After years of planning and construction (with lots of dust), Montgomery County Community College celebrated the reopening of its 563-seat, state-of-the-art theater with a full slate of events to invite the community to experience the performing arts in an entirely new manner.

Designed by Spillman-Farmer Architects, the majestic yet intimate theater offers optimal seating throughout the venue, including its new 63-seat balcony sections. The theater’s immersive technology features custom-designed acoustics, audio, lighting and video systems by the Walters-Storyk Design Group, the same architects that created studios for Bruce Springsteen, Jay-Z and Harry Connick Jr.

In addition to the reimagined theater, the renovation refreshed the lobby areas, provided informal gathering spaces for meet and greet opportunities with artists, installed a concession stand and added a gallery space for art exhibitions. The theater, along with the College’s art galleries and Black Box Theater, are part of the new Montco Cultural Center brand that includes all of its arts and cultural programs and venues across both campuses.

To kickoff the celebration, MCCC collaborated with Valley Forge Tourism & Convention Board to bring the annual Montco JazzFest to the Blue Bell Campus on Sept. 20. Curated by vocalist Joanna Pascale, this year’s jazz fest featured the region’s many talented “Women in Jazz” artists.

At MCCC, The Lao Tizer Band graced the stage with violinist Karen Briggs, saxophonist Eric Marienthal and guitarist Chieli Minucci. Briggs, with her enthusiastic solos, awed the audience. Also known as the “Lady in Red,” Briggs previously performed with contemporary instrumental musician Yanni for 13 years, appearing before audiences at Carnegie Hall and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, among others.

Following the Montco JazzFest, MCCC's Arts & Culture Department, under the direction of Brent Woods, Senior Director of Arts and Culture, and with the support of his entire team, hosted three consecutive nights of amazing performances with the theme of honoring the past, present and future. 

For the past, MCCC recognized two women on Sept. 21, who were instrumental in the development of the arts and culture at the College.

The first honoree was Judith Willoughby, who was the founder of the Choral Society of Montgomery County and was the first director of MCCC’s Lively Arts Series. As a conducting and choral music specialist, Judith shared her love of music by teaching and serving as an active guest conductor, clinician and adjudicator in North America and abroad.

Diane Monroe, a native Philadelphian and jazz violinist, and MCCC President Vicki Bastecki-Perez presented the certificate of appreciation to Judith’s daughter, Allison Blackwell who accepted it on behalf of her mother.

The second honoree was Helen Haynes, who was the former director of the Lively Arts Series. Haynes’ career spans 40 years as an artist, arts administrator, advocate, educator and visual artist. She has served on a number of boards including the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and numerous funding panels. Following a fellowship with the National Endowment for the Arts, Ms. Haynes worked in Washington. D. C. at agencies including the Museum of African Art, and Council on Foundations and as a consultant for the D.C. Commission on the Arts, Department of Labor CETA and the Arts program and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.

Joan Myers Brown,  founder and executive artistic advisor of the Philadelphia Dance Company, Philadanco, and President Bastecki-Perez presented the certificate of appreciation to Helen. Following the presentations, the audience enjoyed beautiful performances by the Philadelphia Boys’ Choir and Chorale and the Elegance String Quartet. Galleries Director Patrick Rodgers served as the emcee for the evening.

To honor the present, MCCC hosted a Montco Talent Night on Sept. 22 featuring the performances of faculty, staff, students and community members. The evening started with a 15-minute performance by MCCC’s String Ensemble under the direction of Shawn Lee, Music Lecturer, followed by three phenomenal piano selections performed by Dr. Soh Lee, Music Senior Lecturer.

Students from MCCC’s Dance Ensemble, under the direction of Heather Dougherty, performed dance routines they choreographed. In addition to the live performances, short videos created and produced by students also were shared.

After a brief intermission, the Talent Night continued with a short, lighthearted play, “Holiday Language,” written by John Stanton, MCCC Warehouse Logistics Lead, directed by Tim Gallagher, Theater Assistant Professor, and performed by Kelly Maguire, Matt Nitchke and Iain Campbell, MCCC Coordinator of Admissions & Recruitment.

Rounding out the week of performances, MCCC honored the future by hosting the Femmes of Rock, a female quartet who played classic rock using electric violins. The bassist for the band was MCCC’s very own Michael Kelly, Assistant Music Professor, who has toured and played with the band since 2016.

Dr. Celeste Schwartz, Vice President of Pottstown Campus, Information Technology and Institutional effectiveness, who oversaw the renovation project, welcomed the crowd and introduced the Femmes of Rock. During the performance, Mike Kelly’s son, Max, who is a student at Berklee College of Music, had the opportunity to play a guitar solo.

Following the performance, the band members - Nina Digregorio, Christina Riegert, Chandra Meibalane and Carissa Werner - met with visitors in the lobby and signed CDs and autographs and posed for photographs.

The final event for the theater grand reopening was a silent disco activity for students and employees on Sept. 27. Everyone was invited to put on headphones set to their favorite music and dance in the theater lobby or outside in the quad.

Overall, more than 800 visitors attended the theater’s grand reopening events. MCCC invites the community to come and enjoy the theater’s stunning environment and unique sensory experience. For a full list of upcoming performances for the 40^th anniversary season of the Lively Arts Series, visit the ticket web page.