Proposed theater to honor Arthur Miller

By Joselyn Gingrich

Daily News Editor

Fulfilling a promise he made while interviewing for his position, University President Lee Bollinger will present a plan for a new theater named after University alum Arthur Miller at this month's University Board of Regents meeting.

"The Arthur Miller theater is part of the vision he described when he was being interviewed," said Regent Rebecca McGowan (D-Ann Arbor). "It's an exciting project."

The proposed theater - which still has to be approved by University Regents - is planned to be attached to the Power Center for Performing Arts on Huron Street and to include the relocated Trueblood Theater from the aging Frieze Building.

The plan is to have it "between the power plant and the Power Center" said Bollinger's Chief of Staff Chacona Johnson.

"The location is eminently sensible," McGowan said.

Johnson said the preliminary plans include a 600-seat theater although an architect has not yet been hired.

"I've very supportive," McGowan said. "This will add to the quality of life in the arts and the University and for those of us fortunate enough to live in the area."

Kenneth Fischer, director of the University Musical Society, said the addition of a new theater will make it easier to bring events to campus without taking away theater space from student groups.

"The addition of a new theater eases the situation for everybody," Fischer said. "It means more great theater in Ann Arbor without compromising student groups."

Johnson said Bollinger had always planned to name the proposed theater after playwright Arthur Miller.

"It was something President Bollinger discussed with Arthur Miller several times," she said.

"It's wonderful we can honor the great American playwright of the twentieth century," Fischer said. "All sorts of institutions asked (to use Arthur Miller's name) and he said no to all except Lee Bollinger. We can honor a distinguished University alumnus on our own campus with a theater named after him."

The Arthur Miller Theater "is something we can all be proud of," Fischer said.

In funding the theater, McGowan said there will be an "emphasis on private donations."

President Bollinger "has been very good and realistic about how we're going to pay for the theater," McGowan said.

Johnson said it is too early to know when construction on the theater will begin since the plan still has to be approved by University Regents at their May meeting.

The announcement of the plan for the Arthur Miller theater came at the same time as the University Musical Society unveiled their new theater plan. World-renowned theater groups such as the Royal Shakespeare Company and the Gate Theater of Dublin will be making appearances next season.

Next year "will put Ann Arbor on the map as a major theater presence," Fischer said. "The Arthur Miller Theater cements it."