The żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ Research and Service Foundation received an $18,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for the Performing Arts Center (PAC) in honor of “Celebrating the Nation’s 250th Birthday with Music from U.S. Military Bands.”

Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is an independent federal agency and the largest funder of arts and art education across the country. In honor of the long legacy of military bands over 25 decades, the agency recognized Georgia Southern’s Performing Arts Center for consistently including and promoting military bands, which have a longstanding history of participating in some of the nation’s most historic events. To expand the concert’s reach to even more community members, the NEA grant helped purchase advanced streaming technology.

PAC Director Daniel Brown recognized the community’s interest in military band shows and sought to carry the tradition into 2026. 

“To apply for this specific grant was a privilege,” Brown said. “For me, this grant was all about providing program accessibility, celebrating our country and uplifting our community. Many of our patrons are senior citizens who, for various reasons, have expressed the inability to participate in our evening programming here at the PAC.”

In fall 2024, the PAC hosted the United States Air Force’s Band of the West, which performed for a full house, selling out the auditorium. Additionally, the U.S. Army Field Band and Soldier’s Chorus were scheduled to perform in fall 2025 to a sold-out audience as well, but the show was unable to proceed due to a government shutdown.

In October 2026, the U.S. “President’s Own” Marine Corps Band joined community members at the PAC as part of its National Concert Tour, entertaining a sold-out audience with traditional band arrangements, Sousa marches, contemporary works, vocal and instrumental solos and a salute to the Armed Forces. 

For Brown, this is another way in which the University can honor the service members living throughout the communities served by Georgia Southern.

“Among our area seniors, a significant number of them are veterans as well,” Brown explained. “We wanted them to have the opportunity to view these live performances that celebrate our military and our country to not only remind these vital members of our community that we value their presence, but to also thank them for their contributions and services.”

Brown stated that the NEA funding will allow the PAC to continue reaching wider audiences when military bands join us through the University’s annual programming. 

“As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts is proud to support projects that celebrate the enduring legacy of U.S. military bands,” NEA Chairman Mary Anne Carter said. “These awards recognize the vital role military bands have played throughout American history – from the nation’s earliest days to the present – as powerful symbols of national identity, bringing music to public life and honoring service through a wide range of musical styles and traditions.”

Drive-in movies have developed into a popular form of entertainment for communities around the country during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ Performing Arts Center (PAC) will bring the socially-distanced viewings to the Statesboro Campus starting March 6 with “Dreamgirls.”

“The Performing Arts Center’s primary mission is cultural outreach to the community, and in a normal year, we are lucky to be able to host dozens of events each semester,” said PAC Director Stacie McDaniel. “We’ve been toying with the idea of presenting a series of films for a while, and this situation has just given us a reason to find a way to make it viable and unique.”

The movie series will be broken up into four themed nights, including musical night with “Dreamgirls,” date night with “The Notebook,” family night with “Frozen” and classic night with “Ghostbusters.” Each film will have two screenings.

“We wanted to find a good mix of movies that would offer a little something for everyone in the community, including people of all different ages and backgrounds, plus those with small children, couples looking for a date night out of the house, and pods of friends or roommates,” McDaniel said.

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ and Statesboro’s Staying in Stitches Quilt Guild are partnering to host “We Quilt This City: A Statesboro Quilt Show” October 31 through November 8. The exhibit will be free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The walk-through quilt exhibit will feature a display of pieces created by members of the Statesboro community, featuring dozens of beautiful, unique and handmade quilts, thoughtfully arranged using the architectural and structural features of the PAC theater and lobby.

“We are excited to safely welcome the public back to our theater with this quilt show, both as an avenue for cultural enrichment, as the quilting tradition is an important aspect of southern culture, but also as a way to explore the diversity and uniqueness of this craft,” PAC Director Stacie McDaniel said. “Throughout history, quilting has brought communities together, and I hope that we can bring you a little piece of that tradition.”

For the health and safety of all patrons and staff, appropriate face coverings will be required inside the PAC and throughout the exhibit. All attendees must respect social distancing guidelines, and capacity will be limited to 50 attendees at a time. Hand sanitizer will be provided, and officials will adhere to state and institutional guidelines regarding cleaning and sanitization procedures.

