In late March, when Chautauqua still feels locked in the cold embrace of winter, a sign of springtime renewal appears in the sky above us. Having traveled thousands of miles from their wintering grounds in Central or South America, mating pairs of Osprey have returned to Chautauqua Lake. Their appearance is even more remarkable considering that Osprey were nearly wiped out by the devastating effects of DDT. It was only in 2021 that a pair successfully nested and raised a chick near the shores of Chautauqua Lake. As of spring 2024, multiple nesting pairs are now in the region. Osprey...
In a record-setting year for applications, 19 artists have been chosen for the director training program. The Drama League has revealed 19 artists selected to participate in its 2024 Directors Project after a record-breaking year of 1,800 applications. The chosen directors will work with a number of programs in the next year to hone their craft and further their place in the industry. This year’s participants will be Zoë Adams, Arin Arbus, Britt Berke, Rosalind Bevan, Desdemona Chiang, Jaime Castaneda, Emma Denson, Stefan Dezil, Morgan Green, Devin E. Haqq, Sarah Hughes, Karl Michael Iglesias, Lauren Keating, Irvin Mason, Jr., Jess McLeod, Martavius Parrish, Danny Sharron, Colm Summers, and Dina...
It all started with trash in the woods. It was the summer of 1970 when I instigated a litter cleanup at camp, after seeing our beloved forest despoiled by careless hikers. It was a powerful moment for me, feeling that even as a child I could make the world a little better. It set me on a lifelong path of environmental advocacy. My budding environmentalism did not come out of the blue. Earlier in 1970, before heading off to summer camp, something remarkable happened that made us all grapple with our impact on the Earth. On April 22, 1970, 20...
Climate change impacts are unfolding across the globe, affecting every community, ecosystem and institution in countless ways. At Chautauqua, we understand the importance of engaging with these challenges head-on. Our commitment to environmental sustainability lies in our dedicated efforts to preserve Chautauqua Lake and a growing desire to facilitate discussions that spark a collective effort toward positive change, on Earth Day and every day. In Weeks Four and Eight of our 2024 season, we recognize the urgent need to explore creative solutions to combat climate change, and -invite visitors to join us on the path to a more sustainable future...
Chautauqua Institution today announced a series of events, activities and initiatives that will be part of the quintessential Chautauqua experience in the summer of 2024 to commemorate and celebrate the Institution’s 150th Anniversary. Organized around the theme The Seasons and Stories of Chautauqua, the anniversary calendar celebrates the dream of our founders, Lewis Miller and Bishop John Heyl Vincent, who together understood the importance of education across a lifetime. Their vision for Chautauqua called for Americans to make their leisure time matter by intentionally engaging in interdisciplinary and intergenerational learning and personal growth experiences. That vision has framed the main...
April blooms with words and rhythm as we celebrate National Poetry Month! Every line and stanza invites you into a universe woven with emotions, colors, and imaginations running wild. We’re celebrating Poetry Month at Chautauqua by highlighting former Interfaith Lecturer, poet Jillian Hanesworth, and Chautauqua Literary Arts’ beloved Poetry Makerspace. Read on as we celebrate, explore and share the power of poetry that connects us all, one verse at a time. CHQ Assembly Speaker Spotlight Jillian Hanesworth Jillian Hanesworth is an EMMY award-nominated spoken word artist, and the first Poet Laureate Emeritus of Buffalo, New York. A community organizer and...
For 150 years, we have welcomed generations of Chautaquans from around the world into our diverse and dynamic community. At Chautauqua, we take pride in our community and all its members, striving to provide a unique and exciting experience to all who visit. As part of our commitment to creating a welcoming environment for all, we are constantly working to make our grounds more accessible to everyone. That’s why we’re delighted to continue our tradition of Free Sundays every Sunday in our 2024 season! With no gate fees, no parking fees before 5 p.m., and free admission to Sunday entertainment,...
Chautauqua Institution today announced spring residencies, including Yue Yin Dance Company (YYDC) and Gamelan Dharma Swara. YYDC is set to return to Chautauqua to perform a special preview performance of SOMEWHERE, choreographed by Artistic Director Yue Yin, at the Chautauqua Amphitheater on Thursday, May 23 at 4 p.m. In Elizabeth S. Lenna Hall on Tuesday, May 21 at 4 p.m., Gamelan Dharma Swara will unveil an exclusive preview world premiere of a new Dharma Swara commission; co-created by Artist-in-Residence Gusti Komin and choreographer Shoko Yamamuro. “Through our artist-in-residence program, we aim to provide a sanctuary for artists to create while...
Beginning Wednesday, April 17 and running through Wednesday, May 8, the Department of Religion will offer a weekly Book Talk Series featuring best-selling books of some of Chautauqua’s recent Interfaith Lecture Series speakers. Simran Jeet Singh, Jillian Hanesworth, Andrew Seidel, and Laurel Braitman join us for an enlightening 90-minute session. Each session includes a presentation by the author, an interactive Q-and-A, and facilitated breakout discussions. This four-week educational opportunity offers both synchronous and asynchronous content, for a cost of $175. However, due to the intimate nature of these conversations, enrollment will be capped at 30, so be sure to register...
“It’s showtime today!” were the magical words that greeted the Chautauqua Arts Education Young Playwrights Project team members as they visited the schools to read plays written by Chautauqua County 3rd and 4th grade students. This year over 400 students worked to write 378 plays that shared a broad view of the world through the hearts and minds of these young students. The Young Playwrights Project (YPP) began in 2014 in collaboration with the Florida Studio Theater in Sarasota, Florida and has since evolved to a close partnership with Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC) and developed further by Syracuse University acting faculty...
