Entertainment for Campus and Community at CCSU
Dr. Scott M. McKenna, Director, Event Management

Are you looking for something new to do this weekend? Would you like to explore some new entertainment options?  Would you like to see amazing performances without breaking your budget?  Whatever your entertainment interests, chances are that Central Connecticut State University hosts an event for you. Most of our events are open to the public, feature performance companies from around the world, and they are a great value.

Event Management is the University department responsible for event scheduling, coordinating support services, and producing special events for most campus facilities.  Our mission is to enable the University to host academic, public service, and cultural events locally and from around the world so CCSU may present them to the campus community and the public. Typically, we produce 3,900 events annually in over 200 spaces on campus. It is no exaggeration when we say we have something for almost every interest.

Whether it’s a car show featuring hundreds of custom cars, a ballet or a symphony, political forums or rock concerts, big-screen movies or small cultural films, comedy, lectures, or modern dance performances, we’ve had it here at CCSU, or we will be hosting it soon.  We want to become your entertainment destination.

Notable performances of recent years included Billy Joel, Dave Chappelle of Comedy Central, dancer Jennifer Muller, the New Britain Symphony, and the Army and Navy bands.  The holiday season would not be the same without the Albano Ballet’s annual performances of “The Nutcracker.” Political speakers have included presidents George H. Bush, George H.W. Bush, and Gerald Ford. Other notable speakers included Vice President Al Gore, former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, reporter Bob Woodward, former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, and former commissioner of baseball Fay Vincent. 

Student performances are excellent ways to see new talented artists performing works in music, drama, and dance. The recent student dance performance “Come Together” featured the choreography by José Limón and Jennifer DeBritten.  Our Music Department provides jazz, symphony, choral, and band concerts throughout the year, including the new “A Little Night Music” series—terrific performances for only $5.00 per ticket. And our Theatre Department produces exceptional plays throughout the year, including comedy, improv, and drama.

Students perform the daily operations of Event Management. It is an opportunity for them to learn, grow, and serve the University and their community. Many of our students spend their entire four years at CCSU working in this department.  Many of our students have gone on to serve in professional positions at other universities and nationally recognized performance venues.

Our recently renovated performance spaces range in size from the 1,822-seat Welte Auditorium to the historic 366-seat Torp Theatre, the stately Founders Hall, and numerous outdoor venues. We are an entertainment center in the heart of Connecticut, New Britain, and only minutes away from the surrounding towns.

For more information, log on to www.eventmanagement.ccsu.edu. You can view a calendar of events, spotlighted performances, and photos of recent events. Ticket information can be obtained by contacting CENtix, (860) 832-1989. Information about specific events may be obtained at the Event Management Office, (860) 832-2468.  

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