The Middleton Performing Arts Center
About The Facility
The Middleton Performing Arts Center Auditorium is an 899 seat theatre run by and for the Middleton Cross Plains Area School district. It has a 50’ x 20’ proscenium opening with an 80’ x 30’ stage, a 50’ fly loft and a 12’ apron that doubles as an orchestra pit when needed. The back corners can also be sectioned off to either create a more intimate space, seating 639, or be used as auxiliary break out rooms.
Originally opened in December of 2002, the PAC was upgraded during the 2020 referendum project that expanded the high school. Improvements include; new seating, carpet and refinished concrete. LED house lighting and additional color changing LED units for the stage, as well as a new lighting console for control. The sound system was completely redesigned and now features D&B Audiotechnik amplifiers and line arrays. The infrastructure for both the lighting and sound control networks were also updated to fully modern routing and control options. The backstage area was modified, as well, to meet the needs of both spaces. The scene shop and paint area were expanded to offer access to and accommodate the Black Box, and the backstage paging and monitoring system were modernized to ensure that we meet the needs for fully produced live events right here in Middleton.
The auditorium is home to many events for the Middleton High School Fine Arts programs – Theatre, Band, Orchestra and Choir, as well as numerous performances from all of the district’s middle and elementary schools.
Many local groups, such as The Friends of the Performing Arts Center, Middleton Players Theatre and the Middleton Community Orchestra also utilize the auditorium as their main performance space. Additionally, the room is also available for rent by members of the Middleton community and beyond.
Facility Specifications
Technically, the space is top-notch. With mostly Electronic Theater Controls lighting equipment, including over 300 dimmers, Three universes of DMX control, an Electronic Theater Controls EOS light board, and hundreds of lighting instruments, including two 1.2 K Lycian Super star Follow spotlights, we feel our PAC compares with not only many universities but with the best theaters in the area. Over the stage there are four electric batons for lighting, two slits over the house, box booms and two follow spot positions. Our sound system is excellent as well. With a 32-channel Yamaha LS9 digital sound board, sixteen wireless channels built in, multiple amplifiers, speaker clusters, CD and cassette decks; we feel we have great flexibility and power.
There is a full stage cyclogram curtain that usually stays about 40 feet back from the lip of the apron, along with a black traveler, full stage black scrim, mid-stage burgundy draw curtain, guillotine main rag with valance, three borders and five sets of legs. All the curtains are made of velvet, which gives every production a rich feeling. With all of this over head there are still always many open pipes for flying scenery whenever needed. The loading bridge at about 42 feet makes the flying easy.
Outside the theater itself, we have a 30×30-scene shop with 18-foot doors leading to on stage. The scene shop itself has all the basic power and hand tools necessary for theater production and the 10×12-garage door makes load in very manageable. There are men’s and women’s dressing rooms behind the stage that have bathrooms and showers, and they are connected by a good-sized green room that we use for make-up, warm up and rehearsal. The PAC also has a large property storage room, a good- sized costume room, a stage furniture room, a choir robe room and a grand piano garage which houses our seven-foot Steinway piano.
The lobby is spectacular. With a large glass atrium, High vaulted ceilings, brick, maple and many display cases, it invites the audience member to enjoy the production before the show even begins. We look forward to hosting your next meeting, concert, recital, production or show.
Friends Of Middleton PAC - Board of Directors
David Fahey
Kathy Holt
Lori Ziemann
Jane Maly
Patty Nordhaus
Christine Cannon
Judy Ketelboeter
Kathy Esser
Contact Us at 608-886-3103, or email us at friendspac@hotmail.com
With heartfelt appreciation, we would like to acknowledge and recognize Roger and Sue Gmur for over two decades of dedicated service in planning and coordinating our Community Concert Series. Their passion, leadership, and commitment have enriched our community in countless ways. We thank them for their remarkable contributions and wish them every happiness in retirement.
Friends Of Middleton PAC Board of Directors.