How do you maintain the magic of live performance while ensuring audience safety? This question became increasingly pressing for the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC) in Morristown, New Jersey. With 200+ events and over 200,000 attendees annually, the cultural landmark needed a security solution to protect without intruding on the patron experience.
As a non-profit performing arts organization, MPAC faced unique challenges. Their 1,300-seat venue demanded efficient entry procedures, but traditional security measures opened the potential of creating inconsistencies and biased experiences. They needed a solution that would respect their commitment to preserving the arts experience.
“We’ve been fortunate that we haven’t had any major security breach or anything that could be called that, but that didn’t mean that the next show couldn’t bring something, right? Because the question will then be asked afterward, why didn’t you do more?” notes Ed Kirchdoerffer, MPAC’s Chief Operating Officer,
“When we go into something like this, we want to figure out what’s going to meet our standards as an organization and meet the expectations that people have when coming here.”
The center’s key challenges included:
- Limited entry space unsuitable for large security installations
- Need to maintain an inviting atmosphere
- Varying security requirements for different types of performances
After a two-year evaluation process, MPAC found their solution in Xtract One’s SmartGateway. But how did this historic venue integrate modern security without compromising its welcoming atmosphere? And what unexpected benefits did they discover along the way?
Continue reading to learn how MPAC transformed their security approach while preserving the magic of live performance. Download the full case study to explore their implementation process, results, and insights that could benefit your facility.