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Vashon Lamont Hill, Chief of Marketing and Communications
Email: vhill@plainfield.k12.nj.us
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Plainfield Public Schools Opens New State-of-the-Art Amphitheater at PAAAS
PLAINFIELD, NJ – September 9, 2025 – The Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies (PAAAS) celebrated the grand opening of its new amphitheater, a premier space designed to showcase the talents of its extraordinary students. The event began with the Plainfield Cardinals Band performing an electrifying set, featuring the district’s iconic chant, “Let’s Go Cardinals,” as well as popular up-tempo hits, setting the tone for a day of celebration, creativity, and artistic achievement.
PAAAS voice student Caitlin Mersola became the first student to perform on the new stage, delivering a heartfelt rendition of Stephanie Mills’ Home, setting a powerful example of the artistic excellence the facility will support.
The outdoor amphitheater provides a dedicated space for students to perform, collaborate, and grow, complementing PAAAS’s innovative curriculum, which prepares students for success in 21st-century arts and entertainment industries. Students at PAAAS engage in rigorous training across dance, music, theater, visual arts, TV production, web design, and graphic arts, with numerous performance opportunities that reinforce the school’s status as one of the state’s leading arts-focused high schools.
Mark A. Williams, Ed. D., Deputy Superintendent and Chief of School Management, highlighted the significance of the project: “Today we proudly open the doors of the new amphitheater here at PAAAS—a space built to inspire creativity, collaboration, and excellence. This beautiful facility is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to investing in the infrastructure and learning environment our students and staff deserve. It symbolizes our belief that we create spaces that nurture the arts and education. We strengthen the foundation of our community, and let me be clear, this is only the beginning. We will continue our efforts to enhance opportunities, expand resources, and ensure that Plainfield Public Schools continue to move forward together.”
Principal Gregory Sneed added, “Today represents more than just the unveiling of a space. The stage is a symbol of our commitment to providing students with resources and opportunities to express themselves artistically. It stands as a milestone to make PAAAS a premier performing arts institution—one where students refine their craft, strengthen our community, and enrich the broader Plainfield family. As we celebrate this moment, I’m reminded of Duke Ellington’s words: 'Art is dangerous. It is one of the attractions; when it ceases to be dangerous, you don’t want it.' Here at PAAAS, our students dare to be bold, to create, and to inspire. That is the power of the arts and it is what makes a space so essential.”
Cameron E. Cox, Chief Financial Officer and Board Secretary, noted, “Today represents another step towards truly putting equity into action. With this investment of approximately $1.8 million, the redesign of the inner courtyard space will allow our theater, dance, vocal, and instrumental performing studios to have an outdoor amphitheater that ensures all of our students recognize their limitless potential. Let’s celebrate this moment, and let’s move on to the next one that will continue to support the efforts of our students.”
Plainfield Board of Education President Hanae M. Wyatt added,“This space is more than just a stage. It’s a stage for your dreams, a canvas for your imagination, and a platform where your voices, talents, and the brilliance of all of our students can shine. Spaces like this remind us why we invest in education, why we invest in your future, because every child has something unique to offer. Our job is to give you the room and the encouragement to express that.”
Superintendent Rashon K. Hasan, Ed. S., expressed his pride in the district’s ongoing commitment to the arts:
“Mark my word that if we are given the opportunity, my administration will, in fact, ensure that this facility is transformed into a state-of-the-art space that the students actually deserve. Whether it's music, theater, dance, or spoken word, it is a space where their voices can rise, where their artistry can be seen, and where their potential can shine. The arts have always been at the heart of this community, and they are indeed the lifeblood of the Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies, a nationally ranked high school in the United States of America.”
The new amphitheater represents Plainfield Public Schools’ commitment to creating world-class learning environments, ensuring that students at PAAAS continue to thrive academically and artistically while positioning the district as a premier leader in arts education across New Jersey.
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For more information on the Plainfield Public School District or this story, please contact the Office of Marketing and Communications at information@plainfield.k12.nj.us or by phone at, (908) 731-4442.