Arts at NEIU 2022-23

Dear Community,

On behalf of Northeastern Illinois University, I invite you to engage with us during the 2022-2023 season of performances, film screenings, lectures, art gallery exhibits and more. I am thrilled to see our departments and programs back to presenting full seasons of events after the difficult years of the pandemic.

Our new season includes performances by Stage Center Theatre, the Department of Music and Dance, the Jewel Box Series, Ensemble Español and the Ruth Page Dance Series. The Fine Arts Center Gallery will exhibit new artists' works.

The spacious venues at Northeastern give uniquely intimate access to international and local artists and their respective works. Art is many things and, at Northeastern Illinois University, it is a hub for the community, offering varied programming to our students and neighbors. I hope you will take part in these outstanding cultural experiences throughout the year and I look forward to seeing you on campus.

Sincerely,

Gloria J. Gibson, Ph.D. President

Northeastern Illinois University

On cover from left to right: photos by Michelle Reid, Werner Puntigam

Photo by Michelle Reid

Boyd Meets Girl, cello & classical guitar

Stage Center Theatre

Artistic Director: Adam Goldstein, Assistant Professor Managing Director: Sarah J. Fabian, Associate Professor

We are thrilled to present our 2022-2023 season that includes our incredible prize winning play festival, Nuevas Voces, and two impactful mainstage productions. Additionally, Stage Center Theatre will continue to build on our dynamic partnership with Chicago Dramatists and Chicago State University by presenting vital new plays in development by acclaimed playwrights in residence on both campuses. Stay tuned to our website, social media platforms, and Village Square tables for updated info on these amazing programs and performances!

Supporting the mission of Northeastern Illinois University (NEIU) and the pedagogical needs of the Communication, Media and Theatre Department, Stage Center Theatre (SCT) provides a professional application of theatre craft by producing challenging, dynamic and intersectional stories that drive the work of the United States and global theatrical communities. SCT storytelling centers around crucial societal questions, reflects our campus identity, and provides our audience with electric, living experiences that propel conversation, move the soul and enliven the heart. In doing so, SCT endeavors to be an expressive home for campus and community, a safe, diverse, and inclusive artistic environment, and a community beacon that underscores the pursuit of social justice in Chicago theatre and beyond.

The Department of Communication, Media, and Theatre's neiu.edu/sct neiu.edu/tickets

FALL 2022

Nuevas Voces: A 10-Minute Play Festival & Contest Sept. 29–30, 7:30 pm Oct. 1, 1 pm & 4 pm

Opening Reception: Sept. 29, 6:30 pm

Prize-winning plays: 1st Place: "Impasse" by Nathan Baltudis, Prize of $250; 2nd Place: "Three Friends" by Gabriel Olvera-Cabral, Prize of $200; 3rd Place: "Members Only" by Melony Aponte, Prize of $150

Founded by Jim Blair. Directed by CMT faculty member Daniel Wirth. Founded by alumnus and former Northeastern professor Jim Blair to create a platform at Northeastern Illinois University for new playwrights, Nuevas Voces is a thrilling launch point for new work from NEIU and its vibrant community. Featuring multiple prize-winning short plays selected from an extensive competition, Nuevas Voces reveals the complexity of our human experience through the many lenses that make up Northeastern.

"Significant Other" by Joshua Harmon

Nov. 10–12 & Nov. 16–18, 7:30 pm Nov. 19, 2 pm

Please join us for a Community Night Celebration on Wednesday the 16th before the show and a post-show discussion following the performance.

Directed by CMT Faculty Member John Bliss. Jordan Berman would love to be in love, but that’s easier said than done. So until he meets Mr. Right, he wards off lonely nights with his trio of close friends. But as singles’ nights turn into bachelorette parties for one of his closest friends, and as Jordan faces the reality of being excluded from a critical celebration of a lifelong friendship, Jordan reckons with the notion of himself as “often the bridesmaid, but never the bride'' while questioning whether his friends have his back in the way he has theirs. While Jordan serves as the greatest cheerleader of love, he ponders when that love will cheer back for him. This hilarious, biting, and poignant off-Broadway smash by Joshua Harmon questions whether the only thing possibly harder than finding love is supporting the loved ones around you when they do.

Instagram: @stagecentertheatre Facebook: @stagecnt (https://www.facebook.com/stagectr)

Photo by Sarah J. Fabian

SPRING 2023

"Holler River"

by Caridad Svich

April 13–15 & April 19–21, 7:30 pm April 22, 2 pm

Please join us for a Community Night Celebration on Wednesday the 19th before the show and a post-show discussion following the performance.

