Merrimans' Playhouse

Merrimans' Playhouse, founded by Stephen Merriman and Mary Merriman, is a Jazz and Interactive Arts Performance Center. It is important to distinguish that we are not a club. We are providing a concert venue for performances that will promote the art of jazz in our community. Our goal is to add to and enrich our community while creating an affordable and family friendly venue for experiencing live, interactive music. Improvisational art is the philosophy behind the performances, and this will include spoken word, as well as visual art.

Music and improvisation are the core of how we do things - express our ideas, manage our business, relate to people, make things happen. We want to establish a place where the art is safe from the pressures and expectations of being entertainment.

One of the goals is to bring different professional jazz artists to South Bend. Each concert is unique and will create the opportunity to experience live, interactive music in a setting where, unlike a club, the music is the primary focus and there are no barriers in terms of age, culture, or socioeconomic status.

Another goal is to support the local jazz artists and appreciators. We have started our Jazz Workshop sessions. They are every Monday evening, from 7:00 to 10:00. It's open to the public. Listen. Play. Woodshed. Discuss. Based on Jazz Standards. It's a Learning Environment. Bring your Instrument, your Ears, your Friends. Egos stay at the door.

Another goal of Merrimans' Playhouse Jazz Performance Center is to provide a performance space for students to play and experience the art of improvisation in a jazz setting. We are also planning to have instrumental and educational clinics in the art of jazz.

Merrimans' Playhouse is a nurturing environment for students of the interactive arts. We are a Recital Hall for local music/piano teachers and their students. We are also planning an improvisational theater program for children, under the direction of Tony Marando. Spoken word, independent films, and silent movie night, are also part of the agenda.

Our space will be availalbe for creative meetings and programs if you need a space for collaboration and brainstorming. We will have more information about this soon.

EVENT PARKING is available at the Farmer's Market Lot, along the treeline that runs parallel with the train tracks.