History
After the Dryfus Theatre was destroyed by fire in 1914, Lafayette was without a legitimate playhouse until 1920 when the Luna Amusement Company announced plans to construct a new theatre. Designed by Nicol, Scholer and Hoffman and built by A.E. Kemmer, the building is a significant architectural example of the Neo Classical design. It was christened the Mars Theatre after a rural Lafayette woman submitted the name in a contest that won her $25.
Opening night April 19th, 1921, featured comedian Ed Wynn’s traveling show, Carnival. Wynn, who was billed as “The Perfect Fool,” experienced a long career on stage screen and television. He is perhaps best known for his comedic portrayal of Mary Poppins’ uncle who levitated when he laughed.
Although the Mars Theatre was originally built as a vaudeville house, just six years after its opening, the Roaring 20’s revolution of talking movies soon upstaged the touring troupes. The period’s top names were familiar faces on the silver screen.
The Mars continued operating primarily as a movie house until 1977 when Mr. Irving Long, president of the 4th Avenue Amusement Corporation donated the theatre to the city as a memorial to his father, Purdue alumnus, Dennis H. Long. The City changed the name to the Long Center for the Performing Arts to recognize the Long family’s generosity.
Today the facility is owned by the City of Lafayette and managed by Long Center Inc., a non-profit 501(c)(3). The facility underwent a major renovation in 2000 and is slated for several upgrades over the next few years. In 1981 the theatre was included on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Long Center for the Performing Arts is a truly community based venue by offering a wide range of high quality musical, comedy, and theatrical events, but also hosts performances by Purdue Bands & Orchestras, Purdue Musical Organizations, Lafayette Symphony Orchestra, Wabash Valley Youth Symphony, YWCA Y-Dance, Turning Pointe Academy and many others.
Job Openings
The Long Center for the Performing Arts, a non-profit live performance complex in downtown Lafayette, is seeking applicants for the following part-time positions:
Tech Team Associate
Starting at $15.50/hr. and varies based on experience.
Job responsibilities will vary depending on scheduled events in the Long Center and the Lafayette Theater, but will include:
· Operating the lighting and/or sound systems during performances.
· Helping touring shows load in/load out equipment, merch, etc.
· Helping the Technical Director hang/focus lighting equipment per touring shows rider.
· Assisting the Technical Director with maintenance tasks around both the Long Center and Lafayette Theater
Hours will be part time by call.
Requirements:
· Ability to work nights and weekends.
· Ability to work at heights of up to 50 feet
· Ability to climb ladders, if needed
· Ability to Lift up to 50+ pounds
· Ability to work in the dark
· Ability to work in a fast paced, moving environment
Qualifications:
· Must be age 18+
· A valid driver’s license and/or reliable transportation to work (preferred)
· Previous experience in theater, i.e. acting, tech, stage management etc.
· Previous experience operating a fly rail system (preferred)
· Previous experience hanging and focusing stage lighting (preferred)
· Previous experience with theatrical sound consoles (preferred)
· Previous experience running follow spots (preferred)
Application: Submit resume and cover letter via email to Michael Kaufman at techdirector@longpac.org