The Amphitheater in Action
Royston's design repurposed what had been a ragged site of industrial excavation into a center of campus culture. For more than 40 years, the Amphitheater resounded with the energy that defines campus life at UCSC. A variety of events were held here, ranging from commencements and convocations to protests, rallies, and festivals. The photographs below capture this sense of vitality.
"Inauguration of Dean McHenry as chancellor: setting up the piano." UCSC Photography Services, 1966.
"1975 Commencement: Quarry Amphitheater ceremony, with quartet of musicians." UCSC Photography Services.
"1986 Commencement: Crown College ceremony in the Quarry Amphitheater: unidentified academic and student." Photograph by Shmuel Thaler.
"Fall Convocation, 1989, at the Quarry Amphitheater." Photograph by Don Fukuda.
"Upper Quarry, with residents of Prescott House, Cowell College: Ingrid Vorhees, Shephanie Wood, Mary MacGregor, Kathy Gilmartin, Arlene Zitter, Liz Ramusssen, Suzanne Shellaby, Alison Snyder, Barbie Stanford, Susie Moore, Betty Roberto." Photographed by Eric Thiermann, 1966.
"Spring Thing benefit for the Tutorial Project, May 9-11, 1969: dancing in the Quarry Amphitheater." Photographer unknown.
"Spring Thing benefit for the Tutorial Project, May 9-11, 1969: unidentified band performing in the Quarry Amphitheater." Photographer unknown.
"Aristophanes' "The Congresswomen" in the Quarry Amphitheater: all-male performance, with masks." Photographer unknown, 1970.
"Unidentified performance at the Quarry Amphitheater, with a student and faculty cast." Photographer unknown, circa 1968.
"Anti-war convocation at the Quarry Amphitheater: view of the audience of more than 2,000 students, faculty, staff, and other citizens, protesting military actions in Cambodia and the Kent State shootings." Photographer unknown, 1970.
"UC Santa Cruz vigil for the victims of the September 11 terrorist attacks in New York." Photograph by Don Harris, 2001.
"Cinco de Mayo celebration at Upper Quarry Amphitheater: dancers." Photograph by Victor Schiffrin, 1992.
"Angela Davis speaking at the Quarry Amphitheater, May 1978." UCSC Photography Services.
"Bella Abzug speaking at the Quarry Amphitheater on International Women's Day." Photograph by Carol A. Foote, 1981.
"Tom Wolfe at the Spring Convocation: Wolfe at the podium." Photograph by Don Harris, 1987.