Emelin Theatre facts for kids

The Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts is a special place in Mamaroneck, NY. It is a theater with 264 seats. The Emelin Theatre is a nonprofit group. This means it uses its money to help the community. It hosts many fun events. You can see plays, family shows, and different kinds of music. There is bluegrass, dance, classical, jazz, rock, and folk music. They also have comedy shows and movies. The Emelin Theatre is the oldest performing arts center in Westchester. It has been open for a long time.

History of the Emelin Theatre

The Emelin Theatre started in 1972. A group of people from Mamaroneck created it. It was named after Arthur Emelin. He was a local pharmacist. Mr. Emelin gave a large gift of $360,000. This gift was for the Mamaroneck Free Library. He gave it to honor his father, Emanuel Joseph Emelin.

Building and Upgrades

The building you see today was built in 1984. In 2013, the theater's lobby got a big update. This renovation cost $250,000. It made the lobby look modern and easier to use. An architecture company, Stoll & Stoll, helped for free. They designed the new lobby without charging any fees.

First Performances

The first theater group to perform there was The New England Westchester (NEW) Group. John Fotia started this group. The very first play was "Eh?" by Henry Livings. The second show was a musical. It was called "A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum." Mr. Fotia directed both of these early shows.

Modern Technology

In 2016, the Emelin Theatre improved its movie system. They upgraded to a DCP projection system. This means movies look even better there.

Events and Activities

The Emelin Theatre has many different shows. They have music series for rock, folk, classical, and jazz. There are also tribute bands. These bands play songs by famous artists. They also feature traditional music from around the world.

Bluegrass Music Series

The theater has a very popular bluegrass music series. It has been running since 1982. This series has even been nominated for awards five times.

Other Fun Shows

Besides music, you can see plays and dance performances. There are also comedy shows. They show family-friendly movies. They also have a special film series. You need a subscription to watch these movies.

Programs for Kids

About one-third of all shows are for families. Since 1997, they have a School Outreach Program. This program helps kids from Westchester County schools. It brings them to the Emelin for educational shows.

Accessibility for Everyone

The Emelin Theatre wants everyone to enjoy the shows. They have special listening devices. These help people hear better. There are also accessible seats. These seats are in the first four rows.

How Many Shows?

The theater usually hosts 80 to 100 performances each year. About 30,000 people come to watch these shows.