The Green Room / April 2018

C o l o r a d o S ta t e Un i ve r s i ty / T H E U N I V E R S I T Y C E N T E R F O R T H E A R T S / VO LU M E 4 / I S S U E 2 6 / A P R I L 2 0 1 8

RALPH OPERA PRESENTS: THE MAGIC FLUTE

WELCOME TO

THE GREEN ROOM Just like everyone else, my to-do list is a mile long. It can be overwhelming and a perspective sucker for sure. I’m not going anywhere deep with this, but as we head into April, which is undoubtedly the most overwhelming month of the academic year at the UCA, just take a moment to laugh.

It’s so refreshing!

Dan Goble

Director of the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance

Jennifer Clary Jacobs Marketing Director

Mike Solo

Creative Director

Brandon Adams

Publicity and Marketing Assistant

Here is what made me laugh yesterday! What’s going to make you laugh today?

This issue of The Green Room marks the fourth anniversary of our performing and visual arts publication. I think what I like best about this issue are the student contributions, from students being quoted in articles written by our publicity interns to articles written by students for students, I am inspired by their insight, eloquence, and wisdom. I appreciate the effort so many students have made over the last four years to this online magazine. Thank you!

April through the first week of May truly is the busiest time for us in terms of events at the University Center for the Arts. With the Ralph Opera Program presentation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute, the Spring Dance Concert and reception for retiring professor Jane SlusarskiHarris, the M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition in the Gregory Allicar Museum of Art, and the live theatre production of Urinetown, The Musical

by Greg Kotis, students and faculty are focused on the culminating projects of the 2017-2018 year in the visual and performing arts at Colorado State University.

Please join us – there will definitely be opportunities to laugh!

Sincerely, Jennifer Clary Jacobs, Director of Marketing, University Center for the Arts

TABLE OF TICKETS Online Sales: CSUArtsTickets.com Ticket Office: Griffin Lobby, University Center for the Arts (UCA) Ticket Office Hours: M–F, 3:30–5:30 p.m., and 60 minutes prior to performances Information: (970) 491-ARTS (2787) / Email: CSUArts@colostate.edu Group rate: 15% off on ten or more tickets, applied at the time of purchase Tickets may be purchased, both online and at the UCA Ticket Office until 30 minutes after curtain. Print-at-home tickets are available online. All tickets are subject to a $1 ticket fee for both online and at-the-door purchases. At-the-door and phone purchases will incur a $3 processing fee per order. Advance ticket purchase is highly recommended to avoid lines and the at-the-door fee.

Purchase Policy: All sales are final. No refunds or exchanges. Seating after the start of any performance is at the discretion of the house manager.

Photography and recording of performances are strictly prohibited. Food and beverages prohibited in all theatres. Parents with disruptive children may be asked to excuse themselves if the performance is disturbed without refund.

CONTENTS Faculty Notes....................................................... 04 CSU Concert Band............................................. 10 Spring Dance Concert....................................... 13 One Big Bow........................................................ 22 SHINE!................................................................... 26 Concerto Competition....................................... 35 KCACTF................................................................ 38 Singer of the Year............................................... 43

EXECUTIVE EDITOR: JENNIFER CLARY JACOBS CREATIVE DIRECTOR: MIKE SOLO PUBLICITY AND MARKETING ASST. BRANDON ADAMS STAFF WRITERS:

SOCIAL MEDIA This is your UCA! Stay connected with the University Center for the Arts by connecting with us on social media.

Facebook: facebook.com/CSU.UCA Instagram: ColoradoStateUniversity_UCA Twitter: @CSUUCA Youtube: YouTube.com/ColoradoStateUniv Flickr: flickr.com/photos/csulibarts

BRANDON ADAMS JENNIFER CLARY JACOBS VIOLA CAI BRODY HORNADAY EMILY KAISER NICOLE TOWNE

FOR ADVERTISING PLEASE CONTACT: JENNIFER CLARY JACOBS, DIRECTOR OF MARKETING jennifer.clary@colostate.edu / 970.491.3603

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The Magic Flute.................................................. 48

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FACULTY NOTES

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CSU’s Director of Strings Ron Francois and Silvana Santinelli won two Kathy Boyd & Phoenix Rising Silver Medals for Outstanding Achievement at the Global Music Awards for their CD, Mexico City Blues. The Duo Francois placed in both the DUO and the EMERGING ARTISTS categories.

The CD, which was released on the Itinerant Classics label last fall, features compositions for violin and piano written

by Juno award winning Canadian composer Andrew Paul MacDonald, ASCAP award winning American Composer and CSU Composition Professor Jim David, and Pulitzer nominated Mexican composer, Juan Trigos. The Global Music Awards is a well-known international music competition that celebrates independent musicians and is widely recognized by industry insiders as giving legitimacy to highly talented artists.

Global Music Awards is recognized as music's golden seal of approval. duofrancois.com

In Jan., Flute Professor Michelle Stanley released Nouvelle Vie: A Rediscovery of French Flute Music, recorded with pianist Margaret McDonald. The new album on Navona Records includes previously unrecorded French flute works from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The duo breathe new life into classic compositions as they dream up new interpretations of both familiar French favorites as well as words by lesser known composers. The selections were written either for the Paris Conservatory Flute Studio as year-end projects or as small concert pieces. The album is reminiscent of the operalike qualities of that era, a time when the flute became the star instrument. In a Q&A with PARMA Recordings, Stanley said, “As a professor, I love exposing new music to my students and this album does that. It also feeds my total obsession with French flute music. There were so many early 20th century French composers who were masterful in their writing for the flute. The use of color, time, and expression are not only totally fun to play, but they are great learning tools for my students.

Featuring the music of Bernstein, Benson, Colgrass, and David

WITH GUESTS

APRIL 16, 7:30 P.M. / GRIFFIN CONCERT HALL

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MADELINE HARVEY, DANCE | TIM BURNS, PIANO | DAN GOBLE, SAXOPHONE PETER SOMMER, SAXOPHONE | WIL SWINDLER, SAXOPHONE SCOTT TURPIN, SAXOPHONE | SHILO STROMAN, DRUM SET

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FACULTY NOTES I’m so thrilled to have the opportunity to share this new music with my students and flute players everywhere.”

Read the Q&A to find out who was Dr. Stanley’s favorite musician growing up. Stanley will perform works from Nouvelle Vie at her recital on Monday, April 30, 7:30 p.m. in the Organ Recital Hall.

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Last Aug., Dr. Stanley took the flute studio to the 45th annual National Flute Association convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The association encourages a higher standard of artistic excellence for the flute, its performers, and its literature, members include leading soloists, orchestral players, jazz and world music performers, teachers, adult amateurs, and students of all ages. (www.nfaonline.org) At the convention, the CSU Flute Choir performed several times and premiered “Uplift” by Mark Connor. Watch a video of the performance.

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The CSU Flute students "somewhere in Nebraska"

CSU Music Therapy Students Naomi Davis (third from the left) and Ryan Smith (third from the right) were elected to the Midwest Region Student Board.

