 Cultural ActivitiesUniversity Hill is a prime location for the showcasing of artistic talent, from students to nationally acclaimed performers.
Syracuse Stage is Central New York only professional Equity theater. Located at 820 East Genesee Street, Syracuse Stage is housed in the Regent Theatre Complex which features the 499-seat John D. Archbold Theatre, the Syracuse University Drama Department stage called the Storch Theatre, the 60-seat Black Box Theatre, and the cabaret space, Sutton Pavilion. Each year, Syracuse Stage offers 6 mainstage plays as part of the subscription season, with a seventh mainstage play put on during the holidays which is a collaboration between Syracuse Stage and the Syracuse University Drama Department. Syracuse Stage also offers a Young Playwrights festival, an annual touring children production, and community and educational outreach services.
 Syracuse Stage was founded in 1974 as a not-for-profit theatre by Arthur Storch. Since its inception, it has produced more than 200 plays in 34 seasons, including numerous world and American premieres. As a thriving regional theatre and member of the League of Resident Theatres (LORT), Syracuse Stage attracts prominent performers, directors, and designers. It has hosted leading performers such as Tony Award-winner Elizabeth Franz, Emmy recipient and Golden Globe winner Jean Stapleton, Sam Waterston, John Cullum, James Whitmore, and Ben Gazzara.
Syracuse Stage mission is to “enrich, empower and entertain our community through the creation of professional theatre, which it certainly does through its contributions to the community. More than 90,000 patrons are entertained by Stage productions each year. Syracuse Stage's educational programs are impressive as well, serving nearly 30,000 students from over 24 countries annually. Besides the Young Playwrights festival, Syracuse Stage offers student matinees for classes, as well as in-depth study guides about the plays that are performed.
Current Season Performances The Syracuse University Department of Drama benefits from a unique relationship with the Syracuse Stage. Located alongside Syracuse Stage in the Regent Theater Complex, SU Drama students are able to observe and interact with professionals in the theatre field, we well as work on productions as performers, understudies, production assistants, directors, or on production crews. The Storch Theatre in the Regent Theatre Complex houses SU Department of Drama Performances and each holiday season, a special play is performed at the Archbold Theatre as a collaboration between Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University Drama Department. The Black Box Theatre houses performances put on by the Black Box Players, a student organization that produces, creates, directs, designs, and acts in the productions it presents.
Now Playing The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Syracuse University is the center of cultural life at Syracuse University. VPA contributes culturally to the community as well, with programs like the Literacy, Community, and Photography program at Ed Smith Elementary School in Syracuse, or the Partnership for a Better Education, a collaboration between the Syracuse City School District and VPA. The college contains the School of Art and Design, Department of Communication and Rhetorical Studies, Department of Drama, Setnor School of Music and Department of Transmedia.
The Setnor Auditorium is housed in the Crouse College building and is the site of many of the School of Visual and Performing Arts concerts and recitals. The 700-seat auditorium features a magnificent timber-framed ceiling which creates excellent acoustics. The famous Holtkamp organ is also housed there. The organ, built in 1950 by builder Arthur Holtkamp, features 3,283 pipes and 20 chimes. The auditorium features approximately 175 concerts and recitals each year, many of which are streamed live over the Internet.
Theater Events
Concerts & Recitals
The Paul Robeson Performing Arts Company provides the Central New York Community with high quality theatre performances derived from the African American tradition. Located at 805 East Genesee Street, the PRPAC is a program of the African American Studies Department at Syracuse University. The Katherine Dunham Room is used as rehearsal space and the Black Box Theatre houses performances. The PRPAC was founded in 1982 by William H. Rowland II and Roy E. Delemos, who were challenged by the lack of performance opportunities for African American artists in Syracuse. The PRPAC seeks to “provide minority actors, dancers, singers, writers, directors and technicians with opportunities to develop their skills in the performing arts in ways that amplify the richness and diversity of the African American culture. The company is also dedicated to youth programs and uses the arts to address complex issues such as violence, workforce preparation, academic achievement, and multicultural understanding. The PRPAC offers the Youth Ensemble program and the Arts Experience Summer Camp.
Upcoming Events & Performances  The Connective Corridor is a community-wide effort to link together the diverse array of cultural offerings Syracuse provides. Beginning at Syracuse University and ending in Armory Square, the corridor will serve as a way for Syracuse residents and students to enjoy the numerous cultural venues offered in the area. Three of Syracuse's major universities and more than 20 of its cultural venues will be linked by the corridor, including the Lowe Art Gallery, Setnor Auditorium, the Community Folk Art Center, the Paul Robeson Performing Arts Center, and Syracuse Stage. Many highlights of Downtown Syracuse are located on the corridor as well, including the Delavan Art Gallery, the Erie Canal Museum, the Everson Museum of Art, the Landmark Theatre, the Museum of Science and Technology, the Oncenter Complex, Mulroy Civic Center, War Memorial Auditorium, the Redhouse, the Syracuse Symphony Orchestra, and the Warehouse. Connective Corridor Shuttle Service is provided by Syracuse University between these areas during the school year. Walkways and bicycle paths will also link the locations.
Corridor Happenings
|
