This is the moment you’ve been waiting for!

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is happy to announce the 2023-24 performance season, featuring emerging artists, returning favorites, and the tenth edition of ELLNORA | The Guitar Festival. Events from September to May showcase national and international artists as well as university student performances in music, theatre, lyric theatre, dance, and more.

The complete season listing is at the bottom of this article.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts is preparing to kick off their 2024-25 season in style with an Opening Weekend Party September 6-7. The festivities will include two days of free live performances, plus food, workshops, interactive displays, and family-friendly activities.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign is pleased to announce the 2024-25 ticket on-sale schedule for all performances except for those in the Colwell Playhouse (see below). 

Tickets will be available to the public beginning Wednesday, August 21 at 10am Central time.   

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign proudly announces the 2024-25 performance season, featuring an exciting mix of both emerging and world-class artists. Events from September to May showcase national and international performers and multiple GRAMMY award-winners, as well as university student performances in music, theatre, lyric theatre, and dance.

Intermezzo Café is getting into the summer mindset at Krannert Center, with the new summer schedule beginning on Monday, May 13. Starting then, the café will be open from 9 am to 2 pm Monday-Friday. Friday, May 17 the café will be closed due to ongoing renovation needs in Colwell Playhouse.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts will celebrate their upcoming 2024-25 performances aimed at schoolchildren at their annual Youth Series Preview and Educator Appreciation Event on Tuesday, April 30 from 4 – 5:30pm in the Krannert Center lobby. All teachers, school district administrators, and parents who homeschool their children are welcome to attend.

Plans are underway for Krannert Center’s Intermezzo Cafe to add a drive-thru window.  The window will be on the northwest corner of the 5th floor of Krannert Center, and the project will be included as part of the renovations currently underway with the Colwell Playhouse.

Krannert Center for the Performing Arts has teamed with Illinois Public Media (IPM) to support their latest initiative, Illinois Soul. The new service from IPM will debut on February 1, broadcasting in Champaign-Urbana on WILL-FM 101.1 and streaming everywhere at illinoissoul.org.

Guitar festivals haven’t traditionally been family-friendly events. Krannert Center’s ELLNORA Guitar Festival, held on Friday, September 8 and Saturday, September 9, is different. From the very first edition back in 2005, Krannert Center has made family participation a cornerstone of ELLNORA. In addition to all the great music – both ticketed performances and free concerts -- there’s plenty to do for everyone that make ELLNORA the perfect family event.

Farce, tragedy, and evenings of classic favorites will be included in Lyric Theatre @ Illinois’ 2023-24 season. Julie Gunn, Co-Director of Lyric Theatre since 2013, says the mission remains the same: give students the venue and opportunity to enchant the audience.