Since it opened its doors in the fall of 2014 the Bicknell Family Center for the Arts at Pittsburg States has hosted former US Presidents, a Secretary of State, PSU musical and choir performances, the SEK Orchestra and everything in between. This fall is no different as the center offers a variety of events that will be highlighted by the Holiday Extravaganza and the 5th Anniversary Celebration of the Bicknell taking place on Tuesday December 3rd starting at 7:30.
Prior to the Bicknell Center being constructed performances such as the Best of Broadway series Bandstand and Finding Neverland were not possible in Southeast Kansas and over that time Director of the Bicknell Joe Firman has worked hard to bring the finest performances
The Bicknell hosts a variety of events from Broadway performances and PSU jazz concerts to Jennifer Knapp in concert on February 22, 2020. Joe considers each event that the center hosts equal in the size and importance as they all perform on the same stage. The Pittsburg State Wind Ensemble will perform at the Bicknell Center on November 24, 2019 at 7 PM. The event is open to the public. According to Joe, one of the best parts about working as the Director is being able to open up the center to the community and work with the Southeast Kansas Orchestra who recently performed at the Kaufman Center in Kansas City, MO.
The Moscow Ballet returns to the Bicknell Center on Tuesday November 12 at 7 pm. Joe discovered the Ballet while he was visiting a Arts Midwest, a conference for performance venues to help them decide what they are going to host in the coming years. While the Bicknell is on the cusp of celebrating it’s 5th-anniversary Joe is still surprised by the number of individuals who have not visited the Center. He reminded listeners that the center and its ability to attract performances such as the Moscow Ballet is reliant on residents of the Four States supporting the center. He encourages anybody that is interested in taking a tour of the Bicknell or that wants more information about the center to reach out to the staff at their website, bicknellcenter.org.
