MAMPAC Phase III Renovation Project

The Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center is over 35 years old and badly in need of renovation and expansion. Prior fundraising efforts have raised enough funds to totally renovate the Concert Hall during Phase I and Phase II.

Phase III will complete the building with a total renovation to include expanded and enhanced bathrooms, an instrumental rehearsal hall, a black-box theater, scene shop, green room, practice rooms, classrooms, offices, expanded balcony and lobby, and an elevator to the second floor.

The Center is a critical learning facility on the campus of Temple College; however it is also an integral part of the Temple community and surrounding areas. It is home to the Temple Symphony Orchestra, the Temple Jazz Orchestra and venue for the Temple College Jazz Festival held every March. During summer months, the Temple Civic Theater hosts large theatrical events brought to Temple there. Area school districts use the facility for many educational events. Area dance studios hold their recitals in the auditorium. The Mary Alice Marshall Performing Arts Center is truly a community facility.

Mary Alice Marshall

The goal deadline date of December 23, 2008 is a unique one because the building’s namesake, Mary Alice Marshall, is a lively 99 year old marvel who is helping to lead the campaign so that her beloved building can be brought into the 21st century and the critical renovations can be accomplished. She will turn 100 years old on December 23, 2008 and the goal is to have the $5,000,000 raised by that date to celebrate the monumental occasion. She was a former music teacher at the College who actually began most of the programs that now exist. She served as Chair for the Temple College Board of Trustees and currently sits on the Temple College Foundation Board of Directors. She truly is a living, walking miracle who is active in many community organizations. She still plays the piano at church, attends Sunday School, drives her own car, lives alone, and is involved in many civic and musical events. She is passionate about the Center and the arts and recognizes their importance to quality of life issues as do the other leaders in this campaign.

As an anecdote and to emphasize the need for the renovations, during last summer’s Temple Civic Theater presentation of The King and I, Temple College golf carts were used to shuttle the audience to other buildings during intermission for use of the bathrooms. The response to the production was tremendous and guests were most gracious to be “taxied” to and fro, but it is obvious that the renovations listed are desperately needed.

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