COME BE HERE: Krannert Center Announces its 2026-27 Season
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign encourages you to Come Be Here and experience its 2026-27 performance season, featuring an exciting mix of emerging and world-class artists from. Events from September to May showcase national and international performers as well as university student performances in music, theatre, lyric theatre, and dance.
“We invite everyone to join us at Krannert Center for the new season’s spectrum of experiences,” Krannert Center Director Mike Ross said. “From the deeply sublime to the joyously zany, the fearlessly innovative, the unsettling, and the heartwarming, our season offers an invitation to gather in shared discovery—to encounter artistry that challenges, comforts, and reminds us of the enduring power of live performance to connect us more deeply to one another and to the world around us.”
"Our 2026-27 season celebrates Champaign-Urbana as a global hub for the performing arts,” said Julieanne Ehre, Assistant Director of Programming and Engagement. “Our patrons can look forward to an eclectic mix of styles and genres that lift up multiple cultures and unite our entire community through the power of performance."
Krannert Center’s 57th season begins with our Opening Night Party on Thursday, September 3. The theme, "Celebrate Community!," recognizes the diversity Champaign-Urbana is known for, with free performances from several artists with an international flair: the physical theatre of Chicago’s Mucca Pazza multi-cultural marching band; hard-hitting Afrobeat from Antibalas; Mayan fusion from Guatemala’s Dr. Nativo; South Asian grooves from Bollywood-inspired Funkadesi, and local dance floor sensation DJ Silkee. Food, games, and fun make Opening Night a can’t-miss event.
The 2026-27 Marquee Season features music from the manga series sensation ONE PIECE with the Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra September 26; jazz saxophonist Joshua Redman and his quartet October 9; an evening honoring the memory of legendary percussionist Zakir Hussain with Niladri Kumaar’s The Space Between the Notes October 15; the return of the powerful Japanese taiko drum ensemble KODO March 2; Hamilton star Renée Elise Goldsberry with the Illinois Wind Symphony March 25; and an evening with multiple Tony and Grammy award-winning sensation Audra McDonald May 4.
Our Great Hall Classical Series is highlighted by the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra September 29; baroque orchestra Apollo’s Fire, led by Jeannette Sorrell and featuring soprano Jeanine De Bique on November 10; the first visit to Krannert Center in 30 years by Kennedy Center Honoree violinist Midori with Festival Strings Lucerne February 19; and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra returns with GRAMMY Award-winning violinist Augustin Hadelich, conducted by Philippe Jordan April 1.
Dance enthusiasts will enjoy University of Illinois professor and Guggenheim fellow Dr. Cynthia Oliver with her work Turn. Turning. TURNT October 2 & 3; South African dance and music with STEP AFRIKA! as they present THE FRUITS OF OUR LABOR January 21; and the Mark Morris Dance Company and Music Ensemble returns with an all-new production January 29 & 30.
Theatre-goers will examine one family’s entanglement with the transatlantic slave trade with the company sweat variant’s presentation of adaku, part 2 April 30 and May 1.
In addition to our Marquee season, Krannert Center is privileged to host our University of Illinois resident producers as they present their selections for the 2026-27 season. Highlights from Illinois Theatre’s season include Sense and Sensibility November 6-14 and Pippin April 2-10. Lyric Theatre @ Illinois’ season includes a production of Singin’ in the Rain November 10-14 and Cosi: The School for Lovers April 20-24. and Dance at Illinois’ season includes three performances, starting with October Dance October 15-17.
Krannert Center’s Uncorked series will continue to feature free performances of some of the best artists in the Champaign-Urbana local music scene at Stage 5 in the Krannert Center lobby on select Thursdays from 5:30-7pm. The Krannert Center Youth Series will have seven performances for K-12 students this year including KODO, STEP AFRIKA!, Cirque Mechanics, and the Honolulu Theatre for Youth, among others. Our new Artists Talk series will feature free conversations with local and national artists discussing their works.
Krannert Center is fortunate to host two classical ensembles as artists-in-residence. Sinfonia da Camera, led by music director and conductor Ian Hobson, will celebrate its 43rd season in 2026-27 with five performances: Mozart in G Major: Classical Splendor September 18; Spellbound – Spanish Sorcery October 31; Handel’s Messiah: Holiday Grandeur December 4; From Brahms with Love: Poetry & Passion February 13; and Firebird Finale: Stravinsky & Tchaikovsky 5 April 17. In addition, the Jupiter String Quartet will perform three times at Krannert Center this season. October 20 will feature guest artist Ben Roidl-Ward on bassoon; February 18’s concert will include pianist Jeremy Denk; April 20 will highlight the quartet itself.
The Champaign-Urbana Symphony Orchestra returns to Krannert Center for their 67th season. Music director and conductor Stephen Alltop will lead the CUSO through four performances: Mahler’s Third Symphony October 10; Holiday Magic December 9; Carmina Burana March 6; and Shostakovich Symphony No. 5 April 24. They will also perform a Youth Series concert, We’ve Got Rhythm!, March 30 and 31.
Krannert Center continues its support of local presenters with this year’s PYGMALION September 24-26 featuring author Mary Helen Specht, comedian and actress Robby Hoffman and the musical duet Julianna Barwick and Mary Lattimore; the opening night of the Champaign-Urbana Folk and Roots Festival October 8, the opening night of the Champaign-Urbana Jazz Festival on October 15, and the third anniversary of Illinois Public Media’s radio station Illinois Soul 101.1 FM on February 6.
Tickets for all 2026-27 performances at Krannert Center will be available to Marquee Circle members on Wednesday, August 5 at 10am. Loop members may purchase tickets on Friday, August 7 at 10am. Tickets will be available to the public on Thursday, August 13 at 10am, all at KrannertCenter.com.
Since 1969, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has offered a vibrant selection of music, theatre, and dance programming. Fulfilling roles as both a professional venue for internationally touring artists and a hub of education in and through the performing arts, Krannert Center works at the intersection of classroom, laboratory, and public square. Audience members from all walks of life are welcome, and we encourage all to COME BE HERE and experience Krannert Center.