Casella Theater at VTSU Castleton

The Casella Theater is home to our Theatre Arts, Music, and Soundings events, and all are open to the public. For information about the events, please contact Marisa.Valent@VermontState.edu, Fine Arts Center director. Prospective students are welcome to attend an event free of charge; please contact Joshua.Thompson@VermontState.edu, coordinator of Arts Recruitment in advance.

Theatre Arts Events

VTSU Castleton’s Theatre Arts students present four shows each academic year: a Mainstage musical in the fall, a Mainstage play in the spring, and a Black Box show in both the fall and the spring. Directed by VTSU Castleton faculty members, the performers are students and may feature VTSU Castleton faculty and staff.

Music Events

VTSU Castleton’s Music students present a variety of concerts featuring our University Chorale, University Chamber Singers, Wind Symphony, Jazz Ensemble, and String Orchestra. Each of these ensembles are made up of VTSU Castleton students, faculty, staff, and local community members.

Soundings Events

Soundings: An Introduction to the Liberal Arts is an award-winning academic program with a long history at the VTSU Castleton campus. Originally a nautical term, Soundings refers to the exploratory measurement of depth. This spirit of exploration lives on at VTSU Castleton through the Soundings program, which introduces students to the richness and vitality of the liberal arts experience through lectures, plays, films, recitals, poetry readings, performances, workshops, and more. Open to all, the Soundings events gather the community together to enjoy the cultural and intellectual life of the university.

Students attending Soundings events as part of their Connections Seminars in the VTSU General Education Program are encouraged to review the schedule and select events that encourage you to step beyond the familiar to sample something new to you. Students enrolled in the Soundings Program should check the home page of their Canvas course for the most up-to-date information on Soundings, including a calendar of events.

Questions? If you have questions about the Soundings program schedule or program requirements, or would like to propose a Soundings event, please contact Marisa Valent-Altland.

Arts Reach Events for Elementary through High School Students

Established in 2003, VTSU Castleton’s Arts Reach program offers elementary through high school students throughout Vermont and New York opportunities to experience entertaining live arts performances that showcase cultural and artistic diversity. Arts Reach is run in collaboration with Soundings and VTSU Castleton student performances. 

There is no admission charge for All students and chaperones may attend free of charge, but reservations must be made in advance.  Contact  Arts Reach Coordinator Marisa Valent-Altland at 802.468.1227 or Marisa.Valent@VermontState.edu to reserve spots and to be added to the contact list to receive program updates.  

Casella Theater seats just under 500 and offers a full complement of technical features, including fly system, intelligent lighting, full concert sound capabilities, audiovisual and streaming functionality, and high-quality recording equipment. Email Stefan Billups, technical production manager {link} or call 802.468.1481 for more information. 

Casella Theater hosts events produced by off-campus groups, too, and may also be available for rent. Contact Lori.Phillips@VermontState.edu, assistant director of Conferences & Events, to inquire

Address and Parking

The Fine Arts Center is at 45 Alumni Drive, Castleton VT 05735. When using the main entrance to the VTSU Castleton campus, the Fine Arts Center is left of Woodruff Hall.

There are several parking lots adjacent to the Fine Arts Center, all with handicap accessible parking. Patrons are welcome to park in any of the lots while attending a performance or visiting the Christine Price Gallery.

Accessibility

The Casella Theater strives to be accessible to all.

Access: The theater offers both a stair lift and an elevator if needed, and an usher can help with both before and after the performance.

Hearing assistance: The theater has a state-of-the-art hearing assistance system. Patrons requiring hearing assistance should ask for a device at the Box Office window before the performance.

Large-print programs: Patrons requiring large print programs should reach out to Marisa Valent-Altland a week before the performance to be accommodated.

Sign language interpreter: Patrons requiring a sign language interpreter should reach out to Marisa Valent-Altland as far in advance as possible to be accommodated.

Box Office

The Casella Theater Box Office is in the Christine Price Art Gallery within the Fine Arts Center located to the left of the theater when entering through the front doors. The Box Office is open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Tickets: Patrons may reserve tickets in person or by calling 802.468.1119. Outside of Box Office hours, please leave a message and a staff member will return your call to confirm your reservation. Payment is made when tickets are picked up at the Box Office, which opens one hour before each performance. Tickets are not currently sold online.

All tickets are general admission unless otherwise noted.

While advance ticket reservations are encouraged, tickets are also sold at the door.