It was an auspicious occasion for SAS when the spacious, 604-seat Performing Arts Center (PAC) officially opened on the Puxi campus in January, 2006.

First, because of what it meant for the SAS community as a whole. "This magnificent setting is a symbol of the dreams of this community being fulfilled", said Superintendent Dr. Dennis Larkin in remarks prepared for the PAC opening.

The PAC, however, holds more than community pride. For students and their teachers it is a catalyst that inspires actors, musical concerts, dramatic productions, art exhibitions, stagecraft classes, and class assemblies. The PAC houses a theater that seats some 600 people (450 on the tiered main floor; 150 on the tiered balcony) and features computer automated lighting and curtain system, a full orchestra pit, hydraulic trap, and sound shell atoustic panels.

And it's only the beginning. A similar theatre complex is in SAS construction plans for the Pudong campus in 2009.

Performing arts at SAS - on both campuses - are vibrant, 'happening' things.

In addition to theatre facilities and classes, music students rehearse in music rooms that rival the best in international schools across the globe. And, as you will see when you look at examples of the work of our visual artists, students bloom in photography, painting, sculpture, and mixed media work.