Welcome to the home of NUTCRACKER! Magical Christmas Ballet in Grand Forks: The Chester Fritz Auditorium, built where the UND theatre tradition began many years ago...on the banks of the English Coulee. In 1965, Chester Fritz gave the University of North Dakota $1 million towards the construction of a "distinctive auditorium" on campus. A matching appropriation of $1 million from the state of North Dakota and $1 million in private bequests completed the funding for the Chester Fritz Auditorium. The gift came from a man whose fondness for the University of North Dakota has long been evident in financial support and enthusiasm for his Alma Mater.
The Chester Fritz Auditorium, a magnificent center for the performing arts, is considered the finest facility of its kind from Minneapolis to the West Coast. Since its opening, the Chester Fritz Auditorium has brought numerous nationally acclaimed performers to Grand Forks and to the University of North Dakota. The programming has varied from country western, opera, ballet, and symphonies, to Broadway Theatre shows. The Auditorium is also used for many University of North Dakota events. The Chester Fritz Auditorium held its first event October 12, 1972 when the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra and Philharmonic Choir performed.