In this mythic reflection of a scorched nation, a soldier waits for another to come home. They were teacher and student once. A town waits, too, deep in the heart of coal country, while the One Who Roams wrestles with what home even means. In this powerful ritual and psalm we journey through the stories we tell ourselves to ensure that we exist, the songs we sing to get by, and the maps we make of the memory of our warring lives. Receiving its first full production at Stage Center, HOLLER RIVER is part of Caridad Svich’s AMERICAN PSALM cycle of plays interrogating our local and national identities, a potent reflection on Shakespeare's HENRY IV Part One, and was a 2018 Finalist for Shakespeare's New Contemporaries at the American Shakespeare Center.

We encourage those reserving 2022-2023 Stage Center Theatre season to reserve or purchase in advance of attendance as

continue to prioritize the health of our students and staff by supporting social distancing and public health guidance. All university issued health protocols will be in effect upon arrival. More information on these protocols will be posted on the Stage Center Theatre website as guidance is updated regularly. Additionally, as part of our efforts to increase accessibility across our NEIU community, Stage Center offers two live streamed performances of each of our productions! All

Subscriptions

SCT Gold Flex Pass: Your subscription to Stage Center Theatre puts you right in the middle of the action at a great discounted rate. The SCT Gold Flex Pass earns you a 25% discount on individual ticket prices and allows you to set your calendar with us! Best of all, your subscription comes with flexible dates! Simply call the box office and request the dates on which your tickets will be used prior to the opening performance of each production! We know that life comes up. This way, you can join us when it works best for you.

Group Sales

Interested in bringing a group to Stage Center? We’d love to have you! Please contact Adam a-goldstein@neiu.edu, or Sarah at sj-fabian@ neiu.edu and ask about customized group arrangements. We’d be thrilled to help make your experience at Stage Center a special one!

Co-Directed by CMT Faculty Member Adam Goldstein and Guest Director Jerrell Henderson.

Photos by Rebecca Denham

CAPE

Department of Music

The Department of Music presents concerts throughout the year in the Recital Hall of the Salme Harju Steinberg Fine Arts Center and the NEIU Auditorium. Programs feature performances by students, faculty, and guest artists, and include solo, chamber ensembles, and large ensemble performances in a variety of genres and styles. Admission is free unless otherwise indicated.

Visit neiu.edu/music for more details and link to the online NEIU Arts Calendar, which is kept up to date. Find us on Facebook @neiumusicanddance and Youtube @NEIUDepartmentofMusicandDance, for more event information and videos of many performances.

Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. To receive weekly emails with upcoming events each Friday of the Fall and Spring semesters, email music@neiu.edu.

2023-2024 Scholarship Auditions: Saturday, March 4, 2023 and Saturday, April 1, 2023. To learn more about the audition process for music scholarships, visit neiu.edu/auditions.

Graduate Lecture Recital: Mi Ran Choi, cello Wednesday, September 14 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Student Recital Hour Thursday, September 29 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

Cantar y Desempeñar: Hispanic Heritage Celebration Wednesday, October 5 5:30 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Jazz Combo Steve Duncan, director Thursday, October 6 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Chamber Singers & Chorus Christopher Owen, conductor Tuesday, October 11 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Orchestra Benjamin Firer, conductor Thursday, October 13 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Faculty Recital: Katherine Petersen, soprano Friday, October 14 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

neiu.edu/music neiu.edu/tickets

Fall 2022

NEIU Wind Ensemble Travis Heath, conductor Tuesday, October 18 7:30 pm • Auditorium

Guitar Studio Showcase Thursday, October 20 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

Student Recital Hour Thursday, October 27 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

Piano Studio Showcase Thursday, November 3 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

Woodwind Studios Showcase Monday, November 7 7:30 pm • Recital Hall Music Faculty Recital Tuesday, November 8 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Opera presents Fall Opera Scenes Claire DiVizio, director Friday, November 11, 7:30 pm • Auditorium & Saturday, November 12, 7:30 pm • Auditorium

Faculty Recital: Brian Torosian, guitar Monday, November 14 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Student Recital Hour Tuesday, November 15 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Chamber Singers & Chorus Christopher Owen, conductor Tuesday, November 15 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Graduate Lecture Recital: Nils Higdon, percussion Wednesday, November 16 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Jazz Combo Thursday, November 17 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Orchestra Benjamin Firer, conductor Thursday, November 17 7:30 pm • Auditorium

Voice Studios Showcase Monday, November 21 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Songwriters Showcase Nelson Mandrell, director Tuesday, November 22 7:30 pm • Auditorium

Percussion Studio Showcase Tuesday, November 29 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Wind Ensemble Travis Heath, conductor Tuesday, November 29 7:30 pm • Auditorium

Brass Studios Showcase Wednesday, November 30 5 pm • Recital Hall

String Studios Showcase Wednesday, November 30 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Guitar Studio Showcase Thursday, December 1 3:05pm • Recital Hall

Varsity Big Band Steve Duncan, director Thursday, December 1 7:30pm • Recital Hall

Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check our website neiu.edu/music for details.

