November 3rd 2003.

The Paw Paw Performing Arts Center, affectionately known as the PAC, officially opened with a week long celebration featuring student performances, regional artists, and the Petoskey Steel Drum Band.

February 13th 2004.

Oliver is performed as the first musical on the PAC stage.

September 2004.

The 3rd Annual Rising Stars Talent Show kicks off the first full season at the PAC.

November 2004.

After more than 17 years, Paw Paw High School produces its first play in the PAC. William Shakespeare's "A Mid Summer Night's Dream". Over 500 people attended the two performances and the long standing tradition of a fall play was born.

February 2005.

Having only produced a musical every other year up to this point, the choir department teams with the PAC and produces the musical "Footloose". This was the first three performance weekend for a production at the PAC. Thanks to the amazing cast and crew, the show was such a great success, that we were able to use the profits to create the Paw Paw High School Performing Arts Department.

May 2005

The special event slot is added to the PAC calendar. "Juvie" is produced and a spring show is now added to the season calendar. The show would continue to be produced and performed for several years as part of the Prom and Grad Rally and would even go on tour to area schools.

July 2007

The performing arts at Paw Paw High School have grown so much since the opening of the PAC, that the band and choir rooms are expanded to allow for more student participation.

November 2007

William Shakespeare's "Much Ado About Nothing" is produced as the fourth fall play on the PAC stage. A tradition is started where one of Shakespeare's plays is produced every 3 years. This ensures that every student in the department gets at least one chance to participate or see one of the masters great works.

July 2010

"Disney's Jungle Book Kids" is produced by the newly formed Grape Expectations Theatre Company. The summer program, though short lived, was an awesome opportunity for our community to get on stage. Grape Expectations would conclude its run with a community production of "Hairspray" summer 2012

October 2010

The High School Music Department presents the first annual "COLLAGE" concert featuring all the talented band and choir students on stage together for one night only each year. This concert will quickly become the most anticipated of the season and is always a fan favorite.

April 2011

The PAC presents a world premier play, in the spring special event slot, written by PAC Director Kristofer Perkins. "Circles" is a hard hitting look a juveniles behind bars and the results of the choices they have made. The show quickly becomes a local favorite and is produced multiple times over the following years. Students today still ask for the show to return to the stage.

March 2012

American Idol finalist, and Kalamazoo resident, Matt Giraud visits out choir department students and gives an amazing performance in the PAC. He is joined by Voices of the Future for several numbers.

May 2013

Theatre of Magic is presented for the first time. Co-produced by then student Trino Schincariol, this evening of magic and comedy becomes a fundraiser for the PAC. Theatre of Magic comes back from time to time, when the magic has the time.

January 2015

The PAC-1-ACT Festival is started giving students a chance to direct on the PAC stage. The yearly festival features three or four student directed one act plays and expands the PAC season.

May 2015

"Disney's Aladdin Jr." is presented as the first Middle School musical at the PAC.

February 2020

The PAC is able to perform "Seussical The Musical" just in time before the COVID-19 pandemic shutters the world.

November 2020

Donning masks, the cast of "Born To Be Wild" won't let the pandemic stand in the way. It was the only show produced on the PAC stage for the 2020-2021 school year, but it will always be remembered.

October 2021

The PAC is BACK! After being shutdown due to the pandemic, the PAC brings back a full season with all the annual events including "Sherlock Holmes in the fall and "Curtains School Edition" in the winter.

May 2022

The cast and crew of the winter musical "Curtains, School Edition" participate in the inaugural Lake Michigan College Wave Awards for theatre excellence. Receiving 14 nominations for the production, Paw Paw comes home with 7 awards, including best musical.

February 2023

As the PAC celebrates 20 years, the Paw Paw High School Performing Arts Department stages a revival of "Footloose", the show that gave birth to the department.

April 2023

The PAC Gala was held to celebrate 20 years of amazing performances on the PAC stage. Students current and former, came together for an amazing performance featuring, music, comedy, magic, and more to celebrate the PAC's 20th anniversary. A special appearance by Paw Paw Alumni and Tony Award Winner Jerry Mitchell and a surprise performance by Matt Giraud added to the evening.

August 2024

The Paw Paw High School Performing Arts Department joins The International Thespian Society. This internationally recognized organization is designed to support and recognize student achievement in the world of performing arts.