Plaza del Sol Performance Hall, formerly known as the Performing Arts Center, will be brought to life this fall season with many performers of different types incorporating comedy, dance and holiday music specials, accommodating all generations and interests. Audience members will be able to feel up close and personal with the performers in the universty’s 500-seat theatre.

Kicking off the season is one of America’s foremost comediennes Lily Tomlin. Tomlin will appear Friday, September 29 and Saturday, September 30, at 8 p.m. bringing to life many of her most loved characters.

Throughout her career, Tomlin has received a number of awards, including six Emmys, two Tonys for stage and much more. Tomlin continues to captivate audiences across a wide range of media, starring in television, theatre, motion pictures, animation and video.

“I remember her from Saturday Night Live, playing an AT’T phone operator and then again as the incredible shrinking woman. She was hilarious then and I look forward to seeing her now,” said CSUN alumnus Russ Holley.

Also appearing at CSUN this fall is Santa Barbara’s State Street Ballet. Returning for their fifth consecutive year, the State Street Ballet opens Saturday, October 28, at 8 p.m.

Many CSUN students are unaware that in addition to the shows at the Plaza del Sol, most performers take the opportunity to teach one class, known as a Master Class.

“We offer so many free Master Class opportunities for so many of our departments, we just need to get the word out.” Plaza del Sol Outreach Liaison Therri Donnelly said.

Santa Barbara’s State Street Ballet will offer a free Master Class for kinesiology and dance students on campus. The master class offers an opportunity for students to learn from professionals and ask questions.

The ballet will bring to life “American Legends” with specially made pieces featuring internationally renowned American choreographers, composers and singers.

“American Legends” celebrates the restless American spirit through dance. From the traditional songs of “Texas Fourth” to the percussive rhythm of “Rush House,” the show makes its way through a chronological history of dance from the past to the present.

“It’s really exciting to see the campus at Northridge hosting such extraordinary and talented performers,” said Junior Cydney Scapa.

In addition to the comedy of Lily Tomlin and the dance of the State Street Ballet, members of the community and students may look forward to the Second City Comedy Troupe and holiday performances representing an array of cultures.

The Second City Comedy Troupe, which launched the careers of Mike Myers, Bill Murray, John Belushi and countless others, will be performing on campus Thursday, November 30, at 8 p.m.

The always original, daring and hilarious Troupe will be performing a special medley of classic scenes, songs, skits and improvisation.

“What do love, Iraq and rap music producers have in common? They’re all targets of the Second City, the infamous comedy/improv troupe from Chicago,” writes Anna Rosenstein in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. “It’s like the Harvard of improvisational theater. That should assure you that the current class is some of the best and brightest,” she adds.

Following the Troupe, the holiday season officially begins with “Fiesta Navidad: A Musical Celebration of Christmas.” Starring mariachi ensembles and the dancers of Ballet Folklorico, the Mexican Christmas celebration of Fiesta Navidad is becoming a new tradition for U.S. audiences.

Considered “the West’s newest holiday tradition,” Fiesta Navidad tells the story of La Posada, commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem on the eve of the birth of Jesus.

On Friday, December 8, at 8 p.m. the University celebrates with The Albert McNeil Jubilee Singers, who have focused worldwide attention on the vast body of folk music termed “African-American.”

After 18 sold out European tours, 23 tours of the US and Canada, as well as the Middle and Far East, Russia, Africa, and South America, the Jubilee Singers are among the most honored singing ensembles in the world for the past 36 years.

A Christmas Carol has become a holiday tradition at the Performing Arts Center as the Metropolitan Educational Theatre offers a production of the classic Dickens tale on Saturday, Dec. 16, at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 17, at 2 p.m.