North Carolina School of the Arts. Stevens Center.

On the weekend of April 22-24, 1983, the stars indeed came out during a gala performance to celebrate the opening of the Stevens Center (formerly the old Carolina Theatre) as a performance showplace for the North Carolina School of the Arts. A benefit in tribute to the Roger L. Stevens Center on April 22 featured Gregory Peck as master of ceremonies; Leonard Bernstein as conductor; and Isaac Stern as soloist; with performances and appearances by numerous performers, celebrities, and dignitaries. Roger L. Stevens received the National Artist Award from the American National Theatre and Academy on April 23. That night, and the following night featured fully-staged all-school performances of Cole Porter's "Kiss Me Kate."