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The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center

The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center

Our facility consists of:

School of Performing Arts Administrative Suite;
Larson Memorial Concert Hall;
Fishback Studio Theatre;
Proscenium Theatre;
Roberts Reception Hall;
Founders Recital Hall;
Student Choir Practice Room Suite;
Student Music Program Suite and Practice Rooms; and
Dance Rehearsal Room

The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center (PAC) serves SDSU and the Brookings Community as a joint-use facility. It is the home for great concerts and events in the Larson Memorial Concert Hall, great studio theater productions and events in the Fishback Studio Theatre, and great banquet and programs in the Roberts Reception Hall.

Our Mission

The staff of The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center will strive to produce and help others to produce great concerts, theatrical productions, lectures, banquets, recordings and special events for our campus, community, and region while supporting the development of programs and groups dedicated to educating, entertaining and serving all lovers of Performing Arts.

view of the recital hall

Organ pipes in the recital hall

acoustic wall in the recital hall

Director conduction music PAC

Instrument knobs in the recital hall

Stage in the recital hall

PAC named The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University

BROOKINGS, S.D. - April 10, 2019 - The new and expanded performing arts facility at South Dakota State University has been named The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center in recognition of the family of the project’s principal investors and champions.

SDSU President Barry Dunn made the announcement Friday at the performance of “CHICAGO,” Broadway’s longest-running musical, that served as the first show in the 850-seat proscenium theater.

“The Larson family has been an incredible part of South Dakota State University for decades and their generosity on so many levels has been the margin of excellence for thousands of students, faculty and staff,” Dunn said. “We are extremely honored that Dale Larson and the entire family believe in the value of the performing arts and their investment in the expansion of the facility will have a positive impact on the university and region for decades to come.”

Bertha and Oscar Larson, parents of Dale, provided a premier investment on the original Performing Arts Center, which opened in 2003. Dale, his wife, Pat, and daughters, Carmelle, Bridget and Maree, were instrumental in the completion of the recent expansion that finished a comprehensive center for instruction and performance in dance, music and theater at SDSU. The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center provides exceptional facilities for faculty, students and visitors.

The recent $50 million, nearly 100,000-square foot expansion opened for students in January. In addition to the proscenium theater, The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center contains the following spaces:

School of Performing Arts Administrative Suite;
Larson Memorial Concert Hall;
Fishback Studio Theatre;
Proscenium Theatre;
Roberts Reception Hall;
Founders Recital Hall;
Student Choir Practice Room Suite;
Student Music Program Suite and Practice Rooms; and
Dance Rehearsal Room

The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center News

Apr. 10, 9:48 AM
PAC named The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center at South Dakota State University
The new and expanded performing arts facility at South Dakota State University has been named The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center in recognition of the family of the project’s principal investo
Mar. 22, 10:16 AM
Performing Arts Center expands music facilities
When walking the halls of the Performing Arts Center, you may hear footsteps and conversation of music students. Step inside any office, practice room or classroom and you could hear a pin drop; and that's the way the students like it. Each room in the PAC's music expansion is soundproofed. It's just one of the many well-thought-out features of the new facilities built for the School of Performing Arts.
Feb. 28, 9:45 AM
Broadway national touring production of 'CHICAGO' to open new Performing Arts Center theater
Culminating nearly 50 years of the Brookings community and South Dakota State University leadership working to build a professional theater on campus, SDSU will host a grand opening weekend April 5

The Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center Events

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