By Alyssa Cortes
The University of Tampa is in the center of one of the best places to live in the United States—Tampa City. UT students have the unique ability to enrich their college experience by living in the Tampa area and exploring the various opportunities it offers. One of Tampa’s unique attractions is the Straz Center for the Performing Arts.
The Straz Center is a cornerstone of Tampa’s cultural scene. It hosts various events, including Broadway shows, concerts, and dance performances, making it a vibrant center for artistic activities in its area.
“[I’m] grateful for the fact that Broadway allows for these national tours so that theater is more accessible for people like me who can’t afford to travel to New York often,” said Mariela Zeno, a sophomore at UT.
UT students can access and enjoy top-tier Broadway shows at the Straz Center not only due to its close distance but also thanks to student discounts, special promotions, and even free tickets. The Straz Center offers 50% off tickets the day of the show. Bring your student ID and arrive at the box office before the show starts time to purchase your ticket. Certain shows have limitations on the student discount like the number of tickets you can buy, make sure to check the website before showing up at the box office.
“Every time there is a show, I will make sure to see it if I can,” said Elijah Conley, a sophomore musical theater major. “Seeing people doing the things me and my peers are dreaming to do is wonderful.”
UT, through Student Productions, offers off-campus events to the Straz Center at discounted rates. The 2023-2024 school year saw Moulin Rouge and Funny Girl for $37 a ticket. Additionally, if you are a theatre, musical theatre, or dance major or minor, you’re in luck as tickets each year are donated to the department to allow students pursuing those degrees to attend a Broadway show for free. The 2023-2024 school year saw many shows, with Beetlejuice and Moulin Rouge being two offered.
“Seeing shows at the Straz has enriched my college experience in several ways, being able to see shows with my friends has created such fun and memorable experiences,” said Zeno. “As a theater artist myself and someone who is studying musical theater in college, it’s amazing to get to see good theater so often for inspiration and appreciation.”
Additionally, there are various opportunities for UT students to get involved in the performing arts, whether through internships, jobs, or volunteering in workshops and programs offered by the Straz Center.
“My friends who are theater majors or music majors have told me how inspiring and uplifting it is to go to witness a professional show,” said Sophia Beaudoin, a junior.
Access to the arts is vital for students, as it supports both their academic and psychological well-being. According to a 2023 article in the Journal of Graduate Medical Education, medical students who took part in an eight-week multimedia art course found that the experience enhanced their ability to empathize with others—an essential skill for patient interaction. Additionally, the course improved their capacity to make rapid, independent decisions, a crucial skill in the medical field.
UT and the Straz Center recognize the importance of the arts and strive to make attending shows more accessible and convenient for students, further integrating artistic experiences into their educational journey.