JULY 2025 32 By Sherry Sklar S ince opening its doors with a rousing Roger Miller concert on October 23, 1975, Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts (SCPA) has been a cultural nexus in the heart of the city. For five decades, its bold programming and world-class performances have helped elevate Scottsdale’s standing as an arts destination. This fall, the organization celebrates its golden anniversary with a milestone season and gala event that honors its legacy and looks ahead. Designed by renowned American architect Bennie Gonzales, who designed many of Scottsdale’s municipal buildings, the center was envisioned as a conceptual campus with a distinctive Southwestern flair. A 1992 renovation by Michael Wilson Kelly and Will Bruder reconfigured portions of the façade and relocated the entrance to enhance visitor flow. Subsequent upgrades have been undertaken over the years to maintain and improve the facility’s functionality, including the most recent major mainstage renovation in 2008-2009. “Bennie Gonzales wanted to make a statement with these buildings – that this is a civic place that lives within the language of our ancestors,” said Gerd Wuestemann, President and CEO of Scottsdale Arts, the nonprofit that oversees the center along with several other multidisciplinary arts organizations (including SMoCA, Scottsdale Civic Center, and Public Art, with Cattle Track soon to join the portfolio). Gonzales used a signature hue, Navajo White, on the exterior walls, a color still incorporated throughout the building. The 853-seat Virginia G. Piper Theater was entirely constructed underground to comply with the city’s strict height restrictions at that time. This created a performance space with outstanding acoustics and a unique entry point at the top of the seating, which descends toward the stage. “In 1975, Scottsdale’s building height restrictions were so strict that they couldn’t go any taller,” Gerd said. “To accommodate sufficient overhead space above the stage, they had to construct the audience area underground. It was a purely pragmatic decision.” Gerd noted that attending a performance gives guests a true sense of place, one that feels unmistakably Southwestern and couldn’t exist anywhere else. Over the decades, SCPA has presented some unforgettable moments, including MOMIX’s baseball-themed Bat Habits, commissioned in 1992, and the production team’s dramatic Kabuki curtain drop reveal of Kristin Chenoweth HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY! Scottsdale Center for the Performing Arts reaches half century Children's Garden and east bowl. PHOTO COURTESY OF AERO DRONE VISIONS SCPA being constructed, circa 1974. PHOTO COURTESY OF AERO DRONE VISIONS

33 JULY 2025 during the 2009 reopening concert. Its free outdoor series, Sunday A’Fair, launched in 1987 and – now known as Sun & Sounds – continues to bring live music to the park each spring. These are the kinds of moments that have helped make SCPA a vital part of the city’s cultural life. This summer is going to be a hive of activity as the Virginia G. Piper Theater undergoes a glow-up that will include new carpets, refreshed seating, and upgrades to the concession area in preparation for the anniversary. The complete season lineup will be announced on August 5, with ticket sales beginning on August 7. Theater renovations are scheduled for completion by September. The ARTrageous Gala, celebrating the SCPA’s 50th anniversary, will take place on October 24, 2025. Described as a review-style event, the evening will offer two curated experiences for patrons: an elegant cocktail party for those who prefer to mix and mingle and a formal sit-down dinner for guests in the atrium. Following this, there will be a star- studded performance and an honoring of individuals who played a significant role in the development of the center. A festive and memorable evening, the event supports a worthy cause and contributes to its ongoing capital campaign. SCPA plans to expand its physical footprint in tandem with its artistic reach. Two new performance spaces, a 250-seat theater and a flexible black box venue, are scheduled to open in 2026. Recent renovations to the surrounding Civic Center park have already expanded the capacity to host larger productions and outdoor festivals. Programming Director Abbey Messmer added, “With the renovations to the park, we’re able to dream bigger: additions that will open doors for more experimental and community-forward work.” The breadth of programming may surprise those who have not attended a performance but are open to exploring a new cultural opportunity. “We curate everything from legacy dance companies to edgy one-night-only performances. We want the audience to be surprised,” Abbey said. To counterbalance more traditional offerings, this summer, SCPA offers a Sippin’ Series, which pairs whiskey tastings with performances. “It’s fun, unexpected, and makes the arts feel accessible.” These developments reflect a deliberate effort by leadership to broaden its programming, welcome audiences, and deepen its role as a cultural anchor for the city. Gerd has an abiding respect and appreciation for things that stand the test of time while also embracing the future. “Celebrating 50 years is remarkable for any center. We are proud of our long, rich history and our national reputation as a forward-thinking venue,” he shared. “As we reflect on the past, the best way to celebrate our success is by setting a course for the next 50 years.” scottsdaleperformingarts.org Atrium at the Virginia G. Piper Theater. The SunPunchers have performed at SCPA on three occasions. Roger Miller at the inauguration in 1975. PHOTO: BRIAN PASSEY