SOPAC's Doors Are Open: The Venue Reaffirms Its Commitment to Artists and Community

Published by New Jersey Stage
originally published: 09/30/2026

(SOUTH ORANGE, NJ) -- The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) is open, and it remains a home for artists of every discipline. As SOPAC continues its 21st season, the nonprofit venue is reaffirming its mission of bringing the performing and visual arts to South Orange, Maplewood, and beyond.

“Twenty years ago, this community decided it wanted a place where artists and audiences could meet face to face. That hasn't changed. Our doors are open, our lights are on, and we want artists to know there is a home for them here in South Orange.” — Miriam Vales, SOPAC Interim Executive Director

SOPAC believes a thriving culture depends on spaces where artists can create, perform, and connect directly with their community. SOPAC's 439-seat Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall, The Loft, and the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery have hosted world-class musicians, comedians, dancers, family programming, visual artists, students, and local creators since the building opened.

“SOPAC has been at the heart of downtown South Orange since the day it opened. It brings people to our village, supports our local businesses, and gives residents a place to experience the arts close to home. We're proud to call it ours.” — Sheena Collum, Mayor, Village of South Orange

In September 2021, Hurricane Ida flooded the building and closed its doors for months. Staff, board, artists, and neighbors worked together to rebuild, and SOPAC reopened its renovated mainstage in May 2022. Its doors have stayed open ever since.

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“While our national performing arts center may shutter its doors, we invite all artists who were not able to perform their art to contact SOPAC, where our doors are always open.” — Marc Chalom, SOPAC Board Chair

Today, SOPAC's 21st season is well underway, with mainstage performances, Kids + Family shows, gallery exhibitions, school programs, and community events throughout the year. Tickets and the full season lineup are available at SOPACnow.org or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.

The South Orange Performing Arts Center curates a distinctive lineup of exhilarating and expansive performances, bringing exceptional artists and unforgettable experiences to audiences in the greater South Orange/Maplewood region and contributing to the economic and social vibrancy of its highly diverse community.

SOPAC is an accessible cultural destination that presents world-class artists in an intimate and welcoming setting. The Jennifer & Tony Leitner Performance Hall is a 439-seat mainstage theatre with superb acoustics, sight lines, and seating. SOPAC offers a rare connection between artists and audiences—where every seat feels close to the stage and every performance feels personal. Guests experience the excitement of seeing world-class performers in a space that creates the feeling of exclusive access, where artists share their work, stories, and passion in a way that larger venues simply cannot replicate. Artists acknowledge that the atmosphere encourages conversations with audiences. The Loft at SOPAC is a 2,185 square-foot multi-purpose space used for performances, rehearsals, classes, and special events.

The unique architecture of SOPAC’s building, which includes a stunning 3-story glass-enclosed atrium, is also home to the Herb + Milly Iris Gallery, where exhibitions showcase the work of local, regional, and nationally recognized visual artists, providing free access to the visual arts for residents and visitors throughout the year. Beyond the building, SOPAC co-produces local events such as South Orange Summer Nights and serves students and schools through its arts education residencies.

SOPAC is invested in arts education and creating meaningful opportunities for students of all ages to experience, participate in, and connect with the arts. SOPAC serves students and schools in our region through a School Performance Series, performing Arts Residencies, and an annual juried art exhibit entitled INSPIRED MINDS: Young Artist Exhibition. SOPAC also collaborates with the New Jersey State Council on the Arts each year to host the Region 5 Poetry Out Loud competitions. With its artistic partnership with SOPAC, the Seton Hall University Arts Council presents a diverse range of events at SOPAC with seasoned professionals, students, and faculty. Through these collaborations, SOPAC continues to expand access to the arts and create opportunities for learning, connection, and discovery across generations.

SOPAC opened its doors in 2006, born from a shared vision of the South Orange Village Trustees and Seton Hall University to create the artistic destination of the community and the centerpiece of an ambitious redevelopment plan. More than 2 decades later, SOPAC continues to serve as a cultural cornerstone for the region, an economic driver for the community, and a catalyst for artistic opportunity.