SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Performing Arts Center has named Stephen Beaudoin as the organization’s new executive director. Beaudoin will usher in SOPAC’s 2022-23 season as he takes the helm of the award-winning arts nonprofit organization, which boasts the 439-seat Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall, 2,185 square-foot Loft and the Herb + […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The Herb + Milly Iris Gallery at SOPAC kicks off a new season of exhibitions with “Rhapsody in Color: Aida Jones Abstract Paintings,” a series of vivid, energetic abstract paintings from the Maplewood-based artist. The exhibition is on display from Sept. 15 through Nov. 6. An opening reception for “Rhapsody in […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Arthouse Film Festival is moving! After 25 years at AMC Mountainside, the festival will unspool for 10 weeks, beginning Sept. 19, at The Village at SOPAC, located in the South Orange Performing Arts Center, 1 SOPAC Way. Festival founder and director Chuck Rose, who grew up in Maplewood, is excited to […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On July 1, the South Orange Performing Arts Center’s board of governors installed Douglas Newman as chairperson and Marc Chalom as vice chairperson. In addition, Katherine Tooley, James Davis III and Dean Kameros recently joined SOPAC’s board. “I am honored and humbled by SOPAC’s board electing me as its chair,” Newman […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — South Orange Performing Arts Center’s board Chairperson Douglas Newman announced July 28 that SOPAC’s executive director, Dee Billia, recently left her position after years of senior leadership. Billia joined SOPAC nine years ago as director of external relations and led its marketing and communications efforts. Her many achievements included building annual […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Performing Arts Center’s spring appeal for fiscal year 2022 raised $65,000. That sum includes $40,000 in donations and a $25,000 match from Edrington, a company based in Glasgow, Scotland, that makes and sells whisky and other spirits. “We are eternally grateful to Edrington for their ongoing generosity and […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — On Wednesday, June 29, the South Orange Performing Arts Center honored its 50-person team of volunteers with a tropical-themed party and awards ceremony. “You’re the people who make SOPAC run,” said Alicia Whavers, director of audience services. “I’m humbled by the work that you do.” The SOPAC volunteer program offers a […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The “Inspired Minds: Young Artist Exhibition” is a visual arts program designed to nurture and enrich the next generation by celebrating young artists in the region. This annual program provides a comprehensive, professional gallery experience to art students from submission, selection, exhibition and possible sale of their artwork. This year, “Inspired […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — A week before the South Orange Performing Arts Center was set to reopen after a year-and-a-half–long COVID-19 closure, the weather had other plans. The remnants of Hurricane Ida swept through the Northeast in September 2021, flooding Essex County and leaving parts of buildings underwater. South Orange Avenue was under 7 feet […]
SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — The South Orange Performing Arts Center recently received a $5,000 grant from the Investors Foundation. The grant will help further SOPAC’s arts education programs, which invest in students and future artists by providing arts instruction in alignment with NJ Core Curriculum Content Standards for the Performing Arts, enhancing the arts curriculum […]