The Clark State College Performing Arts Center has announced its 2025–26 season, showcasing Grammy-winning artists, holiday favorites, Broadway musicals and family-friendly shows — all presented in the PAC’s Kuss Auditorium in downtown Springfield, 300 S. Fountain Ave.
“Our new season is about connection — connecting to music, to story, to each other,” said Dan Hunt, general manager of the Performing Arts Center. “From the soul of Nashville to the spirit of Broadway, we’re proud to welcome artists who reflect the richness of the arts and the range of genres from contemporary to traditional to emerging styles.”
The season opens at 7:30 p.m. on Sept. 18 with Grammy Award-winning bluegrass band The SteelDrivers, celebrating their 20th anniversary with their U.S. tour and new album, “Outrun.” Known for their raw musicianship and soulful blend of bluegrass, blues, rock and country, the Nashville-based band has earned four Grammy nominations and wide acclaim. Tickets range from $25-$45.
On Oct. 9, celebrated pianist and singer-songwriter Vienna Teng returns to the stage with her new EP “We’ve Got You”. Her 2002 album “Waking Hour” catapulted her to national fame, landing her on NPR’s Weekend Edition, The Late Show with David Letterman and the top of Amazon’s music charts. Special guest Alex Wong, a Latin Grammy-nominated artist and producer, will join Teng. His music has been featured in television series including “The Lincoln Lawyer,” “True Blood,” and “The Last Song.” Tickets are $20 or $10 for students with a college ID.
The Clark State Theatre Arts Program will present the powerful stage adaptation of Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird”, the timeless story of family, courage and justice in Depression-era Alabama. Tickets to the show, which will be held on Oct. 31-Nov. 2 and Nov. 7-9, are $15 or $12 for seniors, as well as students with a college ID. Clark State students may attend one show for free with their student ID. Friday and Saturday shows will be at 8 p.m. and Sundays will be at 2 p.m. Community members who are interested in auditioning for the cast can do so at 7 p.m. on Sept. 2-3 in the Turner Studio Theatre at the PAC. To audition, prepare a one-minute monologue and register at go.clarkstate.edu/mockingbird_auditions.
Audiences will get big laughs and have larger-than-life fun when “Elf The Musical” lights up the stage at the Clark State Performing Arts Center on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. Based on the beloved holiday film, “Elf The Musical” tells the tale of Buddy the Elf, an orphan who is raised as one of Santa’s helpers. When Buddy discovers he’s actually of human descent, he takes off to New York City to find his real father — and shows a busy city how a little joy, heart and belief in magic can go a long way. The New York Times raves, “Elf The Musical” has cracked the code of all-ages comedy,” while BBC Radio praises it as “a crowd-pleasing, feel-good delight with superb showmanship and great dance choreography.” Ticket prices range from $40 to $75.
“A Charlie Brown Christmas Live On Stage,” the Broadway-style adaptation of the Peanuts’ holiday special, brings Charlie Brown, Snoopy, Lucy, Linus and the whole gang to the stage at 3 p.m. on Dec. 7. Marking the 60th anniversary of the original TV special, the show includes songs from Vince Guaraldi’s timeless score and concludes with a festive sing-a-long. Limited VIP Meet and Greet packages are available for fans to meet the Peanuts characters after the show. Presented in partnership with the Springfield Arts Council, tickets are $35, $15 for children 12-years-old and younger and $89 for VIP.
With a voice rooted in gospel, folk and blues, Nashville-based artist, Kyshona, brings her new album “Legacy” to Springfield at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 13. Drawing from five generations of family history, Kyshona’s music is both personal and universal — bridging past and present through powerful storytelling and song. Tickets are $20 or $10 for students with a college ID.
At 7:30 p.m. on March 4, The Tartan Terrors will fuse traditional Celtic music with step dancing, comedy and the energy of a rock concert. Part music, part mayhem, their genre-bending performances have taken them from Times Square to Scottish festivals across North America. Tickets are $20 or $10 for students with a college ID.
On April 10-12, the Clark State Theatre Arts program will again take the stage to present “The Prom,” a Broadway comedy with heart that follows four fading stars who rally behind a small-town teen. Co-produced with the Springfield Arts Council Youth Arts Ambassadors, tickets are $20, or $17 for seniors, as well as students with a college ID. Clark State students may attend one show for free with their student ID. Friday and Saturday shows will be at 8 p.m. and Sunday will be at 2 p.m. Community members who are interested in auditioning for the cast can do so at 7 p.m. on Jan 27-28 in the Kuss Auditorium at the PAC. To audition, register at go.clarkstate.edu/prom_auditions.
Blending soul, funk and global storytelling, Bassel and the Supernaturals will close the season by sharing the journey of the Syrian-American identity through music at 7:30 p.m. on May 1. Making their national television debut in May 2024 as part of a PBS docuseries, “The Express Way,” a portion of Bassel proceeds will support humanitarian efforts in Syria. Tickets are $20 or $10 for students with a college ID.
Clark State will also reprise “Club Kuss” to highlight an eclectic mix of up-and-coming artists. Club Kuss offers a one-of-a-kind show experience with a small audience seated close to the stage, as well as complimentary desserts before the show. Shows included are Vienna Teng, Kyshona, The Tartan Terrors, and Bassel and the Supernaturals.
All tickets are on sale now. For tickets and more information on the full season, as well as auditions, visit pac.clarkstate.edu, call the Ticket Office at 937-328-3874 or follow the Clark State Performing Arts Center on Facebook.
The Clark State Performing Arts Center, located in the heart of downtown Springfield, serves as a premier venue for concerts, theater and lectures—making the arts accessible to all. The state-of-the-art facility not only supports local and regional talent but also attracts nationally recognized performers, contributing to Springfield’s vibrant arts scene.