A string quartet played “Canon in D” as guests stepped from a glowing sunset through the doors of Heritage Academy’s new performing arts center. It was a long-awaited moment years in the making.  

School leaders, city officials, community members and parents gathered together March 27 at the campus — 41000 W. Heroes Way — to celebrate the center’s grand opening with a ribbon cutting and student performances to show off the auditorium’s potential. 

Construction on the performing arts center started last April and was completed two months ahead of schedule.  

“The Performing Arts Center will be a hub for creativity, expression, and collaboration — providing our scholars with a state-of-the-art space to explore music, drama, dance, and more. It is a dream come true for our arts programs and an incredible step forward in expanding opportunities for all of our scholars,” an announcement stated at the time.  

Willmeng Construction, which led construction on 56,000-square-foot center, shared the facility features “specialty seating, advanced AV systems, a full catwalk, stage curtains, and classrooms for ballet and choir.” 

Heritage Academy CEO Jared Taylor said the auditorium was originally planned to be constructed with the rest of the building, but funding was an issue when administration broke ground in 2019. 

Principal Jenny Titus recalled how performances were conducted until recently. 

“Every year, we did all of our performances out in the courtyard. We built stages out in the courtyard, we sang choir concerts in the gym, we just made it work,” she said. “I think they’re kind of magical out there [in the courtyard]. However, we knew this was coming and we were excited. 

During last night’s city council meeting, Mayor Nancy Smith shared her impressions with the building. 

“What a phenomenal new asset to our community … It is such a new, phenomenal facility,” she said.  

Smith also commended the talent of students who performed following the ribbon cutting and mused the idea of hosting the next State of the City in the auditorium. 

“Amazing talent in those kids,” she said. 

A peek inside Heritage Academy's new performing arts center on March 27, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A woman films a performance inside Heritage Academy's new performing arts center on March 27, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]

A view of Heritage Academy's new performing arts center on March 27, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]