New York community theaters provide audiences everything from dramatic shows to comedy musicals, classic to modern drama and musicals – everything you could desire in one location!
Paper Mill Playhouse is one of several pre-Broadway venues where many productions debut before hitting Broadway and feature a Distinguished Speaker Series.
Buffalo State Performing Arts Center
The Buffalo State Performing Arts Center is a multipurpose 856-seat theatre that enhances cultural life at Buffalo State and Western New York communities. Each year, it hosts over 180 events with over 50,000 patrons attending them for concerts, lectures, and films, as well as its Great Performers series featuring artists of various genres.
The facility also boasts a state-of-the-art sound system, exceptional acoustics, and clear sight lines, making it an essential venue that has something for everyone from national acts to student performances – making the PAC an unmissable destination.
The Performing Arts Center can be found on the beautiful Elmwood Avenue campus of SUNY Buffalo State and comprises Rockwell Hall, a historic landmark that contains Rockwell PAC at its core, Ciminelli Recital Hall, classrooms, dance studios, administrative offices, and administrative services. Other noteworthy campus structures include the Burchfield Penney Art Center (dedicated to American watercolorist Charles E. Burchfield) and the Czurles-Nelson Gallery displaying artworks by members of its art department).
The Irish Classical Theatre Company
The International Contemporary Theatre Center brings world-class productions directly to Western New York through The Andrews Theatre – Western New York’s only true theatre-in-the-round – which seats audiences no more than 20 feet from the stage. Furthermore, for added comfort during each performance, Chris O’Neill Lounge provides hospitality before, during intermission, and post-performance.
ICTC’s mission is to redefine classical drama on stage, in the community, and the classroom with innovative productions that are both challenging and accessible for audiences. Their dedication lies in maintaining the integrity of the works they present while still making sure they resonate within contemporary society.
ICTC’s solid Irish heritage can be seen both in its choice of repertoire and its tradition of inviting internationally acclaimed directors, playwrights, and actors from all over the world to visit the Buffalo region to work with and honor ICTC. Our Mission at ICTC is to present exceptional works of dramatic literature – classic international classics and modern plays of extraordinary merit – to public audiences in Western New York, Southern Ontario, and nationally before reaching international audiences worldwide.
The UB Center for the Arts
UB Center for the Arts in Buffalo is a multidisciplinary arts center where UB’s art departments come together to offer an array of live entertainment. Music, dance, comedy, and speakers can all be found here, along with Broadway shows and international performances – perfect for all!
This venue features multiple theaters, a 200-seat media study screening room, video production and sound studios, dance and performance studios, and open seating areas to welcome community members and foster collaboration between UB artists and members of the public.
This year, the CFA presents an eclectic program to suit all audiences. Their fall season will showcase concerts by pop singer Christina Perri and rock band Jethro Tull, Croatian instrumental duo 2CELLOS, country a cappella group Home Free, and jazz bassist Esperanza Spalding – to name a few performers!
UB Art Gallery presents engaging exhibitions to scholars and the local community while inspiring students through interactive exhibits, student shows, and workshops. This gallery is a teaching and research resource on the North Campus of UB University.
Jewish Repertory Theatre
Jewish Repertory Theatre of Buffalo is an award-winning professional equity theater dedicated to producing plays that explore Jewish and multicultural issues and themes. They believe drama sheds light on human nature while offering people of various backgrounds the chance to understand one another better.
JRT presents Michael Folie’s The Adjustment as its latest production, beginning November 1. Starring Liz Larsen (Starmites and Damn Yankees), this romantic comedy stars Liz as a modern working woman seeking back pain relief at a Hasidic chiropractor and finds romance instead. Directed by JRT co-founder and artistic director Saul Elkin.
BEAU JEST by James Sherman runs March 11-31, 2021, and is an audience favorite! The story centers on a girl in love with an imaginary beau that she hires an actor to portray for family gatherings – but eventually, his act becomes too successful, and their hired boyfriend begins winning over her heart! Additionally, this show includes Yiddish songs performed by Niki Jacobs, a renowned singer/performer.
Buffalo United Actors
Buffalo, New York’s Harbor Stage Theater is an ideal setting for local acts and Broadway performers alike, boasting a stage, dance floor, and bar. As well as hosting national performances, it also hosts workshops explicitly tailored for local talent. Staff at this theater is friendly and helpful, and the venue provides customers with various services.
This theater is open Monday through Sunday and offers various food and drinks, making it the ideal venue for showing a show or taking someone special out on a date. With romantic comedies or lively musicals here, this theater provides plenty of entertainment!
EMMA ENGLISH is delighted to make a return appearance at SDP! She has previously appeared in short plays by First Look Buffalo (“Recipe on Used Napkins,” “Why Won’t Nick Jonas Love Me?) as well as touring with Friday Night Live and Comic Sans Improv Squad improv comedy groups. Additionally, Emma directed both Bigfoot with MusicalFare and Adult Alison in Fun Home by Real Light Technology Productions digital production and currently serves as Alleyway Theatre Managing Director.
Lancaster Opera House
Lancaster Village Theatre, east of Buffalo, features 350 seats serving comedies, dramas, musicals, and concerts by local talent and nationally acclaimed theatre professionals.
George Metzger designed and opened his Opera House as a music hall within a town hall in 1897. Initially used for dances, recitals, commencement exercises, and musicals before becoming a center for food distribution to the needy during World War II, it served as Civil Defense headquarters.
Metzger’s design enabled the Opera House to be used for multiple functions, which is still used today. The maple auditorium floor is unobstructed by balcony supports, making removing seats for dancing or other purposes much simpler. Furthermore, its woodwork, such as long-leaf yellow pine door and window frames, wainscoting, and balcony railing, add charm and provide superior acoustics.
Road Less Traveled Productions
Road Less Traveled Productions is a professional theater company dedicated to creating new plays by Western New York playwrights and producing esteemed modern dramas with outstanding literary merit. Recently, they relocated to a beautiful new theater space at 500 Pearl Street in Buffalo’s Historic Theater District; patron amenities such as sleek modern lobby bar seating with intimate stadium theater seating are provided, and ample area parking and dining facilities within walking distance.
RLTP is currently staging “Murder Ballad,” an explosive story of love, lust, and betrayal about Sara, an uptown girl with an underworld past who seems to have it all with her husband Michael yet still flirts with Tom (a bad boy from Tom’s history). This play boasts an all-female cast from local talent – making for an enjoyable viewing experience!
RLTP will also present “Sweat,” Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize-winning and Tony-nominated play that explores how garment workers are vulnerable to exploitation and dehumanizing effects of work. This play is both provocative and poignant – not suitable for the faint-hearted!
Alleyway Theatre
Alleyway Theatre is renowned for producing somewhat unusual productions. Their most recent offering was a musical based on the locally filmed B movie Killer Rack; another will soon follow about Academy Award winner Silence of the Lambs. Plus, they boast an adorable courtyard location and provide seating with an incline, so there won’t be an uncomfortable seat in the house!
The theatre is also committed to supporting new works of theatre and the artists who create them through its annual AlleyWorks series – culminating in an INCUBATION FESTIVAL – as well as various workshops and readings. Furthermore, professional training for adults and teenagers in playwriting, voiceover acting, film acting, and college audition preparation is available through AlleyWorks.
The Theatre at Buffalo resides within an Art Moderne 1941 Greyhound bus terminal that dates back to 1941 in the heart of Buffalo’s historic Theater District. Visitors can explore its refurbished space, such as its 2021 lobby mural, gallery exhibits, and onstage/backstage tours.
