McFarlin Memorial Auditorium

McFarlin Memorial Auditorium is a proscenium style theatre located on the campus of Southern Methodist University. The venue seats 2,386 on three levels. The building is the third oldest on SMU's campus and has hosted a number of notable acts.

McFarlin Memorial Auditorium

McFarlin Auditorium in 2016
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium Location within Texas McFarlin Memorial Auditorium McFarlin Memorial Auditorium (the United States)
Address	6405 Boaz Ln.
Location	University Park, Texas
Coordinates	32°50′39″N 96°47′10″W
Owner	Southern Methodist University
Capacity	2,386
Acreage	1 acre (0.40 ha)
Current use	Auditorium, Theatre
Construction
Opened	1926 (1926)
Years active	1926 (1926)-present
Architect	R. H. Hunt
Website
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
McFarlin Memorial Auditorium
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Architectural style	Colonial Revival, Georgian Revival
MPS	Georgian Revival Buildings of Southern Methodist University TR (AD)
NRHP reference No.	80004091
Added to NRHP	September 27, 1980

History

By the early 1920s, the students, faculty and staff of SMU had severely outgrown the capacity of Dallas and Clements Halls. Arguments were put forth as to what the next campus building should be. In the end, President Selecman and the Methodist bishops made the decision to build a chapel/auditorium as SMU's third permanent building. Financing was secured by a generous donation from devout Methodist and San Antonio businessman Robert M. McFarlin.

The McFarlin Memorial Auditorium was opened in 1926 to fulfill the University's pressing need for a chapel that could accommodate the entire student body. The building has evolved over time and continues to serve the University in the manner envisioned by SMU President Charles Selecman as "a place where we can have our friends from the community and elsewhere gather together on great occasions."

Though historically attractive, technology and ambiance are priorities as the university continues to keep the facility current. Recent projects include restoration of the main lobby to its historic integrity, renovation of restrooms, installation of a sprung floor on stage, and a complete reupholster of the auditorium's seats.

Notable events

Speakers

• Winston Churchill
• George Clinton
• Charlton Heston
• Bob Hope
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Margaret Thatcher
• Stephen Hawking
• George H. W. Bush
• George W. Bush
• Ruth Bader Ginsburg

Performers

• Arlo Guthrie
• Barry Manilow
• Billy Joel
• Billy Thorpe
• Blondie
• Canned Heat
• Conan O'Brien
• Dashboard Confessional
• Death Cab for Cutie
• The Doors
• Ebi
• Elton John
• Evanescence
• George Benson
• The Grateful Dead
• Hall & Oates
• Imogen Heap
• Jackopierce
• James Taylor
• Jane's Addiction
• Jeff Beck
• Jesse Colin Young
• Jimmy Buffett
• The Kinks
• The McElroys
• Outlaws
• Paul Simon
• Pink Floyd
• The Police
• Prince
• Queen
• Randy Newman
• REM
• Shadmehr Aghili
• Shawn Mendes
• Sheryl Crow
• Thin Lizzy
• Vanilla Fudge
• Wilco
• Yo-Yo Ma
• XTC

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Dallas County, Texas

External links

• McFarlin Auditorium Lobby Renovation