Union County Performing Arts Center facts for kids
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Rahway Theatre
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Facade of the Rahway Theatre
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 Location in Union County, New Jersey
Location in New Jersey
Location in the United States
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| Location | 1601 Irving St., Rahway, New Jersey |
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| Built | 1927 |
| Architect | David M Oltarsh |
| Architectural style | Classical Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 86001509 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | August 13, 1986 |
Union County Performing Arts Center (UCPAC), formerly the Rahway Theatre, is a non-profit performance venue in Rahway, New Jersey. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1986. UCPAC is the site of the annual Rahway International Film Festival.
Contents
History
It was founded as the vaudeville venue and silent movie house Rahway Theater in 1928 as the nation's first “million dollar” movie palace. It contains an original, working, fully restored Wurlitzer pipe organ which was placed on the American Theatre Organ Society's National Registry of Significant Instruments. It is an example of "Movie Palace" architecture, designed in the classical revival style by New York architect David M. Oltarsh.
In 2006, at the behest of Rahway's then-mayor James J. Kennedy, the Union County Board of Chosen Freeholders invested $6.2 million in the renovation of the UCPAC Mainstage (Rahway Theater). The building fell into dilapidation as a movie house in the 1970s. It was reopened by local nonprofit preservation group in 1984, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.
Facilities
The UCPAC campus includes four performance spaces:
Mainstage
Capacity: 1334
Hamilton Stage
Built in 2012 abutting the Rahway River several hundred feet to the west of Mainstage, the Hamilton Stage features a new fully equipped proscenium theater.
Capacity: 199
The Loft at Mainstage
Capacity: 65. Built in 2008, the Loft at UCPAC is located on the 2nd floor addition of the UCPAC Mainstage.
The Fazioli Room at Hamilton Stage
This 40’ x 60’ rehearsal space has floor-to-ceiling conservatory windows and wall-length mirrors on one side. It holds 55-75 (at maximum).
This room contains a Fazioli piano, one of only two in New Jersey.
The Café at UCPAC
Hosts the Jazz Club at UCPAC.
Programming
Well-known acts have included Vanessa Williams, Doug E. Fresh, and Slick Rick.
Rahway Arts District
UCPAC hosts many art galleries, converted industrial warehouse spaces, and rehearsal/studio space.
Rahway Residence for the Arts
The city of Rahway and UCPAC in association with the Actors Fund is in the process of building safe affordable housing for artists only. Tenant applicants will need to submit a portfolio of work to indicate their vocation.
Transportation
UCPAC is walking distance to the direct train at Rahway Station to New York Penn Station. The ride is 38 minutes.
