Center Stage Series 2018-19

CenterStage Series 2018–19

Center Stage eries 2018–19

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“The arts are not a way to make a living. They are a very human way of making life more bearable. Practicing an art, no matter how well or badly, is a way to make your soul grow, for heaven’s sake.” —Kurt Vonnegut Our 2018–19 season celebrates those who have practiced and endured in their art, some for a few years and some for several decades. As their audience, we will, at the very least, have our lives made more bearable thanks to their dedication, perseverance, and sacrifice. At best, we will laugh, cry, dance, wonder, and our souls will grow.

In our series is an eclectic mix of innovative performers from across the country and around the globe. We have Grammy-winning octogenarians and celebrated millennials. We have a Spanish bagpiper and young stars of Irish folk music. We have a women’s choir led by a Luther alumna, an original illusionist from Russia, innovative dancers using modern technology, a 200-year-old story, a one-woman play, and an orchestra of ukuleles. To describe our series as diverse would be an extreme understatement.

The one thing we haven’t got—yet—is you.

Come and join us.

The CFL Team: Judy Hageman, Jeff Leschensky, Mick Layden, Greg Ardinger, Kendall Thompson, Susan Peterson, Bradley Phillips, Paul Atkins, Adam Ptacek.

Details on becoming a Friend of Center Stage are on page 21.

tickets.luther.edu

Photo credit: Chip Peterson

Paul Atkins Director of Campus Programming

CenterStage Series 2018–19

September 8

PUSH [physical theatre]

September 21

Cristina Pato Quartet: Latina 3

October 6

Vitaly: An Evening of Wonders

October 19

Aquila Theatre: Frankenstein 5

November 3

Blind Boys of Alabama

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November 17

Lorelei Ensemble

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February 15

The Westerlies

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March 14

Goitse

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April 6

Patricia Buckley: EVOLUTION 10

April 12

The Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain

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School Performances

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CSS Dinner Series • Menu

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Ticket Office • Venue Information

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Tickets Purchasing • Subscriptions

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Campus Map • Event Parking

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Campus Highlights

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Friends of Center Stage

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Center Stage eries

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2018–19

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All performances are held in the Center for Faith and Life at Luther College.

Luther College Diversity Council

2018–19 CSS Major Sponsors

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

PUSH

2018

Saturday, September 8 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale Aug. 27.

See page 17.

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Intense athleticism, gravity-defying acrobatics, and soulful artistry. PUSH performers express what it means to be human—the joy and sorrow, the humor and tragedy, the big questions and the simple things—through their innovative, awe-inspiring productions that broaden our definition of both dance and theatre.

tickets.luther.edu

2018

Cristina Pato Quartet: Latina

Photo: Xan Padron

Friday, September 21 7:30 p.m.

Spanish bagpiper Cristina Pato turns up the wattage on the traditionally Celtic instrument to deliver a repertoire that’s intense, joyful, wild, and ebullient. Expect an evening of richly layered, fast-paced music as Pato and her high-energy quartet fuse Latin, jazz, pop, and contemporary music into one exhilarating performance.

Tickets on sale Aug. 27.

See page 17.

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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2018

Vitaly

An Evening of Wonders Saturday, October 6 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale Sept. 17.

See page 17.

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Be prepared to be amazed. From bringing pictures and drawings to life to erasing people from their own driver’s licenses, Vitaly’s signature illusions captivate even the most jaded audiences. A world-class illusionist who has stumped even Penn & Teller, Vitaly breathes innovation and artistry into the field of magic.

tickets.luther.edu

2018

Friday, October 19 7:30 p.m.

Written two centuries ago, Frankenstein has since become the inspiration for countless film and stage adaptations by posing the question: Just because something can be done, should it be done? This “classically trained, modernly hip troupe” (New York Times) doesn’t shy away from tough ethical questions in its bold, dynamic staging of this timeless classic.

Tickets on sale Oct. 1.

See page 17.

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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2018

Blind Boys of Alabama

Saturday, November 3 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale Oct. 8.

See page 17.

Hailed as “gospel titans” by Rolling Stone, the Blind Boys first rose to fame in the segregated south with their thrilling vocal harmonies and roof-raising performances. In the seven decades that these pioneers have been singing together, they’ve helped both to define the sound of the American south and push it into the 21st century.

