Jax State Opens Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts, Announces Lineup for Inaugural Season
05/27/2026
JACKSONVILLE, Ala. — Jacksonville State University officially opened the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts (ROC) on Tuesday, marking a historic milestone for the university and unveiling a performance season that will bring nationally recognized artists, educational programming, and cultural events to Northeast Alabama.
University leaders, elected officials, students, supporters, and members of the Owen family gathered for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the new state-of-the-art facility, which will serve students, faculty, and the broader community through performances, instruction, and community engagement opportunities.
“Many universities have named buildings after people over the years, but very few, if any, are named after an artist whose music became part of the soundtrack of American life,” said Jax State President Dr. Don C. Killingsworth, Jr. “We finally have a place where our students’ talents can be displayed, and we have a place where students can learn how to record and even perform their talents. And that has been worth the wait.”
Named in honor of Jax State alumnus, Board of Trustees member, and Alabama lead vocalist Randy Owen, the center stands as a major investment in arts education and cultural enrichment for the region.
“My wishes, and my hopes, and my dreams are that someday some kid will come through here, like me, and when they leave here, they have a dream,” Owen said during Tuesday’s ceremony. “Because if I can make it, anybody can. I’ve been so blessed to be here, and this is one day that I’ll never forget.”
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter, a longtime friend of Owen, also delivered remarks during the ceremony, praising Owen’s impact on Alabama and his continued investment in future generations.
“What will come out of this for generations to come will change lives,” Speaker Ledbetter said. “There are children who haven’t been born in this state today that will receive an education and learning from this facility that will change people’s lives.”
Jax State Student Government Association President Bethany Stoots spoke on behalf of the student body, describing the center as a place that will shape future memories and traditions for generations of Gamecocks.
“Today, we are not simply opening a building, we are opening a space that will become part of countless memories, traditions, and moments that students will carry with them long after graduation,” Stoots said. “The Randy Owen Center represents opportunity, community, and the continued growth of Jacksonville State University.”
Chairman of the Jax State Board of Trustees Randy Jones reflected on the vision and collaboration that helped bring the project to life and the impact the facility will have on future students.
“What this is going to do for the future and for this great university is something special,” Jones said. “This is a facility like no other, and it is going to mean something for generations to come.”
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christie Shelton announced the ROC’s 2026-2027 performance season, featuring a mix of nationally touring artists, educational performances, and university productions.
The season lineup currently includes:
- July 25 – The Dan Tyminski Band
- August 13 – Sixpence None the Richer and Augustana
- October 4 – Good Witch/Bad Witch: The Broadway Witches featuring performers from the Broadway company of Wicked
- November 16 – Candlelight Celtic Christmas
- January 23, 2027 – The Secret Sisters
- February 2, 2027 – Glenn Miller Orchestra
- April 2, 2027 – Jazz at Lincoln Center Presents: World on a String – Swinging Songs of Broadway
- April 10, 2027 – Vienna Girls Choir
Educational and student-centered programming will also be part of the season, including school performances of The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System on October 22, and Rosie Revere, Ada Twist and Iggy Peck: The Questioneers on February 12, along with Jax State Department of Music events such as the Ballerina Showcase on August 1, Southerners’ Holiday Concert on December 9, and Band-O-Rama on April 1.
“To me, what makes this moment so meaningful is that this building is not simply about brick, steel, or even performances to come,” Shelton said. “It is about the legacy that Trustee Owen is leaving for Jax State.”
The grand opening celebration continues Wednesday evening with the sold-out Live in Concert: Randy Owen and Friends, celebrating the grand opening of the Randy Owen Center.
On Thursday, May 28, the university will host guided public tours of the ROC from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by a free public screening of My Home’s in Alabama: The Randy Owen Story at 6 p.m.
Tickets for the 2026-2027 season will go on sale to the general public on June 15. Additional performances and events will be announced at a later date.