Photo by Joe Davis

Spring 2023

Elyse J. Mach Awards

Concerto Competition

Thursday, February 2

7 pm • Recital Hall

Student Recital Hour Thursday, February 23

3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Wind Ensemble

Travis Heath, conductor Tuesday, February 28

7:30 pm • Auditorium

Guitar Studio Showcase Thursday, March 2 3:05pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Chamber

Singers & Chorus Christopher Owen, conductor Tuesday, March 7 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Orchestra Benjamin Firer, conductor Thursday, March 9

7:30 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Jazz Combo Steve Duncan, director Tuesday, March 21 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

Student Recital Hour Tuesday, March 28 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Opera presents Spring Opera Claire DiVizio, director Wednesday, April 5, Thursday, April 6, Friday, April 7 & Saturday, April 8, 7:30 pm • Auditorium neiu.edu/tickets

Piano Studio Showcase Tuesday, April 11 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

Songwriters Showcase Nelson Mandrell, director Tuesday, April 18 7:30 pm •Auditorium

Brass Studios Showcase Wednesday, April 19 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Student Recital Hour Thursday, April 20 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

Varsity Big Band Steve Duncan, director Monday, April 24 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Percussion Studio Showcase Tuesday, April 25 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Wind Ensemble Travis Heath, conductor Tuesday, April 25 7:30 pm • Auditorium Woodwind Studios Showcase Wednesday, April 26 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

String Studios Showcase Thursday, April 27 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Guitar Ensemble Brian Torosian, director Thursday, April 27 7:30 pm • Auditorium

NEIU Jazz Combo Steve Duncan, director Tuesday, May 2 3:05 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Chamber Singers & Chorus Christopher Owen, conductor Tuesday, May 2 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

Voice Studios Showcase Wednesday, May 3 7:30 pm • Recital Hall

NEIU Orchestra featuring the Winners of the Elyse J. Mach Awards Concerto Competition Benjamin Firer, conductor Thursday, May 4 7:30 pm • Auditorium

Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check our website neiu.edu/music for details.

The Department of Music at Northeastern Illinois University is accredited by the National Association of Schools of Music. (NASM).

Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. Please check our website neiu.edu/music for details. @neiumusicanddance

Photo by Joe Davis

Dance at NEIU

Ruth Page Dance Series

experience level or course of study. We offer an individually

The Dance Program and dance courses at Northeastern Illinois University are open to all NEIU students regardless of experience level or course of study. We offer an individually designed minor in Dance with concentrations in dance education, performance, and/or choreography. Through course work and internships, Northeastern dance students have the opportunity to work with the Ruth Page Dance Series and Ensemble Español Spanish Dance Theater, providing them with valuable skills and work experience in the arts. Dance Concerts each semester include both student and professionally choreographed works performed by student, faculty, and guest performers. Expect to witness a variety of choreographic entertaining and thought-provoking works in a wide array of dance genres and styles.

education, performance, and/or choreography. Through Northeastern more

Please visit neiu.edu/dance for more information about dance courses, scholarship opportunities, and up to date information about performances. Dates, times, and locations are subject to change. To receive weekly emails with upcoming music and dance events each Friday of the Fall and Spring semesters, email dance@neiu.edu.

Fall Student Dance Concert

Friday, November 4, 2022, 7:30 pm

Jamie Cage, Director Auditorium; $5; Free with NEIU ID

Faculty, students, and guest artists present completed and in progress choreography. Students are thrilled to share the stage with dance professionals from Chicago in this evening concert! Please join us for a night to remember.

Spring Student Dance Concert

Friday, April 14, 7:30 pm & Saturday, April 15, 7:30 pm

Jamie Cage, Director Auditorium; $5 Free with NEIU ID

Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker

Saturday, December 3, 2022, 7 pm Sunday, December 4, 2022, 1 & 5 pm

BEHIND THE CURTAIN presentations

neiu.edu/dance neiu.edu/tickets

Take your seat for a gratifying evening of thought-provoking and entertaining dance pieces presented and performed by students, faculty, and professional guest artists. Expect to witness a variety of choreographic works in a multitude of dance genres. You will not leave disappointed.

