Macomb Center for the Performing Arts

The Macomb Center for the Performing Arts first opened its doors in the fall of 1982, which brings us to our 31st anniversary season this year. Over the years the list of performers at Macomb Center reads like a Who's Who in the entertainment industry. In the early years Ray Charles, Buddy Rich, Rick Nelson, Glen Campbell, David Copperfield, Pat Boone, and Ben Vereen all made appearances. Then the Macomb Center was host to Tony Bennett, Johnny Cash, Carol Channing, Marcel Marceau, Johnny Mathis, Kenny Rogers, Itzhak Perlman, Bill Cosby, Roger Whittaker, Willie Nelson, Regis Philbin, Howie Mandel, Tom Jones, Wayne Newton, Engelbert Humperdinck, The Beach Boys, Burt Bacharach, Alan King, The Everly Brothers, Anne Murray, Paul Anka, Mitzi Gaynor and Debbie Reynolds, Leann Rimes, Mandy Patinkin, Jeff Daniels, Kathy Griffin, AirSupply and The Irish Rovers, to name just a few.

The Macomb Center not only brings the best in entertainment to Southeast Michigan, but is a center of education and enrichment offering a variety of cultural and enrichment experiences to the young and the young at heart.
 
Its choir programs and summer workshops are enjoyed by over 700 students annually, to which the Macomb Center awards approximately 75 scholarships each year, giving students access to professional instruction in drama, flute, clarinet, show choir and children’s chorus.

History

The property for Center Campus was purchased in 1967. The circa 1924 barn at the corner of Hall Road and Garfield was put into service by Macomb Community College as Macomb Theatre At-The-Barn in 1969. The unexpected lighting-fast demise of the Barn in July of 1977 brought to a head a great number of issues which merited discussion by the College community. The Barn's closing brought in a substantial number of letters from patrons. The tone of each of these letters without exception was positive, supportive, and hopeful, with everyone wishing the Barn staff success in straightening out the theatre's problems. These patrons made clear their attraction to the Barn, and many also made the point that a new facility for the Barn program would have to provide the same intimacy that the Barn offered.

Those who described their feelings were pleased by the close proximity of actor to audience. Many indicated that others had expressed interest in the program but refused to attend due to the facility's lack of plumbing and ventilation. Historically, the theatre was sold out - indeed in one season more Barn subscription tickets were sold than any subscription-oriented arts institution in the area.