Syracuse Stage

Syracuse Stage
Map
LocationSyracuse, New York, U.S.
Coordinates43°02′48″N 76°08′18″W / 43.0467°N 76.1382°W / 43.0467; -76.1382
Genre(s)Non-profit theater
Opened1974
Website
syracusestage.org

Syracuse Stage is a professional non-profit theater company in Syracuse, New York, United States. It is the premier professional theater in Central New York. Each year, it offers several productions, including multiple collaborations between Syracuse Stage and the drama department of the Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts.

Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group and a member of the League of Resident Theatres, the University Hill Corporation, the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance, and the East Genesee Regent Association.[1]

History

The Syracuse Stage was founded in 1974 by Arthur Storch, who became its first artistic director.[2][3] The company grew out of the Syracuse Repertory Theatre that was founded in the mid-1960s by founders Marlow G. Burt, Robert B. D'Angelo and Rex Henriot.[2][4] The Repertory Theatre started trial seasons in 1964 and began its first official season in 1967 in a building formerly occupied by the Reagent movie theater.[5]

The archbold theater was built in 1980. The facility named after John Dana Archbold (University trustee 1976—1993 and the grandson of John D. Archbold), cost $1.3 million.[6][7]

In the early 1990s, Tazewell Thompson was artistic director.[8] Robert Moss and Timothy Bond have also served as artistic director. In 2016, Robert Hupp became artistic director.[1]

In 2023, the theater received a $1 million donation from Julie Lutz & George Wallerstein,[9][10] to establish the Julie Lutz New Play Development Fund, which will help develop new productions for the company.[11]

Ties to Syracuse University Department of Drama

While the Syracuse Stage an independent organization, it was started by Syracuse University professor Arthur Storch and since its inception, has had strong ties to SU's department of Drama.[12] It collaborates with the SU Department of Drama and houses Syracuse Univeversity undergraduate productions as well as independent productions. It also receives annual grants from the university.[13] In 2009, the university contributed 40% towards the annual budget of $5.1 million.[14]

Facilities

The Syracuse Stage has three theaters: Storch, Loft, and Archbold – and a pavilion. The Sutton Pavilion is a cabaret space, often utilized for late-night entertainment.[3][15]

The Arthur Storch theater is named for the founding artistic director of the stage.[16] The Storch theater seats ~200–250 people and can be configured as a proscenium, thrust, or avenue stage.[15]

The Loft Theater is a smaller space with 49 seats for audience members in a felixble configurations, often used for short plays, workshops, and experimental efforts.

The John D. Archbold Theater is a 499-seat proscenium theater.[6][7] The theatre has a 36–40 feet wide proscenium; the stage is 30 feet deep. It is lit by 215 Source Fours, 16 Fresnel lanterns, 36 par cans, and 22 16x22 Lekolites.[17]

References

  1. ^ a b "Syracuse Stage Expands Artistic Leadership Team". SU News. July 16, 2021. Retrieved 6 August 2021.
  2. ^ a b "50th Anniversary". Syracuse Stage. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b Matlock, Kelly (16 November 2023). "Syracuse Stage celebrates 50 years of bringing the power of theater to life". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  4. ^ "Syracuse Stage Scripts A description of the collection at the Syracuse University Archives". library.syracuse.edu. Special Collections Research Center. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  5. ^ Gilbert, Rachel (May 10, 2017). "How Syracuse Stage and SU work together to produce quality performances". The NewsHouse. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  6. ^ a b Gussow, Mel (2 February 1981). "PLAY: SYRACUSE PREMIERE FOR SOUTH AFRICAN WORK". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  7. ^ a b John Dana Archbold Theater Archived 2014-03-09 at the Wayback Machine, Syracuse University buildings. Accessed: March 9, 2014.
  8. ^ Gussow, Mel (24 February 1994). "Director Shakes Up Syracuse Stage". The New York Times. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  9. ^ Ortiz, Tania (13 September 2023). "She never saw a play there, but a pioneering astronomer just left $1M to Syracuse Stage". Syracuse Post-Standard. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  10. ^ Penalva, Joanna (August 18, 2023). "Syracuse Stage Receives Transformational Gift Honoring Julie Haynes Lutz". Syracuse University News. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  11. ^ Lechner, Nate (27 September 2023). "Syracuse Stage's new $1 million dollar donation will enable innovative 'artistic risks'". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  12. ^ Zito, Ralph (4 October 2017). "Department of Drama Chair addresses distinction between Syracuse Stage and Drama Department". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  13. ^ Syracuse University - Form 990 (June 2018) (Report). ProPublica. August 2019. p. 80. Retrieved 5 October 2020.
  14. ^ Tracey, Sara (23 March 2009). "Syracuse Stage lays off 4, cuts 3 positions in response to recession". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  15. ^ a b "Syracuse Stage/Drama Theater Complex". Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts. Retrieved 17 November 2023.
  16. ^ Newman, Meredith (7 March 2013). "Founder of Syracuse Stage dies at 87". The Daily Orange. Retrieved 16 November 2023.
  17. ^ "Tech Spec Info Sheet for Syracuse Stage". Syracuse Stage "Tech Spec Info Sheet" subpage. Syracuse Stage. Retrieved 2007-09-28.