The quintessential holiday and family classic is back for three performances only! Order your tickets early as past performances have sold out each year! The little girl heroine, her mysterious godfather magician, the battle between toy soldiers and mice, a forest glade of dancing Snowflakes–these iconic scenes are brought to life in this beautiful production of Ruth Page’s The Nutcracker. Originally presented in the Arie Crown Theater from 1965 until 1997, this production recreates the beloved Chicago holiday version’s original full-length staging. Featuring international artists alongside the Ruth Page Civic Ballet Training Company’s elite dancers, experience the exquisite performances, stunning costumes and magical settings in the Land of Snow and the Kingdom of the Sweets like never before!

These behind-the-scenes special events give audiences a glimpse of the creative process, offering the opportunity to engage directly with artists, choreographers and creative teams through lectures, demonstrations, works-in-progress showings and Q&A’s. For additional information about upcoming presentations, please visit www.ruthpage.org.

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Fall 2022

Date TBD

Admission FREE

BEHIND THE CURTAIN: Spring 2023 Date TBD

Admission: FREE

NEIU Student (one ticket per ID)

The Ruth Page Center for the Arts proudly continues its collaborative dance programming with Northeastern Illinois University through the Ruth Page Dance Series, presenting the finest local, national and international dance artists to the NEIU community. Additionally, the Dance Series offers unique opportunities to engage with guest artists through demonstrations and master classes, as well as exciting behind-the-scenes experiences.

Photos by Michelle Reid

Ensemble Español SpanishDance Theater In-Residence at Northeastern Illinois University

Presenting, promoting and preserving the Flamenco, Folkloric, Classical, Escuela Bolera and Contemporary Dance and Music traditions of Spain.

Ensemble Español

EnsembleEspanol.org 773.442.5901

@ensembleespanol

Visit ensembleespanol.org or call 773.442.5901 for more information about performances.

"Ensemble Español pushing Spanish Dance into the 21st century."

Upcoming Events

Spanish Dance Classes (All-year round)

August 2022: Zorro: The Musical at the North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie

August 13, 2022: Dance for Life at the Auditorium Theatre

September 30, 2022: Tales of Spain at the Auditorium Theatre

October 1, 2022: Made in Chicago Dance Series at the Auditorium Theatre

October 1, 2022: The Black & Brown Roots of Spanish Dance & Music at the Auditorium Theatre

December 2022: Holiday Concert at Northeastern Illinois University

June 2023: American Spanish Dance and Music Festival

Dame Libby Komaiko

Founder Irma Suárez Ruiz Artistic Director Jorge Perez Executive Director Kim Grigsby Associate Executive Director

Photos by Dean Paul

—Chicago Tribune

Fine Arts Center Gallery

Please visit the gallery website for information on artist talks and/or workshops. For gallery hours visit: neiu.edu/artgallery

See, Shade, Shape by Monika Plioplyte

Fall 2022–Summer 2023

UNADDRESSED by Nichole Maury

February 27–March 24, 2023

August 22–September 25, 2022

Reception: Thursday, September 8, 5:30–8 pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, September 22, 12 pm

Where She Comes From

October 3-28, 2022

Reception & Talk: Thursday, October 6, 5:30–8 pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, October 6, 6 pm

Ex Voto by Selva Aparicio

November 7–25, 2022

Reception & Talk: Thursday, November 10, 5:30–8 pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, November 10, 6 pm

Student Holiday Sale

November 28–December 9, 2022

Faculty Biennial Exhibition

January 17–February 17, 2023

Reception: Thursday, January 19, 5:30–8 pm

Reception & Talk: Thursday, March 2, 5:30–8 pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, March 2, 6 pm

Annual Student Juried Exhibition

April 3–21, 2023

Reception & Awards: Friday, April 21, 6–8 pm

Award Ceremony: Friday, April 21, 7 pm

A Cowboy Story: Lies, Legends, and Lines on Land by Salvador JimenezFlores & KC Weldon

May 1–26, 2023

Reception & Talk: Thursday, May 4, 5:30–8 pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, May 4, 6 pm

Holding Heavy Objects by Maddie May June 5–23, 2023

Reception & Talk: Thursday, June 8, 11 am–1 pm

Artist Talk: Thursday, June 8, 12 pm

neiu.edu/artgallery

Artwork by Monika Plioplyte

Office of Cultural Events

N. St. Louis Avenue Chicago, IL 60625

CHICAGO

Getting to Northeastern Illinois University

The performance spaces at NEIU are easiest to access by entering the campus at 3701 West Bryn Mawr Ave. If entering from 3600 West Foster, take the access road north to the parking areas.

Parking permits are now required for all events on campus. Blue Zone virtual daily permits cost $5 per day. Download the free Passport Parking app to your smartphone or visit the website m.ppprk.com to create your account. You may also drive up to the yellow kiosk in the Parking Facility that dispenses a paper receipt for display.

NEIU Parking Facility: 773.442.4114 or 4117

Waukegan