Silver anniversary memories
Rise of the Wortham Theater Center: How it all began
Jun 2, 2012 | 4:30 pm

Photo by Jia Li
In the 1980s, everyone agreed that Houston needs a new performing arts center. Even a recession couldn't stop the Wortham Center from rising in downtown Houston.
The need became acutely apparent soon after Houston Ballet was formed in 1969, attempting to squeeze its sets, lighting equipment, costumes and stage rehearsal performance schedule into Jones Hall between those of the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera and the Society for the Performing Arts. ------ An early architectural drawing of the Wortham Center's Brown Theater, which would become home to the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera.