Celebrating Years of Grandeur: WPAC 30th Anniversary
For 30 years, the Wertheim Performing Arts Center has stood at the heart of FIU’s creative community—where music, theatre, and performance converge to inspire, challenge, and connect. Since opening its doors in 1996, the Wertheim has been a stage for world-class artists and an incubator for generations of emerging talent. Together, these moments have shaped a vibrant cultural legacy that extends far beyond campus. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor the past, embrace the present, and look ahead to the next act of artistic excellence.
Dean’s Message: Brian Schriner
Thirty years ago, the Herbert and Nicole Wertheim Performing Arts Center (WPAC) opened its doors at Florida International University. Established through a transformative vision and a generous philanthropic gift, WPAC affirmed the essential role of the performing arts in the life of our university and our community.
Today, The Wertheim stands as the centerpiece of FIU’s commitment to music, theatre, and creative expression, while being a vibrant home to our students, faculty, and local stakeholders as one of Miami’s premier collegiate performance venues.
From its earliest performances to the thousands that have followed, The Wertheim has continually brought together artists, scholars, and the broader community in a shared experience of creativity and discovery. Our stages have welcomed internationally renowned musicians, Grammy award-winning recording artists, innovative ensembles, and acclaimed theatre artists, while also serving as the training ground for generations of practitioners.
The Wertheim’s legacy is rooted not only in the excellence of its performances, but also in the strength of its academic mission. It houses the Wertheim School of Music & Performing Arts, and the Department of Theatre, two units that produce acclaimed professionals year round through experiential learning.
I am honored to have witnessed and supported the continued evolution of The Wertheim as part of the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts. I have had the privilege of working alongside extraordinarily talented faculty, dedicated staff, and passionate students whose energy, creativity, and commitment to excellence define who we are as a college.
I am especially proud of the traditions that have emerged over the past thirty years – our concert series, theatrical productions, collaborative performances, and community partnerships, which celebrate both artistic heritage and innovation. At the same time, we remain firmly committed to looking ahead and embracing new technologies, interdisciplinary collaboration, and expanding access to the arts for future generations.
As we celebrate this milestone anniversary, we recognize with gratitude the visionaries, donors, faculty, alumni, and supporters who have contributed to the Wertheim’s success. Their belief in the power of the arts has made possible a space where creativity thrives, stories are told, and voices are heard.
With great pride in our past and great excitement for our future, I can say with confidence that the next thirty years of the Wertheim Performing Arts Center will be just as dynamic, transformative, and inspiring as the first.
In the Spirit of the Blue + Gold,
Brian Schriner
Dean