DR. ANDREW KNIGHT • Dr. Knight presented two sessions: Our Littlest Sounders and Movers: Supporting the Infant-Parent Relationship; and Music Therapy Interventions to Support Social Development in Early Childhood Inclusion Classrooms • Dr. Knight also serves as the current president of the MWR • Dr. Knight and Dr. Blythe LaGasse sit on the Assembly of Delegates of the AMTA STUDENT ACTIVITIES: GRADUATE TEACHING ASSISTANT, DANIEL GOLDSCHMIDT, MT-BC • Presented with Dr. Knight: Utilizing Music Cognition Research for Music Therapy Practice • Presented with CSU graduate student Zach Kritzer: Advanced Guitar Skills for Music Therapists UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT RYAN SMITH • Was elected as president-elect of the MWR student board • Presented: An Individual With ______: Discussing Diagnoses in Music Therapy at the student-led “Passages” portion of the conference.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT NAOMI DAVIS WAS ELECTED AS MWR STUDENT TREASURER GRADUATE EQUIVALENCY STUDENT JACKIE HANSON WAS SELECTED AS THE WINNER OF THE 2018 MWR STUDENT SCHOLARSHIP ONLINE MASTER’S STUDENT MIA ILIOPOULOS PRESENTED WIND INSTRUMENTS FOR THE WINDED ALUMNI ACTIVITIES: YUE WU, MM, MT-BC (’16) AND ANASTASIA CANFIELD, MM, MT-BC, RP (’16) PRESENTED A CONTINUING EDUCATION SESSION: CULTIVATING CULTURAL AWARENESS AND COMPETENCY IN MUSIC THERAPY ANASTASIA CANFIELD PRESENTED A CONTINUING EDUCATION SESSION: COMBATING THE “IMPOSTOR SYNDROME” IN MUSIC THERAPY PROFESSIONALS AMANDA SCIARABBA, MT-BC (’17) SERVES AS THE SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR ON THE MWR BOARD OF DIRECTORS YEN-PO LAI (’17) PRESENTED LAND, PEOPLE, AND THEIR MUSIC: MUSIC THERAPY IN MULTICULTURAL ENVIRONMENTS

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The CSU music therapy faculty and students were very active at the conference of the Midwestern Region of the American Music Therapy Association, held in Iowa City, Iowa, March 16-18.

FACULTY ACTIVITIES: DR. LINDSEY WILHELM • Dr. Wilhelm presented with Dr. Carolyn Moore: The Ethics of Self-Care: A Primer for Students • As CSU is the host university for the American Music Therapy Association archives, Dr. Wilhelm also serves as the archivist for the Midwestern Region (MWR) and for the Association.

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3 R D A N NU A L JAMM I N ' R A M R UN 5K !

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Prediction Race!

Have an accurate prediction of your time (even if you cross the finish line last!), and you win one of our top prizes, including a $100 gift card to Altitude Running!

All proceeds will be going to the family of a Colorado State University graduate student and music therapist who lost his battle to cancer earlier this year. Food and coffee for all, t-shirts for the first 100 registered runners, and random giveaways in registered participant bags!

WHEN: April 14, 2018, 8:30 for the 5k, Community Fun Run at 9:15AM WHERE: Colorado State University's Oval: Free parking in the Lory Student Center lot

Sign up at jamminramrun.com

HOSTED BY THE CENTER FOR EDUCATOR PREPARATION

This event will help future and current teachers consider the impact of traumatic events on our school communities and how to move forward in positive ways as the effects of tragedy manifest in our communities.

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A P R I L 1 0 TH | E D D Y R O O M 2 1 2 | 4 - 6 P. M .

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MAKE MUSIC AND FRIENDS IN THE CSU CONCERT BAND: A LETTER FROM ALYSON LHUNGAY CSU’s non-auditioned ensembles continue to grow, providing a place for students to play their instruments, or sing, while in college. Students in these ensembles come from biological sciences, business, engineering, computer sciences, English, political science, zoology, music, and more.

First of all, let me begin by welcoming you to Colorado State University, and to the greatest years of your life! Here in Fort Collins, you will find a wholesome and considerate community that challenges you to achieve your maximum potential while simultaneously remaining sensitive of your personal objectives. Believe me when I say I am truly excited for your future experiences and memories you will create while being a CSU Ram. My name is Alyson, and I am currently a Zoology major with a minor in Biomedical Science. I march flute in the CSU Marching Band, and it was through friends there that I heard about the concert band. While marching band is fantastic, I remember explicitly missing music beyond pep tunes. It was my wish to continue playing my instrument through the spring semester while also getting the chance to perform truly breathtaking pieces. Ever since I graduated from high school, I have been determined to continue in music. Together, CSU Marching Band and Concert Band have helped me remain true to my goal.

Going in to my first rehearsal, I was not quite sure what to expect. I was hesitant to anticipate the same experience I had in high school, but I also did not want to go in with a bad attitude. Primarily, I lacked confidence and was more than content to sit near the back. Upon arriving, I was greeted with the warmest, ebullient, and responsive professor I have ever met. Let me just say, there is a reason Dr. Johnson is rated one of the best music professors in the University. If you are looking for an educator who will fully support you and work with your expectations, please look no further.

While I was in Concert Band, I got the opportunity to step out of my comfort zone and be placed center stage. As mentioned previously, I was uneasy about being recognized or noticed. Throughout my entire life I have tried to blend and remain incognito. I would eagerly pass up solos and delight in the fact that I was second or third chair.

Working with Dr. Johnson and the Concert Band has increased my confidence exponentially, and I got the chance to take pleasure from performing for others.

Above all else, I have always felt that music has had a therapeutic effect. It can allow for an escape from reality, evoke a full range of emotions, and has the potential to heal. Not only is it enjoyable, but it teaches the lesson of patience, commitment, pride, and discipline. What’s not to love?

Again, warmest welcome to Colorado State University Sincerely, Alyson Lhungay

We thank Alyson for sharing her experience and her heart! If you’re interested in playing in a nonauditioned ensemble at CSU, simply sign up and show up, it’s that easy! If you’d like to audition for the CSU Marching Band, or any of the other bands, orchestras, or choirs at CSU, visit our website for details. music.colostate.edu/auditions

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Alyson Lhungay is a junior zoology major in the College of Natural Sciences and plays flute in the CSU Marching Band and the Concert Band. Alyson is also a member of The Dream Team, the new Concert Band student advisory group whose purpose is to help support new band members and increase awareness about the band across campus, enhancing the overall positive experience of being in the band. We reached out to Alyson and asked her to share about her experience in the Concert Band, a non-auditioned band with more than 120 members. Enjoy this letter she wrote to all incoming students, encouraging them to continue participating in music at CSU.

Dear incoming student,

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T H E S C H O O L O F M U S I C , T H E A T R E , A N D D A N C E P R E S E N T S : INTEGRATING DANCE/MOVEMENT INTO THE K-12 CURRICULUM

JUNE 11-15, 2018 9 A.M. – 4:30 P.M. T HE UN IVE RSI TY C ENT E R F OR T HE ARTS THE GRE E N R OOM / I S S UE 2 6 , A PR I L 2 0 1 8

Join leading Dance Movement Educators & Education Specialists from Colorado State University and the region to explore how we can bring more movement into our K–12 classrooms!

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Presented by the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance and the College of Liberal Arts at the University Center for the Arts, Fort Collins, Colorado Guest Presenter and Key Note Speaker, Mary Ann Lee is the director of the Tanner Dance Program and Children’s Dance Theatre in the College of Fine Arts at the University of Utah. She has unified educators and dance movement artists in many ways, including the Side-by-Side program, now in its 20th year, which pairs dance artists with K-12 teachers. Ms. Lee was a dance specialist for the National Endowment for the Arts’ and has been a guest teacher in China, Japan, The Netherlands, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, England, Finland, Canada and Brazil.

Additional presenters will include arts educators from CSU and across Colorado as well as education and integrated arts specialists focused on bringing movement in the classroom.

