The Egg (building)

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The Egg
The Egg.JPG
AddressEmpire State Plaza
LocationAlbany, NY 12220
USA
Coordinates42°39′02″N 73°45′30″W / 42.6505°N 73.7584°W / 42.6505; -73.7584Coordinates: 42°39′02″N 73°45′30″W / 42.6505°N 73.7584°W / 42.6505; -73.7584
OwnerEmpire State Plaza
TypePerforming arts center
CapacityLewis A. Swyer Theatre: 450
Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre: 982
Opened1978
Website
www.theegg.org

The Egg is a performing arts venue in Albany, New York. Named for its shape, the building was designed by Harrison & Abramovitz as part of the Empire State Plaza project, and built between 1966 and 1978. It is located in the northeast corner of the Plaza.[1] It has become an icon of New York's Capital District due to its unusual shape and central location. The New York State Office of General Services maintains the Egg. The Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation is a New York state public-benefit corporation that was created in 1979 to manage the performing arts facility in the Empire State Plaza.[2][3] The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, a modern dance performing arts group, has been the resident company at the Egg for 28 years.[4]

Organization[]

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation is governed by an 11-member board of directors. The board is chosen by the New York State Governor, the New York State Senate, the New York State Assembly, the Albany County Executive, and also has a member from the New York State Office of General Services.[5] In 2017, the corporation had operating expenses of $1.96 million and a staffing level of 43 people.[6]

Structure[]

The Egg is slightly inclined, and has a small pedestal on which it appears to sit. In fact, the building is held by a stem that goes down six stories into the Plaza. Attached to this stem is a concrete girdle that surrounds The Egg, enabling it to retain its shape and transmitting its weight to the pedestal.[1] The building's organic shape reflects Nelson Rockefeller's original goal of architectural design that uses the fine artistic elements of sculpture.[7]

The Egg houses two theaters, the 450-seat Lewis A. Swyer Theatre and the 982-seat Kitty Carlisle Hart Theatre.[1] It draws many performing acts to Albany, including music, dance, and traditional stage presentations.[citation needed] The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, a modern dance performing arts group, has been the resident company at the Egg for 28 years.[4]

In popular culture[]

  • The Egg is the subject of a song by They Might Be Giants, entitled "Albany", which was written for their 2004 Venue Songs compilation album.[8]
  • In 2013, Mike Gordon of Phish released a live album titled The Egg. The album was recorded live on December 11, 2011 at The Egg.[9]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c "The Egg Architecture & History". www.theegg.org. Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
  2. ^ "NYSOSC General Data Document on the NARESPPACC" (PDF). www.osc.state.ny.us. November 4, 2018.
  3. ^ "NYS Authorities Budget Office list of NYS Public Authorities". www.abo.ny.gov. November 4, 2018.
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b "The Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company Celebrates its 28th Season as Resident Company of The Egg". www.sinopolidances.org. Retrieved March 15, 2020.
  5. ^ "The egg website board page". www.theegg.org. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  6. ^ "NYSABO 2018 Report" (PDF). www.abo.ny.gov. pp. 16, 44. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  7. ^ Benjamin, Gerald; Hurd, T. Norman, eds. (1984). "The Builder". Rockefeller in Retrospect: The Governor's New York Legacy. Albany, NY: Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Govt. p. 90. ISBN 0-914341-01-4. OCLC 11770290.
  8. ^ Flansburgh, John (2008-04-16). "Talking with They Might Be Giants' John Flansburgh about The Egg". alloveralbany.com. All Over Albany interview. Retrieved 2012-09-17.
  9. ^ "Mike Gordon 'The Egg' Available Now". mike-gordon.com. Mike-Gordon.com. 2013-04-22. Retrieved 2013-02-25.

External links[]

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