St. Ignatius High School Breen Center for the Performing Arts

Opened in 2009 at a cost of more than $12 million, including more than $1 million of theatrical equipment, the Breen Center remains one of the most up-to-date theater in the area.

Among the items hidden away in the stage fly system are three acoustic “pillows”. These pillows and six side towers can transform the theater from a theatrical space to an acoustically tunable concert hall. For a loud concert with a large number of musicians or for a musical, acoustic drapes cover almost all of the audience walls on two levels, absorbing sound. For a smaller chamber ensemble, a guest speaker or play, the draperies retract, leaving an audience chamber with a move lively feel.

The acoustically designed terra-cotta tiles that line the audience chamber come from Cincinnati. This “Ohio mud” helps make the project “green” as well as serving decorative, architectural, acoustic, and structural roles.

The Breen Center’s projection system is equipped with seven surround sound channels (Dolby Digital 7.1 system) and subwoofers that are distinct from the theatrical system of subwoofers.

During construction, one tree log was selected to provide the maple paneling for the lobby’s walls. Each of the panels was individually crafted from this one log.

To showcase art from students and local artists, a museum-quality system for hanging art was installed in the lobby, and cabinets were built to hold pottery and sculpture.

Jack and Mary Jane Breen, whose generous gift made the facility possible, wholeheartedly supported the vision of a theater and space for all things musical. Numerous donors agreed.

"A performing arts center is the last piece of the mosaic. There are a lot more young boys who will be involved in performing arts than in football," Jack says. "This is something the school needed to be fully competitive with other private schools on the east and west sides."

The center enhances the education for all students. "You need exposure to the arts for a total education," Mary Jane adds. "The arts are important to developing well-rounded young men."