Mayo Performing Arts Center
A nonprofit multi-use performing arts center in Morristown, New Jersey, housed in a former historic movie theater.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) is a nonprofit multi-use performing arts venue in Morristown, New Jersey. The organization operates from a historic theater building that opened in 1937 as the Community Theatre, a movie house developed as part of Walter Reade’s New Jersey theater chain. Its opening program on December 23, 1937, featured the David O. Selznick film Nothing Sacred. The building was initially recognized as a prominent local cinema, but by the 1980s it had deteriorated and remained unused for almost a decade. The venue was brought back into operation as a performing arts center in 1994. Its reopening was marked by a gala presentation involving the Kirov Orchestra and pianist Alexander Slobodyanik, signaling a shift from its earlier identity as a cinema toward live cultural programming. The center subsequently developed as a venue for concerts, theatrical presentations, dance, and other performing arts events, although the available reference material does not provide a complete program inventory or detailed organizational structure. A major renovation in 2007 included the installation of air conditioning, allowing the building to operate throughout the year rather than primarily during more limited seasonal periods. A performance by Liza Minnelli was associated with the reopening celebration. Further work in 2011 improved the upstairs balcony, adding new restrooms, an art gallery area, and concessions facilities. That same year, after a three-year transition, the theater formally adopted the name Mayo Performing Arts Center in recognition of the leadership of Bud Mayo. The facility continued to modernize its public-facing areas. Front-of-house renovations completed in 2014 added a digital marquee, a new box office, an elevator serving the balcony level, expanded and upgraded restrooms, and improved bar and concessions areas. The Starlight Room was renovated in 2016. In July of that year, the venue received recognition as an Outstanding Historic Theatre from the League of Historic American Theatres. MPAC remains an active cultural venue serving Morristown and the surrounding New Jersey region. Its location is supported by nearby public transportation: a New Jersey Transit bus stop is adjacent to the theater, and Morristown station is approximately 0.3 miles away. The center’s brand combines historic-theater preservation with contemporary live entertainment and public cultural use.
History
The building now known as Mayo Performing Arts Center began life as the Community Theatre in Morristown, New Jersey. Constructed in 1937, it formed part of Walter Reade’s New Jersey movie-theater chain and was presented as a major local cinema. The theater opened on December 23, 1937, with a screening of the David O. Selznick production Nothing Sacred. By the 1980s, changing cinema patterns and the condition of the property had contributed to a period of decline. The theater fell into disrepair and remained idle for nearly ten years. Its next major chapter began in 1994, when it reopened as a performing arts center rather than simply returning to its former role as a movie house. The reopening gala featured the Kirov Orchestra and pianist Alexander Slobodyanik, establishing the venue as a setting for live performance. The center underwent significant physical improvements during the following decades. In 2007, major renovations included the installation of air conditioning. This work enabled year-round operation and was celebrated with a reopening performance by Liza Minnelli. In 2011, the upstairs balcony was renovated with new restrooms, an art gallery space, and concessions facilities. The venue’s identity was formally updated in May 2011, when the theater completed a three-year transition to the name Mayo Performing Arts Center. The new name honored the leadership of Bud Mayo and emphasized the institution’s role as a broader performing arts organization rather than a traditional cinema. Front-of-house renovations completed in 2014 further modernized the visitor experience. The work added a digital marquee, a new box office, an elevator connecting to the balcony level, upgraded and expanded restrooms, and improved bar and concessions stands. The Starlight Room received additional renovation in 2016. In July 2016, the League of Historic American Theatres recognized the venue as an Outstanding Historic Theatre. Today, Mayo Performing Arts Center operates as a nonprofit multi-use performing arts center in Morristown. Its historic building remains the core of the brand, while its programming and updated visitor facilities support contemporary live performance. The venue is also accessible through local public transportation, with a New Jersey Transit bus stop beside the theater and Morristown train station roughly 0.3 miles away.
- 2016
Historic-theater recognition
[1]The Starlight Room was renovated, and in July the League of Historic American Theatres named the venue an Outstanding Historic Theatre.
- 2014
Front-of-house modernization completed
[1]The venue completed improvements including a digital marquee, new box office, balcony elevator, expanded restrooms, and upgraded hospitality and concessions areas.
- 2011
Balcony renovation and rebranding
[1]The upstairs balcony was upgraded with restrooms, an art gallery area, and concessions. In May, the theater completed its transition to the Mayo Performing Arts Center name in recognition of Bud Mayo’s leadership.
- 2007
Year-round operation enabled
[1]Major renovations, including new air conditioning, allowed the venue to remain open throughout the year. Liza Minnelli performed at the reopening celebration.
- 1994
Reopens as a performing arts center
[1]The building returned to operation as a performing arts venue with a gala featuring the Kirov Orchestra and pianist Alexander Slobodyanik.
- 1980
Period of disrepair and closure
[1]During the 1980s, the theater deteriorated and remained unused for nearly a decade. The precise closure and reopening dates are not specified in the reference material.
- 1937
Community Theatre opens
[1]The theater opened on December 23, 1937, as part of Walter Reade’s New Jersey movie-theater chain. Its inaugural film was Nothing Sacred.
Products and positioning
A nonprofit regional performing arts center that combines a restored historic theater setting with year-round live cultural programming.
Performing arts · 1994
Main theater performances
The central offering is live programming presented in the historic theater, which transitioned from a movie-house format to a multi-use performing arts venue after its 1994 reopening. The available reference material identifies concerts and cultural performances but does not provide a complete season-by-season program list.
Venue · 1937
Historic theater venue
The preserved 1937 theater building is itself a core part of the MPAC offering. Renovated public areas include the balcony, box office, restrooms, concessions facilities, digital marquee, elevator access, and Starlight Room. The venue’s historic character was formally recognized by the League of Historic American Theatres in 2016.
Sources2 sources
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