The Visual & Performing Arts Changemakers Series spotlights artists and performers that have made significant and lasting contributions to their fields, redefining or reimagining their particular art form.

As Nazareth moves into its second millennium of sending changemakers into the world, this series will help the Arts Center Complex reimagine its offerings to showcase student talent while also supporting high profile touring presentations connected to Nazareth’s mission. We will offer a slate of diverse and high-quality performance, art exhibits, lecture & speaker series, and more that balance student, faculty, and professional talent, highlight the excellence of our visual and performing arts programs, and benefit the greater Rochester community through increased community engagement.

2022 - 2023:

American String Quartet

September 16, 2022

"Internationally recognized as one of the world's finest quartets, the American String Quartet has spent decades honing the luxurious sound for which it is famous."

The program included, among others, Octavio Vázquez's Piano Quintet, a piece composed for the ensemble and commissioned by the Aspen Music Festival, which enjoyed a very successful premiere last summer: "The new quintet revels in the rhythms and curlicues of the composer's native Galicia (in northwestern Spain). A keen ear could also hear references to plainchant, medieval madrigals, hints of Flamenco Galician dance rhythms and Spanish popular songs of many eras, assembled into an evocative mix" (The Aspen Times).

An Evening with Limón Dance Company

January 21, 2023

Acclaimed for its dramatic expression, technical mastery, and expansive yet nuanced movement, the Limón Dance Company illustrates the timelessness of José Limón’s work and vision. The Company’s repertory, which includes classic works in addition to new commissions from contemporary choreographers, possesses an unparalleled breadth and creates unique experiences for audiences around the world.

Seats 1,000. Largest theater at Nazareth University, located upstairs off the main lobby. The space was updated in 2009, and has several automatic line sets, a sprung stage floor, a projection system, and a small stage apron with steps into the house. Touring and academic productions, Admissions and Orientation events, and speaker and conference events are held in Callahan Theater.

View the Callahan Theater seating chart

360-degree view of Callahan Theater

Seats 550. Located adjacent to the Nazareth University Arts Center, the Jane and Laurence Glazer Music Performance Center includes the 550-seat Beston Hall designed specifically for the acoustics of large instrumental ensembles. In addition to touring productions, Beston Hall is the rehearsal and performance home for the School of Music.

Glazer Pre-Production Form

View the Beston Hall seating chart

Learn more about the Glazer Center.

Seats 186. One of two smaller theaters, the downstairs Masters Family Community Theater is configured for small theatrical and musical performances with a stage area. The theater is used for student performances, various rehearsals, and is a primary Theatre and Dance Department academic space.

Seats 198. One of two smaller theaters, the downstairs Peace Theater is configured for presentations and lectures, with a smart podium, projection capabilities, and a small carpeted stage. The theater is used for lectures, film screenings, and rehearsals, and is a primary Theatre and Dance Department academic space.

Most Arts Center pre-show talks are held in the Peace Theater.

Seats up to 120. The downstairs Studio Theater is a black-box theater space with infinite configuration options. The Theatre and Dance Department manages this space for its theatre, musical theatre, and dance productions and rehearsals.

Seats 190. Wilmot Recital Hall serves as a performance venue for studio recitals, senior recitals, honors recitals, guest artists series, and the School of Music Department faculty recital series, as well as jazz combos, jazz ensembles, and chamber music concerts. The recital hall is located in the Wilmot music wing of the Arts Center, on the lower level.

360-degree view of Wilmot Recital Hall

The Arts Center Gallery is located off the Arts Center upper lobby.

360-degree view of Arts Center Gallery

The Colacino Gallery is located in the Art and Design Department wing.

The Arts New Media Gallery is inside the Arts Center Gallery, which is off the Arts Center lobby.