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On Oct. 26, friends of UMass and the arts gathered to celebrate the arts on campus with a series of presentations marking the renaming of our building, now the Randolph W. Bromery Center for the Arts.

The Department of Theater was thrilled to be involved with two naming celebrations of its own up in our brand-new Arts Bridge space, namely the Laura Bailey Costume Shop and the Julie C. Hayes and Claude Bersano Recording Studio!

The event was an opportunity to say thank you to donors and supporters by showing them some of the stellar work we have produced with their support. During the main ceremony, musicians performed, and speakers honored the arts on campus and Randolph Bromery as well as Frederick Tillis, for whom the concert Hall is now named and who boosted UMass to prominence for its jazz music program. During the reception following the speeches, actors performed a short excerpt from our recent production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins' Everybody.

Afterward, guests joined us on the Fourth Floor, where they were greeted by an exhibit of work by students, faculty, and staff, including a reprise of Truth from Monuments for the Future, costume drawings and designs, scenic drawings and designs, and items created in our shops for classes and productions.

Below are some images from the day. Click on the arrow on the right of the image to advance through the slideshow, or click the image itself to view on Flickr.

Among the important moments of the day for us that were captured by photographer John Solem:
1. Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy welcomed guests to the renovated space against the backdrop of an exhibit of work by faculty, students, and staff, including sculptures of "The Simpsons" from MR. BURNS.
2. Daniel Bersano-Hayes and former Dean Julie Hayes share ribbon-cutting duties on the Studio with donor Bill Noland whose gift supported the renaming, and current Dean Barbara Krauthamer. 
3. The Baileys, including alumna Laura Bailey '03, and the Dean cut the ribbon on the costume shop.
4. Theater Chair Harley Erdman spoke at the celebration.
5. Laura Bailey visited with Costume Shop Manager Kristin Jensen.
6. Student speaker Carolyn Parker-Fairbain, with Dean Joye Bowman and Chair Harley Erdman, at the reception.
7. Bill Noland and former Dean Julie Hayes in the new recording space.