In addition to our CSU faculty, Dr. Patrick Fahey, Arts Education, Lisa Morgan, Judy Bejarano and Amber Mazurana with CSU Dance, we are excited to have returning guest presenters Fritz Anders, Dalcroze Eurythmics Specialist; Louis Baldwin, 4th grader teacher and movement integration specialist in Denver schools and Pamela Barker, Social and Emotional Learning specialist

SEMINAR TOPICS: • Let’s Move! Dance Skills, Concepts, and Comprehensive Learning • Social & Emotional Learning in the Classroom • Dance Collaboration Across K-12 Higher Education and the Broader Community • Integrated Arts Initiatives in Education • Dance Movement Science and the Human Brain • Colorado Dance Standards, Assessment, and Curriculum Planning

REGISTRATION INFORMATION Seminar enrollment is limited to 30 Colorado K–12 Educators. Cost for the seminar is $250.00.

Registration is now open – please go to the REGISTRATION link on our CSU Dance Page dance.colostate.edu/teachers-seminar TEACHERS MAY SIGN UP FOR CSU CONTINUING EDUCATION CREDIT (FEE REQUIRED) FOR TEACHER ENHANCEMENT PURPOSES.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT US: Lisa Morgan, Dance Faculty, CSU / Lisa.Morgan@colostate.edu

THERE’S A CHOIR, BAND, AND ORCHESTRA FOR YOU AT CSU

CSU Music Ensembles are open to all majors!

No auditions are required – just register and show up!

If you don’t have an instrument with you on campus, don’t worry! Many instruments are available for rental.

TO RENT AN INSTRUMENT, CONTACT: Copper.Ferreira@colostate.edu University Center for the Arts 1400 Remington St. music.colostate.edu

• UNIVERSITY CHORUS (MU202) T/TH, 5:30-7 p.m.

Contact: James.Kim@colostate.edu • CONCERT ORCHESTRA (MU206) M/W, 1-2:30 p.m. Contact: Leslie2.Stewart@colostate.edu • CONCERT BAND (MU205/ SPRING ONLY W/F, 4:15-5:45 p.m. Contact: E.Johnson@colostate.edu AUDITION FOR A TOP ENSEMBLE: Ensemble auditions take place at the University Center for the Arts at the beginning of each semester.

Information about audition times and suggested repertoire at music.colostate.edu/auditions • CSU MARCHING BAND Auditions: June 9, 2018 bands.colostate.edu

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Join a choir, band, or orchestra, regardless of your major! Students in these ensembles come from biological sciences, business, engineering, computer sciences, English, political science, zoology, music, and more.

NON-AUDITIONED ENSEMBLES:

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“As director of dance, I am delighted to invite you to our Spring Dance Concert during my last semester at CSU,” said Jane Slusarski-Harris, who retires at the end of the academic year. “This is a spectacular production created by our exceptionally talented faculty, staff, and students. With contributions from CSU musicians, choreographers, performers, designers, and technicians, this concert of variety and pure fun will captivate your body, mind, and spirit!”

The 2018 Spring Dance Concert on April 20-21 serves as a special retirement ceremony for SlusarskiHarris, who has devoted herself to CSU Dance for thirty years. The diverse cast consists of the entire dance faculty, as well as collaborations with other areas from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance.

“This concert is the product of Jane’s influence,” says Madeline Harvey, assistant professor of dance. “Her legacy is so strong and she has left such mark on the dance community at CSU and Fort Collins. I hope that with this last concert, she feels a great sense of pride and the excitement of moving forward to her next life adventures.”

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BY VIOLA CAI / PUBLICITY INTERN

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A CAPTIVATING CREATION

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On the concert, Madeline Harvey reimagines her original work “Ubuntu,” which is about loss and hope and the ways we can support and help each other. The piece is set to Max Bruch's “Kol Nidrei,” and was inspired by real-life stories from members of the National Organization of Parents of Murdered Children. She will also premiere an original contemporary pas de deux with Matthew Harvey. For the couple, the co-created piece has been a path for better understanding each other and has become a great gift to share with the dance community.

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Madeline Harvey will also dance Slusarski-Harris’ solo choreography that expresses ideas about educational equality for women. Slusarski-Harris believes that providing equal educational opportunities for females around the world is one of the most important responsibilities people have as a global society.

“Having the musician right there on the stage, I can feel his physicality. We don’t have to directly respond to each other, but the emotion, repetition, vibration, and connection with the musician is flowing in the air,” ­— AMBER MAZURANA

Madeline Harvey says the retiring professor is an inspiring mentor who has remained invested and dedicated to the development of the program, even in her last semester; the other faculty members feel the same. For the concert, Professor Chung-Fu Chang is expressing his respect for Slusarski-Harris by performing a solo piece themed on a past memory, and Dance Instructor Judy Bejarano is contributing to the concert with her good friend and colleague of more than twenty-eight years in mind.

CSU UNIVERSITY SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA PRESENTS

Conducted by Wes Kenney

The eighteen students in the Contemporary Repertory Ensemble are performing “Breath, Land, and Sky,” directed and choreographed by Bejarano. The class has worked with Scenic Designer Heidi Larson, creating different landscapes and terrains where huge moving panels give people a sense of Moab in Utah.

The artistic collaboration continues throughout the concert adds faculty member Amber Mazurana, who is recreating “These Moments,” with live music by staff pianist David McArthur. Originally created for IMPACT Dance Company in 2017, Mazurana continues exploring the subtle to abrasive moments that define our lives, exposing our shared humanity and essential need of support.

EDVARD GRIEG’S Symphonic

Dances

RICHARD STRAUSS’ Four AND IGOR

STRAVINSKY’S Le

When talking about Slusarski-Harris’ retirement, Madeline Harvey feels bittersweet, “Jane is a huge reason why I came to the University. During my interview process, I asked her what she hoped CSU dance students would gain from the program. Her response was about kindness and about teaching students to be kind artists and to give back the world around them.”

Not only are faculty members devoted to this concert, the dance students are certainly giving back to their professor through their intense efforts, as well as collaborations with theatre student stage designers, costume designers, and production managers. For this concert, Slusarski-Harris selected four student dance pieces, covering various topics from social issues to discovering humanity. According to Slusarski-Harris, the process of producing the dance concert is a great learning experience.

CONDUCTED BY JEREMY CUEBAS

Last Songs

Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring)

WITH GUEST

Tiffany Blake MAY 3 AND 4, 7:30 PM / GRIFFIN CONCERT HALL C S U A R T S T I C K E T S . C O M

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“Having the musician right there on the stage, I can feel his physicality. We don’t have to directly respond to each other, but the emotion, repetition, vibration, and connection with the musician is flowing in the air,” noted Mazurana, “I am also very excited to see all the little pieces come together through the cooperation of different department members.”

DEVOTED STUDENTS

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Sam Lewis, the choreographer and dancer of one of the chosen pieces, was inspired by the Female Empowerment Women’s March this past Jan. Lewis wants to advocate for women through her feminist dance piece, showing the struggle against patriarchy and the power of the all-female group. Lewis is also looking forwarding to seeing the faculty pieces as it will be a new experience to see her professors performing on the stage.

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At the same time, Madeline Harvey is excited about dancing with the students, who are closely watching the professors for the technique they have been taught. “To be honest and to sweat with the group is a great moment in the school year for everyone,” she said.

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Another student selection, “Leave the Light On” is choreographed and danced by Katelyn Doyle and Julianna Williams, who are working with lighting and costumes to achieve the best expression of their theme about struggling with troubles like depression and anxiety. The duet also expresses a process for understanding and helping each other. “One thing good about the dance department is that we always do things together, so we are like a big family,”

noted Williams as she is excited to perform with her good friend and classmate.

A FINAL CREATION As the head of dance at CSU for three decades, SlusarskiHarris shared her unwavering passion for the art form and nurtured and trained hundreds of students. “Dance can be many things to many different people: it can be therapeutic, it can be cultural, it can be spiritual, and it can be social… much of what we do comes from the desire to create art and to see it,” stated Jane Slusarski-Harris.

