Mercy Hall & The S. Lisa D. Gambacorto Theater

For over 111 years, Mount Saint Mary Academy has served its mission to provide a challenging, educational environment, focused on the entire person. The study and appreciation of the arts has been a cornerstone of Mount Saint Mary Academy tradition and culture. The Mercy Hall auditorium holds decades of treasured memories, reminiscent of student performances and convocations, Mount parent events, alumnae events, and Sisters of Mercy gatherings. Over time the heavily utilized space needed refurbishment. To preserve one of the most beloved areas of campus, a transformative capital renovation project was included in the Academy’s strategic plan.

The 2018-2019 academic year began with a million-dollar gift that launched an 18-month effort to renovate Mercy Hall. The Mount community rallied and raised the additional funds needed. Construction began in May of 2019 and was completed in November that same year. Charitable gifts made it possible to complete this undertaking “debt-free,” a blessing that truly honors all the women of Mercy who worked tirelessly for more than a century, to maintain the campus infrastructure.

The result is a beautiful metamorphosis -- a multi-purpose space which includes high-end features such as retractable theater seating, completely modernized dressing rooms, updated technology, and state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Not only will this impressive space attract new students with an interest in the arts, thereby contributing to the Mount’s long-term sustainability, and it will also allow generations of future students to explore the full potential of their talents, increase their confidence, and build creativity and self-expression – continuing in the Mercy tradition. A “Wall of Honor” pays tribute to and recognizes donors to the capital campaign. Theater seats bear the names and sentiments of alumnae, their parents, and friends of the Academy.