Krider Performing Arts Center facts for kids

The Krider Performing Arts Center (KPAC) is a cool place in Paris, Tennessee, where people can watch shows. It's like a big theater or concert hall. KPAC is right next to Paris Elementary School, and the school uses it a lot. This center has a big stage with curtains, a special room for props (things used in plays), a "green room" where performers relax, a piano room, and a sound booth to control the music and voices. There's also a lobby with a ticket counter. About 500 to 600 people can sit in the audience at KPAC.

What Happens at KPAC?

The Krider Performing Arts Center is a busy place all year long. It hosts many different events. You can see music shows, dance performances, and plays here. It's also used for meetings and church gatherings.

School and Community Events

Paris Elementary School uses KPAC often for its events. The city of Paris also uses the center for various programs. Sometimes, professional performers or groups from out of town come to KPAC. These shows often bring in big crowds.

Local schools in Paris, from pre-school up to eighth grade, have free music programs. They use KPAC for their concerts. You might see general music shows, string instrument concerts, or band performances there.

Other Groups and Performances

Many different groups use KPAC, both those that charge money and those that don't. Since it has a great sound system and a stage, music groups and promotional events often book the space. Community churches have also used KPAC for their Sunday services. Because it's so convenient and well-equipped, KPAC is a popular spot in the area. It's also used every year for theater productions.

Fun Programs at KPAC

KPAC offers exciting programs for young people who love to perform.

Krider Idol

One popular program is Krider Idol. This show is a bit like the famous TV show American Idol. Young, talented people try out for the show. The best performers are chosen to compete. During the competition, judges pick who stays and who leaves until only one winner is left.

Drama Workshops

KPAC also has special theater workshops. The Children's Theater workshop happens in the summer. There's also a Winter Workshop, which started in 2007. For a small fee, students spend several weeks learning about acting. Teachers help them put on plays.

There are three age groups for these plays:

• Ages 5-8
• Ages 9-12
• Ages 13-18

Anyone in the area can try out for a play in their age group. If older students want to help but not act, they can join the stage crew. These students work behind the scenes. They learn how to build sets, manage props, and operate the stage's mechanical parts. Everyone in the cast practices together and learns about the art of drama. The plays often have detailed sets and actors wear costumes.

KPAC's History

The Krider Performing Arts Center is named after Clem and Ruby Krider. They were a couple from Paris, Tennessee. For over 60 years, they were very important to the arts in Henry County, Tennessee. Ruby Krider taught public speaking and drama to many generations of students. Some of her students became very famous. These include Tony Award winner Cherry Jones and Pulitzer Prize winner John Noble Wilford.

In the summer of 2003, a tornado passed through the Henry County area. KPAC was slightly damaged. Some lobby windows were broken. However, the damage was not as bad as to a nearby part of Paris Elementary School. The third-grade hallway of the school had to be rebuilt. While the school wing took months to fix, KPAC was repaired quickly. It was soon open to the public again.