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Tours Department

Purpose

The Tours Department gives approximately 175 tours per year with an attendance of about 2,400 people. It provides daily tours at 3:00 P.M., as well as providing special tours as requested by the Krannert Center. The department also provides specially scheduled tours for groups throughout the day.

To schedule a special tour, please call the Director of Patron Services at (217) 333-9716, at least 14 days in advance of the requested day. For other scheduling information or for information about giving tours, please contact kcsa-tours at kcpa.uiuc.edu

Tours Resources

KCSA Krannert Center Tours

Go behind the scenes at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and see how productions are put together, from beginning to end. Learn about the one of a kind structure of the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts and share its unique history and excitement with visitors from all walks of life.

KCPA Fun Facts

Ellnora and Herman Krannert
  • Mr. Herman Krannert graduated from the University of Illinois in 1912 with a BS in Mechanical Engineering.
  • Mr. Krannert founded the Inland Container Corporation in 1925.
  • The Krannerts' donation to build the Center originally was $10 million. To ensure its completion, they raised their gift to $16 million.
KCPA Logo
  • The Krannert Center's symbol represents the 5 theaters of the Center and the 5 resident departments. It also resembles a moving figure, a clapping hand, and the center of the symbol resembles a geometric heart. The symbol can also resemble furrowed fields, common to Central Illinois.
  • The architect, Max Abramovitz, was a graduate of the University of Illinois in 1929. He also designed Assembly Hall.
KCPA
  • The Center is ranked among the top five performing arts centers in the world among the Lincoln Center and the Kennedy Center, but is the only one affiliated with an educational institution.
  • Estimated replacement costs are $125 million.
  • There is enough concrete to build a 4-foot x 4-inch thick sidewalk from campus to the Krannert's home outside of Indianapolis.
  • There is enough structural steel to build a railroad bridge over the Mississippi River.
  • There is enough cinder block to build a 90 home community and pave the streets around them.
  • In the original design, the Promenade (gift shop) was actually an art gallery.
  • The Center has a catering department that does about 300-400 events a year.
  • The Krannert Center is staffed by about 75 full-time employees, 100 part-time students, and 100 faculty members. Assistance is offered by an additional 175 community members and 400 student volunteers.
  • There are about 350 performances annually with an attendance of about 250,000 patrons.
Foellinger Great Hall
  • The Great Hall is one of 7 top performance halls in the world.
  • The Great Hall ceiling is actually earthquake proof.
  • REO Speedwagon has performed on the Great Hall stage.
  • Legend has it that the Festival Theater is designed in the colors of red and white, after Indiana University. (It's not true but it's a fun story!)
  • There are actually 5 levels to the Center. Levels One and Three are parking garages, Level Two is the production level, Level Four contains classrooms and the theater, opera, and choral department offices, and Level Five is the main lobby.
  • The costume shop creates approximately 1000 costumes annually and has about 30,000 pieces in storage.
  • There are five rehearsal rooms that correspond to specific stages.