The auditorium was designed by State Architect James B. Dibelka of Chicago, and construction was awarded to Champaign-area general contractor A.W. Stoolman. Construction began in mid-1916, following the award of $135,000.00[4] for construction by the Illinois General Assembly in early 1915.[5]
The auditorium's dome was originally stained glass. This was removed in the 1960s to allow for concerts and performances during the day and replaced with an elaborate system of latticework. The original stained glass is maintained by the Special Collections Research Center at Morris Library on campus.[6]
The auditorium's last major upgrade was in 1969-1970. The project included installation of updated theater lighting, and remodeling of the lobby. During construction in 1970, the Reuter pipe organ was also installed on the upper balcony.[7] Between 2002 and 2014, the stage of the auditorium was replaced and a new lighting and electrical control system was installed.[8]
Shryock Organ
The Marianne Webb pipe organ on the second floor of Shryock Auditorium
A prominent feature of the auditorium is a 3,312-pipe, 3-manual, 58-rank, Reuter Pipe Organ (Opus 1741) built in 1970.[9] The organ was designed by and named for organ professor Marianne Webb, who died on December 7, 2013.[10]
^"Archived copy". opensiuc.lib.siu.edu. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
^Senate Synopsis: 49th General Assembly - State of Illinois. Springfield, Ill.: Schnepp & Barns, State Printers. June 30, 1915. p. 62. Retrieved 9 May 2016. (No: 422, Mar 22, Harry Wilson.) "An act to make an appropriation for the purpose of erecting and equiping [sic] a gymnasium, auditorium and administrative offices on the campus of the Southern Illinois State Normal University."
^"Archived copy". opensiuc.lib.siu.edu. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 14 January 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
