Uptown Theatre for Creative Arts

09/20/2025

A state-wide stand-up showcase with comedians from across New York! 🍎 Saturday Sept. 27. 8 p.m. TICKETS uptownutica.org. 🎤 About The Comics:

Tommy Armstrong (Syracuse) is in the cast of American High Shorts and College Life, where he writes, stars in, and produces viral comedy sketches with millions of views. His on-screen credits include Hulu’s Summer of 69 and The Legend of Juan Jose Mundo, and web series Minimum Wage.

Elizabeth Becz (Brooklyn) has performed at the Catskills Comedy Festival, featured at clubs across upstate NY, Manhattan, and New England, and was a finalist for the 2025 Capital Regions Funniest Comic.

Brandon Ciotti (Utica) performs regularly at the Uptown and around New York, recently opening for Jim Norton’s Syracuse show, and participating in the Uptown Comedy Festival, Uptown Improv Festival, and the Crooked Mouth Comedy Festival.

Brian Netzel (Buffalo) is a regular at Helium Comedy Club and author of the book Boondocking for the Brokenhearted. His credits include festivals and clubs all across the country like the Alaska B4UDIE Festival and the Savage Henry Comedy Festival.

Aditya Shankar (NYC) is originally from Boston, started performing in San Francisco, and now performs regularly around NY. His festival appearances include Big Pine Festival and Rogue Island Comedy Festival, as well as the 2023 Uptown Comedy Festival.

.armstrong

09/19/2025

Procrastination pays off! Donate now at givemv.org and your gift will count for 4x the $ amount thanks to the new MY NAME IS MATCH 3:1 donation match from My Name Is Earl creator Greg Garcia.

Your $5 is worth $20. Your $25 is worth $100. Give now while you can! Thanks Greg!

And thanks to everyone who has donated so far today, helping us restore the Uptown Theater and keep it thriving for Utica’s original artists.

➡️givemv.org 🔎uptown

09/19/2025

Today Sept 19 - join these darling donors and make a gift to UTCA as part of . Any amount makes a difference and lets us know you’re with us! givemv.org.
We have two matches, a triple down match that triples the $ amount of your gift and a NEW 1:1 match from founder and executive director .

Thank you thank you thank you!

09/17/2025

MV Gives is this Friday but donations are open now!
1. Go to givemv.org
2. search Uptown or UTCA
3. TRIPLE DOWN FOR THE UPTOWN! Your donation during MV Gives will be tripled thanks to a 2:1 match. 3x the value, 3x the impact, 3x the investment in creativity, in community, and in Utica’s future.

Your contribution will help: install stage lighting and curtains, restore hidden architectural details, update seating and flooring, and complete the finishing repairs to make this treasure shine for the whole community.

09/16/2025

We're bringing some of our favorite improvisers to South Utica October 9-12 for a weekend of can't-miss classes and shows! More info at uptownimprovfestival.com

09/16/2025

Nnamdi Ngwe and Patrick Rowland are award-winning actors, writers, and comedians who cut their teeth at iO and The Second City before taking their talents to TV and beyond.

✨ Nnamdi’s credits include The Amber Ruffin Show, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Blippi, House Sitters, and the Emmy-winning Tab Time.
✨ Patrick’s wrote for the Emmy and Critics Choice–nominated Amber Ruffin Show and his solo work was spotlighted at the TBS Just For Laughs Festival. He created The Patrick Rowland Sketch Show, a web series he writes, produces, directs, and films himself on an iPhone.

They are both members of the critically acclaimed, award-winning sketch/improv troupe , who have several sketches on the digital platform, their most successful, The Blackening, garnered over 15 million views, and is currently being made into a feature

Catch them live in Nnamdi & Patrick—a powerhouse improv duo you don’t want to miss!

09/16/2025

Holly and Billy met at camp and have been friends ever since. Their improv show will leave you wanting s'mores.

Holly Mandel is a former Groundlings Main Company member, founder of the first woman-owned improv school, and creator of LA’s longest-running long-form show The Crazy Uncle Joe Show.

She’s taught and performed around the world, from NYC to London to Sydney, appeared on Whose Line Is It Anyway?, countless commercials, and co-stars in WigProv with Drew Droege.

Now a professor at Pace University, Holly empowers students and audiences alike with her program Good Girls Aren’t Funny—using comedy to break free from “shoulds” and perfectionism.

Billy Soco is a first-generation actor, voice artist, and improv teacher of Chilean and Filipino descent based in NYC. He has trained and performed with Magnet Theater, The Second City, UCB, Freestyle+, ComedySportz, Baby Wants Candy, Shamilton, North Coast, and The Story Pirates. Billy performs regularly with Big Whoop and Kittyhawk and has brought his talents to stages and classrooms worldwide like the Vancouver Improv Festival, Birmingham Improv Festival (UK), and Teatro Lospleimovil (Chile) to name a few. He currently teaches and serves as Artistic Director for Megawatt at Magnet Theater. He also teaches on faculty with The Second City.

See them together Saturday, October 11. Only at The Uptown!

09/16/2025

THURS 9/18– Come dance with us! A night night filled with some of the best curated music in Electronic Dance Music. Dubstep, House, Techno, & everything in between. 6PM - Early sets from 3 up-and-coming DJs. 7-11PM Sets from and from the Utica area & .official_ from Syracuse. 18+, 21 to drink w/ ID. Tickets at uptownutica.org.

09/09/2025

09/04/2025

Translation? You don’t have to be “good” to have a great time. Our Intro to Improv class is about laughter, connection, and trying things out—badly or brilliantly. All you need to bring is yourself!

📅 Mondays 6-8PM (starts 9/8}
📍 Uptown Theater for Creative Arts, Utica NY
🔗 Register now: UptownUtica.Org

09/03/2025

Your favorite Friday tradition, back for the fall! 🍁 Uptown Improv Company performers create scenes, characters, and stories on the spot based on audience suggestions. Show at 8. Doors and bar at 7:30. Discounted presale tickets online! uptownutica.org

09/02/2025

“I FOUND MY PEOPLE!” We hear that over and over from Uptown Improv students who sign up for classes— just looking for something new— and wind up with so much more! ➡️ Register now for Level One starting SEPT 8. www.uptownutica.org

COMEDY | MUSIC | CLASSES VIEW FULL CALENDAR NOW PLAYING INTRO TO IMPROV - NEW CLASSES IN SEPTEMBER!!!Our Intro to Improv class is the perfect place to explore creativity, build confidence, and have a great time! No performance experience required. Whether you're looking to improve public speaking, m...