Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has announced they will return to in-person performances this fall, after recieving approval from leadership at the Univeristy of Illinois to do so.
This is a boon to the cultural programming available for consumption in the community, as Krannert was forced to cancel their fall and spring programming the last two seasons due to the pandemic (though it didn’t stop them from hosting shows outside or doing a variety of virtual programming).
See the release below which outlines a bit of what’s to come, including the news that ELLNORA will return in 2021 September 17-18. Though a small item in there, sadly the Promenade will not reopen when things come back.
Krannert Center has received approval from University of Illinois leadership to welcome audiences in person beginning in the fall! After a year dedicated to safe, in-person education of performing arts students and digital delivery of performances, the Center’s staff is thrilled to also be planning for public audiences in our theatres again. We look forward to hosting joyful, thought-provoking, life-affirming experiences including ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival (September 17-18) and PYGMALION (September 23-25). National and international touring artists such as PHILADANCO!, The Brazilian All Stars, Jupiter String Quartet with pianist Gloria Chien, CONTRA-TIEMPO, and Las Cafeteras have committed to performances at Krannert Center this fall. The Departments of Theatre and Dance and the School of Music including Lyric Theatre @ Illinois will present a full slate of events. Krannert Center staff are in conversation with partners Champaign-Urbana Symphony, Sinfonia da Camera, Champaign Urbana Ballet, and C-U Folk and Roots Festival. And the visiting artist schedule for spring is being determined—including the return of Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
The Krannert Center team is carefully determining its approach to seating in order to ensure the best possible experience for audience members and artists. Stay tuned to e-news for performance dates and ticket on-sale dates!
Now open and ready to serve you is Krannert Center’s Intermezzo cafe, open to the public 8am to 3pm Monday through Friday. Come get acquainted or reacquainted with Intermezzo’s monster baked potatoes, grilled cheese sandwiches, salads, fresh-baked cinnamon rolls, and more. For the summer, enter Krannert Center through the Illinois Street upper-level garage (Orange) or via the Goodwin Avenue steps.
One change is taking place in Krannert Center’s Lobby—after a long and distinguished run, Promenade will not reopen as a gift shop as Krannert Center reopens to the public. We heartily thank all of the shoppers and staff who helped to create a very special place over the course of almost 40 years. Prior to the pandemic, Krannert Center staff introduced a showcase in Promenade, the Lobby, and on KrannertCenter.com to highlight the performances, processes, and people of Krannert Center, Music, Lyric Theatre, Theatre, and Dance. While we are still determining how the Promenade space can best support Krannert Center operations, we look forward to continuing this showcase of the creative process.
Krannert Center has long been committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding and the wellbeing of individuals, communities, and society. As our region begins to look to life beyond the pandemic, Krannert Center’s staff seeks to be part of that process of healing and recovery, grounded in the principles of anti-racism, social justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility. We thank you for your interest in and your support of the Center, and we look forward with great excitement to seeing you at Krannert Center soon!
Top image of Tig Notaro at PYGMALION 2018 by Sam Logan.
