The Dana Center, a window on the world of performing arts for students and the community, celebrates its 25th anniversary this season. Led by Robert Shea in his fifth season as director, the Dana Center serves the region’s theatre buffs and complements the college’s distinctive liberal arts curriculum, particularly the Humanities Program.

“We’re doing something that nobody else is doing in the region,” says Shea, who brings nearly three decades of theatre and teaching experience to the Dana Center. “While the larger entertainment venues are doing super-pop concerts or musical based theatre, we are focused on new artists and progressive work.” Shea spends part of each year scouting new talent, and his latest discoveries include Pacific Rim percussionists, celebrity musicians from Paris, Romania and West Africa, a Chicago jazz dance company, and actors from New York and London.

With limited space and resources for the 650-seat theatre, The Dana Center must rely on “the fundamentalism of real fine art talent,” says Shea. “It’s the performer and the audience. It’s not a semi-truck coming in with loads of technology, lights and smoke. We’re wowing people with authentic, pure acting, music, movement and human art.”

Past performers have included Peter Cincotti, Beausoleil, The Chieftains, jazz pianist Marcus Robert, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company.

“The educational component of professional theatre is central to our mission,” he adds, “so we also offer programs for school groups, young audiences and their families, as well as discounts for students.” Last year 4,000 high school students saw the masterpiece Greek tragedy, Oedipus Rex, a play that Shea co-produced with New Hampshire’s New Art Theatre.

This year’s 25th season includes classical theatre, American roots music, jazz dance, international folk art and holiday events. For the complete schedule and ticket information, visit the Dana Center Web site.