Niagara University secures $525,000 to modernize theater technology & bolster New York's workforce

Niagara University press release & photo

Niagara University has been awarded $525,000 in funding to modernize its theater facilities. This strategic investment will upgrade critical infrastructure including stage machinery, lighting, audio, and communication systems to align the university’s training with the demands of the film, television and live production industries.

The funding was secured through congressionally directed spending sponsored by U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer, whose leadership was instrumental in advancing the project. This allocation was part of nearly $9.3 million in CDS awards secured for seven Western New York projects, sponsored either individually or jointly by Schumer and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand.

As New York continues to emerge as a national hub for film and television production, this project aligns with the state Regional Economic Development Council (REDC) initiatives. By training on professional-grade equipment, Niagara University students will enter the workforce as “set-ready" professionals, providing a vital talent pipeline for the state’s growing creative economy.

“We are deeply grateful to Sen. Schumer for spearheading this transformative investment in Niagara University,” said the Rev. James J. Maher, C.M., president of NU. “By continuing to align our training with the industry's highest standards, we are ensuring that our graduates are prepared in a way to drive the future of the state’s thriving creative economy, thus supporting the senator’s vision for New York as a national hub for production.”

The planned upgrades focus on three core pillars: aligning student training with current industry standards used on professional film sets and Broadway stages, implementing state-of-the-art stage machinery and digital communication systems, and enhancing facility operations through modernized technology.

NU offers BFA programs in three concentrations: performance, design and production, and theater specializations. The NU theater program produces several professional-quality shows each year, ranging from Shakespeare to musical revues. All the performances are held in the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre and Leary Theatre, and showcase the acting, dancing and vocal talents of NU students.

This investment reinforces NU’s role as a regional leader in workforce-aligned education, supporting the industry in building a robust pipeline for production talent across New York.