The Emelin Theatre for the Performing Arts is a 267-seat
nonprofit
A nonprofit organization (NPO) or non-profit organisation, also known as a non-business entity, not-for-profit organization, or nonprofit institution, is a legal entity organized and operated for a collective, public or social benefit, in co ...
theater located in
Mamaroneck, NY
Mamaroneck ( ) is a town in Westchester County, New York, United States.
The population was 31,758 at the 2020 United States census over 29,156 at the 2010 census. There are two villages contained within the town: Larchmont and the Village of M ...
. that hosts theatre, family,
bluegrass, dance, classical, jazz, rock, folk, tribute, and comedy events, plus a broad range of independent and contemporary films for the community, and is the oldest continually operated
performing arts
The performing arts are arts such as music, dance, and drama which are performed for an audience. They are different from the visual arts, which are the use of paint, canvas or various materials to create physical or static art objects. Perfo ...
center in
Westchester.
History
The Emelin Theatre was founded in 1972 by a group of Mamaroneck citizens and named after local pharmacist Arthur Emelin, who died in 1978. Its facility originated with a $360,000 gift to the Mamaroneck Free Library by Emelin in memory of his father, Emanuel Joseph Emelin.
The structure of the current theater was built in 1984. In 2013, the Emelin’s lobby underwent a $250,000 renovation to make it more modern and accessible. The
New Rochelle
New Rochelle (; older french: La Nouvelle-Rochelle) is a city in Westchester County, New York, United States, in the southeastern portion of the state. In 2020, the city had a population of 79,726, making it the seventh-largest in the state o ...
-based architecture firm Stoll & Stoll donated their services to the Emelin, which paid no fees for the design of the new facility.
The first theater company to perform in the Emelin was The New England Westchester (NEW) Group theater founded by John Fotia. The first play was "Eh?" by Henry Livings. The second production was also the first musical, "A Funny Thing Happened on the way to the Forum. Both directed by Mr. Fotia.
The Emelin Theatre upgraded film capabilities to a
DCP projection system in 2016.
Events and activities
It hosts music series devoted to rock, folk, classical, jazz, tribute bands, and traditional musical forms from multiple traditions. Its five-time IBMA nominated bluegrass series has existed since 1982. It also features theater, dance, comedy, family films, and a subscription-only film series. Approximately one-third of its programming is family-oriented, and since 1997 its subsidized School Outreach Program has brought children from
Westchester County
Westchester County is located in the U.S. state of New York. It is the seventh most populous county in the State of New York and the most populous north of New York City. According to the 2020 United States Census, the county had a population ...
schools to the Emelin for educational programming.
The Emelin has assisted listening devices available, and accessible seating is located in the first four rows of the theatre.
It currently hosts between 80 and 100 performances per year, with a combined attendance of approximately 30,000.
References
External links
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Mission statement
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Theatres in New York (state)
Mamaroneck, New York
Buildings and structures in Westchester County, New York
Tourist attractions in Westchester County, New York
1972 establishments in New York (state)
Buildings and structures completed in 1972