Tilles Center for the Performing Arts

Tilles Center for the Performing Arts, located on the campus of Long Island University's C.W. Post Campus, is a renowned performing arts center that hosts a wide range of events, including concerts, theater productions, and dance performances, featuring artists such as New York City Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The center has a long history of presenting world-class performances, including those by The Juilliard School and Carnegie Hall-caliber artists like Itzhak Perlman and Lang Lang. With its state-of-the-art facilities, the Tilles Center has become a hub for cultural and artistic expression, attracting audiences from across Long Island and beyond, including fans of Broadway theatre and Metropolitan Opera.

● History

The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts was established in 1981, with the goal of providing a world-class performing arts venue for the Long Island community, inspired by the likes of Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts and John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. Over the years, the center has undergone several renovations and expansions, including the addition of new performance spaces and amenities, similar to those found at Sydney Opera House and Royal Albert Hall. The center has hosted a wide range of performances, including concerts by The Philadelphia Orchestra and New York Philharmonic, as well as theater productions by companies like Roundabout Theatre Company and Public Theater. The Tilles Center has also been the venue of choice for numerous Grammy Award-winning artists, including Aretha Franklin, Elton John, and Stevie Wonder, who have all performed at the center alongside other notable artists like Paul McCartney and The Rolling Stones.

● About

The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is a non-profit organization that relies on the support of donors and sponsors, including National Endowment for the Arts and New York State Council on the Arts, to present its diverse range of programming, which includes performances by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Martha Graham Dance Company, and Pilobolus. The center's mission is to provide a platform for artistic expression and to foster a sense of community among audiences, inspired by the work of Ballets Russes and Dance Theatre of Harlem. The Tilles Center is led by a team of experienced arts administrators, including its executive director, who has worked with organizations like Kennedy Center and Los Angeles Philharmonic. The center's board of directors includes prominent members of the Long Island community, such as Nassau County and Suffolk County leaders, as well as representatives from New York City-based organizations like Carnegie Corporation of New York.

● Performances

The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts presents a wide range of performances throughout the year, including concerts, theater productions, and dance performances, featuring artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Renée Fleming, and Plácido Domingo. The center's programming includes classical music performances by ensembles like Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center and Orpheus Chamber Orchestra, as well as jazz and pop concerts by artists like Herbie Hancock and Diana Krall. The Tilles Center has also hosted numerous Broadway productions, including The Lion King and Wicked, which have been performed by companies like Disney Theatrical Productions and Universal Stage Productions. In addition, the center presents a variety of family-friendly shows, including performances by Sesame Street Live and Disney on Ice, which are popular among audiences from New York City to Hamptons.

● Education

The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is committed to providing educational opportunities for students of all ages, inspired by the work of Julliard School and Tisch School of the Arts. The center offers a range of programs, including masterclasses and workshops, led by artists like Twyla Tharp and Savion Glover. The Tilles Center also partners with local schools and organizations, such as Nassau County Museum of Art and Long Island Museum, to provide arts education programs for underserved communities, similar to those offered by New York City Department of Education and Los Angeles County Arts Commission. The center's education programs are designed to foster a love of the arts and to provide students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in their chosen field, whether it be dance, theater, or music, with the guidance of professionals from Yale University and California Institute of the Arts.

● Facilities

The Tilles Center for the Performing Arts features a range of state-of-the-art facilities, including the Concert Hall, which seats over 2,000 people, and the Theater, which seats over 500 people, both of which have hosted performances by New York City Opera and Glimmerglass Festival. The center also includes a range of rehearsal and practice spaces, as well as a Dance Studio and a Theater Lab, which are used by companies like American Ballet Theatre and Martha Graham Dance Company. The Tilles Center's facilities are available for rent by external organizations and individuals, making it a popular venue for events like weddings and corporate meetings, which are often planned with the help of Long Island Convention and Visitors Bureau and New York City Tourism. The center's facilities are also used by Long Island University students, who have access to the center's resources and equipment, including those found in Brooklyn Academy of Music and New York University.

Category:Performing arts centers in New York