Recently, we had the pleasure of connecting with Jamey Hines who is both a Tysons resident and also the General Manager of the soon to open and greatly anticipated performing arts center, Capital One Hall. We discussed his professional background, his favorite thing about Tysons, and all details relating to Capital One Hall — its unique features, the timeline for the grand opening and more.
Tell us about your background in the performing arts industry.
I have always been involved in the arts and music in some way. I have both a Bachelor of Music degree in K-12 Music Education and a Master of Music degree from Manhattan School of Music in Classical Horn Performance. I played professionally for over 12 years in the Philadelphia freelance scene performing with Opera Philadelphia, The Philly Pops, The Philadelphia Orchestra, national Broadway tours and studio recording for NFL Films.
Subsequently, I started gravitating to the administration side of the business where I worked at the Mann Center Performing Arts, a 13,000 seat amphitheater in Philadelphia, where I starting working with popular commercial artists and also producing unique orchestral concerts for ensembles like Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra, The Russian National Orchestra, The Philly Pops, and The Philadelphia Orchestra.
Next, I had the opportunity to relaunch theaters, worked with a Performing Arts Center consulting firm and content producer who created orchestral crossover content and then I took over leadership of the Sands Event Center and Nightclub, a casino room in Pennsylvania.
I then joined the live entertainment division of ASM Global, where I booked and promoted concerts and oversaw the financial deals of our company’s North American network of about 150 stadiums, arenas and theaters. My corporate role brought me to be part of the Capital One Hall staff.
Now, I am a Tysons resident and have the opportunity to walk to work, something I haven’t got to do in a long time! I am looking forward to becoming a more integral part of the arts landscape of Fairfax County and hope I can bring some original ideas and perspective to the arts & entertainment community.
Tell us about Capital One Hall — what will this performing arts center look like and offer to the Tysons community?
Capital One Hall is a world-class performing arts center, opening in Tysons this fall. Our state-of the art facility contains multiple mixed-use function spaces, including a 1,600 seat theater for corporate and live entertainment with an attached lobby — The Atrium — capable of hosting catered events and plated dinners for 600 plus.
Additionally, the black box theater and lounge — The Vault — can host smaller, intimate performances and social events. Other smaller meeting areas include a gallery, two classrooms, and a boardroom. Capital One Hall is able to host multiple events at the same time, or rent out the entire facility for special events.
On the roof of Capital One Hall is our 1.2 acre sky park — The Perch — with a biergarten, outdoor amphitheater, food trucks, dog park, interactive art sculptures, and additional entertainment options. The Perch will open in Summer 2021.
Capital One Hall is in the heart of Capital One Center, a 24.5 acre mixed-use urban development with a multitude of activities and choices for 18-hour entertainment. We’ll offer unique community experiences with curated retail, public art, performances, special events and a boutique hotel.
What was the inspiration for this venue?
Capital One Hall was conceived first and foremost to be a corporate events center for the +10k Capital One associates working in Tysons, providing large-format meeting spaces in a state-of-the-art facility. This capability lends itself well for also hosting a wide array of community and public events programming when not in use by Capital One. From the design standpoint, the venue blends design cues of the classic theaters built in the early to mid-twentieth century with a modern take, highlighted by its recognizable ‘folding’ facade of Italian marble. Inside, elements of the building and its several event spaces draw their inspiration and function from many of the great theaters around the United States and beyond.
What types of performances and events will Capital One Hall host?
Capital One Hall will offer diverse entertainment options for our international community, and a full range of both private and public entertainment events. We currently are booking weddings and corporate meetings and parties, while programming Broadway, concerts, comedy, film, orchestral, dance and local nonprofit organizations through our partnership with ArtsFaixfax. We are looking to be an inclusive and diverse destination for entertainment in Fairfax County.
Tell us more about your relationship with Fairfax County and ArtsFairfax
Capital One Hall’s partnership with ArtsFairfax allows Fairfax County-based nonprofit arts organizations, arts-related programming by Fairfax County agencies, and Fairfax County public schools access to a state-of-the-art performance hall at special pre-negotiated rates. This partnership not only helps support an organization’s fiscal goals, but they also have the support of Capital One Hall’s operational and marketing staff to help foster their growth as a performance organization. Of note, we are hosting a Community Information Session for arts organizations interested in applying for Season Two Acts on February 25th at noon, with more details here.
From a design and use perspective, how is this theater unique from others?
Capital One Hall’s unique design offers different levels of intimacy. Visitors can enjoy soaring windows, an open terrace and awe-inspiring views with our Grand Stair, but also cozy confines in The Vault’s Foyer and Board Rooms. Vertically-designed connections allow the audience to feel much closer to the stage than is typical, offering patrons a more intimate proximity to the performance. The meticulously engineered acoustics provide optimal sound quality and an enhanced experience.
We are particularly proud of our #CommitmentToGreen with this LEED Gold Certified project. The highest standards in sustainability were achieved with the design, thanks in collaboration to our architects, HGA. Environmentally-efficient designs include water-efficient landscaping, stormwater quality and quantity controls, and prioritization of recycled materials for the building’s construction materials and finishes.
Central to Capital One Hall’s design perspective is the pedestrian experience. Working with the larger Capital One Center team, we have designed a venue where pedestrians, cyclists and Metro riders can enjoy the convenience of a centrally-located, vibrant cultural destination.
The most unique aspect of Capital One Hall from a use perspective is that the main tenant will be Capital One. Since that usage is focused during the workday and week it allows us to open the rest of the building for nonprofits, special events, and commercial usage. Essentially, we will be active from morning through night.
Is there a high demand for performance venues in Tysons?
The demand is really for a new, larger and unique venue to hold meetings and entertainment experiences. We can offer that new space and appeal to the performing arts and the private event / corporate community and allow them to have access to state-of-the-art equipment and premier food and beverage services within the facility.
Have plans been altered because of Covid and if they have, how so?
Since Capital One Hall and Capital One Center’s construction is currently ongoing, nothing has really needed to change in the pre-opening process which is focused on hiring and operational setup. What has been affected is the smoothness of programming concerts, Broadway, comedy and similar events because artists and tours are doing their best to navigate the current climate, restrictions and financial risk of putting up a production and having to potentially pull it down. In the private event and corporate world, the same is happening with businesses deciding when they will gather and return to the office. COVID is making it harder to create the perfect design in the sense of timing, but everything we are looking to do will still happen, but just in a different order than we originally planned. In the end, we will still achieve what we wanted to.
What is the timeline for your opening?
We are targeting a public opening for October of this year.
How can interested guests learn more and stay informed about performance updates?
Following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @capitalonehall and join our email list at CapitalOneHall.com
What’s your favorite thing about Tysons?
My favorite thing about Tysons is watching its growth and development. The project at Capital One Center and what it is bringing to this community is very exciting and to see its neighboring developments bringing that in their own way is a great experience to be surrounded by. It’s great to know I’ll be part of helping to develop the arts & culture landscape in Tysons along with my other local peers in the field.
