About Us
History
Past Performances
What People Say About Us
2008-2011 Strategic Plan
The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Centers (SMPAC) mission is to enrich the community by providing creative, innovative and diverse performing arts and life-long learning experiences, as well as a professionally managed facility for community and regional organizations.
The SMPAC provides the greater community with a creative, innovative and diverse exploration of the performing arts. Through the many opportunities offered, the SMPAC is bringing art to life on stage and to the lives of the people in South Milwaukee and the surrounding communities.
Located on the South Milwaukee 6-12 campus, the SMPAC serves as a creative outlet for the greater community, as well as the students of South Milwaukee. The SMPAC allows everyone to participate in and experience the many art forms of music, dance and theatre through live performances, master classes and workshops. The entryway and lobby serve as a gallery for student and community artists to present their work.
The SMPAC boasts a 786-seat theatre with a classroom-sized orchestra pit and expansive stage. It features state-of-the-art lighting and sound systems, 23-line set rigging system, projector and video screen.
History
The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Center (SMPAC) was built in 2004 as part of the new South Milwaukee High School. As part of the School District of South Milwaukee (SDSM), the SMPAC serves as the home for school concerts, plays, musicals, awards ceremonies and meetings. The SDSM has had an extensive and strong arts program for most of its more than century-long history. Countless numbers of awards, trophies and honors have been bestowed upon the locally legendary directors of theatre and music that have graced the stages of the District. The City of South Milwaukee, accordingly, has long supported the creation of a fine arts center to house these programs.
Along side the school events, the SMPAC provides a performing arts series for community members to enjoy the arts close to home. It also serves as a rental facility for community organizations and arts groups.
Our doors officially opened on September 1, 2004. The South Milwaukee Performing Arts Council, the nonprofit board that serves the SMPAC through fundraising efforts and assists with programming decisions, was formed in March 2005. The Council includes community members, teachers from different art disciplines, and business leaders, all with a love for the arts.
In October 2005, the SMPAC's annual Performing Arts Series premiered. Now in its sixth year of existence and fifth year as a presenting organization, the SMPAC's reputation for outstanding performances, as well as its audiences, continue to grow.
Past Performances
- 2005-2006 Season
- Marcus Belgrave's Tribute to Louis Armstrong
- Missoula Children's Theatre: The Jungle Book
- Wild Space Dance Company
- The Good Humor Men
- Theatre IV: Buffalo Soldier
- Tales & Scales: I Hear America Singing
- New York Theatre Ballet: Cinderella
- Bach Babes
- 2006-2007 Season
- Missoula Children's Theatre: Robin Hood
- ArtsPower: Amber Brown is Not a Crayon
- Dallas Brass: A Merry Christmas with Brass
- Bill Blagg III: The Magic is Back!
- John Mueller's Winter Dance Party
- Milwaukee Repertory Theater: Guys on Ice
- An Evening with John McGivern
- Dave Bennett's Benny Goodman Tribute
- 2007-2008 Season
- Missoula Children's Theatre: Snow White & the Seven Dwarfs
- Marcus, Charlie & Joan: A New Orleans Jazz Celebration
- Rusty Evans' Tribute to Johnny Cash
- Winter Tales with John McGivern
- Milwaukee Repertory Theater: The Bachelors
- Pro Arte Quartet
- Storybook Dance Theatre's Alice in Wonderland
- 2008-2009 Season
- Missoula Children's Theatre: Hansel & Gretel
- Backstage Pass to the Hit Songwriters
- Alpin Hong
- The Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats
- Harry the Dirty Dog
- John Mueller's Winter Dance Party
- Trying to Live... Happily Ever After
- Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra
- My Heart in a Suitcase
- Pat Hazell's The Wonder Bread Years
- Robert Robinson & the TCC Gospel Choir
- 2009-2010 Season
- Missoula Children's Theatre: The Pied Piper
- Dallas Brass: American Musical Journey
- Laura Ingalls Wilder
- Vienna Boys Choir
- Theatre IV's A Christmas Carol
- Bill Blagg III: A Night of Magic
- Patrick Combs: Man 1, Bank 0
- Steve McCurdy's Postcards from Italy
- The Elders