Mission & History

Our Mission

Syracuse Stage, a professional theatre in residence at SyracuseUniversity, creates innovative, adventurous and entertaining productions, including new plays and bold interpretations of classics and musicals.

We are a collaborative arts organization where artists, audiences, staff, teachers and students from diverse backgrounds engage in exploring theatre’s transformative power.

We celebrate and enhance the cultural richness of Central New York and the vitality of our art form.

Vision

Syracuse Stage illuminates the many truths of our common humanity through the transformative power of live theatre.

History

Syracuse Stage is Central New York’s premier professional theatre. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 220 plays in 36 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres. Each season 90,000 patrons enjoy an adventurous mix of new plays and bold interpretations of classics and musicals featuring the finest theatre artists. In addition, Stage maintains a vital educational outreach program that annually serves over 30,000 students from 24 counties. 

Syracuse Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country.  America’s leading actors, directors and designers work and/or have worked at Stage including: Tony Award-winners Lillias White, Chuck Cooper and Elizabeth Franz, Emmy recipient Jean Stapleton, Sam Waterston, John Cullum, James Whitmore, and Ben Gazzara. These visiting artists are supported by a staff of artisans, technicians, educators and administrators who are responsible for all facets of the theatre from building sets, props and costumes to marketing, development and box office. 

A solid core of subscribers and supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New York. Year after year their support and patronage contribute to the success of the theatre. Additional support from government, foundations, corporations and SyracuseUniversity helps to ensure the continued role of Syracuse Stage as a valued cultural resource for the community.  

Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Syracuse Chamber of Commerce, the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association.