Timeline

1969 - Newport Harbor Foundation, the first group in Orange County that strives to construct a cultural center for O.C., is established. Feasibility studies would determine that Newport Beach is not a suitable location.

1972 - Santa Ana-based group established with same purpose in mind. It would determine that a site near the confluence of freeways is more suitable.

1974 - South Coast Repertory receives a commitment from the Segerstrom Family for its Fourth Step Theater.

1978 - SCR moves into the $3.5-million Fourth Step Theater.

Guilds system set up under the direction of Georgia Spooner.

1979 - The Segerstrom family donates 5-acre site on which to build the Center.

1985 - The Segerstrom family announces gift of Richard Lippold’s “Fire Bird” indoor/outdoor sculpture.

1986 - The new 3,000-seat multi-purpose theater is named Segerstrom Hall. The Orange County Performing Arts Center opens on Sept. 29.

1988 - Center Chairman Henry T. Segerstrom and President Thomas R. Kendrick announce board approval to proceed with plans to design and construct a 2,300-seat concert hall.

1998 - SCR announces plans to expand with the construction of a new 300 to 350-seat theater.

Henry T. Segerstrom donates $40 million toward the launch of the center’s Building on the Vision capital campaign. The gift is the largest charitable one in the county’s history.

South Coast Repertory announces a $40-million expansion.

2001 – The Samueli family makes a $10-million gift toward the Building on the Vision campaign.

2006 - The Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall opens on Sept. 15.

2007 - Lawrence and Kristina Dodge make a challenge grant of $10 million to the Orange County Performing Arts Center’s Building on the Vision campaign. A new educational space inside the Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall is named the Lawrence and Kristina Dodge Education Center.

2011 - The Orange County Performing Arts Center changes its name to the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in honor of the Segerstrom family’s longtime commitment to the center.

SOURCE: Segerstrom Center for the Arts