August 25, 2004
INFORMATION: John McElwain or John Green, (661) 362-3494 or 3684
Curtain Rises to Reveal New EPIC Center for Performing Arts
 SANTA CLARITA The new EPIC Center at College of the Canyons will officially open its doors Oct. 15, revealing a dazzling performing arts venue that will host an exciting inaugural season of college, community and professional performances.
The EPIC’s first performance will be a college production of “Big River,” an adaptation of Mark Twain’s “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn.” Other performances range from concerts by the Santa Clarita Symphony to professional acts such as Paul Anka and Melissa Manchester. The season is sponsored by Parkway Supercenter.
 “I am extremely proud of this marvelous facility,” College of the Canyons Superin-tendent-President Dr. Dianne G. Van Hook said, adding that the EPIC Center is the result of a cooperative partnership with the City of Santa Clarita.
“At College of the Canyons we believe in the power of teamwork, that we can do so much more together than we can alone, that everyone benefits when we work together, and that this community deserves the very best,” Van Hook said.
The State of California provided $15.9 million in funding for the EPIC Center, and Santa Clarita provided an additional $2.4 million, most of which was used to significantly boost the number of seats. The main performance hall features two levels with as many as 926 seats, depending on its configuration. The facility also features a more intimate “black box” theater that can accommodate up to 125 people.
“This high-quality performing arts center will afford the residents of Santa Clarita many great opportunities and help promote Santa Clarita as a premier location for arts and culture,” Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar said. “This center and the great performers to come are a fantastic example of what can be accomplished when we work together.”
The 47,000-square-foot EPIC Center features a spectacular 7,500-square-foot proscenium stage and theater with flexible seating arrangements, ranging from 886 to 926 seats. The main theater also boasts a unique, state-of-the-art sound system that is one of only several in North America. The acoustic control system electronically adapts the sound for particular types of performances to the house.
The EPIC also features a hydraulically operated orchestra pit, green room, scene shops, costume and property storage, dressing rooms, lockers, showers, ticket booth, snack bar and an expansive two-level lobby.
Tickets will go on sale Sept. 8. Tickets can be ordered by phone at (661) 362-3304. They may also be purchased the day of the event at the EPIC Center Box Office, located at the front of the building.
The building was designed by architectural firm Spencer/Hoskins & Associates of Pasadena and built by Klassen Corp. Ground was broken in December 2001, and construction was completed in the summer of 2004.
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