About The varsity center
The Varsity Center: A Historic Visual and Performing Arts Venue in Downtown Carbondale, IL
The Varsity Center is a historic visual and performing arts venue located in downtown Carbondale, Illinois. This iconic building has been a cornerstone of the community for over 100 years, providing a space for artists to showcase their talents and audiences to enjoy world-class performances.
Originally built in 1910 as the Varsity Theater, this beautiful building has undergone several renovations over the years to become the premier arts destination it is today. The Varsity Center boasts two performance spaces - The Balcony and The Stage - as well as an art gallery that showcases local and regional artists.
The Balcony is an intimate space that seats up to 100 people. It's perfect for small concerts, comedy shows, poetry readings, and other events that require an intimate setting. The Stage is a larger space that can accommodate up to 400 people. It's ideal for theater productions, dance performances, music concerts, film screenings, and other large-scale events.
In addition to its performance spaces and art gallery, The Varsity Center also offers educational programs for children and adults alike. These programs include workshops on acting techniques, writing workshops for aspiring playwrights or screenwriters; classes on painting or drawing; music lessons; dance classes; photography courses; film-making seminars - just about anything you can imagine!
One of the unique features of The Varsity Center is its commitment to preserving history while embracing modern technology. For example: while many theaters have switched from traditional film projectors to digital ones in recent years due largely because of cost savings associated with digital projection systems (which are cheaper than traditional celluloid-based systems), but at The Varsity Center they still use both types of projectors so visitors can experience films as they were originally intended.
Another unique feature of this venue is its dedication to sustainability practices such as recycling programs throughout their facility, using energy-efficient lighting and HVAC systems, and sourcing local food for their concessions.
The Varsity Center is also a popular venue for private events such as weddings, corporate events, and other special occasions. The staff at The Varsity Center are experienced event planners who can help you create the perfect event that meets your needs and budget.
In conclusion, The Varsity Center is a historic visual and performing arts venue that has been an integral part of the Carbondale community for over 100 years. With its two performance spaces, art gallery, educational programs, commitment to sustainability practices - not to mention its unique blend of history and modern technology - it's no wonder why this venue continues to be one of the most popular destinations in Southern Illinois. Whether you're an artist looking for a space to showcase your talents or someone looking for a night out on the town with friends or family members - The Varsity Center has something for everyone!