Photo by Katharine Boyle Photography

(MORRISTOWN, NJ) -- Celebrate the season where every light sings, every voice shines, and every crown glows at Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC)’s Theatre of Light: Celestial Winter, a dazzling celebration where music, movement, and magic come together under the stars.

The sixth-annual Theatre of Light, a free MPAC Arts in the Community event, takes place Sunday, November 23, 2025 at the Vail Mansion Plaza, adjacent to MPAC, from 5:00pm – 7:00pm. MPAC Arts in the Community events are sponsored by ADP.

Morristown will transform into a radiant winter wonderland featuring glowing Okamoto Studios ice sculptures, ethereal LED-winged dancers, life size puppets and the soul-stirring voices of the MPAC Performing Arts Company. Make a wish at the luminous Wish Upon a Star Tree, feel the beat with our high-energy of DJ Lingo, and be mesmerized by the fiery spectacle of our fire dancer.

Let your creativity shine at our Crown-Making Station, where you can decorate your own crown strung with delicate white lights. Then, step into royalty as you sit upon the breathtaking Fire & Ice Throne—a stunning photo opportunity that lets every participant feel like winter royalty.

At the heart of it all stands Ellie the Elephant, reimagined as a majestic Winter Ice Queen, guiding us through a night of unity and enchantment. The powerful presence of the Unity Steppers from the Morristown Neighborhood House adds rhythm and heart to this unforgettable evening.

“Theatre of Light brings our community together to inspire, engage and connect people from all backgrounds through the joy of the arts,” said Allison Larena, President & CEO, MPAC.

This year’s event will include participation and/or performances from the following community artists:

* Live Ice carving by Okamoto Studio

* Fire Dancer - Kate Falduto

* MPAC Performing Arts Company

* Unity Steppers – Morristown Neighborhood House

* LED Winged Dancers with LED juggler via Fluxion Entertainment

* DJ Lingo

Photo by Katharine Boyle Photography

In preparation for Theatre of Light 2025, free crown and wand making workshops will be held on Sunday, November 9 at 1:00pm at the Morris Museum, located at 6 Normandy Heights Road in Morristown, and at the Morristown Library, across from MPAC, on Friday, November 14 at 3:30pm. Free parking is available at the Museum.

“Theatre of Light is truly a celebration of community,” added Kadie Dempsey, MPAC’s Community Engagement Director and Principle, Core Creative Placemaking. “We believe that by engaging community in the process, the event takes on a deeper and more meaningful experience.”

The event will be held rain, or shine. Rain site will be St. Peter’s Church and Parish Hall.

MPAC’s Theatre of Light is being coordinated by CORE Creative Placemaking.  CORE’s principles, Morristown residents Kadie Dempsey and Dan Fenelon, create experiences that Inspire, engage and connect.

Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, presents a wide range of programs that entertain, enrich, and educate the diverse population of the region and enhance the economic vitality of Northern New Jersey. MPAC was named 2016 Outstanding Historic Theatre by the League of Historic American Theatres and is ranked in the top 50 mid-sized performing arts centers by Pollstar Magazine.

The 2025-2026 season is made possible, in part, by a grant the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State, a Partner Agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, as well as support received from the F.M. Kirby Foundation, The Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation and numerous corporations, foundations and individuals.