The Clayton Center Opens The Doors To The Arts

CLAYTON, N.C. – The lights go down, the room gets quiet, and attention turns to the stage. For the next hour or two, hundreds of people share something together without having to leave Clayton.

Cathy Marraccini gets to see those moments from a different view. For nearly 20 years, she has helped welcome audiences to The Clayton Center, including many who are discovering what is inside for the first time.

“I didn’t know that this was here. This was great. I can’t wait to come back,” said Marraccini, recalling what she hears as audiences leave.

Those reactions are part of a much longer story inside The Clayton Center. The historic building once served as Clayton’s high school, and former students still stop by to remember the time they spent there. Some return years later with their children or grandchildren and point out the stage where they once performed.

Today, that same stage welcomes performers from Clayton and beyond. Shows are offered throughout the year while the space continues to serve as a gathering place for local events and performances.

Marraccini first came to The Clayton Center as a reporter covering the Center’s renovation from school to performing arts center and attended its opening night in 2002. She later joined the staff in 2007 and now serves as Marketing and Administrative Coordinator.

Her work touches many parts of a patron’s visit from helping someone find the right seat to working with the artists who take the stage. But after hundreds of performances, the people continue to matter most to her.

“The patrons are where my heart is,” said Marraccini. “I enjoy being able to help them find the best seating location, get to know what kinds of performances they prefer and interact with them when they come out to a show. It might not sound like a big deal, but that all adds to the experience.”

That same care extends to some of The Clayton Center’s youngest visitors. The Clayton Center works with Johnston County Public Schools and local arts partners to bring elementary and middle school students to live performances. Some shows also connect with what students are learning in class with materials available for teachers to use as part of their lessons.

For Marraccini, one of the most meaningful moments happens before the performance even begins.

“It’s so fun to stand at the top of the ramp welcoming students when they come in the door. I love hearing them say they’ve never been to a place like this,” said Marraccini. “For some students, it’s their first time seeing and experiencing live entertainment.”

That first visit can lead to another. Parents sometimes tell staff how much their child enjoyed a school performance. Other students return with their families and recognize a place they first discovered on a class trip.

Marraccini is among the people the Town of Clayton is highlighting during National Arts and Humanities Month in October. The annual observance recognizes the role of arts and culture in communities nationwide. In Clayton, The Clayton Center continues to serve as both a performing arts venue and a community gathering place, while introducing new generations of residents and students to live performances.