Theater-by-the-Grove combines the talents of professional faculty, developing student artists and talented guest artists. They produce plays and musicals for the entire community in venues at the IUP Performing Arts Center on the corner of Oakland Avenue and S. 11th Street. Classic dramas and comedies and avant garde new works make up each season’s offerings. Student produced and directed works as well as sketch comedies and improv are featured in the Acorn Project selections performed in the Studio Theatre. The company has received many awards from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
The IUP Dance Theatre company is formed from student dancers by audition each year. Directed by IUP’s faculty director of dance, the Dance Theatre company produces major long-form dance productions such as selections from The Nutcracker (a holiday favorite) in Fisher Auditorium, and concert evenings of student and guest choreographed programs on their home stage in Zink Auditorium located in the Zink Hall at 1190 Maple Street. They also offer performances in collaboration with guest artists and guest companies in residence each year.
During the summer, IUP is home to Footlight Players, a youth theatre company open to creatives K-12. It is a month-long summer day camp run by professional teaching artists and
student interns. A program of workshops and rehearsals culminates in a festival of plays for the community. Registration and information is available at IUP’s Department of Theatre, Dance and Performance (www.iup.edu/theater).
The KCAC
The Kovalchick Convention and Athletic Complex (KCAC), located along Wayne Avenue adjacent to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP) campus, is a 148,500 square-foot facility that offers multi-use adaptable space. Events are held in the 5,000-seat Ed Fry Arena, the 630-seat Toretti Auditorium, and the 17,000 square-foot state of the art Conference Center.
Sporting events (such as the IUP men’s and women’s basketball teams and women’s volleyball team games), concerts, family shows, conferences, conventions, trade shows—you name it—the KCAC is the ideal venue for unique and exciting entertainment in Indiana County. Stay in the loop with upcoming events and performances by visiting the KCAC website.
Get a taste of the big city, without ever leaving town. Ovations! is IUP’s premier performance series presenting touring artists from around the world. From the best in jazz and classical music to theater and more, Ovations! presents the best in performing arts and takes you on a journey that entertains and engages from start to finish. Check out IUP’s Lively Arts Calendar and Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/livelyarts) to get up-to-date information on performances.
- Youth Art Celebration: IAC’s annual event celebrating young artists from area school districts.
- Children’s Theater Workshop: Area students from grades 4-8 learn some basics of theatrical performance and collaboration in weekend sessions.
- Community Caroling: This collaboration with Downtown Indiana gets everyone in the Holiday Spirit with area caroling parties converging on downtown for a group sing of holiday favorites.
- The Delaney Chevrolet Westsylvania Jazz and Blues Festival: Always the Saturday before Memorial Day, this free, outdoor festival both supports the growth and development of area student musicians while also bringing some of the best regional and national acts in jazz and blues to Indiana, PA. It’s great American music for a great American town. Visit westsylvaniajazzandblues.org for more information.
The Artful Chair: This collaboration served as a fundraiser for the Arts Council and the Indiana County Community Foodbank. Local professional and amateur artists decorated chairs that will be purchased by area businesses and individuals. To date, nearly 100 have been decorated. They will be auctioned off in October with proceeds benefitting both the Arts Council and ICCAP, our local food bank.
