Professional and student performances in all branches of the performing arts have been brought under one roof in a new center named for Virginia painter (and University of Maryland alumna) Clarice Smith.

The six performance halls are: the 1,100-seat Concert Hall, with a single balcony, box and chorister seating; the Ina and Jack Kay Theatre, seating 650 before a proscenium stage; the Joseph and Alma Gildenhorn Recital Hall, seating 300 on one level; the Robert and Arlene Kogod Studio Theatre, which seats 200; a 200-seat dance theater; and the Laboratory Theatre, a 100-seat, black-box facility.

The center houses the school of music, the department of theatre and the department of dance with their classrooms, rehearsal halls and library. As a result, it is a busy place during the day as well as in the evening.

The well-regarded production company of the University of Maryland will be housed here instead of the old Tawes Theatre .

The university's performance series will bring 50 events to the center each year.

-- Brad Hathaway