Read TAPinto’s feature story on the Mayo Performing Arts Company, as well as their performance with Foreigner on May 8th, 2019!
TAPinto: “Mayo Performing Arts Company Gives Local Youth Chance to Sing With the Stars”
by Chris Manderioli
MORRISTOWN, NJ- Located in the heart of Morristown NJ, the Mayo Performing Arts Center ( MPAC ) bills itself as a place where the local community comes together to be inspired, entertained and uplifted by the power and the passion of the performing arts. Through arts education and community outreach programs, MPAC is committed to providing cultural enrichment for both young audiences and the public at large by increasing their exposure to the arts.
One of the youth programs they offer is the Performing Arts Company, a group of talented local teens who audition to represent MPAC by performing for non-profit organizations, community events, hospitals and fundraisers all over the area. This mutually beneficial arrangement provides free entertainment to organizations while giving the students performing experience and the opportunity to use their talent to help those in need.
The Company has provided its members with many unique opportunities, such as singing with celebrities, or performing at world famous arenas. Most recently, on May 8, the group sang backup vocals at MPAC with Foreigner, one of the more successful rock bands of the 70’s and 80’s.
There have been other “once-in-a-lifetime” opportunities the kids have enjoyed, such as singing the National Anthem at Madison Square Garden before a NY Knicks game, and just this past December, performing a 5-minute Christmas song medley at Radio City Music Hall, just moments before the curtain opened for the Rocketts Christmas Spectacular.
Another opportunity at MPAC came when they were able to perform Broadway songs as part of a show called “On Broadway with Kristen Chenoweth”.
Each year the company connects with new organizations and performs for some regular community partners such as: The Carol G. Simon Cancer Center, The American Heart Association, The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, The March of Dimes, Care One and many more! Whether it is for 35 senior citizens, 350 attendees at a Gala or 3500 at an outdoor festival, the students pour their hearts out to make a difference.
The Company is part of the Performing Arts School (PAS), founded in 2006, which now serves over 600 students a year with over 20 classes a week, in a supportive and creative atmosphere. Many members of the Company are also a part of the cast for the upcoming Mayo presentation of Grease, which takes place the weekend of May 31 through June 2.
Students ages five – adult come from all over Northern New Jersey to attend the PAC, and learn performance technique while building confidence and having a great time. Classes are offered in Musical Theater, Acting, Singing Technique, Song Presentation, Improvisation, Private Voice and Adult Cabaret. MPAC also offers “The Miracle Project”, a fully inclusive music and theater program for children with autism.
Outside of the youth programs, MPAC is a thriving community theater that holds over 200 performing arts events each calendar year including classical music, rock and pop concerts, dance, musical theater, comedians, plays, Holiday shows, and more.
Auditions for the Performing Arts Company are held in August each year, and seek talented, serious musical theater performers ages 13-21 who can sing, dance, and act and are looking to use their talent to better the community. This musical troupe acts as ambassadors for the Mayo Performing Arts Center by performing Broadway-style musical numbers at community events, fundraisers, hospitals, special events, and festivals around New Jersey. This is a great opportunity for students to sharpen their skills, gain exposure, and help those in need.