Everyone in the dance family has made great efforts to present a fantastic and collaborative creation for SlusarskiHarris, celebrating her thirty years of service. A reception in the raised lobby will immediately follow the concert on Saturday evening, April 21. We hope that you will join us for a wonderful evening of dance, followed by this celebration of our esteemed colleague and friend!

CSUARTSTICKETS.COM

THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, THEATRE, AND DANCE PRESENTS

Guest Directed by

Book and Lyrics by

OPENING APRIL 27 /

Music and Lyrics by

CSUARTSTICKETS.COM

THE SCHOOL OF MUSIC, THEATRE, AND DANCE PRESENTS

spring

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Apr. 20

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SUMMER MUSIC-THEATRE CAMP fo r yo u n g p e op l e a g e s 7-1 3 ( g rou p e d by a g e )

SIX SESSIONS AT CSU IN 2018: June 11-16; June 18-23; June 25-30; July 9-14 July 16-21; July 23- 28

TUITION FOR ON-CAMPUS SESSIONS: $299 per session. $20 discount for additional children from the same family. Scholarships available.

ONE SESSION IN TODOS SANTOS, MEXICO: JULY 9-14 INFORMATION/REGISTRATION:

theatre.colostate.edu/about/summer-camp Contact for CSU: Maile.Speetjens@colostate.edu Contact for Mexico: Walt.Jones@colostate.edu

• Work with other kids to create and perform your own play.

• Rehearse in the state-of-the-art University Center for the Arts at CSU. • CSU Theatre professionals teach you: acting; movement and voice; song writing; stage combat; circus skills; and props and set design.

• This popular, annual camp sells out – register today!

C S U

C O N C E R T

B A N D

P R E S E N T S

CONDUCTED BY ERIK JOHNSON

CS U CO NC ER T OR CH ES TR A e th th wi n io ct un nj co in T! EN A TW O- PA RT EV LE SL IE ST EW AR T by d te uc nd co N” TIO EC NN CO H EC PE RF OR MA NC E of “T HE CZ

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T HALL

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CSU DANCE

By Maddie Wright, Rocky Mountain Collegian – Reprinted with permission

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Jane Slusarski-Harris has been the Director of Dance at CSU since 1988. She has mentored 30 years of students through the dance department. Slusarski-Harris will retire at the end of this semester.

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Colorado State University professor Jane Slusarski-Harris has spent 30 years on a stage she’s grown quite comfortable with: a classroom. The dance professor will retire after this semester, but not before reminiscing on her journey at CSU. Slusarski-Harris started dancing as a child. She graduated from CU with an MFA in 1988 and began teaching dance at CSU the following August. Slusarski-Harris said her last semester has been very busy; during the past 30 years she has been at CSU, Slusarski-Harris said it has not slowed down, but it has evolved.

The dance program has been through its fair share of buildings, Slusarski-Harris said. The program was first apart of physical education in Ammons Hall, which Slusarski-Harris describes as one of the prettiest buildings on campus. Conversely, after her first 10 years teaching, the program moved to General Services, which Slusarski-Harris describes as one of the ugliest buildings on campus.

“We made it work,” Slusarski-Harris said. “It’s the people that are in the spaces that make things happen.”

The dance program finally found its home at the University Center for the Arts, where it is currently housed.

“Being part of the creation of the University Center of the Arts, that’s a big deal for me, just being able to be a part of that process,” Slusarski-Harris said.

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Because the program moved around so much, there was ample opportunity for change within the department that Slusaski-Harris said she got to spearhead.

“Basically, she built this program 30 years ago from scratch,” said CSU dance professor Chung-Fu Chang.

For Slusarski-Harris, the top priority has always been the students and watching them learn and succeed from their audition to their capstone.

“The thing I’ll miss the most is working with students because they’re so exciting, (and) they’re so fresh. I’m always like, ‘OK, you guys have to do this because you’re young, so do it now while you can.’”

Slusarski-Harris has been a part of a university in some capacity for her entire adult life; therefore, she describes her retirement as “finally graduating.”

“I’m very much looking forward to seeing the direction that the dance program and the School of Music, Theater, and Dance goes in,” Slusarski-Harris said. “I mean, I’m sure there’ll be so many exciting things here.

I’ll come back here, and sit in the audience and not worry about anything. (I’ll) not worry if the sound’s going to go on or if the curtains are going to open.

Change is good (and) very important.”

“I think really seeing how the program has developed in terms of the curriculum we offer and how that has helped to educate and lay the foundation for students to be able to then be able to upon graduation be able to go on and have a successful career path,” Slusarski-Harris said.

“Their years of education here prepared them to go out there and be kind individuals and creative individuals who can make a valuable contribution to society.”

Slusarski-Harris’ colleagues are appreciative of her contributions to CSU’s dance department.

“As she reflects on her time, I hope that she recognizes the huge impact she’s had on all of us as her colleagues, and on the community here and on the students,” said CSU dance professor Judy Bejarano. “And I hope that she really knows how much we love her.”

Collegian reporter Maddie Wright can be reached at entertainment@collegian.com or on Twitter @maddierwright.

Jane Slusarski-Harris has been the Director of Dance at CSU since 1988. She has mentored 30 years of students through the dance department. Slusarski-Harris will retire at the end of this semester. {Abby Flitton | Collegian}

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“The thing I’ll miss the most is working with students because they’re so exciting, (and) they’re so fresh,”Slusarski-Harris said. “I’m always like, ‘OK, you guys have to do this because you’re young, so do it now while you can.’”

Slusarski-Harris said her favorite thing about teaching at CSU is being apart of the changes students experience in their studies.

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C S U

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U N I V E R S I T Y

C H O R U S

P R E S E N T S

with special guests

MAINSTREET ACAPELLA & MOUNTAIN HORNS conducted by

NATHAN PAYANT

APRIL 12, 7:30 P.M. GRIFFIN CONCERT HALL

A NIGHT OF BLENDED GENRES AND VOCAL TALENT

BY BRODY HORNADAY / UCA INTERN

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he Colorado State University Chorus, Mainstreet Acapella, and Mountain Horns A Cappella groups are preparing for a night of beautiful performances that are sure to resonate throughout the audience. Performance pieces include works

by J.S Bach, Daniel Elder, Jake Runestad, Nathan Howe, Samuel Barber, Kevin Padworski, and many more. Pieces being performed such as Howe’s “I had no time to hate,” and Barber’s “Sure on this Shining Night” are meant to enliven the heart and inspire us to trust that there is still light during these difficult times.

Nathan Payant, conductor of the University Chorus, was so deeply inspired by one song that he constructed the entire program around the piece. “’Please Stay’ by Jake Runestad is an important work for our times dealing with suicide,” Payant explains. “Runestad says, ‘Please Stay’ is an anthem for hope—an attempt to de-stigmatize mental illness and challenge all of us to support those who are battling depression and thoughts of suicide.”

Payant says he is thrilled that Mountain Horns and Mainstreet Acapella are joining the University Chorus for this concert (a few members from each group were his students when they were in high school). At one point in the concert, all three groups will come together and perform “True Light” by Keith Hampton.

Mainstreet Acapella, a student-led a capella group at CSU since 2014, is leaving the pieces they plan to perform as their little secret. Ryan Wilke-Braun, a sophomore studying theatre performance and member of the ensemble for more than a year, is extremely excited about the repertoire they have lined up. “We are doing all original arrangements done by group members,” Wilke-Braun says. “All the songs you hear have been put together by different members of the group and they are arrangements you’ll only ever hear Mainstreet do.”

