The Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest showcases the Centre region’s vibrant professional and pre-professional theatre, dance, and other performing arts groups through one immersive weekend each summer. The Fest invites both local residents and visitors alike to experience State College as a thriving destination for the performing arts. Enjoy groundbreaking performances from local and national artists, learn a new skill at a workshop, and take in all our community has to offer.

The Fest intends to lift up the local performing arts community year-round. Check under the Live Performance tab to learn more about our area’s talented community of artists in theatre, dance, and other performing arts as well as to stay updated on upcoming performances throughout the year.

Origins

The Central PA Theatre and Dance Fest was founded in 2018 by two long-time members of the local theatre community, Cynthia Mazzant and Elaine Meder-Wilgus, through the nonprofit theatre company Tempest Productions Inc. Tempest Productions has been providing theatre and theatre-in-education programming to communities since 1996 through access to quality family-oriented theatre. Tempest’s community programs – The Journey Series, StoryBook Theatre, and the Shakespeare Festival Series – have reached over 100,000 people with experiential events filled with reading, writing, and arts activities.