Mayo Performing Arts Center facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Mayo Performing Arts Center

MPAC, The Morristown Community Theatre
Address	100 South Street Morristown, New Jersey United States
Type	Performing arts center
Capacity	1,319
Construction
Opened	1937
Architect	Walter Reade

The Mayo Performing Arts Center (MayoPAC) is a special place in Morristown, New Jersey, USA. It's a non-profit performing arts center, which means it's a place where you can watch all sorts of shows like music, plays, and comedy. It's run to benefit the community, not to make a profit.

Discovering the History of MayoPAC

Entrance of the MPAC

The building that is now MayoPAC first opened in 1937. It was called The Community Theatre back then. It was a very important movie theater owned by Walter Reade. The first movie shown on December 23, 1937, was Nothing Sacred.

From Movie House to Performing Arts Center

By the 1980s, the theater was not in good shape. It stayed empty for almost ten years. But in 1994, it got a new life! It reopened as a performing arts center. A big celebration happened with the Kirov Orchestra and pianist Alexander Slobodyanik.

Modern Updates and a New Name

In 2007, the center got major updates. An air conditioner was installed, so shows could happen all year. Singer Liza Minnelli performed to celebrate this reopening.

More improvements came in 2011. The upstairs balcony was made new. They added new restrooms, an art gallery, and places to buy snacks.

In May 2011, the theater changed its name. It became the Mayo Performing Arts Center. This honored Bud Mayo for his great leadership.

Famous Performers at MayoPAC

Aretha Franklin opened MayoPAC's '08-'09 Season

Many famous artists have performed at the Mayo Performing Arts Center. Here are some of the well-known acts that have graced its stage:

Getting to Mayo Performing Arts Center

It's easy to get to the theater! A New Jersey Transit bus stop is right next to it. The theater is also about 0.3 miles from Morristown station.

See also

List of New Jersey music venues by capacity