The Merryman Center for the Performing Arts might not exist had Stan Kaye not stopped by to pick up his wife, a teacher at Central Elementary, one afternoon nearly 30 years ago. Her car was in the shop.
Wearing a blue T-shirt made especially for Central Elementary's 100th anniversary celebration last month, Julie Agard stands on the stage of what is now the Merryman Performing Arts Center. Right below her is the original orchestra pit. It's no longer used.
The Merryman seats 760 people, fewer than the 900 seats in the original theater. People were thinner when that theater was built 100 years ago. No columns or supporting beams block any of its seats.
Julie Agard looks at cabinets holding Kearney Public Schools items on the second floor of the Merryman Performing Arts Center by the original exterior brick wall of the 100-year-old building. Banners from shows at the Merryman hang from the ceiling.
Central Elementary's symmetry and unique architectural assets so impressed UNK professor Stan Kaye that he proposed renovating its theater more than 20 years ago. That got the ball rolling. This is the view seen from the door on the building's north side.
Julie Agard looks at cabinets holding Kearney Public Schools items on the second floor of the Merryman Performing Arts Center by the original exterior brick wall of the 100-year-old building. Banners from shows at the Merryman hang from the ceiling.
Wearing a blue T-shirt made especially for Central Elementary's 100th anniversary celebration last month, Julie Agard stands on the stage of what is now the Merryman Performing Arts Center. Right below her is the original orchestra pit. It's no longer used.
Central Elementary's symmetry and unique architectural assets so impressed UNK professor Stan Kaye that he proposed renovating its theater more than 20 years ago. That got the ball rolling. This is the view seen from the door on the building's north side.
The Merryman seats 760 people, fewer than the 900 seats in the original theater. People were thinner when that theater was built 100 years ago. No columns or supporting beams block any of its seats.
