MEMPHIS, TENN., April 26, 2018 – Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC), recently announced the naming of its black box theater as the Watkins Studio Theater in honor of longtime supporters and Germantown residents Jeanette and William H. Watkins, Jr. The entrance to the theater will receive a capital investment and environmental refresh along with the name change.

“We are humbled and honored to recognize two longtime supporters of GPAC by naming the primary arts education space the Watkins Studio Theater, dedicated to Jeanette and Bill Watkins,” said Paul Chandler, Executive Director Germantown Performing Arts Center. “Jeanette and Bill have made this community a better place. This dedication is our way of honoring and thanking them for their commitment and unending support of the arts and arts education.”

William H. Watkins Jr. has served on the GPAC board, and together the couple with their family has supported GPAC and arts education in the community for more than 20 years. The Watkins Studio Theater will be the home of the popular Jazz in the Box series and GPAC’s education programs, including the celebrated music education program, Peanut Butter and Jam, after school ballet classes, the GPAC Youth Symphony Program, summer arts camps, master classes, ArtSavvy, and pre-concert conversations with both IRIS Orchestra and Memphis Symphony Orchestra.

Located in the northwest corner of the GPAC facility, the Watkins Studio Theater’s lobby and entrance area will receive significant enhancements, with capital upgrades scheduled this summer, including modernized wall finishes, seating, restrooms, and signage. The area will be more accessible, comfortable, and user-friendly for patrons, parents, and others using the theater.

2018 / 2019 Jazz in the Box Schedule in the Watkins Studio Theater

September 21, 2018 Johnny O’Neal Trio

October 19, 2018  Sinne Eeg

November 16, 2018  Johnny Hughes Trio

January 18, 2019  Debbie Duncan

February 22, 2019  Kevin Bales

March 22, 2019  Anthony Wilson

PHOTOS:

https://www.dropbox.com/s/3ouonufkcvar6ug/BillJeanetteWatkins_2018.jpg?dl=0

Bill and Jeanette Watkins attending the GPAC Gala on April 7, 2018.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/pgut1ee481sp5z8/Black%20Box%20theater.jpg?dl=0

Peanut Butter and Jam Sessions inside the Watkins Studio Theater

Download all renderings here:

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/4jmthg2o87akonb/AAAH7YRHP50zcMlzeQLZeSqOa?dl=0

Architectural Renderings of the Watkins Studio Theater Entrance:

Germantown Performing Arts Center can be found online at:

https://www.gpacweb.com/

https://www.facebook.com/gpacweb/

https://twitter.com/gpac

https://www.instagram.com/gpacluv/

About Germantown Performing Arts Center (GPAC):

The Germantown Performing Arts Center is a 501(c)3 organization providing art performances and art education in the heart of Shelby County, Tennessee serving the Greater Metro Memphis Area of over a million people.  The Mission of the Germantown Performing Arts Center is to serve the community by presenting the highest quality artistic endeavors to educate, engage, enrich and transform.

The GPAC theater is an acoustically perfect, 864 seat venue featuring a sprung pine stage, an intimate black box theater, an elegant patron lounge, eight spacious dressing rooms and a large lobby for entertaining and assembling. Ray Charles set the bar high when he opened GPAC in 1994, immediately defining the space as a place where excellence is the norm and where the world can come to perform.  Season after season, GPAC has applauded an array of artists with extraordinary talents and showcased the broadest range of performances and art forms. GPAC presents world-renowned performing artists in a variety of genres, year-round educational activities for all ages including the GPAC Youth Symphony Orchestra, rotating visual art exhibits and many community events welcoming over 100,000 visitors annually. The organization benefits from the infrastructure of a professional organization that possesses a clear direction, strong financial health, seasoned professional staff and a dedicated board of directors. For more information visit: https://www.gpacweb.com

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