For Wilke-Braun and the Mainstreet group, a capella is a unique art form that reaches areas other forms of music can’t. “The thing I like most about a capella is the incredible ability to connect with an audience that you don’t get with other pop bands,” Wilke-Braun says. “It’s just the human voice being used which I always find gives many songs an amazing acoustic sound no other instrumentation gives.”

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Payant wants his choir’s performance to let everyone know that they are not alone, they can make a difference, and that everyone can band together and be the support system that saves a life. Sometimes, a little reminder can go a long way. “A central take away from this program is that each and every one of us is beautiful and has worth,” says Payant. “It is important to discover the light within ourselves and not be afraid to let it shine through the darkness that may surround us.”

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Mainstreet Acapella has never performed with the University Chorus, and the difference in style between all of the groups makes the event that much more unique.

“The evening will have a great blend of more typical chorus music, but also have some pop songs that should be more recognizable Wilke-Braun explains. “There should be a little something for everyone!”

The third and final group completing the line-up is Mountain Horns A Cappella, an all-male student led group. Mountain Horns is the only tenor/bass vocal ensemble at CSU, and they want everyone to know that even though they are new, they are here to stay.

John Lampus, section leader in University Chorus and director of Mountain Horns, would like to reinforce the idea of how blending the styles of all three groups is a great performance opportunity. “I often find there’s an uncomfortable culture gap between classical choral ensembles and a cappella groups, so this concert acts as a bridge of some sort,” Lampus explains. “Frankly, it is going to be great.”

Mountain Horns’ repertoire includes “Sorry” by Justin Bieber, “Cough Syrup” by Young the Giant, and “Dark Place,” which is an original a cappella tune by composer Duncan Tuomi. “I always find the most enjoyable aspect of performing in this kind of ensemble is presenting the unique sound of the group in a variety of different musical contexts,” Lampus says. “Every vocal group has a unique sound and it is very rewarding for us in Mountain Horns to take our sound and place it in these different genres, each with their own cultures, techniques, and musical idioms.”

Music is a formidable force in society that has the power to inspire its listeners through its emotion. Having the ability to relate to both the words and melodies these groups are creating is a beautiful form of expression that can be enjoyed by everyone.

Griffin Concert Hall University Center for the Arts April 12 at 7:30 p.m.

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2018 Alliance Summer Institute

SOCIAL JUSTICE THRU THE ARTS JUNE 17-22

EXPLORE COLLEGE LIFE at COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY Join with your peers to dialogue, connect, and create a MURAL based on your story, your community, and your dreams for a socially just future.

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LIVE IN A RESIDENCE HALL ALONGSIDE PEERS AND COLLEGE STUDENT MENTORS

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WORKSHOPS ON COLLEGE FINANCIAL AID AND THE ADMISSIONS PROCESS NO COST FOR ALLIANCE STUDENTS

This summer institute will teach basic social justice concepts and advocacy through the arts. Participants will collaborate with renowned Washington D.C. based mural artist Rose Jaffe, CSU faculty and students and community educators through teambuilding, intercultural dialogue, nurturing individual and collective voice, and fostering communication across differences.

Students can expect to engage in hands-on learning in storytelling, movement and dance, image theatre, designing and painting, writing, and film/video. After showing on the CSU campus, the mural will be shared in different communities and various formats to foster dialogue about art and social justice.

WE WILL EXPLORE TOGETHER HOW TO ADVOCATE FOR SOCIAL JUSTICE IN OUR COMMUNITIES ISSUES OF GENDER EQUITY, BELONGING, ACCESS, AND JUSTICE WHERE TO FIT IN ON A COLLEGE CAMPUS WHAT A CAREER IN THE ARTS LOOKS LIKE THAT FOCUSES ON SOCIAL JUSTICE ADVOCACY THROUGH A GENDER STUDIES LENS HOW THE CREATIVE PROCESS IS A PART OF YOUR STORY

APPLICATION DEADLINE: FRIDAY, MARCH 16, 2018 Submit to Dr. Caridad Souza Director of Center for Women’s Studies & Gender Research COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY 1790 Campus Delivery, Fort Collins, CO 80523 | caridad.souza@colostate.edu

attention !

CSU’S MIDDLE SCHOOL OUTREACH PROGRAM IS PROUD TO PRESENT TO YOU A DAY OF MUSICAL EXCELLENCE, JAM-PACKED WITH WORKSHOPSAND PERFORMANCES, AVAILABLE TO ANY MUSIC STUDENT GRADES 6-8.

REGISTER ONLINE AT SMTD.COLOSTATE.EDU/MSOE OR SIGN UP IN THE UCA LOBBY ON THE DAY OF THE EVENT!

April 7, 2018 REGISTRATION / SIGN IN 8–9 A.M. | WORKSHOPS 9 A.M – 12 P.M. PERFORMANCES FROM 12 P.M. –1 P.M.

1400 REMINGTON STREET, FT. COLLINS, CO 80524

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MIDDLE SCHOOL BAND ORCHESTRA

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■■■

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CO-PRESENTED BY THE LINCOLN CENTER AND COLORADO STATE UNIVERSITY

RE-IMAGING SONDHEIM FROM THE PIANO

APRIL 17, 7:30 P.M. ORGAN RECITAL HALL / UCA

LCTIX.COM

■■■

Liaisons, conceived and performed by acclaimed concert pianist Anthony de Mare, brings together the world’s foremost contemporary composers to "re-imagine" Stephen Sondheim’s songs as solo piano pieces.

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S E R I E S

C O N C E R T

STEPHEN DOMBROWSKI CSU FACULTY TUBA

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APRIL 2, 7:30 P.M. / ORGAN RECITAL HALL

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FACULTY CHAMBER MUSIC

APRIL 9, 7:30 P.M. / ORGAN RECITAL HALL

MICHELLE STANLEY CSU FACULTY FLUTE with guest

JEFF LAQUATRA, GUITAR APRIL 30, 7:30 P.M. / ORGAN RECITAL HALL

BY: NICOLE TOWNE / PUBLICITY INTERN

Concerto Competition Recap:

MEET THIS YEAR’S WINNER

After an additional piece from the orchestra, the results are revealed. Zhou places first, followed by clarinetists Kate Gelsinger and Omar Calixto in second, and violinist Dmitri Ascarrunz in third.

“The winner was deserving of first place, but then, so was each performer,” said Maestro Wes Kenney. “We purposely bring in adjudicators that know at least one of the instruments well...They know the works and weigh who sold their piece the best to the listeners. I'm glad I'm not having to make that decision.”

Kenny appreciated the energy in the room and seeing the audience respond to the performances. “There is genuine interest and a camaraderie that comes with such an event,” Kenny said about the annual competition. “It's always a great evening.”

Zhou performed the second and third movements of Robert Schumann’s Piano Concerto, Op. 54, and has been playing piano since before he could pronounce “Schumann.”

His mother, Fangchen Chen who also goes by Rose, is a pianist herself and was Zhou’s first piano teacher. He grew up in China and attended East China Normal University in Shanghai before transferring to CSU.

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he night of the Concerto Competition finals, Sicong Zhou, an undergraduate music performance major, sits down at the piano positioned at center stage. It is seemingly within an arm’s reach from the first row. The black, glossy grand piano is propped open and reflects the golden glow of the stage lights. Most of the seats in Griffin Concert Hall are filled in front of him and the University Symphony Orchestra is at the ready behind him. A violinist and a clarinet duo performed before him, but now it’s his chance.

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Zhou says he prizes each performance as an opportunity to train and test his musical abilities. “As a performance major, every performance for me is a precious experience,” Zhou said. At this performance, he was able to play for a large audience as well as have the experience of being accompanied by an orchestra.

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Throughout the process Zhou was supported by his piano instructor, Professor Janet Landreth. Landreth has been working with Zhou for two years. She attended all three of his rehearsals with the orchestra to provide direction and support and the final performance.

