The South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) continues its historic partnership with local gem Seton Hall University (SHU) and the Seton Hall University Arts Council, presenting live events for audiences of all ages. Throughout the 2024-25 season, Seton Hall University produces performances on SOPAC’s Mainstage that feature acclaimed Jazz, Classical, and Theatre artists in mentor-driven collaboration with university students.
“Each season, we look forward to the variety of programming our partnership with Seton Hall provides,” says SOPAC Executive Director Lana Rogachevskaya. “We really value the mentoring that takes place right on stage when professional artists perform with so many talented students. It’s a source of pride for the whole community.”
“The Seton Hall Arts Council looks forward to another dynamic season at SOPAC,” says SOPAC Board Seton Hall University Liaison Chris Aurilio, who works as the director of production and facilities with the College of Human, Development, Culture & Media. “I am so proud to be serving in this role. When we’re able to offer this programming that showcases our students’ work, in some cases alongside professional artists, we’re advancing the legacy of the arts across the SOMA community and throughout North Jersey.”
This season, SOPAC continues its legacy of Jazz, Classical, and Theatre performances as major touch points in its SHU events roster. In addition to welcoming new and returning artists through the Jazz ’n the Hall Concert Series and the Classical Concert Series, the 2024-25 calendar features A Midsummer Night’s Dream on Thursday-Saturday, Oct. 24-26 at 8PM and Sunday, Oct. 27 at 2PM and Peter and the Starcatcher on Thursday-Saturday, May 1-3 at 8PM and Sunday, May 4 at 2PM.
“We’re excited to welcome these theatrical productions to our Mainstage,” says Rogachevskaya. “I invite the entire community to browse our SHU events calendar for all our music and theatre program selections.”
Jazz ’n the Hall connects renowned artists and ensembles to the Seton Hall community and surrounding areas, providing talented student musicians the opportunity to perform alongside world-class vocalists and instrumentalists. This year’s Jazz ’n the Hall performances include the return of the Grammy Award-winning Lionel Hampton Big Band on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 7:30PM, the United States Military Veterans All-Stars on Tuesday, Nov. 12 at 7:30PM, and The Seton Hall Faculty Ensemble on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:30PM.
The Classical Concert Series on Thursday, November 7 at 6:30PM presents internationally recognized soloists and ensembles. Bonding arts and education, the series regularly includes preconcert lectures and workshops, free to SHU students and the public, with a $5 processing fee for advance tickets. Past seasons have featured artists and acts from around the world, including the Musicians from Marlboro, a concert performance of Mozart’s enduring opera Don Giovanni, and acclaimed pianist Michelle Cann, who presented a multi-modal exploration of women composers who emerged during Chicago’s Black Renaissance.
All SHU-partnered programming aligns with the Seton Hall University Arts Council’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion cultural programming theme of “Voices & Visibility” and features work from and about groups that have been otherwise historically underrepresented.
SHU also produces performances spotlighting its students exclusively, including the SOPAC Mainstage productions of its Annual Winter Concert on Thursday, Dec. 5 at 7:30PM and its Annual Spring Concert on Sunday, May 25 at 7:30PM.
“I am so glad SHU students get this chance to perform, produce, and enjoy their work, while receiving guidance from SOPAC’s staff through our important partnership” says Aurilio. “With the help and support of SOPAC’s tireless team, we continue to expand access to our programming and strengthen these invaluable connections among local arts, global talent, and higher education.”
About the Partnership
Each season, SOPAC and Seton Hall renew their commitment to accessibility for arts programming in the SOMA community. Tickets to all SHU performances are free and open to the public: advance tickets include a $5 processing fee per ticket; day-of-show tickets have no processing fee and depend on availability. The box office opens 2 hours before curtain. As certain shows tend to sell out quickly, SOPAC encourages patrons to reserve tickets in advance.
Explore SHU’s Upcoming Performances at SOPAC
Jazz ’n the Hall Concert Series
Lionel Hampton Big Band
TUE, OCT 1 at 7:30PM
Winner of the 2021 Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, the Lionel Hampton Big Band returns to SOPAC as part of this season’s Jazz ’n the Hall Concert Series presented by Seton Hall University’s Arts Council. For this anticipated event, high-level student Jazz musicians perform alongside the Grammy Award-winning members of the Lionel Hampton Big Band. Don’t miss this ground-shaking, hard-swinging hit!
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SHU Theatre at SOPAC
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
THU-SAT, OCT 24-26 at 8PM & SUN, OCT 27 at 2PM
Join us at SOPAC for the first of the 2024-25 season’s SHU Theatre productions! Presenting Shakespeare’s universal tale of love and reverie A Midsummer Night’s Dream, the students of Seton Hall interpret timeless poetry & prose. Don’t miss this brilliant rendering of an ethereal classic that spotlights the whimsical, at times downright silly side of romance.
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Classical Concert Series
L’elisir d’amore by Gaetano Donizetti
THU, NOV 7 at 6:30PM
Seton Hall University Arts Council presents its annual Classical Concert Series at SOPAC! Experience a delightful evening of romantic comedy as the MidAtlantic Symphony Orchestra, Soloists, and Seton Hall University Choir under the direction of Jason Tramm perform a fully-staged production of Gaetano Donizetti’s L’elisir d’amore. This event is co-sponsored by the Seton Hall Charles and Joan Alberto Italian Studies Institute and Classical Concert Series.
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Jazz ’n the Hall Concert Series
United States Military Veterans All-Stars
TUE, NOV 12 1 at 7:30PM
The United States Military Veterans All-Stars presents a lively program of beloved standards and patriotic tunes in tribute to U.S. veterans of every generation. The level of talent among these service-driven artists delights — and often surprises — audiences of all ages. Expect an evening of energizing arrangements and blistering solos. Join the celebration and share in the honor, joy, and gratitude!
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Seton Hall University Annual Winter Concert
THU, DEC 5 at 7:30PM
The Seton Hall University Chorus, Concert Band & Chamber Choir present their Annual Winter Concert, a favorite of SOPAC’s holiday season. Don’t miss this spirited event that features the university’s brightest stars performing selections of the season, spotlighting artistic range and spreading boundless joy!
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Explore Further Performances
Jazz ’n the Hall Concert Series
Seton Hall Faculty Ensemble
TUE, APR 22 at 7:30PM
The acclaimed artists and committed educators of the Seton Hall Faculty Ensemble return to SOPAC for an evening of thrilling repertoire and tight arrangements. When these hard-swinging musicians take center stage — and plenty of high-octane solos — they engage audiences of all ages with their virtuosity and spirit. Don’t miss this special performance that spotlights local talent of global resonance.
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SHU Theatre at SOPAC
Peter and the Starcatcher
THU-SAT, MAY 1-3 at 8PM & SUN, MAY 4 at 2PM
Embrace your inner child! Join the students of SHU as they present Rick Elice’s Tony Award-winning play Peter and the Starcatcher. Based on Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson’s best-selling novel of a similar title, this uplifting production follows the upended story of a young orphan who would become The Boy Who Would Not Grow Up. Don’t miss the lively delivery of this celestial tale!
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Annual Spring Concert
MON, MAY 5 at 7:30PM
The Seton Hall University Chorus, Concert Band & Chamber Choir presents their Annual Spring Concert, celebrating rebirth and awakening. Don’t miss this spirited event that features the university’s brightest stars performing selections of the season, spotlighting artistic range and spreading joy and hope!
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