Mount Saint Mary Academy | Mercy Hall & The S. Lisa D. Gambacorto Theater
myMSMA
myMSMA
About
arrow
School History
Meet the Directress
Administration
Board of Trustees
Faculty & Staff
Mercy Identity
Mission & Philosophy
School Profile
FAQ
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
arrow
Multicultural Day
Hispanic Heritage Month
Native American Heritage Month
Black History Month
Mount Publications
Campus
Employment
Contact & Directions
Admissions
arrow
Admissions
Admissions Process
Meet the Office of Enrollment Management
Inquiry Form
Open House
Virtual Tour
Class of 2030 Information
Transportation
Testimonials
Tuition, Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid
Summer Academy 2026
arrow
Enrichment Courses
Sports Sessions
Summer Academy Schedule
Enrichment Test Prep
Academics
arrow
Academics at the Mount
Academic Departments
One Schoolhouse
Visual and Performing Arts
arrow
Mercy Hall & The S. Lisa D. Gambacorto Theater
School & College Counseling
Graduation Requirements
Financial Math & Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab
Writing Lab
2025 Offers of Admission
Class of 2025 Matriculation
Student Life
arrow
Student Life
Student Assistance Program
Clubs and Activities
Library Media Center
Technology
arrow
One-to-One Computing Initiative
Traditions
Wellness Center
School Store
Athletics
arrow
Athletics
Athletics FAQ
History & Championships
Teams & Schedules
Mount Coaching Staff
Faith & Service
arrow
Faith & Service
Places of Worship on Campus
Peer Ministry & Music Ministry
Retreats
Service Days
Mercy International
House of Prayer
Giving
arrow
Donate Now
Believing in the Mount
arrow
Ways to Give
Scholarships
The Next Century Endowment Campaign
Legacy of Excellence Gala
arrow
Legacy of Excellence Gala Honorees
Brick Campaign 2026
Fundraising Events
arrow
2026 Fashion Show, Luncheon & Basket Raffle
Cornhole Tournament
Parent Groups & Volunteering
arrow
The Mercy Guild
The Fathers Club
Advancement Cabinet
Matching Gifts
Alumnae
arrow
Alumnae
Alumnae Events 2025-2026
2026 Bubbly Brunch
Alumnae Business Directory
Alumnae Transcript Request Form
Weddings at the Mount
Keep Us Posted/Update Your Info
Inquire
News
Calendar
Academics
Visual and Performing Arts
Mercy Hall & The S. Lisa D. Gambacorto Theater
Mercy Hall
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.
S. Lisa D. Gambacorto Theater
The Sisters of Mercy and Mount Saint Mary Academy have announced the naming of the theater in the newly renovated Mercy Hall:
The Sister Lisa Gambacorto Theater.
Sister Lisa Gambacorto, RSM, Ed.S, has served as the Directress of Mount Saint Mary Academy for twenty years, making her the longest serving Directress in the Academy's 112-year history.  Prior to being named Directress in 2000, Sister Lisa served the Academy as a Faculty Member, a Department Chair, a Campus Minister, and as the Student Assistance Counselor.
The ninth Directress of Mount Saint Mary Academy, Sister Lisa serves as both President and Principal.
Sister Lisa worked for seven years as a marriage and family therapist, several of those as the Clinical Director of Bloomfield Counseling Center.  She holds numerous advanced degrees in counseling, psychology, students services, marriage and family therapy, and education.
In 2016, Sister Lisa was named by Pope Francis as a recipient of the Pro Eccleseia et Pontifice award, the highest Papal honor awarded by the Pope to laity and clergy for distinguished service to the Church.
During the 2019-2020 academic year, Sister Lisa spearheaded the renovation of Mercy Hall, creating a new state-of-the-art theater, retractable seating, and a fully equipped multi-purpose room for use by the Mount community.
Mount Saint Mary Academy
1645 US Highway 22 W
Watchung, NJ 07069
908.757.0108
© Mount Saint Mary Academy