Each year, the staff of the UAlbany Performing Arts Center selects performances to augment and complement the offerings of the Department of Music and Theatre. Often, these professional companies are on campus for several days sharing their artistic work and vision. We are proud of the multi-disciplinary artists who will be with us this season and graciously thank the University at Albany Foundation for the support of the majority of the series as well as all of the partners help to make their presence here a possibility.
Beyond Sacred:
Voices of Muslim Identity
Sunday, October 14 at 7:30pm
This documentary style theatre work by Ping Chong + Company illuminates the daily experiences of five young Muslim Americans who have come of age in a post-9/11 society and are building their lives in a time of continued fear of and violence towards Muslims. Their true stories create a beautiful and intensely poignant cry for understanding at a time when such sentiments are more necessary than ever.
Artist website 
In advance of this performance, hear more voices of Muslim identity with Syrian-American rapper Mona Haydar and Olympic fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad on Wednesday, October 10. More info can be found by clicking the Special Events tab above.
Presented by the UAlbany Performing Arts Center in collaboration with the NYS Writers Institute. The engagement by Ping Chong + Company is made possible through the Mid Atlantic Tours program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Support also provided by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, Office of Intercultural Student Engagement, University Auxiliary Services and Residence Inn by Marriott.
The Gun Show
Wednesday, March 27 at 7:30pm
Award-winning playwright E. M. Lewis tells the story of America’s relationship with guns through the prism of her own personal experiences. Leaning neither right nor left, the play jumps into the middle of the gun control debate and asks “Can we have a conversation about this?”
Playwright's website
Presented by the UAlbany Performing Arts Center with support provided by the University at Albany Foundation, Office of Intercultural Student Engagement and Residence Inn by Marriott.
Saturday, May 4 at 7:30pm
It's story time…for adults. Spellbinding short stories by established and emerging writers take on new life when they are performed by stars of stage, screen and television. Public Radio International’s wildly popular series and podcast comes to town offering a unique evening of literature in performance.
Program website
Presented by the UAlbany Performing Arts Center in collaboration with the NYS Writers Institute. Support provided by the University at Albany Foundation and Residence Inn by Marriott.
Admission for each of the shows above
Advance tickets: $15 general public /
$10 students, seniors & UAlbany faculty-staff
Day of show tickets: $20 general public /
$15 students, seniors & UAlbany faculty-staff
Photos this page:
Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity by
Adam Nadel
San Jose Taiko
Saturday, November 10 at 7:30pm
Mesmerizing audiences since 1973, these talented performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit as they create new dimensions in Asian American movement and music. Inspired by traditional Japanese drumming, they have broadened the art form by infusing other world rhythms including African, Brazilian, Filipino, Latin and Jazz.
Artist website
In advance of this performance, catch the free screening of the documentary Great Grandfather’s Drum on Friday, October 26 at 7pm cosponsored by the NYS Writers Institute. More info can be found by clicking the Special Events tab above.
This engagement is made possible through the ArtsCONNECT program of Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Presented by the UAlbany Performing Arts Center with additional support provided by the University at Albany Foundation, Office of Intercultural Student Engagement, University Auxiliary Services and Residence Inn by Marriott.
Klugherz/Heyman Duo
Wednesday, February 20 at 7:30pm
Artists in residence at Colgate University, violinist Laura Klurgherz and pianist Steven Heyman offer an “An Evening with Beethoven” performing the violin/piano Op. 12, No. 2; Op. 23 and Op. 96 in anticipation and celebration of the upcoming 250th anniversary of the great composer’s birth.
Presented by the Performing Arts Center through an artist-in-residence exchange program with Colgate University. Support provided by the University at Albany Foundation and Residence Inn by Marriott.
Admission for each of the shows above
Advance tickets:
$15 general public /
$10 students, seniors & UAlbany faculty-staff
Day of show tickets:
$20 general public /
$15 students, seniors & UAlbany faculty-staff
Photos this page:
San Jose Taiko by Higashi Design
Laura Klugherz by Cathy Dietz
Steven Heyman by
Suzanne Vinnik
DANCE IN ALBANY
For the fourth season, the UAlbany Performing Arts Center is collaborating with
The Egg on a joint dance series. This year, there are nine performances in two locations that can be purchased at a 20-45% discount. Get all the details here.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Silver Celebration
The College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) marks its
25th anniversary with a series of celebratory events, several which will take place at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center (see below). Complete schedule can be found here.
Thursday, September 20 at 7:30pm (ticketed event) -
Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company performs a program of collaborations with CAS faculty. More info here
Friday, October 5 at 3pm -
The Department of Music & Theatre pays tribute to CAS with Songs and Sounds for Silver, a music/spoken word program. More info here
Tuesday, October 16 at 7pm -
Architect/artist/writer/educator David Gersten speaks
about creating new
structures and spaces
for creative exchange
across disciplines in the arts,
humanities and sciences.
