The PAC’s PepsiCo Theatre Unveiled After Million Dollar Renovation

Last Saturday, March 31, The Performing Arts Center (PAC) held a ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the renovation of their PepsiCo Theatre and to honor PepsiCo for their generosity and legacy of leadership.

Seth Soloway, interim director, PAC; Barry Pearson, Purchase College provost and vice president for academic affairs; PepsiCo’s global chief diversity and engagement officer and senior vice president of talent management Umran Beba; and Lucille Werlinich, president, Purchase College Foundation Board, together cut the ceremonial ribbon

Lucille Werlinich, president, Purchase College Foundation Board; Seth Soloway, interim director, PAC; Umran Beba, global chief diversity and engagement officer and senior vice president of talent management, PepsiCo; Barry Pearson, provost and vice president for academic affairs, Purchase College cut the ceremonial ribbon

Legacy of Giving

Following a $500K capital campaign, the PAC’s second largest stage became known as the PepsiCo Theatre in 1991. Another major grant of $730K from PepsiCo in 2016, combined with additional donations, allowed for the complete renovation of the PepsiCo Theatre—from the seats and the carpeting to the sound, projection, and lighting system to critical backstage infrastructure.

Special thanks also belong to Purchase College Foundation Board President Lucille Werlinich, who matched every private dollar raised up to $75K. 

Student dancers on either side of Lucille Werlinich, Purchase College Foundation Board President and James Sandling, Chair of The Performing Arts Center Board of Trustees (left and right center)

State of the Art

Replacing the antiquated analog systems was a crucial step toward becoming a technologically robust facility capable of attracting cutting edge works by acclaimed global artists. The PAC envisions the space as a destination for developing productions and a place where new work is created—a huge benefit for the campus and the greater community alike.

The ceremony preceded the RUBBERBANDance Group’s performance, attended by 200 young people and their families from the Westchester Children’s Association.

The Performing Arts Center is an integral part of the Purchase College learning environment. See a photo gallery of RUBBERBANDance Group and its founder Victor Quijada as they spend the week leading up to the performance working with students in the Conservatory of Dance.