About Us

The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck (known familiarly as The CENTER, and legally as Rhinebeck Performing Arts, Inc. or RPA) is a non-profit arts organization which offers performances and classes throughout the year. Performing and teaching artists are of local, national and international talent.

The CENTER serves as a regular performance venue for local theater companies including CENTERstage Productions (Death of a Salesman, Cabaret, Into The Woods) the Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company (The Mikado, A Little Night Music, The Pirates of Penzance), Kids on Stage (Cinderella, The Emperor's New Clothes), Rhinebeck Theater Society (HONK!, The Complete Works of Shakespeare, Abridged, Oliver!), and Up In One Productions (Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Company). The CENTER also hosts appearances by artists such as Jeff Boyer, Brian Bradley, Elaine Colandrea, Alpin Hong, Kitty Jones, Jeff McBride, The Puppet People, Solas an Lae, Tanglewood Marionettes, Pitchfork Militia, Barbara Rankin, and David Temple, to name a few.


A Brief History of The CENTER

The CENTER for Performing Arts at Rhinebeck opened its doors in July 1998. This followed four summers (1994–1997) of performances on the same site in a tent. Construction of the permanent building began in October 1997, with an exterior design resembling a barn to complement the surrounding rural landscape and pay tribute to the origins of summer stock.

The CENTER’s first Executive Director, Kevin Mazuzan, was on board from May 1998 through March 1999. Lou Trapani was named Artistic and Managing Director on April 1, 1999 and continues to hold that position today.

The CENTER operated primarily as a summer venue in 1998 but from April 1, 1999 year-round operations began with the building open seven days a week, up to 16 hours a day (The CENTER is closed to the public for New Year's, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas). Since July 1, 1998, over 200,000 patrons have attended performances of about 1,000 different productions; approximately 15,000 artists (often returning for many different productions) have been involved in those productions; and about 1,250 students (ranging in age from four years old to 80 years old) have been trained in all aspects of the theater arts.

The CENTER’s inaugural show, Gypsy, was a Rhinebeck Theater Society (RTS) production directed by Ellen Honig, which opened on July 3, 1998. Gypsy was followed by Man of La Mancha (also an RTS production, this time directed by Lou Trapani), which was re-staged March 7-30, 2008 (this time, directed by Laurie Sepe Marder as an Up In One production). 

Today many adults and children of all ages call The CENTER their second home and enjoy performances, workshops and special events in our cozy setting. Come join our family for some great entertainment.

See you at The CENTER!

 

Photo Credits:

Homepage: Photo of Jim Klosty, Gilbert & Sullivan Musical Theater Company by Chris Shave; CENTERstage production photos by Flip Wright and Jennifer Barry.