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Sicong Zhou takes part in a master class led Van Cliburn Gold Medalist Vadym Kholodenko at the 2017 International Keyboard Odyssiad® and Festival, U.S.A. Zhou took silver in his age category at that event.

“Sicong is a joy to teach,” Landreth said. “He is fluent in the English language, very respectful of his teachers, eager to learn, and works tirelessly to achieve his goals. At the same time, his own ideas and concepts about great performance are taking shape in an environment free from restriction.”

Zhou expects to graduate in Spring 2019 with a major in piano performance. His ideal job is working as a piano teacher at a university while still performing and composing.

As for now, his focus is on preparing for the Graduate String Trio recital later in April. “I’m an undergraduate student and they assigned me to the graduate trio,” Zhou said. “That’s why I have so much work to do.”

Beyond the excitement of getting first place and performing for a crowd, there are the words of encouragement from others that leave its own type of imprint. After his performance, Zhou’s mother didn’t fail to reaffirm his success.

“She feels really happy and gave me a lot of encouragement,” Zhou said. “She said I’m born to do this, so don’t doubt yourself, just go.”

Learn more at 1stnationalbank.com/CSU

Member FDIC

I S S UE 2 6 , A PR I L 2 0 1 8 / T H E GRE E N ROO M T HE UN IVERS ITY C ENT ER F OR T HE ARTS

Stop by and see us in the Lory Student Center, next to the RamCard Office, to open a First National Free Checking Account and get your CSU Visa Debit Card on the spot.

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CSU THEATRE

CSU THEATRE STUDENTS WIN AGAIN

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Earlier this semester, CSU students competed at the annual Region 7 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF), which brings together exceptional student actors and technicians from across the western states.

The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival is a national theatre program, with over 20,000 participants annually, and, according to the organization’s website, “For 50 years, the organization has served as a catalyst in improving the quality of college theater in the United States.”

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On Feb. 19-23, more than 1,000 theatre students from Region 7 gathered in Spokane, Washington.

During the week-long conference, they participated in workshops; attended symposia, colloquies, and professional presentations; worked with resident artists; and competed for honors, awards, and scholarships for their creative accomplishments in theatre productions at staged at their schools. The KCACTF network of 700 academic institutions throughout the country includes Region 7, comprised of nine western states: Alaska, northern Calif., Colo., Idaho, Mont., northern Nev., Ore., Wash., and Wyo. At the 2018 regional festival, CSU Theatre students won many technical theatre awards, including two out of four national design categories, qualifying for the national festival taking place at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. on April 9-14. CSU students have won top awards at KCACTF regionals for the last dozen years, and it is the fourth year in a row that they have qualified for finals.

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"In addition to practicing the load-in and strike of our set several times, it probably helps that all of our students take stagecraft their first

In addition to the individual awards, CSU Theatre’s production of Love and Information by Caryl Churchill was one of only three productions from the region invited to the conference.

The play received the coveted Golden Hand Truck Award for the safest, most efficient loadin and strike. “In addition to practicing the load-in and strike of our set several times, it probably helps that all of our students take stagecraft their first year, as well as do practica backstage and in the shops,” explained Roger Hanna, assistant professor of set design.

“The cast was a cheerful, smooth-functioning team that got the show in starting at 7 a.m., performed two shows, and put it back in the truck at midnight.” In addition, three cast members, along with their scene partners qualified for the Irene Ryan Acting Scholarships with seniors Brandon Fisher and Jake Cuddemi going through to the final round, which Hanna described as amazing!

REGION VII AWARDS:

year, as well as Meritorious Achievement in Lighting: Jorrey Calvo, junior theatre major, for his work

on The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht ƿƿ

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do practica backstage

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and in the shops. The cast was a cheerful, smooth-functioning team that got the show

Meritorious Achievement in Lighting: David Van Name, senior theatre major, for his

work on Little Shop of Horrors: The Musical by Howard Ashman ƿƿ

Meritorious Achievement in Scenic Design: Erin Welch, senior theatre major, for her

work on Love & Information by Caryl Churchill ƿƿ

Regional Design Winner Scenic Design: Shay Dite, senior theatre major, for her work on The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui by Bertolt Brecht ƿƿ

ƿƿ

in starting at 7 a.m., performed two shows,

Seven Devils Playwrights Conference Fellowship: Shay Dite

National KCACTF Award in Sound Design: Chandler Oppenheimer, senior theatre

major, for his work on Love & Information by Caryl Churchill ƿƿ

National KCACTF Award in Lighting Design: Shaye Evans, junior theatre major, for her work on Three Sisters by Anton Chekhov ƿƿ

and put it back in the truck at midnight."

— ROGER HANNA

2018 KENNEDY CENTER GOLD MEDALLION The 2018 Kennedy Center Gold Medallion was awarded to CSU Theatre Professor Dr. Laura Jones. Each year, individuals making extraordinary contributions in college theatre are honored by KCACTF. The organization highly regards the recipient’s dedication to educational theatre, as well as contributions of time, artistry, and enthusiasm to the development of the Festival, its values, and its goals. The Gold Medallion is the organization’s most prestigious award and considered one of the great national honors in theatre education.

Theatre professor Laura Jones, photo by Forrest Czarnecki, Rocky Mountain Collegian

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Most of the 2018 Singer of the Year competitors (LEFT TO RIGHT) Kassidy King, Genevieve Sullivan, Ivy Taylor, Anna Bonjour, Emily GehmanPhoto by Jennifer Clary

Singer of the Year Acknowledges, Awards Talented Student Vocalists BY: NICOLE TOWNE / PUBLICITY INTERN

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The finals took place Feb. 24 and awarded eight students with recognition and scholarship funds. Sophomore music therapy major Ivy Taylor was named singer of the year. Genevieve Sullivan and Anna Bonjour received awards for most improved. Emily Gehman, Kassidy King, Angela Lamar, Alexandra Young, and Ashley Eckroth also received awards for their performances.

Singer of the Year offers students the opportunity to showcase their unique voices and capabilities for a panel of guest judges and compete for awards totaling in over $50,000. Each finalist performs two contrasting pieces showing their different capabilities in front of the judges and audience.

“I think what really surprises me about Singer of the Year is that everyone’s voice is so unique,” Gehman said.

Taylor, this year’s winner, performed “Elegia Eterna” by Spanish composer and pianist Enrique Granados and “If I loved You,” from the musical Carousel by Rodgers and Hammerstein. She worked alongside her voice professor John Seesholts to prepare for the competition. One of her challenges was working through a difficult passage at the end of “Elegia Eterna.”

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here is strong sense of warmth and ease as winners from the annual Singer of the Year Competition gather in a small office at the University Center for the Arts. Each of these women is being recognized and rewarded for her hard work, but they also each get to take part in a community that has remained strong, despite some friendly competition.

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“It was really challenging to get that to sound good and to sound okay coming out of my body,” Taylor said. “When I finally got it and was able to sing it, it was very rewarding.”

Taylor is only in her second year at CSU, but she has already seen a great deal of growth in terms of vocals, knowledge of her major, and personal development. She has also gained knowledge and support from her peers.

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“The people around me have taught me compassion. and understanding,” Taylor said. “Treat everyone with kindness and be proud of everyone for all the work they have done.”

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Anna Bonjour was one this year’s most improved award recipients and appreciates how the competition values individual growth.

“It’s cool to be rewarded for progressing in your journey, regardless of how that stacks up to everyone one else in the program,” Bonjour said. “It’s really not about that.”

For third place performer, Kassidy King, the competition was special due to strong individual performances singers but also due to the comradery among the contestants.

