​ When you think of the Performing Arts, one doesn’t often think of Chandler-Gilbert Community College (CGCC) – but you should. The CGCC Performing Arts Department offers Music, Dance, Theatre, and Music Business. All this is housed in the innovative and artistic Arnette Scott Ward Performing Arts Center (PAC), which is celebrating its 10th anniversary with special events.

"As early as 1986, the college administration had a strong belief that the mission of Chandler-Gilbert Community College would not be complete without a Performing Arts program of Music, Dance, Theater and all of the different facets that go into developing one of the most outstanding programs in the State of Arizona,” said Arnette Scott Ward, CGCC President Emeritus.

The program you see today was built upon a philosophy of allowing students to study performing arts without feeling that they had to commit to just one area. The goal was to help students develop skills that reached across all facets of performing arts – dance, music and theater. The most unique aspect of CGCC’s program is that the department is comprised of all three areas working in cooperation and relying upon each other – a concept pioneered at CGCC.

Performance, intertwined with education, is truly reflected in the Performing Arts Department as it is constantly producing music concerts, recitals, theater, musical, and dance productions. When time allows, speaker engagements, graduation and outside events are held. The PAC offers a wide variety of performances for discerning patrons utilizing students ranging from 14 to 70.

This fall, the Performing Arts department will produce Romeo and Juliet, A Christmas Carol musical and two dance concerts. Also, there will be several music concerts, which combine all vocal and instrumental groups as well as a choral festival and technical theater workshops.

The Performing Arts department, run by professors Sally Jesse (Dance), Gordon Jesse, (Theater), Ted Goddard (Music Business), Marcus Denton (Vocal Music), and Randy Wright, (Instrumental Music) is committed to excellence. Incoming students will learn from faculty members with master's degrees and more than 25 years of experience respectively as they earn an associates degree, certificate, university transfer or take a path toward concert production, the record industry or similar careers through the Music Business program. Prospective students are encouraged to visit the Performing Arts website at www.cgc.edu/arts or contact faculty with questions. Patrons are urged to call the box office at 480-732-7343 for performance information.