New Beginnings Annual Holiday Bake Sale
New Beginnings Annual Holiday Bake Sale
WHEN: Saturday, December 13 from 10:00am to 3:00pm
WHERE: 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: New Beginnings Annual Holiday Bake Sale! All proceeds go to the animals!
For more information, please contact Marie at 209-777-2190.
Art & SPIRITS
ART & SPIRITS
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: December 18, 2025 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
New Year’s Eve dance party
New year’s eve dance party
WHEN: Wednesday, December 31, 8:30pm - 1 am
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: New Year’s Eve Dance Party hosted at the Merced Multicultural Arts Center
TICKETS: Online Tickets
Art & Spirits
Art & Spirits
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: Thursday, January 15 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
We ARE THE TIGERS
WE ARE THE TIGERS
WHEN: January 16 - 31, Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: The Tigers’ high school cheerleading squad is meeting for their annual sleepover at captain Riley’s house—and they’ve brought plenty of their teenage troubles with them. Love triangles, a lustful boyfriend, and hurt feelings over a now-viral cheer stunt gone wrong complicate their team-bonding activities. But so does the untimely death of one of their own in the front yard. Will that be the only murder? And who did it?
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
We ARE THE TIGERS
We are the tigers
WHEN: January 16 - 31, Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: The Tigers’ high school cheerleading squad is meeting for their annual sleepover at captain Riley’s house—and they’ve brought plenty of their teenage troubles with them. Love triangles, a lustful boyfriend, and hurt feelings over a now-viral cheer stunt gone wrong complicate their team-bonding activities. But so does the untimely death of one of their own in the front yard. Will that be the only murder? And who did it?
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
We ARE THE TIGERS
We are the tigers
WHEN: January 16 - 31, Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: The Tigers’ high school cheerleading squad is meeting for their annual sleepover at captain Riley’s house—and they’ve brought plenty of their teenage troubles with them. Love triangles, a lustful boyfriend, and hurt feelings over a now-viral cheer stunt gone wrong complicate their team-bonding activities. But so does the untimely death of one of their own in the front yard. Will that be the only murder? And who did it?
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
We ARE THE TIGERS
We are the tigers
WHEN: January 16 - 31, Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: The Tigers’ high school cheerleading squad is meeting for their annual sleepover at captain Riley’s house—and they’ve brought plenty of their teenage troubles with them. Love triangles, a lustful boyfriend, and hurt feelings over a now-viral cheer stunt gone wrong complicate their team-bonding activities. But so does the untimely death of one of their own in the front yard. Will that be the only murder? And who did it?
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
We ARE THE TIGERS
We are the tigers
WHEN: January 16 - 31, Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: The Tigers’ high school cheerleading squad is meeting for their annual sleepover at captain Riley’s house—and they’ve brought plenty of their teenage troubles with them. Love triangles, a lustful boyfriend, and hurt feelings over a now-viral cheer stunt gone wrong complicate their team-bonding activities. But so does the untimely death of one of their own in the front yard. Will that be the only murder? And who did it?
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
We ARE THE TIGERS
We are the tigers
WHEN: January 16 - 31, Friday & Saturday 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: The Tigers’ high school cheerleading squad is meeting for their annual sleepover at captain Riley’s house—and they’ve brought plenty of their teenage troubles with them. Love triangles, a lustful boyfriend, and hurt feelings over a now-viral cheer stunt gone wrong complicate their team-bonding activities. But so does the untimely death of one of their own in the front yard. Will that be the only murder? And who did it?
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
Art & Spirits
Art & Spirits
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: Thursday, February 19 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30pm - Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:00pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Step into the Kit Kat Klub, where the spotlight sparkles and the world outside grows darker by the hour. Cabaret follows Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw as love, survival, and denial collide in late-1930s Berlin, while neighbors choose comfort or courage and the Emcee keeps the party humming. With Kander and Ebb’s iconic score and Joe Masteroff’s book, this musical mixes wit, heat, and a clear warning: small compromises can let cruelty grow.
