NHCPA
About New Haven Center for Performing Arts, Inc. (NHCPA)
New Haven Center for Performing Arts, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation with the purpose of revitalizing and operating College Street Music Hall, New Haven, CT, District Music Hall, Norwalk, CT, and Westville Music Bowl (formerly the Connecticut Tennis Center), New Haven, CT.
The mission of NHCPA is to preserve and operate its venues, with partnerships in the community and in the arts, as 21st century performing arts centers. By presenting the most contemporary performing artists, NHCPA promotes community engagement, with its venues serving as gathering places that provide a focal point of cultural activities for diverse audiences, and providing significant economic impact in New Haven, central Connecticut, and Fairfield County.
Restoring the Past, Looking Ahead
NHCPA venues have undergone remarkable transformations, including the restoration of historic venues and the installation of state-of-the-art audio and lighting systems. These upgrades require ongoing maintenance to enhance the patron experience and attract premier performing artists to our stages.
Together, venues operated by NHCPA stage over 200 live performances annually and attract more than 270,000 patrons who are eager to experience live performances in unique, high-quality environments among a community of friends and neighbors.
Community Partnerships
To further its mission, NHCPA has launched technology-based, trade and vocational training initiatives catering to post-high school students aged 18+, including underserved adults seeking education, experience, and opportunities in live event technology and content production.
These vocational programs are offered to adults 18 and older, specifically underserved individuals interested in careers in Live Sound and Event Technology.
The workshops provide hands-on training in sound engineering and theater stagecraft, equipping participants with essential skills for a variety of opportunities in this growing field.
JUST ANNOUNCED
NHCPA Workshop: Live Sound and Event Technology.
Learn the skills needed for a career in this dynamic and exciting field. Sliding Scale Fees, No one turned away for lack of funds.
For further information click here
About College Street Music Hall
College Street Music Hall (CSMH) opened at 238 College Street, New Haven on the site of the old Palace and Roger Sherman Theatres on May 1st of 2015. Located in the heart of downtown New Haven’s arts and entertainment district, CSMH joins the scene as the hub for live music performance in New Haven and all of Southern New England.
The venue features multi-capacity configurations for up to 2000 patrons: General Admission concerts with a standing room floor and reserved balcony seating; seated theater shows; or a blend thereof, varying per show. As a multi-capacity theater with state-of-the-art production facilities (including world class concert audio and lighting) CSMH’s mission is to attract major live touring artists who might normally think of Connecticut merely as a state in between the entertainment meccas of New York City and Boston.
As the Roger Sherman Theatre, built in 1926, the building held New Haven’s first movie premiere, for Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid, which was attended by stars such as Paul Newman, Robert Redford, Joanne Woodward, and Barbra Streisand.
The theater was reborn as the Palace Theatre in 1984 and ran until 2002. During its heyday the Palace showcased artists including B.B. King, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Blues Traveler, Primus, Phish, The Spin Doctors, Lyle Lovett, Sonic Youth, Bob Dylan, Peter Paul and Mary, Lou Reed, The Black Crowes, Meat Loaf, George Clinton & The P-Funk All-Stars, Tori Amos, Peter Frampton, Fleetwood Mac, They Might Be Giants, Dave Matthews Band, Sheryl Crow, Counting Crows, Run-DMC, Ani DiFranco, Widespread Panic, Fiona Apple, Bob Weir & Ratdog, The Monkees, Robin Williams, Backstreet Boys, ‘N Sync, Melissa Etheridge, Bela Fleck & The Flecktones, and more.
About District Music Hall
District Music Hall – formerly known as Wall Street Theater – in Norwalk, Connecticut, is a cultural gem that seamlessly blends historic charm with contemporary entertainment. Nestled in the heart of Norwalk’s downtown district, this iconic venue has been restored to its former glory, showcasing exquisite architectural details inside.
Originally built in 1914 as The Regent, the theater opened in 1915 and was known to feature vaudeville acts, the biggest “talkies” of the era, and presented renowned performers John Philip Sousa, John Barrymore, Mary Pickford, and Lilian and Dorothy Gish.
During the Great Depression in the 1930s, the venue was converted to The Norwalk Theater, one of the finest movie theaters in New England, lasting for nearly 50 years. The theater has since made a few notable revivals under the names The Marquee, The Globe, The Roxy, and Wall Street Theater hosting notable artists such as Wu-Tang Clan, Primus, David Lee Roth, Violent Femmes and Waylon Jennings.
Once again, District Music Hall has transformed into a premier small-capacity music venue with a transformative renovation, preserving its classic facade while incorporating state-of-the-art lights and sound.
The main auditorium is a sight to behold, with impeccable acoustics and seating arrangements that provide an intimate experience for both fans and artists. From live concerts to comedy shows and community events, the diverse programming caters to a wide range of interests. Additionally, District Music Hall serves as a dynamic event space, hosting corporate gatherings, private functions, and special occasions.
District Music Hall is Fairfield County’s concert venue; it is a cultural hub that contributes to the vibrant arts scene serving Norwalk and the surrounding Fairfield County.
About Westville Music Bowl
Westville Music Bowl, the Northeast’s premier open air music venue, sits on the beautiful Yale University Athletics campus. The former home of the Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament, the Connecticut Tennis Center, has been retrofitted into the region’s top outdoor concert venue for live entertainment in New Haven, the cultural capital of Connecticut.
Originally built in 1991 as New England’s state-of-the-art tennis facility, it hosted the internationally known “Pilot Pen Tennis Tournament” from 1996 – 2010. Over the years, it became known as a symbol of community engagement, hosting concerts by Crosby, Stills, and Nash, Bonnie Raitt, Steve Miller, and Bruce Hornsby.
Fully renovated, the multi-capacity outdoor concert venue boasts world-class performances in an atmosphere that pays homage to the Connecticut Tennis Center’s storied past, while embracing a new era of live entertainment. Westville Music Bowl features state-of-the-art sound system and modern food and beverage facilities. Join us under the stars each summer and enjoy top-tier concerts in a beautiful open air music venue.
For more information on how you can contribute to the NHCPA mission please contact:
Alison Woods, Development Director, 917.714.5298
All Shows
St. Vincent: All Born Screaming Tour
Remi Wolf
Ani DiFranco
Magdalena Bay
Hollywood Undead & Tech N9ne: HOLLYWOOD & N9NE RETURNS
Fontaines D.C. USA Tour 2025
Mayday Parade
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Simple Plan
Caamp
Beck with the Westville Philharmonic
Trevor Hall – The Monsoon Nights Tour
Drive-By Truckers & Deer Tick: Charm & Decadence Tour
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Phantom Island Tour
Lost 80’s Live
The Flaming Lips & Modest Mouse
Toad the Wet Sprocket: Good Intentions 2025 Tour
Lake Street Dive
College Street Music Hall
St. Vincent: All Born Screaming Tour
Remi Wolf
Ani DiFranco
Magdalena Bay
Hollywood Undead & Tech N9ne: HOLLYWOOD & N9NE RETURNS
Fontaines D.C. USA Tour 2025
Mayday Parade
Simple Plan
Trevor Hall – The Monsoon Nights Tour
Drive-By Truckers & Deer Tick: Charm & Decadence Tour
Westville Music Bowl
Joe Russo’s Almost Dead
Caamp
Beck with the Westville Philharmonic
King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard: Phantom Island Tour
Lost 80’s Live
The Flaming Lips & Modest Mouse
Toad the Wet Sprocket: Good Intentions 2025 Tour