it has its own form and structure (flat or contour); trees and other plantations are part of

528-549: The design was adapted for Dallas. Construction began in 1955 and was completed four years later and nine months after Wright's death at a cost of over $ 1,000,000. The Kalita Humphreys Theater opened on December 27, 1959, with a presentation of "Of Time and the River" by Thomas Wolfe . The theater took its name from an actress who worked with Paul Baker, the first director of the Dallas Theater Center . Kalita Humphreys died in

561-494: The heavily wooded site overlooking Turtle Creek. The design is predominantly horizontal interrupted by the towering concrete drum. The entrance to the theater faces Southeast and original plans called for patrons parking on the other side of the elevated railroad tracks (now the Katy Trail ). As one passed through a small pedestrian tunnel the grand theater entrance would be revealed. Wright repeats this process of experience throughout

594-467: The human figure to have all details so designed as to make the human relationship to architecture not only convenient but charming" . Nature- Nature is an instructor for everyone, including architects, artists, engineers, and doctors. Nature taught us how to build and occupy space. Organic design requires that buildings mirror nature, be a part of nature, and not look out of place. Repose- Creating an appropriate setting for human life. Uncluttered areas and

627-417: The interior and the outside world, this is a result rather than a philosophy. In actuality, Organic Architecture is not a stylistic or aesthetic movement, but rather a specific technique or, more accurately, a philosophy. Wright created the ultimate masterpiece of organic architecture, Fallingwater, which best demonstrates his organic architecture philosophy: the harmonious union of art and nature. Fallingwater

660-459: The landform. The nature of the land influences the form of the building to some extent or completely. Buildings, like plants, emerge naturally from the landscape. Material- The material or skin of a building that attractively displays its texture, color, and strength. Organic architecture uses minimal materials. Shelter- The structure should give a sense of shelter and safety, and it should never be left unprotected or without privacy. Space- Space

693-403: The library has been restored to its original appearance and is used for private functions. Northwest of the Kalita Humphreys Theater is this more functional block built in 1990 and designed by Dallas architect Art Rogers. Original design called for it to be disguised entirely by trees so as not to interfere with Wright's design. The building is built into a limestone bluff and cantilevered over

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726-508: The lobby was expanded and Art Rodgers, a local architect, worked with the Frank Lloyd Wright Foundation to create new additions to the theater. Stairs next to the auditorium were straightened, a kitchen space was removed and a spiral staircase added to provide additional access to lower level restrooms, which were also enlarged. The porte cochere added in 1969 was enclosed to form additional lobby space needed. It also allowed for

759-494: The space when not being used by the Dallas Theater Center. In addition, Second Thought Theater performs at Bryant Hall, which adjoins the Kalita Humphreys Theater. Between productions and rehearsals by Dallas Theater Center and these other companies, Kalita Humphreys Theater remains in use as a working theater approximately 50 weeks of each year. Other Dallas theater groups also use the Kalita Humphreys Theater throughout

792-456: The stage is the huge cantilevered 8-inch-thick (200 mm), 40-foot-high (12 m) concrete drum. Weighing 127 tons, Wright designed the drum to be counterbalanced by the corresponding weight and structure of the three-flight dressing room area behind the stage. The original color of the walls and seats was sand. The rake of the seats was changed in 1983 to give the audience better sightlines and add additional seats. A row of windows runs along

825-404: The theater in his creative design of the stairways, large terraces and fountains. Organic architecture Organic architecture is a philosophy of architecture which promotes harmony between human habitation and the natural world. This is achieved through design approaches that aim to be sympathetic and well-integrated with a site, so buildings, furnishings, and surroundings become part of

858-401: The theater is at a 30/60-degree angle, the only 90 degree angles in the theater are where the walls meet the ceiling and floor. During the design phase the proscenium was eliminated, thereby blending the stage and the auditorium into one unit. This created a more intimate relationship between the actors and the audience. The stage is able to be a revolving stage for some performances. Above

891-469: The theater, the backstage area was reduced in size. The stage level contains two dressing rooms and the Green Room. The second level has additional dressing rooms. Large circular ramps on either side of the stage led down to the basement, which was designed for the building of sets. The sets would be rolled up one ramp to the stage and then down the other ramp after use. Today only one ramp remains in use, and

924-459: The validity and solidity of his organic architecture ideas. Wright believed that traditional Japanese architecture embodied many of his theory's 'organic' qualities. When Wright created his designs in Japan, he attracted pupils and admirers, and his influence on the development of Japanese architecture is still felt today. Rudolph Steiner, a philosopher, social reformer, architect, and natural scientist,

957-402: The wooded environment. The primary components of organic architecture, which result in the inner harmony of an architectural building, are paradigmatic for Japanese architecture. Throughout history, those values have been defined and positioned at the forefront of total harmony, which has become the essence of Japanese culture. Using Japanese architecture as an example, Wright was able to verify

990-435: The year, including Uptown Players and Second Thought Theater. The theater's design was considered bold and innovative. It was based on Frank Lloyd Wright's Organic architecture , which stressed the unification of the building's form and function, the harmony of the building's structure with its natural setting, and the aesthetically pleasing manipulation of space. Because Wright's design was based on nature, and everything in

1023-585: Was awarded the Regional Theatre Tony Award. Kalita Humphreys Theater The Kalita Humphreys Theater is a historic theater in Dallas , Texas ( USA ). It is the only theater by architect Frank Lloyd Wright and one of the last completed buildings he designed. It was built in 1959 for Dallas Theater Center who still produces original productions on the revolving stage. The Dallas Theater Center committee approached Frank Lloyd Wright to design

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1056-513: Was its first home. Under Adrian Hall's leadership, DTC became a professional theater company in 1983 and made their annual presentation of A Christmas Carol an official tradition. During Hall's tenure, the company launched Project Discovery, its educational arm, and began to program in the downtown Arts District Theater. During Baker's tenure, Dallas Theater Center became one of the nation's leading producers of experimental interpretations of classics and world premieres, with 35 plays premiering on

1089-625: Was redesigned and replaced by the second, concrete and organically formed Goetheanum building, a cultural and spiritual center for the artists. Other modernist architects in the U.S., Europe, and elsewhere held complementarily and often competing views of how architecture could best emulate nature. Key figures in the U.S. included Louis Sullivan , Claude Bragdon , Eugene Tsui and Paul Laffoley while among European modernists Hugo Häring , Arthur Dyson , Hans Scharoun , and Rudolf Steiner stand out. Following World War II, organic architecture often reflected cybernetic and informatics models of life, as

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