Investors Bank Performing Arts Center facts for kids
The Investors Bank Performing Arts Center is a big theater in Washington Township, New Jersey. It has 2,400 seats! It's one of the main places for fun shows and events in South Jersey.
This theater was finished in 1998. It was first built as the main auditorium for Washington Township High School. It was meant to hold all 2,000 students. But during planning, officials decided it should also host large shows. This would bring entertainment to the local area.
The center first opened on September 1, 1998. The very first show was The King & I, a famous musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. Today, it is known as the Republic Bank Performing Arts Center.
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A Look Back: The Center's Names
The performing arts center has had a few different names over the years. When it first opened in 1998, it was called the Washington Township High School's Center for the Performing Arts (CPA).
In 1999, a company called Chesapeake Concerts Inc. had to end its contract. This was because its CEO passed away. In 2000, the school board hired Rebecca Marie Keith. She helped manage the center and wrote grants to get money for it.
Later, it became the Commerce Bank Arts Centre. This happened in 2004. Commerce Bank invested $300,000 over five years to support the center. This money helped with things like scholarships for students interested in arts. It also helped improve the lights and sound system.
After that, it was known as the TD Bank Arts Center. In 2015, its name changed again to the Investors Bank Performing Arts Center. Currently, it is called the Republic Bank Performing Arts Center.
Past Performances and Events
Many different artists and shows have performed at the center. Here are some of them:
- Styx
- Natalie Merchant
- Dwight Yoakam
- Delirious
- Mamma Mia! (musical)
- Trisha Yearwood
- Grease
- Weird Al Yankovic
- Sawyer Brown
- Barry Manilow
- Moody Blues
- k.d. lang
- Jo Dee Messina
- Willie Nelson
- Mary Chapin Carpenter
- Plus One
- A Walk Down Abbey Road
- Jessica Simpson
- Lone Star
- Kenny Rogers
- Point of Grace
- Twila Paris
- Lee Ann Womack
- Plus One
- Wayne Brady
- Jubilate Deo
- Philadelphia Orchestra
- Indigo Girls
- Pennsylvania Ballet
- "Cabaret"
- George Carlin
- "Swing"
- B. B. King
- Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theatre
- South Pacific
- David Copperfield
- Frankie Valli
- Paul Anka
- Anne Murray
- Charlie Daniels Band
- Lord of the Dance
- Hero – A Rock Opera
- Rent
- Saturday Night Fever
- CATS
- Tim Conway & Harvey Korman
- Sandy Patty
- John Michael Montgomery
- STOMP!
- "The Rat Pack"
- The Irish Tenors
- Clay Aiken
- Bill Cosby
- Fiddler On The Roof
- Tony Bennett
- Crazy For You
- Andy Williams
- Engelbert Humperdinck
- 42nd Street
- Chris Tomlin
- Big Comfy Couch
- Barenaked Ladies
- Dave Koz & Friends
- Blast!
- Lewis Black
- Jordin Sparks
- Jesse McCartney
Who Works Behind the Scenes?
The people who work backstage for performances are from a group called the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 8. They help make sure everything runs smoothly during shows.
Interesting Facts
- In 2002, the center bought and installed something called an "orchestra shell." This special shell helps to project the sound from the stage out to the audience. It makes the music sound much clearer!
- The money for this orchestra shell came from state grants and loans. A state senator, John J. Matheussen, helped get a $75,000 grant for the project. Another $75,000 came from money left over from when the center was first built.
Cool Facts About the Center
- In 2002, the center added something special called an "orchestra shell." This shell helps make the sound from the stage much clearer. It projects the music and voices out to everyone in the audience.
- The school district used money from state grants to help pay for the orchestra shell. A state senator, John J. Matheussen, helped get some of this funding. This shows how community support helps keep the arts alive!
