The Center for Performing Arts enters 30th anniversary season
Promises legacy, legends, and icons
By Jane Cox, Cultural Marketing Director, Guest Writer
This fall, the Center for Performing Arts (The Center) at Governors State University (GovState) enters its milestone 30th anniversary season, aptly named “The Legacy Season,” which promises to honor The Center’s history while spotlighting artists who inspire others across generations.
Opening The Center’s 30th season is South Chicago Dance Theatre, representing the Southland’s rich cultural dance scene. South Chicago Dance Theatre is just one of the talents featured as part of the 2025 - 2026 season.
Some season highlights include powerhouse vocalist CeCe Teneal and cult icon John Waters, whose boundary-pushing storytelling defines what it means to be a living legend." The season also features returning favorites such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” and “Ruth Page’ The Nutcracker.”
Scott Sowinski, The Center’s Executive Director, looks forward to this landmark season that will extend The Center’s legacy for generations to come.
“This milestone season celebrates 30 years of world-class artistry: music, dance, theatre – multidimensional, wholly inspired, and all presented at your creative home – here at The Center,” said Sowinski. “Our continued mission to place Art at the Center of Your Life continues to expand. Our passionate team has researched and surveyed the broad landscape of performances across the nation to bring you the very best.”
In the 2025-26 season, guests of The Center can expect:
• South Chicago Dance Theatre and Ballet 5:8 La Llorona; the much-anticipated return of “Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker”; “All That Jazz,” featuring the talents of the GovState Theatre and Performance Studies Dance Performance Students and Chicago Tap Theatre.
• The Signature Tribute Concert Series features Cece Teneal’s Divas of Soul; The Rat Pack and Lizzy and the Triggermen. Southland talent offerings include The Center Southland Spotlight, Illinois Philharmonic Orchestra presents: NIGHT MOVES: The Planets, E.T. and Star Trek; Opera Up Close presents: Halftime High Notes and Center Stage Icons: 30th Anniversary Legacy Celebration with Kelvin and Alexis Roston.
• The return of two favorites: “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” featuring a live shadow cast and audience partici…pation just in time for Halloween as well as the beloved radio play It’s A Wonderful Life in December. Additionally, guests can enjoy John Waters, in-person, as well as “Anon(ymous)” and “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark”, presented by GovState Theatre and Performance Studies.
• The Arts in Education (AIE) series featuring weekday matinee performances that include: Maddi’s Fridge; Maleta de Maebelle; When Good Broccoli Goes Bad presented by MPAACT; Finding North; Click Clack Moo; Professor Wow’s FUN-believable Science Show and Pete the Cat. AIE tickets start at $9 each.
For more information, ticket prices, and preview videos, visit CenterTickets.net.
How to Purchase Tickets
· Online at CenterTickets.net
· Via Over the phone at 708.235.2222
· In person at the Box Office: 1 University Parkway, University Park, IL 60484
Regular Box Office Hours: Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.; Thursdays: 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. and two hours prior to all performances.
The Center for Performing Arts’ 2025-26 Season is proudly sponsored and funded by Governors State University Honors College, Sutton Ford, Westside Children’s Therapy, Illinois Arts Council, Nicor Gas, and The South Suburban Chicago Links, Incorporated Chapter.