Inaugural Capital Region Festival of Theatre brings four days of performing arts to region

Four-day festival concludes with a full day of events at UAlbany on Sunday

The Capital Region Festival of Theatre, (CR★FT), — stylized as CR★FT — launches Thursday, June 12, with a four-day run celebrating the performers, companies, creators, and fans who keep the local theater scene thriving.

The festival, with events stretching from Fort Salem to Albany, celebrates the region's performing arts scene by showcasing the theatre companies, performers, playwrights, designers, technicians, and theatre enthusiasts that make up the community.  Highlights include a mayoral forum on arts policy, youth and senior programming, and a full-day festival finale at the University at Albany on Sunday.

The opening night celebratory mixer runs from 6 to 10 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at The Cue Theatre, 85 Chestnut Street in Albany. Tickets for the kickoff event are $25 in advance, $30 at the door. Purchase tickets. All other events are free and open to the public.

The Capital Region Festival of Theatre, (CR★FT) schedule of events

Friday, June 13:

Senior Day, the Sand Lake Center for the Arts in Sand Lake from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Youth Theatre Education Day, The Theatre Institute at Sage in Troy from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, June 14:

Theatre Maker Morning, Fort Salem Theater in Salem from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Musical Matinee, SLOC Musical Theater in Schenectady from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown Saturday Night, the Capital Repertory Theatre in Albany from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

Albany Mayoral Candidates Forum on the Arts. Madison Theater at 5:00 pm

Sunday, June 15:

Capital Region Festival of Theatre Day, University at Albany Campus Center from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

A full day of workshops, panel discussions, and performances showcasing everything that Capital Region Theatre has to offer. Programming will change every 50 minutes, in the Campus Center West Boardroom, Multipurpose Room, Studio, and Auditorium, along with the theatrical vendor fair and exhibits in the Great Hall.

Audio: Listen to a conversation about the event on WAMC with Joe Donahue; Owen Smith, president of Capital Region Festival of Theatre; and Patrick White, co-founder of Harbinger Theatre.

Schedule of events: Visit https://www.crftinc.org