Krider Performing Arts Center facts for kids

The Krider Performing Arts Center (KPAC) is a special building in Paris, Tennessee. It's like a big theater or concert hall. It's even connected to the Paris Elementary School! Many school events happen here. KPAC has a large stage with curtains, rooms behind the stage, a sound booth, and a lobby. The main hall can hold about 500 to 600 people. It's a great place for shows!

What is KPAC Used For?

KPAC 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.

The elementary school uses KPAC often for its events. The city of Paris also uses this center. Sometimes, professional performers and traveling groups come to KPAC. They often bring in big crowds.

Local schools, from pre-school to eighth grade, use KPAC too. They have free music programs. Students perform general music, string instrument concerts, and band shows on the big stage.

Many groups, both for profit and non-profit, use the auditorium. Since it has a sound booth and a stage, it's perfect for concerts and promotional events. Even community churches sometimes hold their Sunday services here. KPAC is a popular spot in the area because it's so convenient.

Fun Programs at KPAC

KPAC offers exciting programs for young people.

Krider Idol

KPAC holds auditions for a show called Krider Idol. This show is a bit like the famous TV show American Idol. Only the most talented young singers are chosen to perform. On the night of the competition, judges choose who stays and who goes. This continues until only one winner is left!

Drama Workshops

KPAC also has theater workshops. There's a Children's Theater workshop in the summer. A Winter Workshop started in 2007. For a small fee, students spend several weeks learning about acting. Experienced teachers direct and teach them.

They put on three plays, each for a different age group:

• 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 and manage props. They also learn to operate the stage's mechanical parts. Everyone involved learns about the art of drama. The plays often use special sets and costumes.

The History of KPAC

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. She taught many generations of students from Paris. Some of her students became very famous! These include Tony winner Cherry Jones and Pulitzer Prize winner John Noble Wilford. Even Cheers star Shelley Long was one of her students.

In the summer of 2003, a tornado passed through Henry County. KPAC was slightly damaged. The lobby windows were broken. Luckily, it wasn't as badly damaged as the nearby Paris Elementary School. One part of the school had to be rebuilt. KPAC was fixed quickly and opened again to the public.