Why now? Because the questions still sting. What do we ignore, whom do we protect, and when do we finally speak? In an age of rising antisemitism, pressure on queer and marginalized communities, and the lure of simple slogans, Cabaret invites us to celebrate, to witness, and to look in the mirror.
COST: Ticket Sales TBA
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30pm - Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:00pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Step into the Kit Kat Klub, where the spotlight sparkles and the world outside grows darker by the hour. Cabaret follows Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw as love, survival, and denial collide in late-1930s Berlin, while neighbors choose comfort or courage and the Emcee keeps the party humming. With Kander and Ebb’s iconic score and Joe Masteroff’s book, this musical mixes wit, heat, and a clear warning: small compromises can let cruelty grow.
Why now? Because the questions still sting. What do we ignore, whom do we protect, and when do we finally speak? In an age of rising antisemitism, pressure on queer and marginalized communities, and the lure of simple slogans, Cabaret invites us to celebrate, to witness, and to look in the mirror.
COST: Ticket Sales TBA
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30pm - Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:00pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Step into the Kit Kat Klub, where the spotlight sparkles and the world outside grows darker by the hour. Cabaret follows Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw as love, survival, and denial collide in late-1930s Berlin, while neighbors choose comfort or courage and the Emcee keeps the party humming. With Kander and Ebb’s iconic score and Joe Masteroff’s book, this musical mixes wit, heat, and a clear warning: small compromises can let cruelty grow.
Why now? Because the questions still sting. What do we ignore, whom do we protect, and when do we finally speak? In an age of rising antisemitism, pressure on queer and marginalized communities, and the lure of simple slogans, Cabaret invites us to celebrate, to witness, and to look in the mirror.
COST: Ticket Sales TBA
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30pm - Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:00pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Step into the Kit Kat Klub, where the spotlight sparkles and the world outside grows darker by the hour. Cabaret follows Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw as love, survival, and denial collide in late-1930s Berlin, while neighbors choose comfort or courage and the Emcee keeps the party humming. With Kander and Ebb’s iconic score and Joe Masteroff’s book, this musical mixes wit, heat, and a clear warning: small compromises can let cruelty grow.
Why now? Because the questions still sting. What do we ignore, whom do we protect, and when do we finally speak? In an age of rising antisemitism, pressure on queer and marginalized communities, and the lure of simple slogans, Cabaret invites us to celebrate, to witness, and to look in the mirror.
COST: Ticket Sales TBA
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30pm - Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:00pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Step into the Kit Kat Klub, where the spotlight sparkles and the world outside grows darker by the hour. Cabaret follows Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw as love, survival, and denial collide in late-1930s Berlin, while neighbors choose comfort or courage and the Emcee keeps the party humming. With Kander and Ebb’s iconic score and Joe Masteroff’s book, this musical mixes wit, heat, and a clear warning: small compromises can let cruelty grow.
Why now? Because the questions still sting. What do we ignore, whom do we protect, and when do we finally speak? In an age of rising antisemitism, pressure on queer and marginalized communities, and the lure of simple slogans, Cabaret invites us to celebrate, to witness, and to look in the mirror.
COST: Ticket Sales TBA
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
accessible arts merced presents: cabaret!
WHEN: Friday, February 20, 2026, 7:30pm - Sunday, March 1, 2026, 2:00pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Willkommen, bienvenue, welcome! Step into the Kit Kat Klub, where the spotlight sparkles and the world outside grows darker by the hour. Cabaret follows Sally Bowles and Cliff Bradshaw as love, survival, and denial collide in late-1930s Berlin, while neighbors choose comfort or courage and the Emcee keeps the party humming. With Kander and Ebb’s iconic score and Joe Masteroff’s book, this musical mixes wit, heat, and a clear warning: small compromises can let cruelty grow.
Why now? Because the questions still sting. What do we ignore, whom do we protect, and when do we finally speak? In an age of rising antisemitism, pressure on queer and marginalized communities, and the lure of simple slogans, Cabaret invites us to celebrate, to witness, and to look in the mirror.
