Slayter Center of Performing Arts
Encyclopedia
Purdue University
Purdue University, located in West Lafayette, Indiana, U.S., is the flagship university of the six-campus Purdue University system. Purdue was founded on May 6, 1869, as a land-grant university when the Indiana General Assembly, taking advantage of the Morrill Act, accepted a donation of land and...
in West Lafayette, Indiana
West Lafayette, Indiana
As of the census of 2010, there were 29,596 people, 12,591 households, and 3,588 families residing in the city. The population density was 5,381.1 people per square mile . The racial makeup of the city was 74.3% White, 17.3% Asian, 2.7% African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.03% Pacific...
. It is an outdoor concert bandshell completed in 1964 and dedicated May 1, 1965. The facility was a gift from Games Slayter
Russell Games Slayter
Games Slayter was a prolific U.S. engineer and inventor. He is best known for developing Fiberglass.-Biography:...
and his wife Marie.
Features
The natural amphitheaterAmphitheatre
An amphitheatre is an open-air venue used for entertainment and performances.There are two similar, but distinct, types of structure for which the word "amphitheatre" is used: Ancient Roman amphitheatres were large central performance spaces surrounded by ascending seating, and were commonly used...
created by Slayter Hill can hold an estimated 20,000 people. Architect Joseph Baker used Stonehenge
Stonehenge
Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about west of Amesbury and north of Salisbury. One of the most famous sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of a circular setting of large standing stones set within earthworks...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
as a basis for the concept of Slayter Center. The 200-ton concrete roof is suspended by stainless steel cables from a tall steel tripod and the broad stage can seat an orchestra of more than a hundred. Below the stage are a rehearsal room, dressing rooms and storage facilities. Slayter Center is home to the Purdue Jazz Bands.
On the morning of home football games, Slayter Center becomes the site of a pep rally known as "Thrill on the Hill." The Purdue All-American Marching Band performs upbeat tunes showcasing music from their half time show for the day, plus other selections from the season's repertoire. Fans can meet and get autographs from the Purdue Cheerleaders and mascot Purdue Pete
Purdue Pete
Purdue Pete is a mascot of Purdue University. Despite his visible and constant on-field presence at Purdue sporting events, Pete is not the official mascot of the university. The official mascot of Purdue is the Boilermaker Special.-History:...
, or check out the Boilermaker Special
Boilermaker Special
The Boilermaker Special is the official mascot of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. It resembles a Victorian-era railroad locomotive and is built on a truck chassis...
before heading to Ross-Ade Stadium
Ross-Ade Stadium
Ross–Ade Stadium is a stadium in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States. It is the home of the Purdue University Boilermakers football team.-History:...
with the band for the pre-game.
During the school year, movies are often projected onto a large, inflatable screen in front of the amphitheater. In winter, students often sled on Slayter Hill.