It’s been eight long years since floodwater overtook the stage at Hancher Auditorium. After years of planning and construction, the University of Iowa’s new Hancher Auditorium has opened it’s doors. A grand opening was held to welcome the public to the new $176 million dollar performance space. Just before the ceremonial ribbon was cut there were speeches by University of Iowa President Bruce Harreld, Governor Terry Brandstad and Hancher benefactors Mary Jo and Dick Stanley, among others.
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![Public gets first look and the sights and sounds of the new Hancher Public gets first look and the sights and sounds of the new Hancher](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_10_gazette.jpg)
The Gazette - Saturday, September 10, 2016
“Hancher is for everybody,” Executive Director Chuck Swanson told more than 1,000 eager audience members attending the ribbon-cutting ceremony Friday afternoonfor the shining new star on the University of Iowa arts campus.
![U-I shows off new Hancher Auditorium U-I shows off new Hancher Auditorium](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_17_radioiowa.jpg)
Radio Iowa - Friday, September 9, 2016
A ribbon cutting ceremony is planned for this afternoon at the University of Iowa’s new Hancher Auditorium.
The $176 million performing arts center replaces the original Hancher which was inundated by floodwaters in 2008. Tours of the new 18-hundred seat Hancher will be given during open houses tonight and Sunday afternoon.
![New Hancher Auditorium unveiled today New Hancher Auditorium unveiled today](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_09_kwwl.jpg)
KWWL - Friday, September 9, 2016
A new and improved Hancher Auditorium opens on the University of Iowa campus today.
![Slideshow: Touring the New Hancher Auditorium Slideshow: Touring the New Hancher Auditorium](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_04_27_iowapublicradio_0.jpg)
Iowa Public Radio - Thursday, September 8, 2016
From the time it opened in 1972, Hancher Auditorium on the University of Iowa campus was one of the premier performance spaces in Iowa. That all changed with the historic flooding of Eastern Iowa in 2008 when the auditorium was flooded beyond repair.
![Hancher: Behind the scenes with a long-time employee Hancher: Behind the scenes with a long-time employee](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_08_kcrg.jpg)
KCRG - Thursday, September 8, 2016
KCRG-TV Nine's Mark Carlson introduces us to one man who worked at Old Hancher for years, and is thrilled to be back "home" in New Hancher.
![Creative Collaboration Yields Iconic Arts Space: Hancher Auditorium Debuts Creative Collaboration Yields Iconic Arts Space: Hancher Auditorium Debuts](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_08_thornton.jpg)
Thornton Tomasetti - Thursday, September 8, 2016
The University of Iowa’s new Hancher Auditorium makes its debut on September 9. With a sculptural form composed of curving, cantilevered terraces clad in stainless steel and glass, the 1,800-seat performing arts facility is the result of intensive collaboration among design-team members from 17 organizations. Theater design is never simple, but a compressed schedule and atypical geometry added complexity to the design process. Thornton Tomasetti’s façade specialists, structural engineers and construction support professionals worked closely with one another and with all design and construction team members to develop sophisticated solutions to several significant engineering challenges.
![Take a tour of the new Hancher Auditorium Take a tour of the new Hancher Auditorium](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_07_presscitizen.jpg)
Iowa City Press Citizen - Wednesday, September 7, 2016
Beautiful views and a building that is art itself are among the key features of the new Hancher Auditorium, rebuilt after flooding destroyed the University of Iowa performing arts center.
![Hancher Ribbon-cutting and Open House this Friday Hancher Ribbon-cutting and Open House this Friday](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_10_lv.jpg)
Little Village - Wednesday, September 7, 2016
This Friday, a six-year wait comes to an end as the Hancher Auditorium reopens to the delight of eastern Iowans with a ribbon-cutting ceremony this Friday, Sept. 9 at 3 p.m. Following the ceremony, there will be an open house and viewing of the University’s $176 million LEED gold certified auditorium and performance building.
![New $176M Hancher grand opening set for Friday New $176M Hancher grand opening set for Friday](https://hancher.uiowa.edu/sites/hancher.uiowa.edu/files/2016_09_07_kcci.jpg)
KCCI - Wednesday, September 7, 2016
A new Hancher Auditorium at the University of Iowa is set to be open this Friday. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports the original Hancher Auditorium opened in 1972. It was damaged beyond repair by a 2008 flood and the building's demolition started in 2013.