iMPACt Newsletter: Spring 2018

iMPACt

A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center

Art Matters

The Visual Arts at MPAC PAGE 6

iMPACt A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center spring 2018

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Inside: the member spring 2018 issue1

March is Member Appreciation Month! A heartfelt “thank you” to all of our members who help to sustain our mission year and after year. Your support is what makes MPAC one of the best venues in the region.

It has been a cold, wet winter, but the days are getting longer and the shows on our stage are heating up. This spring promises to be full of great events, so now’s the time to take in a performance.

Winter highlights

Seen and heard around MPAC this winter!

Annaya Baynes of The Pingry School and Ellie Culin of Madison High School were named winners of the Region 4 Poetry Out Loud competition February 12. They advance to the New Jersey finals on March 12.

Congratulations to all participants and to their teachers.

MPAC’s Performing Arts Company sang the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden prior to the January 14 New York Knicks-New Orleans Pelicans game. See a video here.

MPAC hosted the first stop on Trey Anastasio’s (Phish) sold out solo tour February 8.

Recent New Jersey Hall of Fame inductee Tommy James lit up the stage on January 27.

Cover image, p 6 image Katharine Boyle

OUR MISSION: Mayo Performing Arts Center, a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit performing arts organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey.

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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center

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MPAC News and Notes National Geographic Live returns in April

Our annual Earth Day National Geographic Live event takes place on April 17.

Cristina Mittermeier learned the concept of responsible Earth stewardship from her indigenous nanny as a child growing up in Mexico. She explores that calling through the ways of life of four communities and their individual relationships with water—the Kayapó in the Amazon, the Inuit of Greenland, the First Nations people of British Columbia, and native Hawaiians. The marine biologist and photographer details her stories in “Standing at Water’s Edge,” April 17 at 7:30 pm. The presentation is free.

Tickets will be available in late March/early April.

This event and her morning talk with school groups are made possible by

Art Cover Contest Winners

Emma Swayze, a

junior at Randolph High School, was selected the winner of the 2018 MPAC Cover Art Contest.

Her artwork will appear on the next program book cover, to be seen by thousands of MPAC patrons in March and April.

Over 70 middle and high school students from throughout Morris County participated in this year’s cover art contest.

All of the children’s works were exhibited in the Art Upstairs Gallery over a two-week period in late February – early March. MPAC held a reception for all students who participated in the contest. Over one hundred people, including the artists, their friends and families attended this special reception where the winner was announced.

The Mean Green Ogre to take the stage June 1-3

MPAC’s sixth annual Spring Production will be Shrek the Musical. The show takes the stage for four performances June 1-3.

Nearly 200 young performers auditioned for parts February 11-13, and the cast and crew are currently hard at work beginning preparations for the show. “We are so excited to be presenting Shrek the Musical,” said Cathy Roy, MPAC’s Director of Education.

“This light-hearted musical, based on the 2001 Oscar-winning movie, has a great score, a hilarious book and is popular with audiences of all ages! Its central theme of acceptance and inclusion is so relevant in today’s society and reminds us that ‘what makes us different is what makes us strong.’”

Previous MPAC spring productions have been West Side Story, Mary Poppins, Les Miserables, Hairspray and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

Tickets will go on sale in April.

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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center

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Spotlight on Membership members discuss the value of supporting MPAC

Starlight Members enjoy access to the Starlight lounge prior to shows and during intermissions.

March is Member Month! It’s MPAC’s opportunity to thank our 1,500-plus members for their continued support of our organization and mission.

Membership brings people closer to the heart of MPAC’s mission — closer to world-class artists who grace our stage and closer to other enthusiastic patrons who share a love of the arts. Members enjoy early access to tickets and other exclusive perks. Basic membership begins at just $150 a year.

“Being an MPAC member has enriched our cultural lives,” said Lisa and Charlie Meizoso, Jr. “It’s quite enjoyable knowing that we have access to live music and theatrical shows on par with events held in New York City without having to leave Morris County.”

Membership gifts support MPAC’s arts education and outreach programs, helping to make the arts relevant to thousands of children in the region, and creating arts opportunities for children with special needs and autism through The Miracle Project. “We became members because my son was involved in the Performing Arts School at MPAC, and as we learned more about the Theatre, the more we realized it was something that we wanted to support,” said Eileen Rodriguez, a Starlight Society member for five years.

Starlight Society membership provides exclusive benefits that include first access to purchasing tickets, use of the Starlight Lounge and an invitation to the annual Chairman’s Reception in May where the new season is revealed. Support levels range from $1,250 to $25,000. “We love being Starlight members. Enjoying the Starlight Lounge is a great time to catch up with friends and other Mayo fans,” said Elizabeth and Tim Ritter.

Please consider how your contributions can make a difference to the cultural opportunities in North Jersey. Click here to learn more about membership, or call our Membership department at 973-539-0345 X 6526.

Memberships help to support programs such as The Miracle Project

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MPAC’s annual spring production and outreach programs, including a program at the Paterson Boys and Girls Club, benefit from member support.

Member Dollars Fuel MPAC ’s Arts Education Programs

Imagine a car without an engine, or a skateboard without wheels — that would be just downright ridiculous, right? How would you be able to get to where you needed to go? Well, that’s exactly how MPAC feels about its 1,500 members — they are a powerful engine that helps MPAC run and essential to accomplishing our mission.

As a non-profit organization, and one of NJ’s leading performing arts centers, MPAC’s members are essential to

its success. We are grateful to every member for their support. But how does membership make a difference?

Memberships provide the financial resources needed to bridge the gap between income from ticket sales and our general operating costs, fueling important arts education programs for children and adults in need throughout the region.

