Donald W. Reynolds Performaing Arts Center 
The History of the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center
historically known as Holmberg Hall
Biography of Donald W. Reynolds
The Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center, built in 1918 as part of the University of Oklahoma’s original campus, is one of Oklahoma’s most historic buildings and one of the university’s key educational and community facilities. Originally named simply The Auditorium (1918) and renamed Holmberg Hall (1938), after Fredrick Holmberg who was the Professor of Music and later became the first Dean of the College of Fine Arts. Then in 2002 the building began a multimillion dollar renovation. The original building with the addition of the new dance wing and renovated
practice rooms were renamed the Donald W. Reynolds Performing Arts Center (2005), after Donald W. Reynolds.
The Building’s centerpiece is Oklahoma’s only European-style performance hall, the setting for appearances by famous visitors to Oklahoma, generations of OU student performers, and a wide range of community activities. Sometimes called “Oklahoma’s meeting house,” the building has housed some of the state’s most memorable eve
nts.
When President William Howard Taft, statesman William Jennings Bryan, poet William Butler Yeats, Composer Aaron Copland, and dancer Martha Graham came to Oklahoma, they came to the Reynolds Performing Arts Center (historically known as Holmberg Hall). Former high school students from across the state remember it as the site of music, band, and speech competitions and events.
In addition, many of the University of Oklahoma’s landmark events, from OU President James Buchanan’s funeral to football Coach Bud Wilkinson’s national trophy presentation, were held in the facility. OU President David L. Boren chose this stage as the place to announce his acceptance of the OU Presidency and resignation from the United States Senate.
