Lake Michigan College Mendel Center

Jenkins Theatre

The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre is the jewel among performing arts centers in Southwest Michigan. The theatre is recognized for its outstanding acoustic quality, professional-level artist accommodations, and technical specifications able to handle the largest of productions.

Patrons often comment that Jenkins Theatre is their favorite venue for live theater and entertainment because of its welcoming atmosphere, excellent sound quality, good sight lines from every seat in the house, and overall comfort and ease of accessibility.

Among the many notable performers, productions, and public figures who have been at Jenkins Theatre are the Broadway productions of Beauty and the Beast, Blue Man Group, and Cats; Grammy-winners Peter Frampton, Boyz II Men, Jethro Tull, Kathy Mattea, and the late B.B. King; former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and George Bush Sr.; and comedians including Jay Leno, Lewis Black, Carrot Top, and Penn and Teller.

Many road-tested artists including Jim Belushi, Peter Noone of Herman’s Hermits, and band members from Styx have publicly and privately commented on the beauty and sound quality of the Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre during their performances.

Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre Technical Rider

 

Seating

Jenkins Theatre seats a maximum of 1,500 when the orchestra pit seating section is used. When the orchestra pit floor is lowered or at stage level, maximum seating of 1,505 is available for patrons. The main floor holds 1,139 with orchestra pit seating, and 1,085 without. The balcony can seat up to 420 patrons. Handicap accessible seating includes extra wide and slide-in seats, as well as wheelchair seating areas.

Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre Seating Chart

Lobbies

Jenkins Theatre is surrounded by three spacious lobbies. The front lobby is where you will find the Mendel Center box office, and includes space for artist merchandise sales, artist meet and greets events, cash bar and concession services, and event-specific displays. Semi-private spaces off the main lobby, overlooking the North and South Lobbies can be used for small receptions and gatherings. The North and South Lower Lobbies can be used for pre- or post-show gatherings.

Parking

Free, ample parking is available on the south side of the Mendel Center. The well-lit lot includes handicap parking and security patrols during performances. Patrons may use the covered drive in front of the building to drop-off or pick-up passengers. 

Renting Jenkins Theatre

The Lake Michigan College Mendel Center Jenkins Theatre is available to rent for fine arts performances, concerts, pageants, ceremonies, and other stage events.

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The intimate setting of the 229-seat Hanson Theatre has become the go-to venue for performances, ceremonies, and speaking engagements that require a small stage, theatre seating, and professional technical support, but don’t require the seating capacity of Jenkins Theatre.

The versatile thrust stage theater design of the Hanson Theatre lends itself well to stage plays, acoustic music performances, stand-up comedy, and lectures. It shares professional-level backstage facilities with Jenkins Theatre and is run by the same team of technical experts who handle lighting, sound, and set-up for Jenkins Theatre.

The Hanson Theatre is the home of Lake Michigan College’s Visual & Performing Arts program and hosts performances by the College’s music ensembles and solo performers.

Hanson Theatre Tech Rider

Hanson Theatre Seating Layout

 

Renting the Hanson Theatre

The Hanson Theatre is available to rent for fine arts performances, concerts, pageants, ceremonies, and other stage events.

Request a Quote

In-house technical expertise

Our on-site technical staff brings extensive experience in lighting, sound, load-in, set-up, tear-down, and load-out. Their passion for live performance is evident in their professionalism, commitment to safety, and understanding of how what happens backstage is critical to a successful performance. Our team will work closely with you to implement your stage and set-up plan to maximize your performance in our venue. They can also help you design lighting, sound, and stage set-up plans if you have questions about what will work best.

Back stage amenities

The Mendel Center’s backstage area has secure choral and star dressing room areas with showers, a well-appointed Green Room with kitchenette, wi-fi, television, and lounge area, laundry facilities, and ample room for hair, make-up, and wardrobe. Our facility exceeds the requirements of most artists’ riders.

Front of house

Front of house services include ushers, assistance running artist merchandise sales, pre-show cash bar and concessions in the front lobby, and coordination of meet and greet events. We can also help with marketing your event.

Use the Maintage "Request a Quote" button for more information.

Request a Quote