Mission

The Irvine Valley College Dance, Music and Theatre Programs’ and the IVC Performing Arts Center’s mission is founded in the belief that the arts are an essential element of education in a vibrant and informed society.  The mission of the IVC Performing Arts Center emerges from the power of the arts to create strong communities and to reach out to what is essential in every human heart. Humankind, throughout history, has created an enormous body of dance, music, and theatre that is still relevant to our lives today. Our goal is to cultivate the imagination and technical skills of artists who will reinvigorate those works and create new works that grip the heart and thrill the mind. With regard for hard work, we strive for excellence and are willing to risk failure. We believe in and value the contributions and accomplishments of the individual and of the team. We welcome the diversity that sustains our community and empowers our voice through art and artistry, as a means to reflect and understand the ideas and spirit foundational to the human condition. We reach out with our work to celebrate our humanity with each other.

Strategic Objectives

1. Support the full spectrum of Performing Arts Classes for our students by providing them the opportunity to learn, rehearse and perform in a first-class performing arts center.
2. Offer Master Classes using visiting and resident artists to educate community members of all ages to equip them with new skills and connect them with artists from other areas.
3. Develop a children’s dance, music and theatre program to educate children by encouraging them to be participants and enthusiastic lovers of the arts.
4. Offer a first-class theater facility for a full spectrum of genres: including theatre for adults and children, concerts, recitals, readings, lectures, meetings, conferences and visual art to promote cultural opportunities and awareness for the college and community.
5. Develop strategic partnerships to expand the services and reach of the IVC Performing Arts Center to ensure its positive impact on the community.

About the Center

The Center will serve programs for three performing arts departments—theatre, music and dance—and provide a venue for visiting artists and feature performances. It will replace the college’s 1,594 square-foot Forum Theatre, which seats only 63. At the physical heart of the building is a 400-seat main theatre with a single-level balcony that wraps around the orchestra pit, creating a close audience experience. The proscenium stage with an orchestra pit capable of rising to stage level will accommodate large performances of all kinds. The Studio Theatre will provide a more intimate setting for plays and small concerts, with seats for 200.

The facility includes an additional small music hall, dressing rooms, costume shop, design scene shop, green room, box office, design lab and music lab. Positioned for maximum visibility from the main intersections of the campus, the Performing Arts Center will be the college’s brightest star.