SPONSORS SOUGHT NEW COLLEGE THEATER UNVEILED.

Byline: Carol Rock Staff Writer

VALENCIA - With grand plans to become the epicenter of entertainment in the Santa Clarita Valley, officials at College of the Canyons announced Wednesday the inaugural season of performances at the soon-to-open EPIC Center.

A college production of the Tony Award-winning musical ``Big River'' will open the theater Oct. 15, followed by a variety of professional, instructional and community productions, including singers Paul Anka on Oct. 29 and Melissa Manchester on Dec. 4.; John Amos in ``Halley's Comet'' Feb. 5, ``Forbidden Hollywood'' on Feb. 17; the Three Irish Tenors Nov. 19 and the Vienna Choir Boys on March 3.

The first community performance in the new venue will be held Oct. 24 when the Santa Clarita Master Chorale presents ``A Choral Sampler'' accompanied by the choirs from Canyon and Valencia high schools and a special guest artist.

College spokeswoman Sue Bozman unveiled the logo of the new 47,000- square-foot center, noting the acronym stood for Educating, Performing, Informing and Communicating.

``It means extending beyond the usual and ordinary,'' she said.

Along with announcing the schedule, naming and sponsorship opportunities were offered. For $2 million, a sponsor's name could adorn the outside of the facility, with the option of keeping or discarding the EPIC name; other levels available include sponsoring the black box theater ($500,000), the green room ($125,000), the sound, lighting or costume rooms ($25,000 each) or seats in the theater itself for $500 each. Foundation officials hope to raise $5 million in sponsorships for the center.

A state-of-the-art digital acoustic system, capable of configurations that accommodate dance, musical or theatrical productions, has been installed. The EPIC center is one of only three performance spaces in the country with this sophisticated system.

The complex includes the main stage theater, with a 7,500-square-foot stage, which seats as many as 929; an adjacent black box theater for smaller productions with seats for 125; a hydraulically operated orchestra pit, green room, scene and costume shops, property storage, separate box offices for each theater and an expansive two-level lobby.

The box office will open Sept. 8; tickets can be ordered by phone at [phone] or online at www.epiccenteronline.com. They may also be purchased the day of the event at the main box office.

Rita Garasi, a longtime college supporter, is helping with a new support group Friends of the COC Performing Arts Center, which hopes to raise money for programming and equipment as well as student support.

``I moved into the community in 1972, when there were very few things here,'' Garasi said. ``I've watched the community grow and meet the education needs, the hospital and local government. I've seen it move through all the phases and the last is the arts.

``The arts add spice. The community can certainly use a local venue that is broad-based and family oriented.''

While the performing arts center has been part of the college's master plan for the last 35 years, ground was broken in 2001 and construction was completed in summer 2004. A separate dance and music building is currently under construction and will augment the theater's capacity when completed next year.

``To the best of our collective abilities, not a detail was forgotten,'' said college President Dianne Van Hook of the five-year undertaking. ``We dreamed big and worked together; the state gave us $15.9 million and the city gave us $2.4 million to add the balcony - and here we are.''

``We believe this community deserves the very best. And we're doing our best to meet the community's needs.''

For more information about the EPIC Center schedule and opportunities, visit its Web site at www.epiccenteronline.com or call the foundation office at [phone].

Carol Rock, [phone]

carol.rock(at)dailynews.com

CAPTION(S):

3 photos, box

Photo:

(1 -- color) Visitors tour the stage of the newly named EPIC Center theater at College of the Canyons.

(2 -- 3) Visitors get a look, above, at one of the dressing rooms at the EPIC Center. Below, college President Dianne Van Hooks takes center stage at the newly named theater.

Box:

WHAT'S ON TAP