PRESS RELEASE Thursday, Sept. 8, 2016 CONTACT: Joanna Penalva, Marketing Manager 315-443-2636 or [email protected]

Go Backstage at Syracuse Stage on Sept. 17

Free community Open House to feature tours, local food, performances, Q&A session with new leadership team and more

SYRACUSE, NY – Syracuse Stage, Central ’s premiere professional theatre, will host a community open house on Saturday, Sept. 17, from 10 a.m.–2 p.m. The free event will feature backstage tours, food from Regent Neighborhood restaurants, several performances, a discussion with new theatre directors, multiple chances to win tickets and free Byrne Dairy ice cream compliments of Bill and Nancy Byrne.

As a bonus for Pokémon Go players, lures will be set up at various times throughout the day at three Pokéstops around the building to help catch Pokémon and load up on supplies.

Backstage Tours: 10 a.m.–1:30 p.m.

For the first time since 2012, the public is invited to go behind-the-scenes at Syracuse Stage and see how a professional production comes together under one roof. Tour stops include rehearsal halls, backstage of the Archbold Theatre, and the costumes, sets and props shops. If guests are lucky, they may even get a glimpse of Syracuse Stage’s resident spirit, the Lady in Red.

Tours will leave every ten minutes from the Coyne Lobby and last approximately 30 minutes.

Syracuse Stage and Department of Drama present The Bank of America Children’s Tour: 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

A Promise is a Promise is an Inuit tale about a young girl who encounters a sea monster after being told by her parents not to go to the sea alone. Performed in striking visual terms with an original musical score, this engaging fable teaches about Inuit culture while illustrating important issues of trust, responsibility and truth-telling. The director, designers, performers and production crew are students and professionals from the Syracuse University Department of Drama and Syracuse Stage.

Following each production in the Storch Theatre, the cast and crew will be available for a discussion with the audience. A Promise is a Promise is recommended for all ages.

“Taste of the Regent Neighborhood” Food Festival: 11 a.m.–1 p.m.

Visitors can enjoy a free sampling of fare from nearby establishments 1060 Restaurant, Dolce Vita World Bistro, Liberty Deli, Phoebe’s and Redfield’s Restaurant, and vote for their favorite dish. A wide variety of dishes will be available, from Cajun pasta and eggplant moussaka to chipotle beef quesadillas and braised jerk chicken, as well as dessert and gluten free options.

Pairs of tickets for the opening night of Great Expectations (Oct. 20) will be given away every half hour during the food festival at 11:30 a.m., 12:00, 12:30 and 1:00 p.m.

Syracuse University Department of Drama Musical Performance: 11:35 a.m.

Syracuse University Department of Drama students will perform selections from the upcoming productions Nine and Ragtime.

Syracuse Stage Leadership Discussion: 11:45 a.m.

This past July, an entirely new leadership team was put in place at Syracuse Stage comprised of Bob Hupp, artistic director; Jill Anderson, managing director; and Kyle Bass, associate artistic director. Hupp, Anderson and Bass will host a special question and answer session in the Storch Theatre about their hopes and plans for Syracuse Stage and how the arts in general are contributing to the resurgence of and contributing to the culture of .

Syracuse Stage is located at the corners of Irving Avenue and East Genesee Street in Syracuse. Free parking for Open House will be available on the streets. No RSVP is required.

ABOUT SYRACUSE STAGE Syracuse Stage is Central New York’s premier professional theatre in residence at Syracuse University. Founded in 1974, Stage has produced more than 300 plays in over 40 seasons including a number of world, American, and East Coast premieres. Each season 70,000 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 more than 15,000 students from 14 counties. A solid core of subscribers and supporters helps keep Syracuse Stage a vibrant artistic presence in Central New York. Additional support comes from the government, foundations, corporations and Syracuse University. Syracuse Stage is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group (TCG), the national organization for the American theatre, and a member of the Arts and Cultural Leadership Alliance (ACLA), the University Hill Corporation and the East Genesee Regent Association. Syracuse Stage is a member of The League of Resident Theatres (LORT), the largest professional theatre association in the country.

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Syracuse Stage I Artistic Director: Robert M. Hupp I Managing Director: Jill A. Anderson 820 E. Genesee St. I Main: 315-443-4008 I Box Office: 315-443-3275 I www.SyracuseStage.org