Theater Spotlight: Northrop Memorial Auditorium

The Northrop Memorial Auditorium located on the campus of the University of Minnesota is one of the finest on-campus auditoriums in the nation. Northrop Memorial Auditorium is now the state's largest theater and the largest college campus auditorium in the country. The building was constructed in 1928 on top of a former College of Pharmacy medicinal herb garden. The grand looking gathering place has beautiful white majestic pillars that are now one of the University of Minnesota's major icons and focal points.

Northrop Memorial Auditorium is located at 84 Church St SE in Minneapolis, MN.

The auditorium was named in honor of Cyrus Northrop, the second president of the University (1884-1911). The Northrop was designed by Clarence H. Johnston, a famous local architect.

Donations by University students, faculty/staff, alumni and friends funded the $1.35 million construction. The auditorium was built to be used as the University's central ceremonial site with commencements, lectures, convocations, and performances. The Northrop was built with 4,800 seats, this capacity allowing the entire student body of that day to be assembled under one roof.

The Northrop Auditorium is a classy intimate venue to see a good show. The limited number of seats in the Northrop Memorial Auditorium make tickets to music headliners a much sought after commodity.