Homer Center Stages is the community theater program at the Center for the Arts in Homer, New York. Center Stages produces quality, live theater productions, at affordable prices, by and for the greater community and provides a venue and an experience for community artists to practice and display their craft. Center Stages also partners with other theater creators to present high quality, community based productions.
FIRST TASTES: A New Play Reading Series and Culinary Test Kitchen
Eat, drink, and tell stories.
Monthly: February – December
First Tastes is a new play reading series paired with culinary test kitchen samplings, occurring most third Thursdays in 2026. Each evening of theatre places newly devised works into the hands of our local community actors, and invites the public to read along, take “tasting notes”, and engage in direct discussion with the playwrights and culinary artists.
November 18 – 7:30pm November 19 – 7:30pm November 20 – 7:30pm November 21- 2pm November 21- 7:30pm November 22 – 2pm
In the charming Upstate New York village of Homer, a Historian is visited by figures from the village’s past. Gathering in full living form, they seize the opportunity to give voice 250 years of Homer History, from their perspectives. Written by the official Village of Homer Historian, this project compiles true historical accounts into live presentation.
The 4th Graders Present An Unnamed Love Suicide
by Sean Graney
Director: Ty Marshal
JANUARY 2027
When 4th grader Johnny shoots himself, he leaves behind a play as a suicide note that the kids in his class are forced to perform as a memorial. As friends and bullies assume the roles of Johnny and his classmates, a heartbreaking, darkly curious story emerges, offering a glimpse into the motivation behind Johnny’s actions.
SIDE SHOW
Director: Jim Coon
February 12, 2027 – 7:30pm February 13, 2027 – 7:30pm February 14, 2027 – 2pm February 19, 2027 – 7:30pm February 20, 2027 – 7:30pm February 21, 2027 – 2pm
Based on the true story of Siamese twins Violet and Daisy Hilton who became stars during the Depression, Side Show is a moving portrait of two women joined at the hip whose extraordinary bondage brings them fame but denies them love. Told almost entirely in song, the show follows their progression from England to America, around the vaudeville circuit and to Hollywood on the eve of their appearance in the 1932 movie Freaks.
SIDE SHOW (1997 BROADWAY VERSION) is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
Already Concluded this season…
APRIL
STEEL MAGNOLIAS
by Robert Harling
Director: JenniferLeigh Clune
All the ladies who are “anybody” in Chinquapin, Louisiana come to Truvy’s beauty salon to have their hair done. Helped by her eager new assistant, Annelle (who is not sure whether or not she is still married), the outspoken, wise-cracking Truvy dispenses shampoo and free advice to the town’s rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, an eccentric millionaire, Miss Clairee, who has a raging sweet tooth; and the local social leader, M’Lynn, whose daughter, Shelby (the prettiest girl in town), is about to marry a “good ole boy.”
STEEL MAGNOLIAS is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com
THE SHARK IS BROKEN
by Joseph Nixon & Ian Shaw
Director: Matt Steele
June
The historic first summer blockbuster movie is being filmed – but no one working on the film would know it. Dive deep into the tumultuous, murky waters of the making of a major motion picture with dueling co-stars, unpredictable weather and a shark prop whose constant breakdowns are looking like an omen for the future of the movie. In this comedy written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, the short tempers and short circuits of Jaws stars Robert Shaw (father of the play’s co-author Ian), Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider take center stage as they bond, argue, drink, gamble and pray for an end to the film shoot, not knowing it will change their lives forever.
THE SHARK IS BROKEN is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service.
www.concordtheatricals.com
Roald Dahl’s
MATILDA
The Musical
Director: Bryn Carr
July
Matilda is a little girl with astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She’s unloved by her cruel parents but impresses her schoolteacher Miss Honey. During her first term at school, the two forge a bond as Miss Honey begins to recognize and appreciate Matilda’s extraordinary personality. Matilda’s school life isn’t completely smooth sailing, however – the school’s mean headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, hates children and just loves to punish those who don’t abide by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school pupils’ saving grace!
ROALD DAHL’S MATILDA THE MUSICAL is presented by special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Summer Shakespeare In The Park
TWELFTH NIGHT
Director: Louise Felker
August
Viola and her twin brother Sebastian have been shipwrecked; each believes the other to be drowned. Viola disguises herself as a young man and, under the name of Cesario, gets a job as a servant for the Duke, Orsino.
Program Summary
The Summer Shakespeare in the Park program provides free access to classic theatre in an informal, welcoming setting, making Shakespeare more approachable for the entire community. Community participation is central to the program, and volunteers are welcomed and encouraged at every stage of production. In rehearsal, the process emphasizes close work with the text and a collaborative approach to character development, allowing actors to contribute their own insights and creativity to bring the roles to life in meaningful and personal ways.
