The East Brunswick Performing Arts Center is getting a name change. On Nov. 12 EBPAC, which is located at Hammarskjold Middle School, will be renamed the Jo Ann Magistro Performing Arts Center (JMPAC) in honor of the former East Brunswick Public Schools superintendent, Dr. Jo Ann Magistro.
The construction of the center, according to Danielle Ruggiero, director of human resources, was part of Magistro’s vision to not only provide a space for students to learn, but also a community gathering place.
“Her vision was that it would be an instructional space and a place where the community could come together and enjoy performances,” she said.
Magistro came to the district in 1971 as a guidance counselor. Throughout her 42- year career in the district she served in many positions including guidance department chairwoman, assistant principal at East Brunswick High School and assistant superintendent.
In 2003 Magistro became the district’s first female superintendent. She retired in 2013.
According to staff in the district, Magistro played a key role in the creation of the center during the construction of the middle school.
“She was very dedicated, getting a performing arts center when the new middle school was being built,” said Beth Warren, director of principal support and community relations.
Among her accomplishments, according to Ruggiero, is instituting a full-day kindergarten.
The dedication is taking place this month in order to give students the opportunity to join in the festivities.
“Dr. Magistro was all about the kids, and we wanted them to be a part of this,” said Ruggiero. Student performances will highlight the event. The center, at 200 Rues Lane, was built in 2008 and has around 1,000 seats. The state-of the-art theater features a full array of standard and robotic lighting, a sound system, an electronic fly system, and a large stage area with attached dressing rooms and storage facilities. The theater can also be closed down to a more intimate 600-seat setting. The facility provides a first-class performance venue for students, as well as for professional artists and entertainers
“The idea was to make it a community venue and to make it sizable enough to being in a large orchestra,” said Warren. According to Warren, the center brings in an average of $450,000 a year in revenues for the district.
The dedication ceremony will take place at 7:30 p.m. at the middle school.
Magistro is slated to speak at the event along with current Superintendent of Schools Dr. Victor Valeski, Board of Education President Dr. Brad Cohen and former arts supervisor Jeffrey Lesser.
Contact Michael Nunes at [email protected].