Center Stage

Center Stage leveraged the power of the performing arts to transcend boundaries, encouraged people to dynamically engage with cultures other than their own, and delivered lasting impacts in the U.S. and abroad. The program identified, prepared, and toured young, excellent, contemporary professional performing arts groups from abroad to diverse American communities.

Initiated by the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs and produced by the New England Foundation for the Arts, it is among the most successful programs to bring contemporary international performing artists into direct contact with people across a wide range of U.S. communities, and to share these experiences globally.

Since 2012, Center Stage has 

• 47 dance, music, and theatre ensembles from 17 countries: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Colombia, Egypt, Ethiopia, Haiti, Indonesia, Morocco, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, Tanzania, Ukraine, and Vietnam
• traveled to 118 communities in 42 states and Washington, DC 
• to present 450+ performances and more than 960 off stage activities,
• directly reaching more than 182,000 people across the country.

Center Stage is a public diplomacy initiative of the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs with funding provided by the U.S. government. It is administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts with general management by Lisa Booth Management, Inc.

Connect with Center Stage

For more information about ensembles, tours, and performances, visit CenterStageUS.org. 

Presenters, community organizations, and venues interested in partnering with Center Stage are encouraged to contact Deirdre Valente at Lisa Booth Management, Inc. at +1-212-921-2114 or artslbmi@msn.com. For general program information, please contact Adrienne Petrillo, Senior Program Director, at +1-617-423-1178 or apetrillo@nefa.org.