COST: Ticket Sales TBA
Art & Spirits
Art & Spirits
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: Thursday, March 19 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
and then there were none
and then there were none
WHEN: March 20 - 28, Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Ten strangers are invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances. When a recorded message accuses each of them of a terrible crime, their civilized veneer shatters. One by one, they begin to die—each death eerily mirroring a verse from an old nursery rhyme. With no way off the island and no one they can trust, the guests must confront the darkest truth of all: the killer is one of them.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
and then there were none
and then there were none
WHEN: March 20 - 28, Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Ten strangers are invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances. When a recorded message accuses each of them of a terrible crime, their civilized veneer shatters. One by one, they begin to die—each death eerily mirroring a verse from an old nursery rhyme. With no way off the island and no one they can trust, the guests must confront the darkest truth of all: the killer is one of them.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
and then there were none
and then there were none
WHEN: March 20 - 28, Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Ten strangers are invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances. When a recorded message accuses each of them of a terrible crime, their civilized veneer shatters. One by one, they begin to die—each death eerily mirroring a verse from an old nursery rhyme. With no way off the island and no one they can trust, the guests must confront the darkest truth of all: the killer is one of them.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
and then there were none
and then there were none
WHEN: March 20 - 28, Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Ten strangers are invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances. When a recorded message accuses each of them of a terrible crime, their civilized veneer shatters. One by one, they begin to die—each death eerily mirroring a verse from an old nursery rhyme. With no way off the island and no one they can trust, the guests must confront the darkest truth of all: the killer is one of them.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
and then there were none
and then there were none
WHEN: March 20 - 28, Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Ten strangers are invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances. When a recorded message accuses each of them of a terrible crime, their civilized veneer shatters. One by one, they begin to die—each death eerily mirroring a verse from an old nursery rhyme. With no way off the island and no one they can trust, the guests must confront the darkest truth of all: the killer is one of them.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
and then there were none
and then there were none
WHEN: March 20 - 28, Thursday, Fridays, and Saturdays 7:30pm, Sunday at 2:00pm.
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Ten strangers are invited to a remote island under mysterious circumstances. When a recorded message accuses each of them of a terrible crime, their civilized veneer shatters. One by one, they begin to die—each death eerily mirroring a verse from an old nursery rhyme. With no way off the island and no one they can trust, the guests must confront the darkest truth of all: the killer is one of them.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online
Art & Spirits
Art & Spirits
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: Thursday, April 16 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
Arbor Gallery “Really Big Show” Reception
Arbor Gallery Reception
WHEN: Friday, December 12, 5 - 7 pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: A reception for the Arbor Gallery’s “Really Big Show”. Free.
chaa “SHADOWS IN LOST TIMES” Reception
chaa “SHADOWS IN LOST TIMES” Reception
WHEN: Friday, December 12, 5 - 7 pm
WHERE: The MAC | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: A reception for the Contemporary Humanitarian Artist Association’s “SHADOWS IN LOST TIMES”. Free.
Art & SPIRITS
ART & SPIRITS
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: November 20, 2025 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
Kids and Family Day
Kids and Family Day
WHEN: Sunday, November 16 from 1pm - 3pm
WHERE: The MAC Main Gallery | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHO: Kids and families!
WHAT: This time we’ll make a Native American Rattle!
These classes are free and open to the public, on Sunday afternoons in the Main Gallery of the MAC. No need to book a spot - just drop by anytime between 1:00 and 2:45 pm and enjoy the project! Free for the whole family!
Kids & Family Day is a free event sponsored by the Merced County Arts Council through ARTREE.
COST: FREE
“Dia de los Muertos” Reception
“Dia de los Muertos” Reception
WHEN: Sunday, November 2, 3:00pm - 6:00pm
WHERE: The MAC | Main Gallery
WHAT: Day of the Dead Reception - Art, altars, live-entertainment, candle-light procession, and more!
WHO: All are welcome!
COST: FREE
Los Tres
Los Tres
A film by Yehuda Sharim
WHEN: Saturday, November 1. *Film begins at 6:30
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Based on the life/artwork of Frank Ayala, Ruben A. Sanchez, and Abel Corchado, Los Tres tells the story of three artists as they find refuge in friendship and art, while composing their artistic vision in the face of denigration and a space/time that deliberately fails to see them.
