The Ritz Theater & Performing Arts Center is at the heart of downtown Scranton. It opened over a century ago and was first known as "The Poli," Northeastern Pennsylvania’s premier vaudeville theater. The theater has undergone many changes over the decades, but it was not until the building was claimed by the Ritz Mainstage Players and the Creative and Performing Arts Academy of NEPA that live theater once again has begun to flourish. Now the theater offers a variety of classes in theatre, music, and dance in addition to over two dozen shows produced throughout the year. The Ritz is home to a few local performance groups including its own troupe called the Ritz Mainstage Players, a semi-professional audition-based company offering full musicals and plays for all ages, and the Creative and Performing Arts Academy of NEPA.