This opinion column was submitted by Dennyse Sewell, executive director of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.
If you’ve lived here for a while, you’ve probably noticed the gleaming golden dome in the heart of downtown. You may have attended events inside or even performed on the main stage yourself. The Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts is a Reno landmark and an iconic piece of our region’s identity. On January 7, 2023, the Pioneer Center celebrated 55 years of art in downtown Reno – a legacy of which we are proud.
Much like today, Reno experienced tremendous growth and change in the 1960s. Our tourism industry was thriving and our population was increasing rapidly. In response, regional leaders planned a new facility in the heart of downtown to host both performing arts events and conventions. Structures to create places popped up in cities across the country, from the Space Needle in Seattle to the Gateway Arch in St. Louis, and our founders envisioned a futuristic landmark of their own. They opted for a unique, subterranean building design topped by a gold anodized geodesic dome resting on an expansive forecourt. The Pioneer Theater-Auditorium, built on the former site of the Nevada State Building, opened on January 7, 1968 and has been an anchor of northern Nevada’s vibrant arts and culture scene ever since.
In 1988, the building was renamed the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts and a private 501(c)(3) non-profit organization was formed to maintain and manage the theater. Our nonprofit organization became the sole owner of the Pioneer Center in 2012 after Washoe County granted the land and the Reno-Sparks Convention and Visitors Authority granted the building to us. We are listed on the National, State and City Historic Registers and are a member of the League of Historic American Theaters.
The Pioneer Center has hosted music, dance, theater, opera, film, lectures, magic, comedy and more for over half a century. Some notable highlights include performances by Mikhail Baryshnikov, Itzhak Perlman, David Copperfield, “Weird Al” Yankovic and Rita Moreno; Broadway Comes to Reno blockbusters like Jersey Boys, The Producers and Hamilton; renowned dance companies such as Ballet Hispanico and Ailey II; Washoe County School District Student Concerts; concerts in dance studios; graduation ceremonies; and local company productions such as Reno Phil, AVA Ballet Theatre, Sierra Nevada Masterworks Chorale, Nevada Opera Association, Artown, Washoe County Concert Association and Sierra Nevada Ballet, among many others. Our flagship educational program, Pioneer Center Youth Programs, has presented performances by professional artists in elementary schools and public libraries in eight counties for over 50 years and has served more than 1 million children. Hundreds of volunteer ushers continue to provide thousands of hours of event support each year and represent the beating heart of our organization.
In the last season, the Pioneer Center hosted 120 events and saw more than 123,000 guests walk through our doors. As we look back on our legacy and look to the future, we are proud to continue long-standing partnerships and collaborations while forging new relationships with local artists, businesses and non-profit organizations. Breaking down barriers to entry, expanding arts education and presenting multicultural events that bring our diverse community together for shared experiences are paramount values. We are stewards of this cultural treasure and are committed to preserving and expanding the Pioneer Center for future generations. Art is for everyone!
Though downtown Reno has changed tremendously in 55 years, the Pioneer Center remains a constant source of energy, vitality and economic influence. We envision a community connected, enriched, and inspired by the power of live performance, and look forward to serving you for decades to come. happy 55th Birthday Pioneer Center!
Dennyse Sewell is executive director of the Pioneer Center for the Performing Arts.
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