Syracuse Stage, Syracuse

Syracuse Stage is a leading professional, non-profit theater company based in Syracuse and widely regarded as the premier regional theater in Central New York. Founded in 1974 by Syracuse University professor Arthur Storch-who also served as its first artistic director-the company evolved from the earlier Syracuse Repertory Theatre, active since the 1960s. Though an independent organization, Syracuse Stage has maintained a close relationship with the Syracuse University Department of Drama, frequently co-producing shows and providing a professional platform for student productions.

Over the decades, Syracuse Stage has become a cultural anchor in the region, presenting a range of theatrical works from classics to new plays, including those developed through its New Play Development Fund, established in 2023 by a generous $1 million donation from Julie Lutz and George Wallerstein. The theater is affiliated with key organizations such as the Theatre Communications Group and the League of Resident Theatres and continues to foster artistic innovation under current artistic director Robert Hupp.

The facility features three performance spaces: the intimate Storch Theater, named after its founder, which accommodates around 200–250 guests in various stage configurations; the experimental Loft Theater, with flexible seating for 49; and the Archbold Theater, a 499-seat proscenium venue built in 1980 and named for John Dana Archbold. Additionally, the Sutton Pavilion serves as a cabaret space for late-night programming and community events.

Together, these spaces support a dynamic mix of professional productions, student performances, and experimental projects, making Syracuse Stage a vital hub for theatrical arts and education in the region.