UIS Performing Arts Center

Steve Sykes, the 2024-2025 Our Stage / Our Voices Artist-in-Residence at UIS, is working to make participation and enjoyment of theater more accessible for the disabled community. The Our Stage/Our Voices program seeks to provide opportunities for performing artists who are members of historically underrepresented communities to address the issues of inequality in the regional performing arts with the goal of achieving diversity and inclusion. Steve spoke to Community Voices about his inclusive improv workshop, insights on theater accessibility, and his upcoming production of Almost, Maine, featuring abled and disabled performers. The show will be performed March 13-16 in the UIS Studio Theatre. Tickets and more information can be found here.

The Performing Arts Center will undergo a 15-month plumbing system replacement

The Lifespan of a Fact is a 2018 Broadway play based on a book of the same name co-written by John D’Agata and Jim Fingal. The play surrounds an essayist and fact-checker as they grapple with the distinction between fact and truth. Actors Jakob Hankins and Laura Briggs spoke to Community Voices about the importance and timeliness of the show, which will run Sept. 26-29 in the Studio Theater at UIS.

Tim Crawford is a local playwright, director and actor. He is also the current Our Stage / Our Voices Artist-In-Residence for the University of Illinois Springfield Performing Arts Center. Tim spoke to Community Voices about uplifting diverse voices in the community, his playwriting workshop and his upcoming play "Outraged: Terror in Springfield 1908." Tim also discusses the benefits of the Our Stage / Our Voices Artist-In-Residency Program.

David Becker is an award-winning, Grammy & Emmy nominated jazz guitarist, composer, producer, and educator who has performed for audiences all around the world. He spoke to Community Voices about his upcoming performance at the UIS Studio Theatre on Oct. 7 titled "Planets." The concert is in collaboration with Space Channel and in partnership with the UIS Astronomy-Physics department. After the concert, audience members can visit the UIS Campus Observatory. For more information visit uispac.com.

When written history and historical details lost to time clash, what will persevere? "Niceties" actresses Regina Ivy and Meredith Vogel-Thomas, as well as Carly Shank, Artistic Program Director for the UIS Performing Arts Center, sat down with co-host Logan Bricker to speak about their work and passions in the acting community and what goes into creating characters. Ivy and Vogel-Thomas also shared a scene from the play that runs Sept. 27-30, 2023.

Carly Shank, artistic programs director for the UIS Performing Arts Center discusses Staley Class Acts educational outreach, sensory-friendly performances, and the new Our Stage / Our Voices program.

Seinfeld last played the UIS Performing Arts Center in 2018.

Bryan Rives, director of the UIS Performing Arts Center, join Bea Bonner to tell us what's next after the venue has been on pause during the pandemic.…

Bryan Rives is Director of UIS Performing Arts Services at UIS Performing Arts Center at the University of Illinois Springfield. Bryan has over 30 years…