Bardavon 1869 Opera House

The Bardavon 1869 Opera House, in the downtown district of Poughkeepsie, New York, USA, is the oldest continuously-operating theater in New York State. Built in 1869, it served as a venue for various performing arts, community meetings, and celebrations until 1923; it largely resumed this heritage by becoming a general performing-arts facility in 1976. Incorporated in 1976, the Bardavon 1869 Opera House, Inc. (the Bardavon) is a New York State nonprofit corporation that owns and operates two historic theaters and the region’s premiere orchestra, the Hudson Valley Philharmonic (the HVP).  Our 944-seat namesake theater in Poughkeepsie is the oldest continuously operating theater in the state, one of the oldest in the country, and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The 1510-seat Ulster Performing Arts Center (UPAC) is a National Register property built in Kingston in 1927.  UPAC was merged into the Bardavon’s corporate structure in 2007. The Bardavon acquired the HVP in 1999. The Bardavon presents top-notch music, dance, theater, and classic films for diverse audiences in both its venues. Every year since 1994, it has brought together artists, businesses, and government to produce special outdoor events. These activities draw thousands of residents and visitors to the region annually; provide free access to superb art; and boost community pride, urban revitalization, and cultural tourism.  Through our education program, we partner with regional schools to offer unique arts-based learning experiences for students and innovative teaching tools for educators. The continued restoration and preservation of our historic theaters are also vital aspects of our mission.  Our performances, programs, and off-site events reach nearly 80,000 residents and visitors every year. In addition to Bardavon programming, audiences also enjoy many events hosted by outside community groups in our venues. Residencies provide 3,300 regional students with workshops and assemblies in their own schools, and the Bardavon-produced Celebration of Lights Parade draws over 5,000 to Downtown Poughkeepsie.  We have a long history of working with the City of Poughkeepsie and Kingston City School Districts on a variety of arts-based learning programs. Among our high-quality education programs for students in Kindergarten through grade 12 over the last 20 years have been the Young Playwrights Festival; Night of the Big Bands; IABAS Traditional Brazilian Band; Circus Goes Green; Arm of the Sea Theatre; the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Classroom to Concert Program; and Hip Hop Theater, which just completed its ninth season in Poughkeepsie and fifth in Kingston.