The Theater Center was the result of the university's plan for an immense Fine Arts Center that was to house the art, music, dance, and drama departments. Planned for the northeastern corner of campus, a shortage of funds decreased the project size and only the drama department received the completed facilities. This process would repeat itself a decade later: the remainder of the center was proposed but inadequate funds yielded one building (the Fine Arts Building) that eventually would house the department of music.

By the way, that's Double-Double out front of the building.

The theatre center was a new building when this aerial photograph was taken.