“That was honestly one of the best nights of my life,” King said. “Everyone did so amazing and everyone was supportive of each other. It was very rewarding. Our hard work paid off.”

The annual competition occurs each spring and showcases some of the finest talent within the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at CSU. If you missed this year’s show, keep an eye out for information in Jan. 2019 as this event is one that classical vocal enthusiasts do not want to miss!

Congratulations to all of the 2018 winners!

OPERA FORT COLLINS presents Puccini’s

MADAMA BUTTERFLY May 31, 7:30 June 2, 2:00 CSU Griffin Hall www.csuartstickets.com

Part of the 2018 Fort Collins Opera Festival

C S U

C O N C E R T

O R C H E S T R A

P R E S E N T S

APRIL 29, 7:30 PM / FREE

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THE CSU CONCERT ORCHESTRA PRESENTS “THE CZECH CONNECTION” CONDUCTED BY LESLIE STEWART FEATURING GARY MOODY AS “THE BASSOONIST” WITH MUSIC BY WOLFGANG AMADEUS MOZART, CARL STAMITZ, AND LEOS JANACEK A TWO-PART PERFORMANCE! WITH THE CSU CONCERT BAND PERFORMING SUMMER OF LOVE CONDUCTED BY ERIK JOHNSON

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For the fifth consecutive summer, the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance at Colorado State University is taking the popular Kids Do It All summer theatre camp to the to the CSU Todos Santos Center in Baja California Sur, Mexico, hosting dozens of children (ages 7-13) from Mexico and the U.S. DATES: JULY 9-14, 2018 CAMP TUITION & REGISTRATION: $200, which includes a sponsorship for a child from Todos Santos. Registration is limited to 12 Colorado children; contact us soon to reserve your space.

CONTACT: Walt Jones: walt.jones@colostate.edu Gabriela Ocadiz: g.ocadiz.v@gmail.com theatre.colostate.edu/about/summer-camp

• The CSU Todos Santos Center for research, teaching, and outreach facilitates the bilingual and bicultural (total immersion) theatrical experience where kids work together to create and perform their own play.

• Kids Do It All Todos Santos encourages cross-cultural team building skills from a very young age, and exposes children to unique cultures, allowing them to experience their counterparts from a different country.

• Theatre professionals teach acting; movement and voice; dance; song writing; stage combat; circus skills; and props and set design.

• Spanish language skills are recommended; Harris Elementary students are invited to apply.

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RALPH OPERA PROGRAM

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Die Zauberflรถte: A magical night at the opera

BY EMILY KAISER / PUBLICITY INTERN WITH JENNIFER CLARY

Die Zauberflöte, German for “The Magic Flute,” is a classic opera making its way to the Griffin Concert Hall stage during the first week of April. The CSU Ralph Opera Program is delighted to perform this fan-favorite by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

The premiere of Die Zauberflöte took place in Germany in Sept. of 1791, and has appeared in countless theatres around the world ever since. Mozart and librettist Emanuel Schikaneder collaborated to create this fairy-tale “Singspiel,” inspired by medieval literature, romance novels, other popular operas, and even Freemasonry. This romantic allegory, with enlightened themes of truth, nobility, and love, pairs mythology with the rich instrumental and vocal music of Mozart.

The Story

The Prince is given a picture of The Queen of the Night’s daughter Pamina, and for Tamino, it is love at first sight; however, Pamina is a prisoner of the high priest Sarastro. Tamino is determined to rescue Pamina, and The Queen of the Night promises that if he is successful, he has permission to marry her. Papageno agrees to follow Tamino on his journey, and the pair are provided a magic flute and magical bells to protect them, as well as three spirits to guide them. Papageno encounters the Princess and informs her that the Prince is coming to rescue her when they are suddenly discovered by Sarastro. Although frightened at first, Tamino and Papageno find him to be gentle and kind and Sarastro challenges Tamino with trials to prove he is worthy of the Princess’ hand.

The second act begins with Sarastro’s admission that he kidnapped Pamina from the evil queen because he knew a worthy match would save her, and eventually marry her. He explains that they are destined to be together so long as Tamino can successfully complete the trials. Sarastro promises Papageno that he too will have a wife in the end. The Queen of the Night sneakily tries to intervene and convince Pamina to kill Sarastro.

Tamino’s first trial is not to speak at all, and when he refuses to converse with Pamina, she believes he does not love her. The three spirits explain Sarastro’s rules, and with the help of the magic flute, Tamino successfully completes the additional trials of water and fire.

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The Magic Flute is an opera in two acts set in the Middle East. In the first act, Prince Tamino faints while trying to escape from a serpent. Three ladies from The Queen of the Night’s realm save him and take him to the kingdom.

The bird catcher, Papageno, is present when Tamino awakens and is presumed to be the one who saved him from the serpent, but eventually the three ladies explain what happened.

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“John Carlo Pierce is doing a great job as director and Chris Reed has coached all the vocalists in the eighteenth century vocal style. This makes my job of pulling forces together much easier.” ­—MAESTRO WES KENNEY

Papageno meets his Papagena while experimenting with the magic bells, and the two perform their famous ‘pa-pa-pa’ duet in celebration. However, The Queen of the Night is not thrilled with the happiness of those around her and attempts to destroy Sarastro’s kingdom and everyone inside. She is unsuccessful and is banished to darkness. Tamino receives Pamina’s hand in marriage as promised, and the enlightened characters live happily ever after.

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Collaboration is Key

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The presentation of The Magic Flute is directed by Dr. John Carlo Pierce, assistant professor of voice, and conducted

by Professor Wes Kenney, director of orchestras. The cast consists of 30 opera students 38 student instrumentalists in the CSU Sinfonia, and five dancers; the entire performance is run by CSU Theatre practicum students, including the stage management and crew.

The lead role of Prince Tamino is double-cast by opera students Christian Gibbs and Luke Thatcher. The role of Pamina is played by YounWoo Seo, Papageno is played by Jonathan Wilson, Hayley Voss is playing The Queen of the Night, and Sarastro is played by Dominic Aragon.

Dr. Pierce believes CSU’s version of The Magic Flute is unique because of the cast. “Every singer brings some of him or herself to the role, and the bringing together of these interpretations keeps operas in the standard repertoire fresh and new,” he said. “I myself have performed the role of Prince Tamino several times, and yet both Gibbs and Thatcher have their own take on the role. We work from the same manual and yet build something unique,” he continued. In fact, Dr. Pierce recalls his fondness for Tamino’s first aria, “Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön,” where the Prince professes his undying love.

As director, Dr. Pierce’s stylistic approach to The Magic Flute is “fairly classic.” However, the integration of projections adds a contemporary element to the performance. He enjoys collaborating with other areas within the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance as building unique relationships within the department is one of his favorite parts of being the director.

At the same time, Maestro Kenney enjoys working with students and colleagues on opera repertoire. “John Carlo Pierce is doing a great job as director and Chris Reed has coached all the vocalists in the eighteenth century vocal style. This makes my job of pulling forces together much easier.”

The opera students began working with Pierce and Reed on material for The Magic Flute last semester, eventually piecing together the opera in rehearsals called a “sitzprobe.” This is a process where the vocalists, the orchestra, and dancers come together to walk through the performance, making adjustments along the way.

Professor Kenney particularly enjoys the finale of Act I saying, “It is one of the longest recitatives in the repertoire and I teach challenging operas twice a year to the students…Hard to say if there is a favorite [part of The Magic Flute] since there is so much wonderful music!”

According to Kenney, audiences love The Magic Flute so much because the opera is rich in characters with whom people can easily identify. “There are equal amounts of comedy, tragic circumstances, and mystery. It also holds interest because of the revelations about the masons, something that caused Mozart to get in trouble,” said Kenney in reference to the debated symbolism the two Freemasons – Mozart and Schikaneder – supposedly worked into the opera.

