As the summer season begins, I am hoping this can be a Season of Thanks. While it can sometimes feel in short supply, gratitude is one of the greatest gifts that positively impacts so many people — the receiver, the giver and even their friends.
I want to start with a sincere thank you to all of you for being incredible Chautauquans. Our beautiful, shared place is literally not the same when you are not here. Thank you for returning year after year, for sharing Chautauqua with friends and family and for coming with curiosity, excitement and grace. Your commitment to this place — and your willingness to invite others — is a huge part of what makes Chautauqua so special!
This summer brings a full slate of the incredible speakers and performers that you expect from Chautauqua and some new additions including improved facilities (Greene Family Commons), new spaces (Roe Green Theater Center), a new sound system in the Amphitheater, Amp concessions for the biggest shows, expanded spaces around the Amp for comfort and ease of flow and a new Chautauqua Store with Chautauqua branded Johnnie-O, Lululemon and Peter Millar clothing.
I also want to speak candidly about the season ahead. In September, we significantly reduced staffing to improve financial sustainability. We focused on improving patron and donor services while preparing for the 2026 season, but there may be moments when we miss the mark — something may take longer than expected or a few details may need adjustment. Our staff is deeply committed to their work, and they are navigating real change with care and professionalism. We ask for both grace and feedback. Your patience matters, and your input helps us continue to improve how we serve this community.
Thank you for being part of Chautauqua, for showing up, for bringing others along and for helping sustain this Institution through your engagement and support. We look forward to spending the 2026 season together.
Sincerely,
Kyle F. Keogh
Interim Chief Executive
Notes From Board of Trustees Meeting
The Chautauqua Institution Board of Trustees recently convened for its May meetings, which included a strategic Deep Dive session and the board’s formal business meeting. Across both days, discussions focused on financial sustainability, attendance trends, governance, grounds stewardship and long-term planning for the Institution.
The conversations reflected both the progress Chautauqua has made over the past year and the realities of the challenges ahead. Trustees, leadership and staff spent meaningful time discussing how the Institution can continue to strengthen its financial position while evolving the Chautauqua experience for future generations.
To read the notes from the meeting, click the link below.
Roe Green Theater Center opens its doors.
Opening just ahead of the season — on time and on budget — the new Roe Green Theater Center makes its debut with theater and late-night programming in its inaugural summer, adding a vibrant new stage to campus life.
Greene Family Commons comes online.
Set to be completed before the season begins, the Greene Family Commons directly addresses long-standing student dissatisfiers and significantly improves the daily experience for participants and families alike.
Sound that finally matches the program.
With new sound systems in both the Amphitheater and Hall of Philosophy, audiences can expect a listening experience that meets the caliber of Chautauqua’s programming. A huge thank you to the board members whose generosity made this long-needed investment possible.
A reimagined Amphitheater experience.
The Amp footprint expands into Odland Plaza, with enhanced concessions offered on 12 nights (10 during the season). Our team has a strong operational plan — and we’ll iterate in real time based on demand, speed of service and audience mix (from pre-season Wilco to in-season Kenny G).
Shifting Farmers Market, scooters and bus storage.
The Farmers Market will move to the front of its current building; scooters will move to the back of the building and buses will move across the road to the old maintenance building. We will make a few improvements this summer and use the time to understand the best set up for patrons.
Moving Lost and Found to Turner.
This will improve ADA accessibility and allow people from outside Chautauqua to collect items without needing to park and come inside the gates.
Only at Chautauqua: Programming Between the Pillars
Deborah Sunya Moore, Senior VP and Chief Program Officer
What makes Chautauqua unlike any other place?
In addition to the beautiful place and connected community, people continually tell us that it is the “the MIX” that makes us unique.
I find myself reflecting that it is not only the mix of program, but also the intersection of and collaboration between our program pillars — Arts, Education, Religion and Recreation — that creates an “only at Chautauqua” experience for you and yours. I wanted to share a few highlights of upcoming interdisciplinary experiences that will make your time here memorable.
Jordan Steves, Emily and Richard Smucker Chair for Education
I’ll take the baton from Deborah and continue the “Only at Chautauqua” theme (and note that longtime readers of The Chautauquan Daily will recognize the familiar phrase and “OAC” acronym from our friend and community member Bill Bates’ frequent contributions to the Letters to the Editor column).
Only at Chautauqua does an audience engage in critical conversations on the matters that shape our world in 45 installments across nine weeks. I’m of course talking about our signature Chautauqua Lecture Series, “the 10:45” in the Amphitheater, which I have had the honor and privilege to steward for four cycles now.
