Southwest Valley Cultural Hub Celebrates Completion of Construction, Opening of the Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall on the New School for the Arts Campus

The Agua Fria High School District announces the opening of the recently constructed Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall on the district’s new School for the Arts campus. The new cultural and educational hub for the Southwest Valley, located at Litchfield and Camelback roads in Litchfield Park, includes a 34,034-square-foot venue featuring a 750-seat theatre, a grand lobby with art gallery and a two-story backstage area with flexible-use space. Created as part of the district’s 10-year strategic plan in response to the community’s demand for greater access to the arts, the performing arts center offers industry-standard facilities where creators and artists can produce film, video and audio projects for the broader community to enjoy.

The theatre’s opening follows the new School for the Arts, which welcomed students for the fall 2026 semester. Resting atop the historic La Loma Hilltop, the school is comprised of three new buildings, including: 

• A nearly 60,000 square-foot two-story main building with administrative offices, cafeteria, black box theater, media center, classrooms, a fully equipped cinematography studio and a professional recording studio. 
• Two single-story buildings providing a total of nearly 16,000 square feet where high-tech classrooms and studios are housed. Together, these campus facilities support specialized instruction in cinematography and film, dance performance, instrumental performance, music production and recording, theater acting, set design and theater production, visual arts, and vocal performance.

The 21-acre campus, which also includes a 7,066 square-foot patio, was intentionally designed to bring students and the community together for theatrical performances, concerts, corporate events, film screenings and private gatherings. 

“The Hilltop brings arts education and professional entertainment together in a way that creates exciting opportunities for our students and our community,” said Alex Morrell, Theatre Manager for the Agua Fria High School District. “Students will have opportunities to learn alongside industry professionals and gain hands-on experience in everything from stage production to sound and lighting. At the same time, we’re creating a place where our community can gather, experience exceptional performances and celebrate the arts right here in the Southwest Valley.” 

Developed in partnership with the City of Litchfield Park as well as the designer ADM Group and McCarthy Building Companies, which served as the general contractor. The art focused campus advances the district’s mission of creating academic choice that may translate into careers in the arts, while crafting student character, and cultivating community. 

“The district’s vision was clear, and our team worked closely with the educators, the community and other stakeholders to reimagine the historic site and create a new cultural hub that not only serves to educate young artists, but welcomes the community,” said Tyler Shupe, Project Director with the Education Group at McCarthy. “Being part of this dramatic and impactful project has been very gratifying for our team – we truly love building community and, on this project, we had an entire community building with us. It just doesn’t get better than that!” 

“We are grateful to Agua Fria Union High School District for trusting ADM Group with this vision, to McCarthy Building Companies and all our consultants for bringing it to life, and to the community whose support made it possible,” said ADM Group CEO Wendy Odom. “This campus was designed by many hands with its students and educators in mind. We hope it inspires creativity, supports their passions, and becomes a place where incredible things happen for many years to come.”

As part of the District’s Academies of the Southwest Valley transformation, the Theatre will showcase student performances and host professional artists, creating a dynamic space where education meets industry. Through collaboration with industry professionals, students will be able to gain real-world experience and explore the arts as a viable career pathway, guided by expert insight and mentorship.

“The theatre will serve as a stage for student performers and a place of learning, where world-renowned artists come to the Southwest Valley to inspire and perform for our students and our community,” said Mark Yslas, Superintendent for the Agua Fria High School District. “We heard our community’s desire for more arts and culture in the Southwest Valley, and our district delivered. The Hilltop Theatre and Concert Hall creates opportunities for students to learn alongside professionals while giving our community a place to come together and experience the arts close to home.”

For more information about the new arts school or the District’s academic programs, visit aguafria.org/artsacademy.

About Aqua Union Fria High School District

Agua Fria Union High School District was established in 1955. Today, the district serves the communities of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park, with six high schools: Agua Fria, Canyon View, Desert Edge, Goodyear HS, Millennium, Verrado and Agua Fria Online. Additionally, the District offers two alternative programs: Coldwater Academy and New Directions. More information can be found at aguafria.org.

About McCarthy Building Companies, Inc.

McCarthy Building Companies, Inc. is the oldest privately held national construction company in the country – with more than 160 years spent collaborating with partners to solve complex building challenges on behalf of its clients. With an unrelenting focus on safety and a comprehensive quality program that spans all phases of every project, McCarthy utilizes industry-leading design phase and construction techniques combined with value-add technology to maximize outcomes. Repeatedly honored as a Best Place to Work and Healthiest Employer, McCarthy is ranked the 15th largest domestic builder (Engineering News-Record, May 2026). With approximately 6,000 salaried employees and craft professionals, the firm has offices in St. Louis; Atlanta; Collinsville, Ill.; Kansas City, Kan.; Omaha, Neb.; Phoenix; Las Vegas; Denver; Austin, Channelview, Dallas, and Houston, Texas; and San Diego, Newport Beach, Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento, Calif. McCarthy is 100% employee owned. More information about the company is available online at www.mccarthy.com.