A valuable arts resource of the University of Illinois Springfield, UIS Performing Arts Center (Sangamon Auditorium) opened its doors in 1981 as the result of a community effort to establish a performing arts facility in the Illinois state capital city. Throughout our history, our audiences have experienced a broad spectrum of the highest quality of music, theater, comedy and dance. We are the only venue of this kind and size in Sangamon County, drawing audiences from a 14-county semi-rural region.
Quick Facts
- Located on the campus of University of Illinois Springfield in the Public Affairs Center building
- Over 75,000 attendees at 150 events annually
- Sangamon Auditorium seats 2005; the UIS Studio Theatre seats 124
- Opened February 21, 1981, with Hal Holbrook performing “Mark Twain Tonight”
- Sixteen professional staff members along with student workers and nearly 100 stagehands who work backstage on event days
- 200+ trained volunteer ushers
- Performance home for the Illinois Symphony Orchestra, the Copper Coin Ballet Company, and the UIS Theatre and Music programs
- Available to rent for many types of events including lectures, graduation ceremonies, dance recitals, and inaugurals
- UIS Ticket Office open Monday-Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. (217) 206-6160; tickets available online 24/7
As a unit within Academic Affairs at UIS, we share the academic mission of the University of Illinois and the cultural heritage of Springfield and the surrounding areas. Our annual Performing Arts Season of events balances familiar performers with new and challenging works. We especially delight in the interactive process that occurs through collaboration with performing artists, faculty, students, and staff as part of our Local Arts & Arts Education.
We offer opportunities for students of all ages to participate in life-long learning through the arts. Through the Staley Class Acts series of daytime performances, over 500,000 students in preschool through high school have been introduced to live performing arts. To help contextualize performances, we offer pre- and post-show discussions with the artists; and whenever possible, we help to develop current and future artists through master classes, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops with the performers. We strive to engage audiences on many levels, at times inspiring a transformative moment in someone’s life.
The number one reason people attend events at UIS PAC is to spend time with friends and family. It’s not just about seeing a show – it’s about watching the excitement on your child’s face as he or she experiences live theater for the first time, or discussing your reaction to an emotional performance on the car ride home. To help extend these experiences, we offer opportunities such as our popular pre-show and post-show meet-and-greets with the performers. In all activities, we strive to provide the ultimate level of customer service.