An Impressive Showcase for Music, Dance, Theatre and Art
A flourishing arts and entertainment resource for more than 50 years, Arts at MCC continues a legacy of performances and exhibitions by renowned visiting artists and promising students who receive extraordinary training by acclaimed faculty. Infused with the passion, knowledge and dedication of accomplished arts instructors and mentors, inspirited novices devote countless hours honing talents that are showcased to local, national and global audiences. Preeminent performance facilities and a new Art Gallery maximize award-winning set designs, imaginative choreography, expressive music, remarkable performances and innovative artistry.
Excellence nurtured by acclaimed faculty
Music
MusicA wealth of entertaining ensemble performances annually bring classical, jazz and modern music to the expansive stage of the Performing Arts Center, an exemplary, professional venue highly valued by the East Valley cultural and business communities.
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Dance
DanceMCC Dance features dancers, choreographers and visiting artists in an exciting world of ballet, jazz, ballroom, hip hop and modern movements that electrify audiences with thrilling traditional, global and leading-edge performances.
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Theatre
TheatreThe intimate MCC Theatre is a great place to take in one of the powerful and thought-provoking Theatre mainstage productions.
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Art
ArtArtistic activities and shows by students, faculty and accomplished artists are presented n campus and in the Art Gallery, which opened in 2016.
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Musical Theatre
Musical TheatreMCC’s Musical Theatre productions feature explosive spectacle and joyful energy perfectly suited for the Performing Arts Center mainstage.
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MCC Theatre and Film Arts students and faculty earn national recognition
Mesa Community College faculty and students are awarded the 2022 National Award by the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) for their production of Antigone. Antigone, which was featured in the 2021 Phoenix Film Festival, is MCC’s first feature film.
Local art, music and technology show goes national
The Mesa Community College Planetarium’s “Visionsphere” project, featuring New Age instrumental music by Nouveau Papillon combined with stellar imagery traveled across the country in 2020.
MCC faculty member tapped as costume designer for off-Broadway production celebrating the life of an Arizona Dreamer
Adriana Diaz, design and production faculty and staff for Mesa Community College’s Theatre and Film Arts department, is chosen to design costumes for an off-Broadway production of “Americano: The Musical.” The musical ran April 21 to June 19, 2022 at New World Stages in New York.
Mesa Community College premieres first feature film: Antigone
Mesa Community College premiered its first feature film, Antigone, on April 2, 2021. The film features over 30 artists including MCC students, faculty, and alumni. Antigone is based on the Greek tragedy written by Sophocles.
Maricopa Community Colleges honor MCC emerging artists
Eight Mesa Community College students receive honors in the 2021 Maricopa Community College District’s Artists of Promise competition. AOP aims to highlight student accomplishments in dance, creative writing, visual arts, music, fashion, theatre, and film.
Theatre and Film Arts faculty receives honor for excellence in educational theatre
Mesa Community College’s faculty member and co-director of the Theater and Film Arts department, Kara Thomson, received the Gold Medallion award from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) in 2022. The Gold Medallion is one of the highest honors in theatre education.
The Future Is Indigenous
By Alyssa "Aly" Masaquaptewa
This mural combines many elements of the Arizona landscape, as well as an homage to the diversity among Native people, all coming together under the MCC Thunderbird mascots. The mascots are separated by an image of the traditional I’itoi (pronounced EE-toy), also known as the Man In The Maze, a prominent motif within the culture of the O’odham people of Arizona, which symbolizes ones journey through life, experiences along the way, and an eventual ending.
The artist's talent with the paintbrush was heavily influenced by her family of Hopi artists, none more important to her than her grandfather, the renowned Anthony Honahnie from Tuba City, AZ. Her work is focused on bringing together both traditional and urban Native American lifestyles.
MCC Student Win Big at KCACTF
Music and Theatre & Film Arts students annually receive awards and recognitions at KCACTF Regional Festival
MCC students annually compete for awards and scholarships at the Region VIII Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). The Festival recognizes and celebrates the finest and most diverse work produced by university and college theatre programs. Many students earn recognition, honors and financial assistance to pursue further education. Awards include scholarships, honorable mentions, internships and invitations to perform during the festival.
Adriana Diaz
ATHE for IPTME
Adriana Diaz receives the 2019 Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) award for her innovative work with the MCC Immersive Total patient Management Experience (ITPME), a cost-effective, cross-disciplinary medical simulation creatively combining the strengths and skill sets of multiple occupational programs to create the most comprehensive two-day student learning and workforce experience possible.
MCC’s Canto Vivo Chorale performs in churches in Italy
Approximately 50 students and faculty presented musical selections including works from composer Domenico Gabrielli. The choir also performed American folk songs and spirituals. Participants also toured the Vatican Museum & St. Peter’s Basilica Roman Forum during their trip.
Dr. Craig Peterson, director of Choral Studies said, “The tour was an outstanding opportunity for MCC students to see wonderful historical sites as well as perform at world-class venues.”