Pleasure for the five senses

The Smithfield-Selma area and all of Johnston County surprise those who would believe that people in smaller communities have little appreciation for the arts. To the contrary, a high level of cultural activity flourishes in the Smithfield-Selma area.

The Johnston County Arts Council serves as an umbrella organization, fostering and promoting the arts in the county. It is charged with distributing North Carolina Grassroots funds in support of the arts.

The Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, on the campus of Johnston Community College, is a beautiful, 1,000 seat theater with state of the art sound and lighting. It’s 3,300 square-foot stage is one of the largest in the state.

A Performing Arts Concert Series is held annually in the Paul Johnston Auditorium.The series features celebrity concerts, ballet, opera, Broadway plays, military bands, and local shows. The auditorium is also used for forums, conventions and group meetings. Its large lobby can seat over 300 people for banquets and other functions.

A popular local theatrical group is the Neuse Little Theatre with some 100 members. Located in “The Hut” on Smithfield’s Town Commons, the group is over 35 years old and performs four productions annually, including musicals, comedies and dramas. This picture promotes the theatre's recent production of Steel Magnolias.

The Johnston County Chorale is another arts organization featuring local talent. Founded during the 1970’s, its 50 members present Christmas and Easter concerts and a spring pops concert.

The American Music Jubilee in Selma delights audiences every weekend with an evening of "Southern hospitality, great American music and side-splitting comedy." This Branson-style production features musical delights including '50s rock 'n' roll, classic and contemporary country, gospel and a stirring patriotic tribute.

The Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, located on the campus of Johnston Community College in Smithfield includes a 1,000-seat performing arts auditorium, library and learning resource center.

The building opened during the summer of 1989 and exists for the purpose of educational and cultural enrichment of the residents of Johnston County and surrounding areas.

The auditorium hosts a varieity of events throughout the year, including the Performing Arts Concert Series and the Country Music Showcase. The College, through the Performing Arts Department, strives to be a community leader in promoting cultural and artistic awareness and appreciation through concerts, performances, artistic series, special events, community engagements, facility rentals and educational programs.

The JCC Country Music Showcase, held bimonthly in the Paul A. Johnston Auditorium, provides an opportunity for regional talent to perform with a live band in a professional setting. Auditions are held yearly and attract talented performers from North Carolina and surrounding states.

Just minutes west of Smithfield-Selma on U.S. 70, The Clayton Center has become a popular destination for both locals and visitors alike. The beautiful auditorium with superb acoustic qualities provides an intimate environment to enjoy a nationally touring artist in concert. The Conference Center with state-of-the-art equipment and historic ambience is a favorite for businesses and community members around the region. At The Clayton Center you’ll find big entertainment and modern amenities with the charm of a small town.

Raleigh has been nicknamed the “Smithsonian of the South” for its variety of world-class museums that are among the biggest and best in the Southeast. The state’s museums of art, history, and natural sciences, along with Marbles Kids Museum, offer programs and exhibits for people of all ages.

You’ll also have fun immersing yourself in a treasure trove of performances at the state-of-the-art Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts and the national acts that come to Time Warner Cable Music Pavilion at Walnut Creek. The area is also home to the North Carolina Symphony, The Opera Company of North Carolina, North Carolina Theatre, and the Carolina Ballet, which has earned critical acclaim from critics from The New York Times to The Washington Post.