Prescott Center for the Arts

About

Prescott Center for the Arts provides opportunities for members of Prescott area to express their creativity and participate in the arts, attend quality cultural events, and gather together to build community.

Story

Our Venues: Today, PCA provides an extensive array of opportunities for local talent young and old to exhibit their skills on stage and in the gallery.

MAINSTAGE THEATRE
The Mainstage season traditionally runs from September to June and presents 6 to 7 community theatre productions, including a Christmas show and variety of musical and dramatic offerings.

STAGE TOO THEATRE
As opposed to Mainstage, this “Black Box” style theatre, with only 50 air conditioned seats, is the home of more intimate theatre and other special performances. The theatre is located down the alley behind PCA.

ART GALLERY
Prescott is an up and coming art destination in Northern Arizona, and the PCA Gallery with its juried rotating exhibits is a great place to start your art tour of the area. See you there!

Our Other Programs:

FAMILY THEATRE
The Family Theatre season consists of 2 to 3 productions targeted toward young people and their families. The shows usually run for up to 6 school performances and 6 to 8 public performances.

READER'S THEATRE
This style of production provides performances in various venues in the area as readings of scripts rather than full productions. Several plays are performed each year.

SUMMER REPERTORY AND YOUTH THEATRE
PCA Repertory Theatre offers several plays during the summer. In addition, there is a summer youth program for young actors to prepare and perform a play or musical on stage. This includes the opportunity for learning all aspects of theatre performance, on stage and backstage.

Our History and Facts:

The Sacred Heart Church, which now houses the PCA Mainstage Theatre & Art Gallery complex started construction in 1891. However, the area at the corner of Willis and Marina has been the scene of Catholic Church activities since about the 1880’s. But in 1889, Father Quetu came to Prescott to take over the Sacred Heart Parish. He set out to build the Sacred Heart Church. Construction began in 1891 and was completed in 1894. The first service was held in 1895.
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The building, which now houses the theatre and office structures are listed on the National Registry of Historic Buildings on December 14, 1970. The stained glass interior circles above the audience area are part of the original church architecture as are the metal walls and ceiling. The alter was situated in what is now the center of the stage, and the confessional was located in the area of the current ladies restroom.

During the late 1960’s, the church was also used to present plays by a new group of performers. Then, in 1968, Prescott Fine Arts Association was formally chartered as a non-profit organization. In 1967, the church was purchased by Norma Hazeltine, who then donated it to PFAA as a full time performing arts facility. ​

In 2011, PFAA officially changed its name to Prescott Center for the Arts (PCA).

PCA has also presented world premieres of four musical productions, one melodrama and numerous children’s and family theatre plays. It also began holding art exhibits and plays for the youth of the area.
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The staff consists of an Executive Director, Finance Director, Technical Director, two part-time administrative employees, and several other part-time ticket sales personnel. Everyone else involved in the year-round operation is a VOLUNTEER!

Please note: PCA’s Facebook page is intended to promote and disseminate information about PCA activities and correspondence among interested participants. It will be monitored to identify and delete any expressions which, directly or through links to other sites, are intended to demean or malign any individuals or activities related to PCA or/or its activities. For a full statement of PCA’s Code of Conduct, please see PCA’s Social Media Statement located in the Finance Director's office at PCA.

Mission

The mission of the Prescott Center for the Arts is to create opportunities for the ​greater community to engage in and experience all facets of the arts.