Comedy! Music! A New Home! Lights Up on a Season of Theatrical Firsts
Laura Savia, VP of Performing and Visual Arts
This summer, a new chapter begins for the performing arts at Chautauqua. With the opening of the Roe Green Theater Center, Chautauqua Theater Company enters its first season with a permanent, purpose-built home designed for all phases of the creation of theater — a robust and vibrant complement to our beloved Bratton Theater.
This theater center has rehearsal studios, indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, a flexible black box theater, a prop shop, offices and — perhaps most delicious — a bar. My colleagues and I are deeply grateful to Roe Green for her transformational gift, and to the many Chautauquans who have also given generously to make this dream a reality.
After the concert last September, we heard you and have worked to make improvements when it comes to arrival, access and on-grounds logistics for next month's Wilco concert.
1. Clearer Pre-Arrival Information
We are providing more detailed communication to ticket holders ahead of the event.
2. Vehicle Access, Gate Operations and Parking Registration
At 1 p.m., the grounds will close to all unregistered vehicle traffic. Walking access will remain available through the Main Gate.
This year, both the Main Auto Gate and South Gate will be open for registered vehicles. Elm Gate will remain accessible for those with gate access FOBs.
To speed up access, we’re registering vehicles instead of people this year. All vehicles must be registered to enter and park on the grounds.
Gates 1 and 6 will be closed, as they were last year. ADA access will be available at Gates 2 and 5. The area between Gate 1 and Gate 2 will be restricted to UCC guests.
4. Food, Beverage and Water Policies
Empty water bottles are permitted, and a water refill station will be available. No outside food or beverages will be allowed inside the perimeter.
5. Concessions and Facilities
For all of 2026, the Amp kiosk in Odland Plaza will be used for assistive listening devices by day and for concessions in the evenings when concessions are available.
Wilco is part of 12 summer concession nights we’re piloting this year.
Hultquist now hosts ticketing outside the security perimeter in the lobby, as well as restrooms and the new Chautauqua Store inside the perimeter.
One Place to Stay Informed: The Community Portal at CHQ.ORG
Timely communication is essential at Chautauqua, whether you’re navigating logistics or responding to unexpected changes. That’s why we are creating one place for you to turn for straightforward answers: the Community Portal at CHQ.ORG.
Designed to serve property owners, passholders and all deeply engaged patrons, the Community Portal brings together the resources you rely on most in one location.
What You’ll Find on the Community Portal
The Community Portal is your one-stop resource for real-time and practical information that affects daily life on the grounds, including:
• Road, parking and beach closures
• Garbage and refuse pickup information
• Safety, security and operations updates
• Property owner resources and FAQs
• Construction and maintenance notices
• Recent community newsletters and official communications
Whether you’re looking for seasonal logistics or need clarity on an immediate issue, the Community Portal is designed to provide accurate information in one centralized place.
As part of this effort to streamline and strengthen community communications, the CHQFAQ Google Group will be retired. While the forum has long served as a space for questions and dialogue, moving communications to the Community Portal ensures that everyone has access to the same official, current information without needing to search multiple platforms.
Westfield Memorial Hospital: A Trusted Health Care Partner Close to Home
When it comes to caring for the health and well-being of the Chautauqua Institution community, having trusted medical partners close by makes all the difference. Just 15 minutes north of campus, Westfield Memorial Hospital plays a vital role in supporting residents, staff, visitors and neighbors throughout northern Chautauqua County.
Online registration is now open for the Sports Club’s popular 50th Annual Old First Night Run/Walk Race, Around the World Virtual Race and four Kids Fun Runs held on Saturday, Aug. 1.
Tiered pricing for OFN race registrations:
$45 pre-season pricing through June 26
$50 June 27–July 27
$55 July 28–July 31. Online registration closes at 5:30 p.m. on July 31
$70 race morning, in-person registration only
The traditional OFN Run/Walk begins at 8 a.m. and is a chip-timed 2.75-mile run, speed walk or walk around the perimeter of Chautauqua’s beautiful grounds. If you are not on the grounds on Aug. 1, you can register and participate in the Around the World virtual race. Participants receive a keepsake OFN commemorative T-shirt.
The Sports Club hosts four kids fun runs: the 1-mile run (beginning at 9:15 a.m.), 100-yard dash (9:17 a.m.), 25-yard Toddler Trot (9:10 a.m.), and 10-yard Diaper Crawl (9 a.m.). Race entry for the kids fun runs includes an “I AM CHQ’S FUTURE” hat. Diaper Crawl racers get an “I AM CHQ’s FUTURE” string bag.
Proceeds from the races benefit the Chautauqua Fund.
