The Clayton Center has a way of making a familiar hometown building feel new again.

When the house lights dim and a performance begins, neighbors gather for an experience that can be moving, funny, surprising, or simply memorable.

Behind many of those welcoming moments is Cathy Marraccini, the Center’s marketing and administrative coordinator.

The Town of Clayton recently highlighted her work as part of October’s National Arts and Humanities Month.

A school building with a second act

Long before it became a destination for concerts, comedy and community events, the building was Clayton’s high school.

Former students still visit and remember the classrooms, performances and milestones they experienced there.

That connection between past and present is part of what makes the Center special.

A grandparent who once walked through its doors as a student can return with family to enjoy a show on the same historic site.

The building reopened as a performing arts and civic center on New Year’s Eve 2002.

Its auditorium seats about 600, allowing audiences to enjoy professional performances close to home.

The person behind the welcome

Marraccini first encountered the Center while reporting on its transformation from school to performance venue.

She attended its opening night and joined the staff in 2007.

Today, her responsibilities range from helping patrons choose seats to working with performers and supporting the details that make a visit go smoothly.

She told the Town that the relationships she builds with patrons are what matter most.

Remembering the kinds of shows people enjoy and helping them feel comfortable may seem like small things, but they can turn a night out into a tradition.

Some visitors are surprised to discover that such a performance space exists in Clayton.

Others return season after season, bringing friends and relatives along.

Opening the doors for young audiences

One especially important part of the Center’s work happens during the school day. The Clayton Center partners with Johnston County Public Schools and local arts supporters to bring students to live performances.

These visits can introduce children to theater, storytelling, music, and the excitement of sharing a performance with an audience.

For some students, it is their first time in a venue like this.

The Center’s Student Stage Series also connects performances to classroom learning.

Teachers can use supporting materials to help students explore the ideas and stories they encounter onstage.

According to the Center, more than 2,000 students attended free school performances last school year.

That investment provides experiences that might otherwise be out of reach for some families.

Marraccini particularly enjoys greeting arriving students and hearing their reactions.

A first visit can become a lasting memory—and sometimes leads to a return trip with parents or grandparents.

More than a night at the theater

The Clayton Center also hosts community gatherings and special events, making it a place where residents celebrate, learn, and connect.

During National Arts and Humanities Month, the Town’s story reminds us that a strong local arts scene depends on more than the performers onstage.

It also depends on staff, teachers, volunteers, supporters, and audience members who keep coming back.

Whether you have attended dozens of shows or have never stepped inside, the Center offers a reason to rediscover a piece of Clayton history.

Residents can explore upcoming performances and visitor information through The Clayton Center’s official website.

The town's original feature provides a closer look at Marraccini’s role and the people who make the venue welcoming.