OCC theater honors legacy of popular president

Virginia E. Lopez

This summer Orange Coast College saw the passing of a popular

president and faculty member when Robert B. Moore died at the age of

86 in Ashland, Ore. Moore was OCC’s third president.

It was because of his 18 years of service that school officials

renamed the Orange Coast Auditorium the Robert B. Theatre on March

30, 1995.

OCC’s director of community relations, Jim Carnett, said in its

early years the theater was labeled the Speech Arts Building but

unofficially was called the Orange Coast Auditorium. When Moore

retired, the college wanted to honor his commitment and inspiration

to the OCC community, as well as his strong patronage of the arts in

Orange County and thus renamed the building.

The theater was designed by renowned architect, Richard Neutra.

Construction began in January 1954 and it was officially dedicated

on the evening of March 30, 1955. It was ranked as one of Orange

County’s best when built at a cost of $650,000.

The use of the theater ranged from lectures to plays but was in

need of some major changes to make it a state-of-the-art facility.

In August 1992, after an 18 month fund-raising campaign by the OCC

Foundation, a new phase began with the renovation of the theater.

This would help change the “auditorium” into more traditional

performance hall.

The renovation was overseen by project architect Rush Hill. The

hall was narrowed in width, seating was reduced from 1,200 to 930 and a new state-of-the-art orchestra shell was installed.

The interior features carved sound baffles along the walls,

partial curtains along the side and rear to help improve theatrical

acoustics.

The walls, ceiling, floor, curtains and seats are covered with an

array of colors from deep blue to red, violet and magenta.

Though it’s scheduled for two more renovations at a cost of $3

million, the latest additions premiered in 1993 with Rodgers and

Hammerstein’s musical “South Pacific,” but the rave reviews came with

its first symphony concert and the first test of its new acoustical

sound.

Though Robert B. Moore may not be around anymore to hear it, his

legacy lives on in the theater that bears his name. It continues to

provide hours of entertainment for the OCC students as well as the

community.