Monday, October 22 at 7pm -
NOVA Senior Series Producer Melanie Wallace discusses
her career with
America’s most-
watched prime time science series and the
essential ties between the humanities,
history, science and truth.
Mona Haydar and
Ibtihaj Muhammad
Wednesday, October 10
4:15pm (craft talk)
7pm (conversation/Q&A)
Mona is a Syrian American rapper, activist and artist whose debut song Hijabi (Wrap My Hijab) was named one of the 25 top feminist anthems of all time by Billboard. A fencing champion, Ibtihaj became the first female Muslim-American athlete to win an Olympic medal. They share the stage to tell their stories.
After this event, come see Beyond Sacred: Voices of Muslim Identity by Ping Chong + Company on Sunday, October 14. More info can be found by clicking the Theatre tab above.
Presented by the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and the NYS Writers Institute
Great Grandfather's Drum
Friday, October 26 at 7pm
Screened in advance of the performance by San Jose Taiko, this documentary is an intimate and joyful portrait of Maui Taiko, a contemporary Japanese-American drum ensemble. Through dynamic performances on giant drums, they travel on a heartfelt journey back to rural Japan to seek their ancestral roots.
After this event, come see San Jose Taiko on Saturday, November 10. More info can be found by clicking the Music tab above.
Presented by the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and the NYS Writers Institute
Gold Celebration
Tuesday, April 16 at 7pm
The Performing Arts Center’s doors opened exactly 50 years ago on this date. Please
join us for a special performance
commemorating the occasion.
The Special Events on this page are free admission, unless otherwise noted.
Photo this page:
Ephrat Asherie Dance in Odeon, photo by Christopher Duggan
Mona Haydar, photo by Mona Haydar
Ibtihaj Muhammad, photo by
Heidi Gutman-Guillaume
Beyond Sacred by Adam Nadel
San Jose Taiko by Higashi Design
Created and produced by the University Art Museum, NYS Writers Institute and UAlbany Performing Arts Center in collaboration with WAMC Public Radio, this series features leading figures from a variety of artistic disciplines in conversation about their creative inspirations, their craft and their careers. "Roundtable" host Joe Donahue conducts live
on-stage interviews followed by a Q&A with the audience.
Bibbe Hansen
Wednesday, September 5 at 7pm -
University Art Museum
Pre-conversation reception at 5:30 at University Art Museum
Performance artist, musician
Actress and star of Warhol films
Artist website
Jean Shin
Thursday, November 1 at 7pm -
Performing Arts Center
Pre-conversation reception at 5:30 at University Art Museum
Noted sculptor, curator
Public installation artist
Artist website
Esmeralda Santiago
Thursday, November 8 at 7pm
Campus Center Ballroom
Best selling author and essayist
Documentary screenwriter
Artist website
There will be additional guests announced at a later date for the spring.
THE CREATIVE LIFE ARCHIVES
(click on the name to hear the interview)
Joyce Carol
Oates
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Novelist, poet and essayist
Pulitzer Prize finalist
New York Times best-selling author
Savion Glover
Saturday, October 15, 2016
Dancer, choreographer and hoofer
Tony Award nominee and winner
Broadway, television and film star
Regina Carter
Saturday, February 11, 2017
Violin virtuoso
Jazz artist and improviser
MacArthur Fellow
David Salle
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Renowned painter
Film and stage designer
Author on fine art
Lois Lowry
Friday, November 10, 2017
Author of The Giver & Number the Stars
Newbery Medal winner
Leading voice of children's literature
Garth Fagan
Wednesday, March 28, 2018
Lion King choreographer
Tony Award winner
Dance company founder
Patti LuPone
Thursday, April 26, 2018
Actress, singer, Broadway star
Grammy & Tony Award winner
New York Times best-selling author
Series funded by the University at Albany Foundation with additional support from the Alumni Association, College of Arts and Sciences, Office of the Provost and University Auxiliary Services.
Photos this page:
Bibbe Hansen by John E. Espinosa
Jean Shin by Daniel Terna
Esmeralda Santiago by Robert Curtis
Joe Donahue and Joyce Carol Oates by Suzanne Lance
Savion Glover by Suzanne Lance
Regina Carter and Joe Donahue by Bryan Robinson
David Salle and Joe Donahue by Suzanne Lance
Lois Lowry and Joe Donahue by Patrick Ferlo
Joe Donahue and Garth Fagan by Patrick Ferlo
Patti LuPone and Joe Donahue by Patrick Ferlo