*6:15 doors open
6:30 film starts
7:30 Q&A
8:15 reception starts
FREE to the public.
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
WHEN: Sundays (September 28 - October 26) at 6:30 pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Over five unforgettable weeks, 14 bold castaways from across Merced County will test their wits, willpower, and theatrical flair in a live, cutthroat game of alliances, eliminations, and show-stopping surprises, all in front of a live audience at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Each contestant represents a local arts organization and every challenge they survive gets them closer to the ultimate prize…Drama Island Season 15 Champion.
From epic Sunday showdowns to backstage betrayals, Drama Island is more than a game. It’s a full-scale theatrical experience...and a fundraiser like no other.
Who will plot the hardest, play the smartest, and perform under pressure?
Join us this fall to find out—and help keep the arts alive in Merced County.
Tickets: MAC Events
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
An adaptation by Nick Dear
WHEN: Oct. 16-25; Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale. "Frankenstein", based on the novel by Mary Shelley, premiered at the National Theatre, London, in February 2011. Produced by Phoenix Creative Collective and Merced County Arts Council.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
An adaptation by Nick Dear
WHEN: Oct. 16-25; Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale. "Frankenstein", based on the novel by Mary Shelley, premiered at the National Theatre, London, in February 2011. Produced by Phoenix Creative Collective and Merced County Arts Council.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
An adaptation by Nick Dear
WHEN: Oct. 16-25; Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale. "Frankenstein", based on the novel by Mary Shelley, premiered at the National Theatre, London, in February 2011. Produced by Phoenix Creative Collective and Merced County Arts Council.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online.
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
WHEN: Sundays (September 28 - October 26) at 6:30 pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Over five unforgettable weeks, 14 bold castaways from across Merced County will test their wits, willpower, and theatrical flair in a live, cutthroat game of alliances, eliminations, and show-stopping surprises, all in front of a live audience at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Each contestant represents a local arts organization and every challenge they survive gets them closer to the ultimate prize…Drama Island Season 15 Champion.
From epic Sunday showdowns to backstage betrayals, Drama Island is more than a game. It’s a full-scale theatrical experience...and a fundraiser like no other.
Who will plot the hardest, play the smartest, and perform under pressure?
Join us this fall to find out—and help keep the arts alive in Merced County.
Tickets: MAC Events
Kids and Family Day
Kids and Family Day
WHEN: Sunday, October 19 from 1pm - 3pm
WHERE: The MAC Main Gallery | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHO: Kids and families!
WHAT: This time we’ll make Trade Beads from Africa!
These classes are free and open to the public, on Sunday afternoons in the Main Gallery of the MAC. No need to book a spot - just drop by anytime between 1:00 and 2:45 pm and enjoy the project! Free for the whole family!
Kids & Family Day is a free event sponsored by the Merced County Arts Council through ARTREE.
COST: FREE
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
An adaptation by Nick Dear
WHEN: Oct. 16-25; Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale. "Frankenstein", based on the novel by Mary Shelley, premiered at the National Theatre, London, in February 2011. Produced by Phoenix Creative Collective and Merced County Arts Council.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
An adaptation by Nick Dear
WHEN: Oct. 16-25; Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale. "Frankenstein", based on the novel by Mary Shelley, premiered at the National Theatre, London, in February 2011. Produced by Phoenix Creative Collective and Merced County Arts Council.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online.
Frankenstein
Frankenstein
An adaptation by Nick Dear
WHEN: Oct. 16-25; Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 7:30
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Childlike in his innocence but grotesque in form, Frankenstein's bewildered creature is cast out into a hostile universe by his horror-struck maker. Meeting with cruelty wherever he goes, the friendless Creature, increasingly desperate and vengeful, determines to track down his creator and strike a terrifying deal. Urgent concerns of scientific responsibility, parental neglect, cognitive development and the nature of good and evil are embedded within this thrilling and deeply disturbing classic gothic tale. "Frankenstein", based on the novel by Mary Shelley, premiered at the National Theatre, London, in February 2011. Produced by Phoenix Creative Collective and Merced County Arts Council.
