Visit our Theater Events page for a list of upcoming performances.

Enjoy photos from some of our most popular performances.

Les Miserables

The international hit came to the Academy stage in May 2007. Originally adapted from Victor Hugo’s epic novel of struggle and redemption in 19th century France, Les Miserables has become one of the most popular musicals of all time. Les Miserables has touched the hearts of millions with its powerful affirmation of the human spirit.

Enjoy these photos from the performances.

Gilgamesh: 11 Tablets

Gilgamesh is an ancient Babylonian story of two rivals who became the closest of friends as they undertake the heroic challenges of their day and attempt to live forever.  Academy Instructor Brian Jennings developed this original ensemble theater performance in the fall of 2006.  This project was supported in part by an Arts teachers Fellowship from the Surdna Foundation.

Enjoy these photos from the performances.

Regina:

An Opera by Marc Blitzstein based on the play The Little Foxes by Lillian Hellman, chronicles a rich southern family torn apart by greed.  This challenging Opera layers operatic lyricism with spirituals, ragtime, blues and Dixieland as the piece examines conflicts of race and class after the Civil War.

Enjoy these photos from the performances.

Chicago:

Based on the play by Maurine Dalla Watkins, Chicago is a musical “filled with murder, greed, corruption, and treachery-all the things we all hold near and dear to our hearts”. 
With music by John Kander and Fred Ebb, and the timeless Choreography of Bob Fosse, this Musical Vaudeville continues to be one of the hottest shows on Broadway.

Enjoy these photos from the performances.

The Pilobolus Project:

Coming on the heels of its designation as the first high school in the nation to attain the rights to and perform the legendary musical Cats, the CREC Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts added the honor of being the country’s first high school to have the great American dance company Pilobolus in residence in the Fall of 2005.

Professional dancers from the arts organization ran a five-week program for 28 sophomores, juniors and seniors at the CREC arts magnet school that led to performances in December 2005, including:  a student performance of work they created during the residency; a student performance of existing Pilobolus choreography; and a performance from the Pilobolus professionals themselves.

Pilobolus is a unique American arts organization that grew out of a Dartmouth College dance class in 1971.  The company’s signature collaborative choreographic process and unique weight-sharing approach to partnering – as well as its startling mix of humor and invention – have turned Pilobolus into a major American dance company of international influence.  For more information, please visit www.pilobolus.com.

Enjoy these photos from the performances.