Where to find theater, dance and other cultural outlets
Hoogland Center for the Arts
The city’s premier arts venue, the Hoogland Center, is a magnet for practitioners and supporters of the arts. Named after the family that nurtured Family Video stores to nationwide prominence, the venue houses 14 different arts organizations. With four performance sites, two art galleries and meeting space galore, organizations coordinate schedules so that the space is used to advantage. For example, the Prairie Art Alliance’s H.D. Smith Gallery is often open extra hours so that theatergoers may spend time savoring its exhibitions before the curtain goes up. Hoogland is also home to the Springfield Area Arts Council, a nexus of information for artists of all stripes. A variety of organizations hold meetings at the Hoogland, thanks to its location, flexible accommodations and helpful staff. The Hoogland’s website provides an updated calendar of events and links to other area arts organizations.
Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523-2787, www.hcfta.org.
Sangamon Auditorium, UIS
Located on the campus of the University of Illinois Springfield, Sangamon Auditorium has hosted more than 2,000 events, including conferences, debates, major concerts, plays and musical shows. Legends who have performed at the 2,018-seat facility include Sarah Vaughn, Willie Nelson, Ray Charles, Donny Osmond, Hal Holbrook, David Copperfield, George Carlin, Juliet Prowse, Jerry Seinfeld and Arlo Guthrie.
For ticket information, call 217-206-6160 or 800-207-6960 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday or visit www.uis.edu/sangamonauditorium.
Legacy Theatre
A bright new addition to the Springfield theater scene is the Legacy Theatre, operated by a private group that brought the long-shuttered Springfield Theatre Centre facility back to life. The Legacy brings touring shows to Springfield, hosts concerts and movies, produces local theater and hosts a new theater company in the intimate basement space.
For creativity, check out The Legacy, 101 E. Lawrence, 1-800-838-3006. www.atthelegacy.com
Other entertainment
Theater: Springfield Theatre Centre, Hoogland Center for the Arts, 420 S. Sixth St., 217-523- 0878, www.springfieldtheater.com. The Legacy Theatre, 101 E. Lawrence Ave., 217-528-9760, www.atthelegacy.com.
Musical theater: Springfield Municipal Opera Association, also known as the Muni, presents locally produced musicals in an outdoor amphitheater near Lake Springfield all summer long. The Muni is one of the largest all-volunteer community theater organizations in the nation. This summer’s lineup includes Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Crazy for You, Once On This Island and Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Curtain time is 8:30 p.m.
The theater is located at 815 East Lake Dr. For ticket information, call 217-793-6864 or visit www.themuni.org.
Regional: Theatre in the Park at Lincoln’s New Salem Historic Site. This summer’s lineup includes Father of the Bride; Bye, Bye, Birdie; Sangamon Songs; Civil War Journeys; Damn Yankees; Prairie Voices; Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird.
The park is on Highway 97, two miles south of Petersburg. For more information, call 217- 632-5440 or 800-710- 9290, or go to www.theatreinthepark.net.
Ballet: The Springfield Ballet Company performs at Sangamon Auditorium and the Hoogland Center for the Arts. For more information and a calendar of events, call 217- 544-1967 or visit www.springfieldballetco.org.
Symphony: The Illinois Symphony Orchestra performs at Sangamon Auditorium, UIS. For tickets, call 217-206-6160; for all other info, call 800- 401- 7222 or visit www.ilsymphony.org.
Fine arts: Springfield Art Association (see “Edwards Place” under Springfield attractions) has been the local leader in supporting the visual arts in the community for almost 100 years. The SAA offers a number of classes through its School of Art, as well as a number of gallery shows throughout the year. 700 N. Fourth St., 217-523-2631, www.springfieldart.org.
Comedy: Donnie B’s Comedy Club, 2937 W. White Oaks Dr., 217-391-5653, www.funnybonecomedyclub.com.
Entertainment: Prairie Capital Convention Center, 1 Convention Center Plaza, 217-788-8800, www.springfieldpccc.com.
Movies: Springfield has four motion-picture theaters. Three are operated by AMC Entertainment: Showplace Springfield 12, which features stadium seating; Parkway 8, which showcases a number of art and independent films throughout the year; and Showplace Springfield 8. The Route 66 Drive-In is on Springfield’s southern periphery, off Chatham Road or off the MacArthur Blvd. extension on Recreation Drive. For current listings, see www.amctheatres.com and www.route66-drivein.com.