For more information, email pac@georgiasouthern.edu or follow the PAC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ and Statesboro’s Staying in Stitches Quilt Guild are partnering to host “We Quilt This City: A Statesboro Quilt Show” October 31 through November 8. The exhibit will be free and open to the public from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.

The walk-through quilt exhibit will feature a display of pieces created by members of the Statesboro community, featuring dozens of beautiful, unique and handmade quilts, thoughtfully arranged using the architectural and structural features of the PAC theater and lobby.

“We are excited to safely welcome the public back to our theater with this quilt show, both as an avenue for cultural enrichment, as the quilting tradition is an important aspect of southern culture, but also as a way to explore the diversity and uniqueness of this craft,” PAC Director Stacie McDaniel said. “Throughout history, quilting has brought communities together, and I hope that we can bring you a little piece of that tradition.”

For the health and safety of all patrons and staff, appropriate face coverings will be required inside the PAC and throughout the exhibit. All attendees must respect social distancing guidelines, and capacity will be limited to 50 attendees at a time. Hand sanitizer will be provided, and officials will adhere to state and institutional guidelines regarding cleaning and sanitization procedures.

For more information, email pac@georgiasouthern.edu or follow the PAC on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Chicago’s storied theater comedy troupe, “The Second City: Improv All-Stars,” will stage an irresistible hour of unscripted comedy performed by the industry’s up-and-coming talent at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Georgia Southern, as part of the center’s 2019-2020 Main Stage Series, on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. 

These masters of improvisational form will astound with their skill and wit – all without the aid of scripts or sets. Fresh, fast and always spectacularly funny, The Second City is celebrating more than 55 years of producing cutting-edge satirical revues and has launched the careers of legends like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more.

The group is also planning to lead two improv masterclasses during their time on campus. Information regarding these workshops will be posted on the . 

PAC Director Stacie McDaniel says the staff is excited about the show after several years of work to get the group to the venue.

“If you’re looking to start the new decade off with a laugh, this is absolutely the right show for you,” said McDaniel.

Tickets are available and cost $15 for adults and $8 for youth, ages 17 years old and under, and are on sale now at the PAC Box Office. Discounts are available for Georgia Southern students and faculty and staff. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Visit the Box Office in person Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or purchase tickets over the phone at 912-478-7999 or online at .

żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 26,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

Chicago’s storied theater comedy troupe, “The Second City: Improv All-Stars,” will stage an irresistible hour of unscripted comedy performed by the industry’s up-and-coming talent at the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at Georgia Southern, as part of the center’s 2019-2020 Main Stage Series, on Thursday, Jan. 30, at 7:30 p.m. 

These masters of improvisational form will astound with their skill and wit – all without the aid of scripts or sets. Fresh, fast and always spectacularly funny, The Second City is celebrating more than 55 years of producing cutting-edge satirical revues and has launched the careers of legends like Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, Steve Carell, Gilda Radner, Bill Murray and more.

The group is also planning to lead two improv masterclasses during their time on campus. Information regarding these workshops will be posted on the . 

PAC Director Stacie McDaniel says the staff is excited about the show after several years of work to get the group to the venue.

“If you’re looking to start the new decade off with a laugh, this is absolutely the right show for you,” said McDaniel.

Tickets are available and cost $15 for adults and $8 for youth, ages 17 years old and under, and are on sale now at the PAC Box Office. Discounts are available for Georgia Southern students and faculty and staff. Group rates for groups of 10 or more are also available. Visit the Box Office in person Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., or purchase tickets over the phone at 912-478-7999 or online at .

żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/R2 institution founded in 1906, offers 141 degree programs serving more than 26,000 students through nine colleges on three campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, Hinesville and online instruction. A leader in higher education in southeast Georgia, the University provides a diverse student population with expert faculty, world-class scholarship and hands-on learning opportunities. Georgia Southern creates lifelong learners who serve as responsible scholars, leaders and stewards in their communities. Visit GeorgiaSouthern.edu.

