The state-of-the-art facility — made possible with a gift from Donald P. Bellisario and his wife, Vivienne, along with significant support from the University — will be fully operational for the 2021-22 academic year.
Donald Paul Bellisario
Donald Paul Bellisario is an American television producer and screenwriter who created and wrote episodes for the TV series Magnum, P.I., Tales of the Gold Monkey, Airwolf, Quantum Leap, JAG, and NCIS.
His theatrical career began in 1893 when he took over the Eleventh Avenue Opera House, located on the corner of 11th Avenue & 11th Street. At first he was in partnership with Charles Myers, but in 1896 he assumed full ownership and managed the Opera House until 1907, when it was destroyed by fire.
During this same period of time he was also managing the State Street Theatre in Trenton New Jersey, and the Cambria Theatre in Johnstown. Isaac Mishler used his own money to build the Mishler Theatre, and, except for the three months it took to rebuild after its own disasterous fire, the beautiful new playhouse flourished until the 1920’s.
