Did You Notice? George T. Snyder, Trustee for Life Good evening. Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday when we opened the season with a riveting discussion between James Carville and Kristen Soltis. Wasn’t it just a few hours ago that we popped our paper bags to simulate cannon fire during the CSO’s performance of the 1812 overture? It seems like minutes — not weeks — since we cheered each other on at the Old First Night Run. The summer here defies space and time. I can’t believe we are closing the 152nd Summer Assembly. But here...
Chautauqua Institution announces a special post-season concert experience on Friday, September 5, featuring legendary artist Bonnie Raitt with special guest Jimmie Vaughan & the Tilt-A-Whirl Band. This event marks a new chapter in Chautauqua’s entertainment programming and will serve as the launch of a pilot initiative aimed at enhancing the concert experience for all. As part of this pilot, concessions including food, beer, wine, and other beverages will be available at the Amphitheater. Beverages (served in covered cups) will be permitted inside the Amphitheater and within the security perimeter. Food will only be permitted within the security perimeter, but not inside the Amphitheater gates. This initiative is designed...
The highly anticipated musical adaptation of Kwame Alexander’s Newbery medal-winning novel, The Crossover, is officially underway. The dynamic creative team — which includes one of the stars from the original Hamilton cast as composer and the Tony Award-winning Director of Hamilton as creative consultant, is now in place to bring the award-winning novel to the stage at Chautauqua Institution. Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC), the professional theater company of Chautauqua Institution, led by Producing Artistic Director Jade King Carroll and Managing Director Emily Glinick, commissioned the musical. CTC has been working to assemble this award-winning creative team with music and lyrics...
This summer, something magical is happening across Chautauqua County. Classrooms are transforming into stages, lawns into galleries, and ordinary afternoons into unforgettable adventures. Chautauqua Arts Education is in full swing, expanding its reach and deepening its impact through vibrant partnerships and imaginative programming. At the heart of this summer’s story is the Young Playwrights Project (YPP), now in its third season with the Jamestown Summer LEAP program. Picture this: a group of rising first through fifth graders huddled together, giggling and brainstorming as they dream up characters, settings and plots. Under the guidance of lead teaching artist Alex Nader and her...
Chautauqua Theater Company (CTC) announces that Producing Artistic Director Jade King Carroll has been appointed to the Tony Awards Nominating Committee for the 2025–2026 Broadway season. Carroll joins a distinguished group of 64 theater professionals who will attend all Broadway productions this season and vote to determine the nominees for the 2026 Tony Awards. Members of the Nominating Committee serve a three-year term and play a vital role in shaping the future of American theater. Carroll has led CTC through two groundbreaking seasons, commissioning and premiering new works including tiny father by Mike Lew and The Light and The Dark...
Chautauqua Institution today announced the selection of Heidrick & Struggles, a premier global leadership advisory firm, to assist in the search for its next president. This selection follows the search committee’s rigorous consideration of multiple national firms that responded to a Request for Proposals (RFP). The decision marks a significant step forward in the Institution’s leadership transition process, following President Michael E. Hill’s departure in May. Former board member Kyle Keogh is serving as Interim Chief Executive during this search and selection process. Heidrick & Struggles brings decades of experience in executive search and leadership consulting, with a strong track...
This June, something magical happened at Chautauqua Institution. More than 800 students from across Chautauqua County arrived on grounds — not just for a field trip, but for a full-sensory, full-hearted adventure. Through the Explore Chautauqua Field Trips, students from Dunkirk, Fredonia, Jamestown, Bemus Point and Chautauqua Lake stepped into a world where learning comes alive, creativity is celebrated, and every child is invited to see the world — and themselves — a little differently. Chautauqua in a Day These experiences included color, texture and imagination at Chautauqua’s Visual Arts Galleries. Under the guidance of Susan and John Turben Director...
As part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the patron experience and support the long-term financial sustainability of popular entertainment events in the Amphitheater, we are piloting a new approach to services and amenities within the Amphitheater during post-season events in September. The Chautauqua Amphitheater experience — especially for popular entertainment — remains unique in the industry. To remain competitive and responsive to evolving guest expectations, we will begin offering concessions during two evening events in September, with operations led by the Chautauqua Hotel Company (Athenaeum Hotel) and sales occurring in Odland Plaza (a perimeter will be set up requiring...
Climate, Sustainability, Environment and Nature: 51 Lectures, Forums, Films and Classes for the 2025 Season! You’ve heard of the Chautauqua Lecture Series (CLS), the Interfaith Lecture Series, the Chautauqua Literary & Scientific Circle, and the incredible programs and speakers they bring to Chautauqua Institution each summer. But did you know that each summer we have an equally robust program focused on the environment, nature, sustainability and climate change? Our season kicks off on Week One with the annual Chautauqua Lake Conference, your opportunity to learn about the latest science and solutions for protecting lake water quality. Our season concludes on...
This season, Chautauqua Institution is launching a new parking system designed to provide a more efficient and user-friendly experience. CI Access is powered by SKIDATA, a leading provider of digital parking technology. With this upgrade, all parking areas are now fully secured and operational 24 hours a day, requiring all users to scan in and out each time they enter or exit. The most important change is the requirement that all vehicles must scan their parking pass when upon entering and exiting. If a user fails to scan out, they will not be able to scan back in. This change ensures...