COST: $10-$20, Tickets may be purchased Online.
Art & SPIRITS
ART & SPIRITS
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: October 16, 2025 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
WHEN: Sundays (September 28 - October 26) at 6:30 pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Over five unforgettable weeks, 14 bold castaways from across Merced County will test their wits, willpower, and theatrical flair in a live, cutthroat game of alliances, eliminations, and show-stopping surprises, all in front of a live audience at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Each contestant represents a local arts organization and every challenge they survive gets them closer to the ultimate prize…Drama Island Season 15 Champion.
From epic Sunday showdowns to backstage betrayals, Drama Island is more than a game. It’s a full-scale theatrical experience...and a fundraiser like no other.
Who will plot the hardest, play the smartest, and perform under pressure?
Join us this fall to find out—and help keep the arts alive in Merced County.
Tickets: MAC Events
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
WHEN: Sundays (September 28 - October 26) at 6:30 pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Over five unforgettable weeks, 14 bold castaways from across Merced County will test their wits, willpower, and theatrical flair in a live, cutthroat game of alliances, eliminations, and show-stopping surprises, all in front of a live audience at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Each contestant represents a local arts organization and every challenge they survive gets them closer to the ultimate prize…Drama Island Season 15 Champion.
From epic Sunday showdowns to backstage betrayals, Drama Island is more than a game. It’s a full-scale theatrical experience...and a fundraiser like no other.
Who will plot the hardest, play the smartest, and perform under pressure?
Join us this fall to find out—and help keep the arts alive in Merced County.
Tickets: MAC Events
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
Drama Island: Castaways & Cutthroats
WHEN: Sundays (September 28 - October 26) at 6:30 pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: Over five unforgettable weeks, 14 bold castaways from across Merced County will test their wits, willpower, and theatrical flair in a live, cutthroat game of alliances, eliminations, and show-stopping surprises, all in front of a live audience at the Multicultural Arts Center.
Each contestant represents a local arts organization and every challenge they survive gets them closer to the ultimate prize…Drama Island Season 15 Champion.
From epic Sunday showdowns to backstage betrayals, Drama Island is more than a game. It’s a full-scale theatrical experience...and a fundraiser like no other.
Who will plot the hardest, play the smartest, and perform under pressure?
Join us this fall to find out—and help keep the arts alive in Merced County.
Tickets: MAC Events
An Night of Bellydance
A Night of Bellydance
WHEN: Saturday, September 27 at 7 pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHO: Everyone
WHAT: This Bellydance Showcase with special guests South Pacific Dance Company!
COST: Tickets are $20 and may be purchased on EventBrite:
Merced Bellydance Showcase.
MORE INFO: Contact (503) 856-5915
King John
King John
A Staged Reading
Directed by Rachel Wohlander
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:30pm & Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2:00pm
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Power, ambition, and propaganda collide in Shakespeare’s rarely staged history play. King John asks urgent questions about who gets to rule, how truth is shaped, and the human cost of political maneuvering. With disputed successions, leaders clinging to power, and voices from the margins fighting to be heard, the play speaks uncannily to our own era of fractured alliances and contested narratives. At once gripping and darkly comic, King John exposes the chaos behind the crown, and the timeless struggle between authority, legitimacy, and survival.
COST: $5 - $10, Online or at the Door
Kids and Family Day
Kids and Family Day
WHEN: Sunday, September 21 from 1pm - 3pm
WHERE: The MAC Main Gallery | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHO: Kids and families!
WHAT: This time we’ll make Mehndi Hands from India!
These classes are free and open to the public, on Sunday afternoons in the Main Gallery of the MAC. No need to book a spot - just drop by anytime between 1:00 and 2:45 pm and enjoy the project! Free for the whole family!
Kids & Family Day is a free event sponsored by the Merced County Arts Council through ARTREE.