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CSU Dance getting into the act

Mozart is challenging to execute because the composer did not leave any formal instructions or recommendations on how to present his compositions. “To perform this opera in the style of the eighteenth century means that we have to remove all musical approaches that came after that, from Beethoven to Beyoncé. Easier said than done no doubt, but when done correctly, it makes for a spellbinding experience,” Kenney revealed.

A Look Inside the Wardrobe The costumes for The Magic Flute are designed and hand-crafted by members of the CSU Costume Shop.

Costume Shop Cutter/Draper, Kate Mathis, and her student assistant designers, James Arnold and Laura Myers, spent countless hours researching costume concepts to design the perfect ensemble for each character. The hair and makeup for the production is designed by student Kaia Heer. Mathis enjoys many aspects of the process but admits that her favorite part of designing costumes is the research. She spends a minimum of 80 hours doing research to develop designs that best fit the theme of each opera at CSU, as well as compliment the personality of each character.

“I can spend hours looking for images that perfectly communicate the character. I love the element of assigning the choice to the character. The designs don’t have to be to my personal taste, they don’t have to be something I would personally wear, they have to communicate the character and support the action of the production, and there’s a freedom in that.”

THE MAGIC FLUTE costume design by Kate Mathis

SARASTRO

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QUEEN OF THE NIGHT

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Mathis’ design goal for this production is to “support the message of the show, which is all about nobility, sacrifice, and love.” Because the traditional setting for The Magic Flute is ancient Egypt, Mathis wanted to stay true to the North African/Middle Eastern feel for the costumes, but with her personal touch. Much of her inspiration was influenced by illustrators from the 1910s, including Edmund Dulac, Virginia Frances Sterrett, and Kay Nielsen, as well the famous Ballets Russes’ designer, Leon Bakst. Mathis loves their use of Persian themes, jewel-tones, bold patterns, and strong graphics.

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Mathis’ favorite characters to design for in The Magic Flute are Papageno, Papagena. “They’re very much the comedic relief, and so I’ve gotten to take those designs to a really fun, silly place,” she said. “The Princess is also one I have really enjoyed working on. She’s turned into this really sweet ingénue, almost doll-like look, and I think it’s just adorable,” she elaborated.

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Makeup Designer Kaia Heer worked closely with Mathis to create cohesive designs. She explained the color schemes for the opera as “cool tones,” including deep blues, and royal purples for The Queen of the Night and the characters from her kingdom. She went for warmer oranges, reds, and yellows for Sarastro and his followers. “This show is so great from a design point because it allows us to get really creative with color,” she expressed.

After researching the opera, Heer picked things she wanted to highlight for each character to drive her designs. “Each character serves a different purpose and is a different entity, so I really try to take my time with each one and design them in a way [that] fits within their own story,” Kaia explained about the process that included collaboration with the other designers, talking through concepts until everyone was on the same page.

Heer’s favorite characters to design were The Queen of the Night and Papagena. “Those two are really loud and creative, and as an artist, that kind of license is amazing,” she exclaimed!

Music Through Movement The Magic Flute has passages where dancers portray different character groups: two scenes as temple servants, one scene as animals entranced by Tamino’s magic flute, and in the last scene as birds during Papageno’s aria.

The dance sections are choreographed and staged by Senior Dance Major Shannon Gerney, and the performers are dance majors Katelyn Doyle, Avery Jones, Madison Martinek, Jenny Trenchard, and Julianna Williams.

During the animal scene, Gerney encouraged her dancers to take a literal mindset and “find ways of moving their human bodies to evoke the essence of the animal they are portraying.” The dancers are en pointe during the bird scene, and use balletic movements to portray the movement of a bird, as well as the “twinkling” of Papageno’s bells, Gerney explained.

The dancers wear different costumes for each character, wearing large head pieces throughout the performances.

The dancers wear masks designed by the CSU Costume Shop for the enchanted animal scene, which Gerney describes as “elegant and expressive and they help the dancers feel like the characters they are portraying.”

Working with the Ralph Opera Program, including the orchestra, has been a unique experience for Gerney, allowing her to share her passion with other groups of performing artists, as well as expand choreography beyond the dance settings she’s used to. “It has been such an honor to work with another group of talented performers and join them in rehearsals as they prepare to share their gift with the audience and we prepare to share ours,” she said.

Student vocalists Luke Thatcher and Christian Gibbs play the role of Tamino, performing on alternating nights in The Magic Flute. For Thatcher, this is his first time as a lead role in an opera and he describes the experience as intense, yet extremely rewarding. “Tamino is this guy who is going out and finding the truth within himself, the truth in the world, and when he finds the picture of Pamina, he’s wondering if he’s found what he’s looking for,” Thatcher explained, relating to Tamino’s search for truth and love.

“As my interpretation of Tamino, that’s when I could put [in] my real-life experiences, of what my first experience of love felt like, and what my first crush was like. I knew that it was that tense moment that I could put into my main aria ‘Dies Bildnis ist bezaubernd schön,’” he revealed.

Student vocalist YounWoo Seo plays the role of Pamina and describes her character as a cute, smart, honest, and strong woman who expresses feelings of love and fear throughout the opera. She explains how her young character is fearful of Sarastro’s intentions but mature enough to feel love for Tamino, all while remaining loyal and honest throughout the story. “There are many exciting things happening during this opera, and I’m excited to show off my musical abilities during the performance,” Seo expressed.

THE MAGIC FLUTE is an opera filled with excitement, humor, and mystery as well as beautiful singing and dancing. The performance takes place on April 4 and 6 at 7:30 p.m., and April 8 at 2 p.m. in the Griffin Concert Hall. Tickets can be purchased online at csuartstickets.com or at the UCA Box Office, Monday through Friday, 3:30-5:30 p.m., and one hour prior to the start of the show.

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For Gerney, the process of choreographing for the opera is different than for a dance concert. “For CSU dance concerts we have access to our theater far in advance as it is one of our classrooms…for the opera, we have been rehearsing in a rehearsal room with taped floors [to] designate the set,” she explained. To maintain a connection between the dancers and vocalists, as well as making sure the vocalists can be clearly seen, Gerney has made adjustments to formations, dance movements, and interactions with the vocalists based on where they are on stage. “Having the opportunity to explore movement that is appropriate for storytelling and allowing it to be literal helps guide the audience on the journey of The Magic Flute,” Gerney elaborated.

Meet the Leads

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THE MAGIC FLUTE by Wolfg a ng

Amadeus Mozart

OPENING

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APR. 4

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SELECT APRIL MUSIC PERFORMANCES AND WORKSHOPS Music in the Museum Concert Series / FREE Student Chamber Music Showcase / FREE Jazz Ensembles Concert University Chorus Concert / Mainstreet Acapella and Mountain Horns Jazz Combos Concert Wind Symphony Concert Classical Convergence Concert / Liasons: Sondheim Guest Artist Concert / You-Seong Kim, Voice / FREE Guest Artist Concert / Vincent Warnier, Organ All Choral Concert New Music Ensemble Concert World Percussion Concert Concert Orchestra and Concert Band Concert / FREE Guest Artist Concert / Alex Iles, Trombone / FREE

April 10, noon and 6 p.m.

April 10, 7:30 p.m.

April 10, 7:30 p.m.

April 12, 7:30 p.m.

April 13, 7:30 p.m.

April 16, 7:30 p.m.

April 17, 7:30 p.m.

April 19, 7:30 p.m.

April 21, 7:30 p.m.

April 24, 7:30 p.m.

April 28, 7:30 p.m.

April 29, 4 p.m.

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