ExperienceGuide2023 - 30

Krannert Center for the Perfoming Arts
The Big Stage
Stages of all sizes span the region to give you
an escape from your every day. From Broadway
to comedy, you can experience all of our stages
throughout the year.
Little Theatre on the Square
Little Theatre on the Square
This small-town theatre offers big time
productions. Producing shows with
traveling Broadway troupes, they have
just 37.5 hours of rehearsal time with
their actors, set crew, and costumers to
get everything perfect-and they always
do! Their season spans the summer
months, so make your plans because
you won't want to miss these impressive
productions.
Station Theatre
While the smallest theatre in town in terms
of space, this downtown Urbana theatre
goes big, producing nearly monthly shows
that spark conversations and entertain
audiences.
Parkland College's Harold and Jean
Miner Theatre
Half a dozen productions from this
community college's outstanding students
entertain audiences throughout the
academic year, with two stages offering
different experiences.
William M. Staerkel Planetarium
Located at Parkland College, the
planetarium is the second largest in the
state. Programs throughout the year teach
kids and adults alike on the wonders of the
universe. With sensory-friendly shows and
Spanish-language shows, this inclusive
space creates stargazers through rich
storytelling and lectures throughout the
year.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
As the largest performing arts venue on
a University campus, this stunning space
allows you to discover many forms of
stage performances, from opera to dance
to powerful, theatrical productions.
The Virginia Theatre
Host to local performances and traveling
productions, the Virginia Theatre offers
an inviting space in the historic space to
catch ballet, comedy, dance, Broadway,
and a whole lot more.
CU Comedy
This live comedy group makes us laugh
with sets from local comedians as well as
national and regional comedians. Catch
them at a variety of venues such as the
Canopy Club, Alto Vineyards, the Prairie
City Wine Room, and many more.
Local Theatre Companies
We have no shortage of acting chops
in this community. Local troupes can be
found on our stages throughout the area.
Check out several performances from the
Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company
at the Station Theatre and the Virginia
Theatre, as well as other C-U spaces. The
Monticello Theatre Association, with their
own stage, performs several times a year
and has dedicated youth programming.
The Rantoul Theatre Group does
everything from comedy to family-friendly
performances.
Ebert Statue at The Virginia Theatre
EBERTFEST
Renowned film critic Roger Ebert,
who hailed from Urbana, got
his start at the Daily Illini at the
University of Illinois. He left a legacy
in our community with the annual
Ebertfest, a celebration of film, at the
Virginia Theatre. Film lovers gather
for four days each April to discover
films that are overlooked, artistically
groundbreaking, or culturally
significant. Join in on this gathering
of like-minded audiences to laugh,
cry, and open your mind through the
silver screen.
30 Official Champaign-Urbana Area Experience Guide

https://www.thelittletheatre.org/ https://krannertcenter.com/ https://thevirginia.org/ https://stationtheatre.com/ https://www.cucomedy.com/ https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/Community-Business/Parkland-Presents/Theatre https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/Community-Business/Parkland-Presents/Theatre https://www.parkland.edu/Audience/Community-Business/Parkland-Presents/Planetarium

ExperienceGuide2023

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of ExperienceGuide2023