The Avram Theater at Stony Brook Southampton

Momentum is building at Stony Brook Southampton as a welcoming front door for the East End — a place where the arts, ideas and community come together. At the center of this work is the Avram Theater, which has emerged as a shared gathering space for performances, conversations, lectures and events that reflect the richness and complexity of the region we serve. Giving Day is an opportunity to help sustain and grow this momentum.

Since its first musical production in 17 years with Underground: Hear the Sound of Freedom, the Avram Theater has become more than a performance venue. It has become a place for community connection and civic engagement, hosting monthly concerts, readings, film programs, lectures and talk-backs that invite audiences not only to experience the arts, but to engage with ideas and with one another. Signature programs such as the Jazz Loft @ Southampton concert series, presented in partnership with the Jazz Loft, have brought internationally recognized musicians to the East End while creating an intimate, accessible concert experience for the community. Literary and film programs such as Selected Shorts have paired storytelling with conversation, deepening audience connection and reflection.

The Avram also serves as a forum for public dialogue on issues that matter locally and nationally. Lectures and conversations, such as the discussion with former MSNBC anchor Joy-Ann Reid (a collaboration with the Bridgehampton Childcare and Recreational Center) have brought journalists, artists, scholars and thought leaders to Southampton, creating space for thoughtful exchange across perspectives. Artist talk-backs, post-performance discussions and moderated conversations extend these events beyond the stage, reinforcing The Avram’s role as a place for listening, learning and civic life.

These programs reflect a broader vision for Stony Brook Southampton as a regional convener and cultural anchor. By opening the campus to the public through the arts and dialogue, The Avram Theater helps strengthen community ties, foster understanding and ensure that the university is deeply connected to the life of the East End. The momentum behind this work is visible in growing audiences, expanding partnerships and an increasing appetite for events that bring people together in meaningful ways.

Philanthropic support is essential to sustaining this role. Giving Day contributions help underwrite performances, speaker series, artist residencies and community-centered events, while also supporting the staffing, production and infrastructure needed to keep The Avram Theater vibrant and accessible.

By giving today, you are investing in a space that serves as a front door to culture, conversation and community at Stony Brook Southampton. With your partnership, we can continue building momentum and ensuring that The Avram Theater remains a place where the region gathers, reflects and connects!