Support from members helps fund free programs, including our long-running

Performing Arts Company, the annual Spring Musical, and a Paterson AfterSchool Program held at the Boys and Girls Club, just to name a few. In addition, no child is ever turned away from our fee-based Performing Arts School. Thanks to our members, scholarship funds are available to any child in need.

We are grateful for the support that our members provide. Each dollar raised plays a part in fostering a child’s love of the arts,

UPGRADE YOUR MEMBERSHIP AND ENJOY THESE EXCITING BENEFITS Upgrade to the Champion level ($300 or higher) and receive two tickets to a selected performance in March!

Upgrade to the Starlight Society ($1,250 or higher) and get a special invitation for two guests to the annual Chairman’s Reception in May on the theatres stage and gain first access to tickets for MPAC’s next season!

All Upgrades will be entered in a member raffle to win two tickets* to an upcoming performance at MPAC!

feeds their imagination and helps to promote creative expression. To our members, we say “thank you,” and if you are not a member already, we hope you will become one today!

For more information on Membership, email Lana lmissaggia@mayoarts.org.

To learn more about the Performing Arts Company, our Spring Musical and the Paterson program, go to MayoArts.Org/education/ overview.

BECOME A MEMBER AND YOU COULD

WIN TWO TICKETS TO A PERFORMANCE AT MPAC Join anytime during the month of March and you will be entered in a new member raffle to win two tickets* to an upcoming performance at MPAC! *selected performances, restrictions apply

*selected performances, restrictions apply

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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center

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Art Matters

MPAC ’s Art Galleries marry performing arts with visual arts

There’s more than meets the eye at MPAC, and patrons are encouraged to look around and view the beautiful artwork and photography displayed at MPAC’s two art galleries. The Art Upstairs Gallery and The Starlight Gallery offer opportunities for hundreds of local visual artists to exhibit their work and have it viewed by thousands of theatergoers.

The idea of bringing visual arts to MPAC was originally the concept of former board member Janan Weber, who saw an opportunity to broaden the artistic scope of MPAC and expose audiences to a wide variety of art forms and styles, increasing both the awareness and appreciation of the visual arts.

The Art Upstairs Gallery hosts nine exhibits a year with over 200 artists presented. These group shows include such organizations as the New Jersey Pastel Society, the Essex Watercolor Club, the Morris Arts Association and New Jersey Photography Forum. The Starlight Gallery hosts six to seven exhibits a year with up to 30 artists displayed. Most of these exhibits are single artist shows.

The galleries showcase the full range of art styles, from traditional to modern and abstract works, and in all mediums, such as oils, collage, pastels, photography, watercolor and mixed media. The majority of the exhibiting artists or groups are New Jersey-based. “The artists love exhibiting in these galleries because they provide exposure of their work to such a large and varied audience, something that is not always available in other smaller or local spaces,” said Charles Miller, Gallery Coordinator.

Artwork from both galleries is available for sale.

The Art Upstairs Gallery is a gift of the John and Margaret Post Foundation.

The Starlight Gallery is a gift from Wendy and Jay Birnbaum. Galleries are open prior to performances and by appointment.

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A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center

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Spotlight on Art At the Galleries in March

Neil Kaskoun, “Vibrant Forest”

Art Upstairs: County College of Morris Fifth Annual Student Show

March 6 – April 3 Over 40 students from County College of Morris will be featured in this exhibit that provides a real life experience for the students. They entered their pieces for consideration to a selection committee of CCM faculty who chose the final pieces to be included in the exhibit. They will help to mount their work in the gallery. The pieces will also be available for sale, and the students will learn about the business of art as well.

Artist Andrew Weatherly

Starlight Gallery: Andrew Weatherly March 1 – April 2 Andrew Weatherly is a young man with Down Syndrome who has found his voice through art. Insightful and intuitive, Andrew fuses these heartfelt traits, revealing the ingenuous spirit of a very perceptive young man. Andrew explores life through the blending of paint colors while uniting his thoughts, his heart and his soul with pen, paper and creative flair on a unique journey of self-expression.

Andrew’s resolve has allowed him to overcome many obstacles, while his insightfulness has remained one of his greatest gifts to all.

Learn more about him at andrewweatherly.com

“The Gaze”

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On Stage

Great events have been added to our schedule!

More summer shows will be announced soon.

Keep an eye on your emails for details!

Straight No Chaser (April 4) An evening of amazing a cappella singing

Little Steven and the Disciples of Soul (May 5) Rock with the popular E Street Band member

The Golden Boys (July 10) The original American teen idols — Frankie Avalon, Bobby Rydell and Fabian

PJ Masks (April 24) The popular children’s TV series comes to life on stage!

David Crosby & Friends (June 17) Classic rock

Dion (August 3) Classic pop (“The Wanderer,” “Runaround Sue”)

The Price is Right Live (Oct. 11) Come on down!

Three Dog Night (Oct. 13) “One,” “Joy to the World” and more.

Relaxed performances to be staged in March and April MPAC will present three relaxed performances in March and April. Each performance features modulated sound and light levels and a relaxed environment where the audience is free to talk, vocalize, and leave and re-enter the venue, making these events accessible to individuals with autism and other special needs. Everyone is welcome at these events.

Sing Along with The Muppet Movie (March 11 at 2 pm) Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site (April 10 at 12:15 pm) Pete the Cat (April 23 at 4 pm) Contact our box office if you have any questions about our relaxed performances.

For information about MPAC’s Miracle Project classes for children on the autism spectrum and with other special needs, please contact our Education Department.

Relaxed performances are generously supported by the George A. Ohl, Jr. Trust

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iMPACt

A look behind the curtain at Mayo Performing Arts Center

MayoArts.org

| spring 2018