The Walton Performing Arts Center is on the campus of Marion High School in Marion, Indiana. It includes the main stage in a beautiful 1,500-seat auditorium, as well as a smaller performance space, the Little Theater.
The Walton's main stage plays host to many events every year, showcasing both school and community groups, along with regional and traveling acts and shows. The Little Theater hosts primarily school events, although outside reservation requests are accepted when possible.
The Walton Center is named after F. Ritchie Walton, a longtime music teacher at MHS and choral innovator who started one of the first high school show choirs in the nation in 1966. He also directed musical theater at Marion High School. He had high standards and expectations for his students, and he provided an amazing platform for many young musicians and artists to build on throughout their lives. The excitement he created around the music and theater programs at Marion High School left quite a legacy, so it is fitting that Marion Community Schools named this outstanding venue after him!