Built in 1984, the Ron Houston Center for the Performing Arts is named for Ron Houston, whose generosity led to a significant expansion of performance facilities available to Northwest theatre students. The center also includes the Mary Linn Auditorium, named after Mary Casteel Linn, a former University Regent and dedicated patron of the arts. The 1,099-seat theater can accommodate a full symphony orchestra, or it can be scaled down for more intimate productions.