Mainstage Ready for Move to Academy Hall

On the first Sunday of each October, Mainstage Center for the Arts (MCA) transforms downtown Blackwood into a destination spot for thousands of visitors with the annual Blackwood Pumpkin Festival. This fall, Mainstage will make that area its permanent home, with a new headquarters at the historic Academy Hall, 27 S. Black Horse Pike. Academy Hall is located between Gloucester Township-Blackwood Rotary Public Library and Chews Florist.

Mainstage will offer classes in acting, voice, musical instruments, photography, songwriting and more in this location. In addition to classrooms and offices, Academy Hall will feature an art gallery. Mainstage plans to put the gallery to good use by hosting local artists’ exhibits.

“Most recently, our classes and offices have been located at Camden County College. However, the college is expanding and needed the space. We explained this dilemma to local businesses and government leaders. As a result, Gloucester Township officials offered us this wonderful opportunity at Academy Hall,” Ed Fiscella, MCA producing artistic director, said of the rental agreement. “It’s truly a great location with high visibility that will enable us to schedule classes and workshops to match our teachers and students schedules. It also gives us the opportunity to add workshops in areas such as fine arts and jewelry making, which we’ll be looking into in the future.”

The historic township-owned building first operated as a school, the Academy and Female Collegiate Institute, in the 1850s. Under Mainstage’s management, it will once again become a center for learning. The township is working on a restoration of the facility, which will enable it to host most of Mainstage’s classes.

“Mainstage adds so much to the fiber of Gloucester Township with its performing arts programs for youth and adults. It’s fitting that they have a presence right in the center of town along the Black Horse Pike,” said Gloucester Township Mayor David Mayer. “They are an integral part of revitalizing downtown Blackwood.”

These revitalization efforts have already begun with the Blackwood Farmers' Market held Saturday mornings in the summer, the Blackwood Pumpkin Festival, Holiday Parade, and new business in the area.

“The goal is that our classes, workshops, exhibits and events draw more people and business into this area of town so that it becomes a thriving district. I believe it has great potential, which I witness each year in the crowds that gather here for the Pumpkin Festival. Everyone at Mainstage is excited about the opportunity for year-round growth,” said Joe Bretschneider, MCA executive director.

Mainstage Center for the Arts will hold an open house for its studio classes on Monday, Sept. 10, 6:30 p.m. at Academy Hall, 27 South Black Horse Pike, Blackwood, NJ.

For more information about Mainstage Center for the Arts, please call 856-227-3091.

Stacy Napolitano is Mainstage Center for the Arts' public relations professional.