Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU

09/18/2025

Take a look into rehearsals of American Psycho: The Musical, produced by WestRep Stage at WCSU, and running October 10-19th!

Based on the electrifying novel by Bret Easton Ellis, this musical tells the story of Patrick Bateman, a young and handsome Wall Street banker with impeccable taste and unquenchable desires. Patrick and his elite group of friends spend their days in chic restaurants, exclusive clubs and designer labels. But at night, Patrick takes part in a darker indulgence, and his mask of sanity is starting to slip…

American Psycho: The Musical is directed by Tim Howard and choreographed by Jen Turey. Performances take place in the MainStage Theatre of the Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU in Danbury, CT. Seating is reserved for this production, so be sure to purchase your tickets in advance. For tickets and more information, visit the link below:

https://westrepstage.org/event/american-psycho-the-musical/

Western Connecticut State University

09/18/2025

Take a look at the scenic renderings for American Psycho the Musical, designed by Clifton Chadick, 2025 Drama Desk Award nominee!

This show runs October 10-19, and is directed by Tim Howard. For tickets and more information, visit westrepstage.org.

Western Connecticut State University

09/03/2025

09/02/2025

The 2025-2026 VPAC Events Catalog is now live! From stunning theatrical productions, to thrilling concerts and unique gallery exhibitions, the Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU truly has it all. Visit wcsu.edu/svpca/events to check out all of our exciting events planned for this year, and to purchase tickets. We hope to see you there!

08/27/2025

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Mexican art and objects from 1956-1973 at our Gallery Opening - Sin Indiferencia!

SIN INDIFERENCIA: Mexican art and objects 1956–1973
from the WCSU Archives’ Collection

This exhibition of WCSU's Mexican art and objects from 1956-1973 compels us to consider the theme of "otherness" through the lens of Mexican modernism, provenance, ancient aesthetics, and the power of art to bridge cultural divides. "Sin Indiferncia" or "Without Indifference" is the title of a sculpture in this exhibit by Mexican artist, Herbert Hofmann-Ysenbourg, and speaks to how WCSU looked past otherness and came to possess and preserve these objects.

On view October 2 – December 7, 2025

OPENING RECEPTION: Thursday, Oct 2, 6:00–8:00pm

Gallery Hours: Tues–Fri, 12–4, Sat–Sun, 1–4

For more information, visit wcsu.edu/art

Western Connecticut State University

08/14/2025

05/02/2025

"Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" runs the next two weekends at the Visual and Performing Arts Center at WCSU. In this play based on the movie of the same name, a progressive white couple's proud liberal sensibilities are put to the test when their daughter brings her black fiance home to meet them. Blindsided by their daughter's whirlwind romance and fearful for her future, Matt and Christina Drayton quickly come to realize the difference between supporting a mixed-race couple in your newspaper and welcoming one into your family -- especially in 1967. For tickets, visit wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.

Special Captioned Performance on 5/11
The 2 p.m. performance of Guess Who's Coming to Dinner on Sunday, May 11 will be accompanied by supertitles for the hearing impaired, providing complete text captions of dialogue and important sound cues to ensure full accessibility for everyone in the audience.

Community Conversation After 5/10 Matinee
Join us immediately following the matinee performance on Saturday, May 10 for our Community Conversation with the director, cast, crew, and special guest Dr. Marisa Calvi-Rogers. The conversation will be hosted by faculty dramaturg Dr. Donald P. Gagnon, and moderated by student dramaturgs Donovan Shaw and Oiara Quichiz. Admission to the Community Conversation is included with your ticket purchase to this performance.

04/29/2025

04/15/2025

Join us May 1-4 for the 28th Annual Jazz Fest at WCSU! This clip is from the 26th Jazz Fest in 2023, featuring the Jazz Orchestra conducted by Dr. Jimmy Greene.

Schedule of events:
Thursday, May 1 at 7 PM - WCSU Jazz Groups
Friday, May 2 at 7 PM - WCSU Jazz Orchestra with guest Jeremy Pelt
Saturday, May 3 at 7 PM - WCSU Jazz Faculty
Sunday, May 4 at 1:30 PM - High School Honors Jazz Ensembles, WCSU Alumni Combo

For tickets and more information, visit wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com.

04/08/2025

There are only four more chances left to see Curse of the Starving Class! This critically acclaimed play by Sam Shepard is a darkly comic look into the world of the dysfunctional Tate family, as they struggle amongst themselves for food, freedom, and purpose in their run-down lives. The Tates will do just about anything to raise themselves out of the downward spiral into which they’ve fallen. But is it even possible? Or are some families, Shepard asks, just cursed from the start? This production is directed by WCSU Professor Sal Trapani. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11; 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, in the Studio Theatre in the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus.

For tickets and more info: wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com or wcsu.edu/svpca

Photos by Tony DeZinno.

04/04/2025

“Curse of the Starving Class” runs the next two weekends only! This critically acclaimed play by Sam Shepard is a darkly comic look into the world of the dysfunctional Tate family, as they struggle amongst themselves for food, freedom, and purpose in their run-down lives. The Tates will do just about anything to raise themselves out of the downward spiral into which they’ve fallen. But is it even possible? Or are some families, Shepard asks, just cursed from the start? This production is directed by WCSU Professor Sal Trapani. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 4; 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 5; 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 6; 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11; 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, in the Studio Theatre in the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus.

For tickets and more info: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/curse-of-the-starving-class-tickets-925447366987

Western Connecticut State University

04/03/2025

“Curse of the Starving Class” runs the next two weekends only! This critically acclaimed play by Sam Shepard is a darkly comic look into the world of the dysfunctional Tate family, as they struggle amongst themselves for food, freedom, and purpose in their run-down lives. The Tates will do just about anything to raise themselves out of the downward spiral into which they’ve fallen. But is it even possible? Or are some families, Shepard asks, just cursed from the start? This production is directed by WCSU Professor Sal Trapani. Performances are at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 4; 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 5; 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 6; 8 p.m. on Friday, April 11; 2 and 8 p.m. on Saturday, April 12; and 2 p.m. on Sunday, April 13, in the Studio Theatre in the Visual and Performing Arts Center on the Westside campus.

For tickets and more info: wcsuvpac.eventbrite.com or wcsu.edu/svpca

Photos by Tony DeZinno.