Commerce Bank Arts Centre

The Commerce Bank Arts Centre is a 2,500 seat theatre located in Washington Township, in Gloucester County, New Jersey that is one of South Jersey's major entertainment venues.

Completed in 1998, the 2,500-seat Center was originally designed as the auditorium for Washington Township High School, built to hold the school's 2,000 student body. During the planning stages of the facility, officials decided that the auditorium should host large scale productions in an effort to bring local and regional entertainment to the area.

The Commerce Bank Arts Centre opened its doors on September 1, 1998 with a production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King & I"

History

Before being known as the Commerce Bank Arts Centre it was the Washington Township High Schools’ Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) when it opened in 1998. In 1999 Chesapeake Concerts Inc. had to terminate their contract in September via a sixty day escape clause due to the death of its CEO who passed away is August. In 2000, the Board of Education hired Township resident Rebecca Marie Keith as the center's manager/grant writer." [Green, Barbara. "At Last Arts Center Has New Manager." "Gloucester County Times", January 29, 2000. ] Keith was dividing her time between writing grants to bring revenues to the center, and also scheduling the performances. In 2004, with a five year, $300,000 investment, Commerce Bank was looking to capitalize on the school districts performing arts venue. Commerce Bank chairman and president presented Superintendent Thomas Flemming with a $55,000 check after announcing the new name of the CPA, which is now the Commerce Bank Arts Centre. By taking the new name and the $300,000 investment throughout the next five years, it would be providing three arts-related scholarships each year, a summer theatre program, upgrade in the lighting and sound, and co-sponsor additional events at the center.

Previous Events

* Natalie Merchant * Dwight Yoakam * Delirious * Trisha Yearwood * Grease * Weird Al Yankovic * Sawyer Brown * Barry Manilow * Moody Blues * k.d. lang * JoDee Messina * Willie Nelson * Mary Chapin Carpenter * Plus One * A Walk Down Abbey Road * Jessica Simpson * Lone Star * Kenny Rogers * Point of Grace * Twila Paris * Lee Ann Womack * Plus One * Wayne Brady * Jubilate Deo * Philadelphia Orchestra * Indigo Girls * Pennsylvania Ballet * "Cabaret" * George Carlin * "Swing" * BB King

* Atlantic Contemporary Ballet Theatre * South Pacific * David Copperfield * Frankie Valli * Paul Anka * Anne Murray * Charlie Daniels Band * Lord of the Dance * Hero - A Rock Opera * Rent * Saturday Night Fever * CATS * Tim Conway & Harvey Korman * Sandy Patty * John Michael Montgomery * STOMP! * "The Rat Pack" * The Irish Tenors * Clay Aiken * Bill Cosby * Fiddler On The Roof * Tony Bennett * Crazy For You * Andy Williams * Engelbert Humperdinck * 42nd Street * Chris Tomlin * Big Comfy Couch * Barenaked Ladies * Dave Koz & Friends * Blast! * Lewis Black * Jordin Sparks * Jesse McCartney

Additonal Facts

*In 2002 using $150,000 in state grants and loans, the Washington Township High School Center for the Performing Arts (CPA) purchased and installed an “orchestra shell”. By installing this “shell” it projects the sound out and to the audience. [Zatzariny, Tim. "Accoustics are Improved at Performing Arts Center." "Courier-Post" 1 Aug. 2002.]
*The school district used $75, 000 state grant which was obtained by state Sen. John Matheussen, R-4 of Washington Township, as a year end 2001 “Christmas Tree appropriation” and $75, 000 left over from the bonds sold to fund the construction of the CPA. [Sholinsky, Ed. "Orchestra Shell Final Piece of Center." "Gloucester County Times" 25 July 2002.]

References

External links

* [http://www.sjlivearts.com Commerce Bank Arts Centre]