This weekend, the Orpheum Theatre Group’s Halloran Centre for Performing Arts & Education celebrates 10 years with three days of events.
“Most people, when they think about the Orpheum, they know we do Broadway, they know we do concerts. And then I’m the person who’s always saying, ‘Did you know that we have all these year-round education and community programs?’” says Jennifer McGrath, vice president of education, community engagement, and Halloran Centre programming. “Did you know that we’re serving community members, ages 9 to 95?”
After all, it was the Orpheum’s ever-growing and expanding education and community programs the led to the creation of the Halloran Centre 10 years ago, and now with the need for additional space met, the Orpheum serves over 35,000 students, teachers, families, and community members a year through its programming, in addition to offering a calendar of entertainment.
Looking to this weekend, Saturday kicks off with a cabaret-style musical revue, Bluff City to Broadway and Beyond: Celebrating 10 Years at the Halloran Centre. “We are bringing back four alumni from our programs: Ethan Hardy Benson, Raneem Imam, Melissa VanPelt, and Riley Thad Young,” McGrath says. “These are all people that have been a part of our education and community engagement programs and have gone on to have incredible careers in the arts.”
Then on Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m., Memphis can get a taste of the programming the Halloran offers with workshops and performances, plus food trucks, games, and community partner tables at the free 10th Anniversary Community Day. The day will also have a sensory-friendly space and free parking provided by the Downtown Mobility Center at 60 Beale Street. (Use promo code HC10TH at checkout through the Premium Parking app or website for the Downtown Mobility Center.)
“Monday the 15th is our Giving Day,” McGrath says. “We want to invite the community to continue to support this work. No offer of support is too big or too small; we really want to also ensure that the giving is accessible.”
“We have done a lot of work, and there’s also still a long way to go. And you know, I think this is a very exciting time for the arts and culture sector in Memphis.”
More information, including a full schedule of the community day’s events, can be found at orpheum-memphis.com/HC10.
Bluff City to Broadway and Beyond: Celebrating 10 Years at the Halloran Centre, Halloran Centre, 225 South Main, Saturday, September 13, 7:30 p.m., $69.65/general admission, $85.50/VIP.
10th Anniversary Community Day, Halloran Centre, Sunday, September 14, 1-5 p.m., free.
Giving Day, orpheum-memphis.com/HC10, Monday, September 15.