In 1980, the much-awaited Madison Civic Center opened. Award-winning architects Hardy Holzman Pfeiffer Associates renovated three building to create the 120,000 square foot Civic Center. This multi-level, multi-functional $8.5 million complex is diverse and accommodating, reflecting the city in which it resides. It has the opulence of the Oscar Mayer Theatre, the intimacy of the Isthmus Palyhouse, and the simplicity of the meeting rooms.
The Civic Center is conveniently located downtown on Madison's State Street, two blocks from the State Capitol.
The Oscar Mayer Theatre (OMT) is a grand combination of timeless luxury and progressive technology. The renovated 2200 seat theater boasts the comfortable elegance of its predecessor, the Capitol Theater, built in 1928, while completely updating the house facilities necessary in the revitalization of an old movie palace to the present state-of-the-art entertainment center.
The OMT was built in the fanciful Moorish style popular in the 1920's, and hosts the Civic Center's largest theater events. Full scale operas, pop bands, classical ballet and lavish Broadway musicals have all been equally at home on its proscenium stage. The OMT has the original 1928 Grand Barton Theatre Organ, restored to its original condition.
The main floor (orchestra) entrace is located on the State Street level of the Crossroads and the Mexxanine and Balcony entrace is a half-flight up from the 2F level of the Crossroads.
The Isthmus Playhouse (IP) is best known for its adaptability and warm, inviting decor. This vital, modernized theater seats350 on soft brown carpet-covered benches and comfortable balcony chairs.
With no seat more than seven rows from its thrust stage, the IP is a familiar playing area for Madison's finest adult and children's theater troupes. Two of the Civic Center's four resident groups-Madison Repertory Theatre and CTM Productions- demonstrate repeatedly the limitless dramatic possibillities this contemporary theater possesses. The IP hosts numerous productions ranging from chamber music and puppet shows to innovative film series and the most contemporary of Broadway and off-Broadway shows.
The main floor entrace are on the B level of the Crossroads and the Loge entrance is on the State Street level of the Crossroads.
The Civic Center contains a variety of flat floor, multipurpose spaces for the use of our residents and the community at large. Here are brief descriptions of those spaces:
The versatile Marquee Room, that can accommodate up to 200 people, is located on the third floor of the Civic Center. This Banquet/seminar/party room can be sectioned off into any desirable shape or size and has light dimmers, track and fluorescent lighting, a built-in electrical power source and an intimate hardwood dance floor. (dimensions are 43' x 69' with one angle wall)
The spacious wood floor of the Spotlight Room is frequently filled with dancers doing the jitterbug or foxtrot at record spins. This popular room, located on the third level of the Civic Center, is also an excellent site for meetings, rehearsals displays, receptions or seminars for up to 200 people. (dimensions are 45' x 63' with one angled wall)
The sunny Garden Room, with its large front windows onto State Street Mall, offers a crisp white, green and yellow blend of color. Its elegant gazebo theme was designed by Dennis Pearson. The Garden Room is most often used as a small banquet, meeting or showcase room for parties of up to 35. (dimensions are 27' x 24')
Featuring the same attractive hardwood floors as the Spotlight Room, the Footlight Room is a smaller, amiable facillity located on the Henry Street level across from the Ticket Office. This room is most often used as support space for the Isthmus Playhouse, a rehearsal space and for small meetings or workshops for up the 35 people. (dimensions are 21' x 22')
Interconnecting the Civic Center's four main levels, this contemporary lobby area is known as the Crossroads and offers an exciting opportunity to see and be seen while providing access to both theaters, the Madison Arts Center and the meeting rooms. Each level looks over the others and it offers an intriguing combination of art deco and high-tech design. Practicality and imaginative design make the Crossroads a unique feature of the Madison Civic Center. Receptions for up to 2000 people, large exhibits and a number of performances have been hosted in the Crossroads. The four levels of the Crossroads span 13,328 square feet.
The Madison Art Center (MAC) is an independent, non-profit museum of modern and contempory art with a collection of more than 4,000 art works occupying four floors within the Civic Center. Besides its four gallery spaces, the Madison Art Center has its own small auditorium space, classroom, print study room, offices, storage, and technical support spaces.
A broad range of exhibitions are offered, including traveling shows of major artists, exhibitions by local and regional artists, and shows drawn from the Art Center's own collection. A Gallery Shop at the entrance to the museum offers a fine selection of original art and crafts, jewelry, art books, cards and other unique objects of fine design.