Emelin Theatre facts for kids

The Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts is a special place in Mamaroneck, New York. It's a theater that can seat 267 people. The Emelin Theatre is a nonprofit group. This means it uses its money to help the community. It's known for hosting many fun events. You can see plays, family shows, and different kinds of music. They have bluegrass, jazz, rock, and classical concerts. They also show 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. They named the theater after Arthur Emelin. He was a local pharmacist. Mr. Emelin gave a large gift of $360,000 to the Mamaroneck Free Library. He gave this money to honor his father, Emanuel Joseph Emelin. This gift helped create the theater's first home.

Building and Renovations

The building we 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 more modern. It also made it easier for everyone to use. An architecture firm from New Rochelle helped with the design. They gave their services for free.

First Performances

The first theater group to perform at the Emelin was The New England Westchester (NEW) Group. John Fotia founded this group. The very first play they performed 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 productions.

Movie Upgrades

In 2016, the Emelin Theatre improved its movie system. They installed a DCP projection system. This means they can show movies with very high quality.

Events and Activities at the Emelin

The Emelin Theatre hosts many different kinds of shows. They have music series for rock, folk, and classical music. You can also hear jazz bands and tribute bands. These bands play songs by famous artists. The theater also features traditional music from different cultures.

Bluegrass Music Series

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

Family Shows and Education

About one-third of the shows are for families. These are great for kids and parents. Since 1997, the Emelin has a special School Outreach Program. This program helps bring children from Westchester County schools to the theater. They come to watch educational shows.

Accessibility and Attendance

The Emelin Theatre wants everyone to enjoy the shows. They have special listening devices available. These help people hear better. There are also accessible seats in the first four rows. This makes it easier for people with disabilities.

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