Stevens Center

When I was asked to take photos of the high school Wind Ensemble that was collaborating with UNCSA during their dress rehearsal, I wanted to take advantage of being in the Stevens Center without an audience. 

The Stevens Center feels like home. It was odd being in the building without the bustle of patrons and the excitement of musicians, but it was calm, and it felt safe. Something about the history of the building, which was originally a 1929 silent movie theatre, that feels nostalgic, but cozy, like falling asleep in the sunshine, or drinking coffee at grandma’s house. 

I’ve played music that I’ve loved in this place. I’ve also played music that I really, really hated. And I’ve played Nutcracker about ten trillion times – and fell in love with it a little bit more every single time.

There’s something about the corner of Fourth and Marshall that is a sacred place. A little of the old, and a little of the new. I think that resonates with all the musicians and dancers who have performed here… like being a part of a long legacy of artists who came before us. We dream here, we are disappointed here, we achieve here, we learn here, we create here. Many things have happened on this stage and in this place. 

Hopefully these images shed a little light on what the Stevens Center is… it’s a sweet place to call home.