Hollywood’s red carpet may be thousands of miles away, but for many who perform at Lansing Community College’s Dart Auditorium dreams of the glitz and glamour of a career in Tinsel Town are never far from mind. Among the performers is sophomore Jonathan Stewart from Saginaw, who attended Oakland University for a time, but soon felt he was on the wrong path. After taking a year off to weigh his options, Stewart moved to Lansing after hearing of the theater program at LCC. Now, at age 24, the theater major finally feels he’s found his destiny.

“I love performing and being in front of people, so being an actor seemed so natural.” Stewart credits being in touch with his emotions for his success on stage. “It’s so much fun whether I’m playing the hero or the villan!” Stewart’s theater credits at Dart Auditorium include lead roles in Romeo and Juliet and James and the Giant Peach. Despite the business boon Michigan’s film industry tax credits have brought in from Hollywood, Stewart envisions his future in New York or Los Angeles and plans to continue his education there. “I figure the quicker you get to a bigger city the quicker you start working.”

Dart Auditorium, as it is commonly referred to today, was officially named the John H. Dart Center for Performing and Learning back in 1980. The $2.7 million facility was named in honor of Dart, who was an East Lansing attorney and managing partner of the Dart Insurance Company, and one of the original six members to serve as an LCC trustee.

Although the college was founded in 1957, the governing board was not put in place until seven years later. It would be more than a decade before the auditorium was constructed on campus.  “It was built after a long-term study to identify the educational needs of the community,” says Melissa Kaplan, performing arts production coordinator.  Kaplan not only handles day-to-day operations at the auditorium but also is responsible for producing all of the public dance, theater and music events there.
More than 50 entertainment events are held every year at Dart, in addition to some 25 additional campus events, including student or group meetings, mayoral and gubernatorial debates, and graduations. In fact, former President Bill Clinton spoke to an overflow crowd of graduates and their families at Dart on July 22, 1999.

“On any given day we’re hosting three or more events,” said Kaplan. “Dart is a multi-use facility that serves the entire campus.” The latest major event hosted at Dart was in January when the public was welcomed in to watch television coverage of the historic inauguration of President Barack Obama. In March a special concert series will begin partnering LCC with the Lansing Symphony Orchestra and the Boars Head Theater.

Michael Nealon, chairperson of the college’s humanities and performing arts department, says it’s those partnerships that are the real foundation of Lansing Community College. “The relationship that LCC has with the arts community in the Greater Lansing area is allowing us to make sure that we keep the venue of cultural outreach available to the community we serve.”  Nealon adds that while Dart Auditorium may not have the draw of places like Michigan State University’s Wharton Center, it can be a lot more cost efficient. “For those on a limited budget, Dart allows productions at a fraction of the cost, opening the arts to a greater audience.”

Dart was designed to be a 584-seat auditorium, but 84 seats were eliminated to provide access for those with disabilities. While the tough economy has put the brakes on plans to expand or renovate Dart for the use of future student generations, the idea is still on a wish list. “Spending money now isn’t in the cards, so we’re trying to find ways to take advantage of the spaces we have to find better ways to utilize what’s already here,” says Kaplan.

According to Kaplan, attendance at the performances has held steady even during the economic crisis. Most events are free and open to the public, and she is actually expecting numbers to increase this year. “Where else can you get great entertainment for nothing?”  Kaplan admits “bigger name shows draw in bigger crowds. “Pride and Prejudice, along with You Can’t Take it with You, were capacity crowds; but most seats are filled no matter what performance, thanks to family and friends of the student actors who attend the shows.” 

While most of the performers are pursuing careers in performing arts, anyone interested in trying his or her luck on stage is welcome to audition for a part. For Misty Almero of Howell, the decision to take a theater class helped round out her qualifications for an associate’s degree in marketing. The 49-year-old mother of three started her own business last month as an image stylist. “As a presenter I’m always out in front of people.  I wanted training to see how best to be perceived by an audience and to understand how to project myself,“ says Almero.

Although Almero does not intend to become a performer, she says she will likely enroll in more theater classes down the road and recommends others looking to build self-esteem do the same. “Anytime we can step outside our comfort zone and expand that comfort zone, the more we have to offer other people!”