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ is proud to welcome the genre-defying Art of Time Ensemble in their first U.S. tour with a performance of songs from the Beatles’ legendary album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” on Friday, Nov. 13, at 7:30 pm.  The Art of Time Ensemble features lauded performers Steven Page (Barenaked Ladies), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Andy Maize (Skydiggers), and Craig Northey (the Odds). For the ensemble’s “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” tour, the singers from the pop and rock world lead a reimagining of the Beatles’ groundbreaking album. Backed by 17 world-class Art of Time Ensemble musicians, the singers collaborate for an incredible night of music with a couple of surprises to add to an already memorable performance. One part tone poem, one part rock opera, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” has flavored nearly half a century of popular music and yet remains as fresh-sounding as it did upon its initial release. “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds,” “When I’m Sixty-Four” and “With a Little Help from My Friends” are but a few of the hits that have become a permanent part of pop culture, earning the album its designation by Rolling Stone magazine as “the most important rock and roll album ever made.” To make this event even more special, the PAC invites the audience to a pre-show 1960s-themed costume party and contest. Prizes will be given for best individual costume, best group costume, and best youth costume. Doors open at 6:30 p.m., and admission to the party and contest participation is free for ticket holders. Join the PAC in celebrating the culture of the 1960s with music, candy and a “selfie” station to create lasting memories! For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit the PAC website at , call the PAC box office at 912-478-7999, or visit in person at 847 Plant Drive. żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit .

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ is celebrating the University’s Homecoming week with Georgia native, Georgia Southern alumnus and songwriting master Tony Arata. Arata will perform with his crew of talented friends: Pat Alger, J. Fred Knobloch, Grammy winner Mark D. Sanders, and harmonica extraordinaire Kirk “Jelly Roll” Johnson. During the PAC’s presentation of “Coming Home: An Evening with Tony Arata and Friends,” on Friday, Oct. 16, at 7:30 p.m., the acclaimed musician and his comrades will share an intimate “in-the-round” performance filled with the stories and inspirations behind the songs audience members know and love. Each member of the group is a fixture at Nashville’s world-famous Bluebird CafĂ© and will perform songs like Grammy-nominated and CMA Song of the Year “The Dance,” “The Thunder Rolls,” “Unanswered Prayers,” “I Hope You Dance,” “Out of the Blue Clear Sky,” “If My Heart Had Wings,” and 2015 Grammy Award-winning country song “I’m Not Gonna Miss You.” The creative genius behind Garth Brooks’ mega-hit song “The Dance,” Tony Arata is a renowned Nashville songwriter and has written hits for numerous artists, including Trisha Yearwood, Reba McEntire, Bonnie Raitt, Emmylou Harris and Lee Roy Parnell. Arata has previously played to sold-out crowds at the Averitt Center for the Arts and the Tybee Post Theater. Tickets are available through the PAC Box Office by phone at 478-7999 or in person at 847 Plant Drive, Monday through Friday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets may also be purchased online at by clicking the eTix logo. Detailed show information and ticket prices, as well as pictures and video clips, can be found at . żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelors, masters and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit

The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ is excited to present the Reduced Shakespeare Company’s performance of “The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)” on Saturday, Sept. 26, at 7:30 pm. The Reduced Shakespeare Company is a three-man comedy troupe that leads the audience through 105 minutes of fast, funny, and physical sketches exploring what makes us laugh, including wordplay, music, improv and everyone’s new favorite comedy bit, the top ten list. Called “the Bad Boys of Abridgment,” they have performed the world over, including off-Broadway and at the White House, the Kennedy Center and London’s West End. Their performance of “The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)” has been called “a non-stop laugh fest” by critics. While covering comedy through the ages from the Greek master of laughs – Aristophanes, to Shakespeare, the era of vaudeville, Charlie Chaplin, and “The Daily Show,” the play answers important fundamental questions such as “why, in fact, did the chicken cross the road?” Tickets may be purchased through the PAC Box Office by phone (478-7999) or in person (847 Plant Drive), Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tickets also are available for purchase online at by clicking the eTix logo. Detailed show information and ticket prices, as well as pictures and video clips can be found on the PAC website at . żěèapp¶ĚĘÓ, a public Carnegie Doctoral/Research University founded in 1906, offers more than 125 degree programs serving more than 20,500 students. Through eight colleges, the University offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree programs built on more than a century of academic achievement. Georgia Southern is recognized for its student-centered and hands-on approach to education. Visit .