CSN theater’s namesake a former senator, arts enthusiast

While the wall plaque for Nevada State Sen. Nicholas Horn might be easy to miss by College of Southern Nevada students rushing to theater practices or by audience members filing into the Nicholas J. Horn Theatre, the namesake of the theater earned his place by securing the funding for the building, according to CSN officials.

"While serving in the state Senate, he was instrumental in securing the legislation and funding for the theater, to be used by the college and community," said Sue Smuskiewicz, publications writer for the CSN Performing Arts Center.

Horn was hired as faculty member for the business management department in 1973 at CSN, formerly known as Clark County Community College, and taught for several years. He represented Clark County Senatorial District 7 in the state legislature from 1976 until his death in 1992. He served in the state Assembly from 1976 to 1982 and the state Senate from 1982 to 1992. He was also the part-time executive director at the Clark County Medical Society.

According to legislative record, the Democrat served as Assembly Assistant Majority Leader in 1981, Senate Assistant Minority Leader in 1989 and Special Session Senate Assistant Majority Leader in 1991.

Horn was born in 1945 in Salt Lake City and studied at the University of Utah, Ricks College, and Brigham Young University for both his bachelor's degree and master's in public administration before moving to Las Vegas to study.

He earned his education doctorate from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He was married to Nancy Lynn Ellis, according to the 1991 official legislative manual, and had a son and daughter.

The theater, on the Cheyenne campus at 3200 E. Cheyenne Ave., has 524 seats and a mission to "provide artistic, cultural, educational and entertainment opportunities for the college and residents of the community," Smuskiewicz said. "The center plays host to a wide array of student, professional and special guest artist performances."

Some of the groups that utilize the theater often include: the Concert Dance Company, CSN Dance Ensemble, Chamber Chorale, Jazz Singers, College Singers, CSN Orchestra, Concert Band, Big Bands and Jazz Combos.

It also hosts seminars from the nursing and dental programs, comedy shows and entertainment hosted by the student government and seminars, Smuskiewicz said.

"Between performances and rehearsals, the facility (Nicholas J. Horn Theatre and the BackStage Theatre) is typically in use more than 350 days each year," Smuskiewicz said.

Following its mission, the theater is also used by community groups from the Las Vegas Youth Philharmonic, Broadway Bound Kidz, nonprofits and police and fire academy graduations.

Connecting with the arts during his career, Horn also served on the board of directors for the Nevada Opera Theater, Boy Scout Explorer Exposition, United Way and the California-Nevada Super Speed Train Commission, among others.

Information on events and rental space can be found at csn.edu/pac or by calling the box office at 702-651-5483.

Contact Centennial and North Las Vegas View reporter Laura Phelps at lphelps@viewnews.com or 702-477-3839.