COST: FREE
King John
King John
A Staged Reading
Directed by Rachel Wohlander
WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 20 at 7:30pm & Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2:00pm
WHERE: MAC Black Box Theater
WHAT: Power, ambition, and propaganda collide in Shakespeare’s rarely staged history play. King John asks urgent questions about who gets to rule, how truth is shaped, and the human cost of political maneuvering. With disputed successions, leaders clinging to power, and voices from the margins fighting to be heard, the play speaks uncannily to our own era of fractured alliances and contested narratives. At once gripping and darkly comic, King John exposes the chaos behind the crown, and the timeless struggle between authority, legitimacy, and survival.
COST: $5 - $10, Online or at the Door
Art & SPIRITS
ART & SPIRITS
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: September 18, 2025 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
The Kraken Theatre Company presents Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya”
Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya
WHEN: September 5 & 6 @ 7:00pm; September 7 @ 2pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: When the distinguished elderly proprietor of a rural estate returns with a new, young wife, chaos erupts. Tensions run high, marriages reach their limits, confessions — and vodka — flow freely, and weapons are drawn. The Kraken Theatre Company produces this heartbreaking comedy about the eternal battle between futility and change.
COST: $20 General. Tickets may be purchased here.
The Kraken Theatre Company presents Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya”
Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya
WHEN: September 5 & 6 @ 7:00pm; September 7 @ 2pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: When the distinguished elderly proprietor of a rural estate returns with a new, young wife, chaos erupts. Tensions run high, marriages reach their limits, confessions — and vodka — flow freely, and weapons are drawn. The Kraken Theatre Company produces this heartbreaking comedy about the eternal battle between futility and change.
COST: $20 General. Tickets may be purchased here.
The Kraken Theatre Company presents Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya”
Anton Chekhov's Uncle Vanya
WHEN: September 5 & 6 @ 7:00pm; September 7 @ 2pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: When the distinguished elderly proprietor of a rural estate returns with a new, young wife, chaos erupts. Tensions run high, marriages reach their limits, confessions — and vodka — flow freely, and weapons are drawn. The Kraken Theatre Company produces this heartbreaking comedy about the eternal battle between futility and change.
COST: $20 General. Tickets may be purchased here.
Phoenix Creative Collective presents “Burned & Reborn”
Burned and Reborn
WHEN: August 23 @ 7:30pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: An evening of celebration as community members solo, duet, perform scenes and group numbers, all in an effort to celebrate the beginning of the next chapter in our story. This event is designed not only to launch us into a new era but also as part fundraiser to our new home, the MAC. Produced by Phoenix Creative Collective.
COST: $35. Tickets may be purchased here.
Art & SPIRITS
ART & SPIRITS
WHAT: Family-friendly paint-along events
WHO: Anyone
WHEN: August 21, 2025 | 5:30-8:00 PM
WHERE: The MAC
COST: $35 per person
All supplies furnished. Complimentary refreshments. Reservations required.
ONLINE RESERVATION: Here
Phoenix Creative Collective presents “Dearly Departed”
Dearly Departed
WHEN: August 9, 14, 15, and 16 @ 7:30pm; August 10 and 17 @ 2pm
WHERE: The MAC Black Box Theater | 645 W. Main Street, Merced
WHAT: A dysfunctional Southern family comes together to plan a funeral in this character-driven ensemble comedy. When the Turpin family patriarch Bud suddenly dies of a stroke, his sons Ray-Bud and Junior, sister Marguerite, and widow Raynelle do their best to ensure a dignified memorial, but familial squabbles quickly get in the way. Junior’s wife Suzanne (correctly) accuses him of infidelity, a resentful Ray-Bud drinks to deal with his resentment over footing the bill for a service being handled by the funeral home of his arch rival, and Raynelle seems more concerned with ensuring that Bud’s legacy as “mean and surly” is quite literally carved in stone. Dearly Departed is a side-splitting ensemble comedy that’s at once a parody of and a love letter to life in the Deep South. Directed by Corey Strauss. Produced by Phoenix Created Collective.
COST: $10, $15, or $20. Tickets may be purchased here.