About Us

Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts
Mission Statement & Values

The Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts builds opportunities for discovery, learning, and engagement in creative processes, driven by the contemporary, interdisciplinary interpretation of the arts for the purpose of enhancing the human experience and transforming lives.

Values

• Champion creative inquiry and experimentation among artists and audiences alike, connecting them through provocative, diverse, and inspiring productions, programs, and experiences
• Organize powerful encounters between visiting artists and diverse elements of the Ramapo community, the greater Mahwah community, statewide, and regional audiences
• Support the research, public productions, and in-studio teaching needs of the programs in the Ramapo College School of Contemporary Arts
• Support the development of new work by diverse artists at all stages of their careers
• Lead interdisciplinary collaborations and other initiatives that integrate artists into creative curricular and co-curricular initiatives

Adopted by RCNJ Cabinet – October 2020

History

The Angelica and Russ Berrie Center for Performing and Visual Arts opened in 1999. The Center houses The Sharp Theater, a 338-seat proscenium theater; The Myron and Elaine Adler Theater, a black box theater and The Kresge and Pascal Art Galleries. The Berrie Center has developed a rich series of public programming including dance, theater, concerts, and contemporary art exhibitions. In addition, the Berrie Center is home to the Ramapo College School of Contemporary Arts with specialized facilities for photography, dance, music and theater production.

The Berrie Center houses:

• The Sharp Theater, a 338-seat proscenium theater engineered without obstructions to visibility or sound
• The Myron and Elaine Adler Theater, a blackbox theater which can seat up to 100
• The Kresge and Pascal Art Galleries, open Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, 1 to 5 pm, Wednesday, 1 to 7 p.m. mounting exhibitions of museum, international, student, faculty, and community artwork
• Classrooms, Labs, & Offices

The Center is located on the college campus a mile from Route 17 and features acres of well-lit free parking.

Staffing

Berrie Center for the Arts Advisory Board

The Berrie Center for the Arts Advisory Board exists to aid the Director in realizing the mission of the
Center by helping to establish priorities, develop and participate in fundraising initiatives, create goals
and execute long-range plans, and evaluate the performance of the Center by engaging in discussions to
establish the ongoing philosophy and strategically plan for the future of the Center so that it is well
positioned for long-term growth and development.

Louise Albert, term expires 2023
Keith Dawkins, term expires 2024
Claudia Esker, term expires 2023
Alfred Fredel, term expires 2024
Ann LePore, term expires 2024
Michelle Myers, term expires 2024
Ken Pokrowski, term expires 2023
Stan Richmond, term expires 2024
Danielle Robertson, term expires 2023
Lisa Campbell, ex officio

Berrie Center Rental Information

Please contact Ramapo College Events and Conference for Berrie Center availability:

Events and Conferences
Phone: (201) 684-7082
Events and Conferences Website

Stage Specifications and Details