Luther College Diversity Council

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tickets.luther.edu

2018 Saturday, November 17 7:30 p.m.

Heralded for their “impeccable musicality and pure-voiced precision” (Boston Globe), the nine women of the Lorelei Ensemble, led by Luther alumna Beth Willer ’03, reinvent early music of the medieval, Renaissance, and baroque periods to create new works that reveal the extraordinary flexibility and strength of the human voice. Expect a night of rich, sonorous sound from the choir the New York Times calls “warm, lithe, and beautifully blended.”

Tickets on sale Oct. 29.

See page 17.

Beth Willer ’03

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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2019

The Westerlies Friday, February 15 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale Dec. 4.

See page 17.

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This unconventional brass quartet embraces jazz, classical, folk, marching band, chamber, and dance music with a repertoire that ranges from muted to rousing, composerly to boisterous. Equally at home in concert halls and living rooms, The Westerlies combine the precision of a string quartet, the audacity of a rock band, and the charm of a family sing-along.

tickets.luther.edu

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

2019

Goitse

Photo credit: Colin Gillen

Thursday, March 14 7:30 p.m.

Forged in Limerick, Ireland, multi-award-winning Goitse leads a new generation of traditional Irish ensembles.

Their gripping rhythm section sets a powerful backdrop for high-octane fiddling, virtuosic piano and accordion, and angelic vocals, creating music that’s brimming with energy and creative zeal.

Tickets on sale Dec. 4.

See page 17.

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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2019

EVOLUTION Saturday, April 6 7:30 p.m.

Tickets on sale Mar. 11.

See page 17.

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Writer and performer Patricia Buckley plays three family members coping with the mysterious mental illness of the family’s youngest daughter in this masterpiece of messy human emotions shot through with moments of levity and humor. By turns suspenseful, lyrical, hilarious, and haunting—with a stunning set and ethereal soundtrack— EVOLUTION challenges our assumptions about progress and change.

tickets.luther.edu

2019

Photo credit: James Miller, 2016

Friday, April 12 7:30 p.m.

The Ukulele

Orchestra of Great Britain The much-beloved Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain returns to Luther to prove that the ukulele may be small, but it sure is mighty. From Tchaikovsky to Nirvana via Otis Redding and spaghetti western soundtracks, the orchestra takes its audience on a world tour through its unexpectedly virtuosic playing and singing—with a bit of whistling thrown in!

Tickets on sale Mar. 11.

See page 17.

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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Matinee

School

Performances

Theatreworks USA:

Tuesday, October 30, 2018 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

K to 5th grade Dragons love all sorts of tacos—except spicy ones! When a boy throws his new dragon friends a spicy salsa taco party, red-hot trouble ensues.

Curriculum connections: literacy, counting, list-making, storytelling

Theatreworks USA:

Lost in the Solar System Thursday, April 18, 2019 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

K to 5th grade When the planetarium is closed and the field trip is ruined, Ms. Frizzle saves the day—but then needs rescuing herself! The Magic School Bus blasts into outer space to explore the solar system in this musical adaptation.

Curriculum connections: communication and language arts, music, science, social studies Due to generous support of donors and sponsors, all tickets are just $2 per child. Area schools have priority for school matinees; community members are welcome as space is available. Arts grants are now available at iowaculture.gov/about-us/about/grants/school-arts-experience.

All performances are one hour and take place in the Center for Faith and Life Main Hall. Reservations are made separately from the Center Stage Series; contact Luther’s Ticket Office at (563) 387-1293 or tickets@luther.edu.

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Subscription is forEveryone Get priority access to choose your own seats

Savings!

10–20% off single-ticket pricing

No Fees!

Save $2 a ticket

Benefits!

Seats!

• Guaranteed tickets— even for sold-out shows • Hassle free—tickets arrive in your mailbox all at once • Invitation to subscribers-only celebratory dinner on September 8 at 5:30 p.m.

Get started now

push [physical theatre]

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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CenterStage

Series innerSeries 2018–19

The highly creative and talented chefs of the Norse Culinary Team invite you to partake in the Center Stage Dinner Series, featuring a different multicourse menu to complement each evening’s performance. Local ingredients will be used when possible and will be highlighted at each dinner. The dinners are served on campus within walking distance of the Center for Faith and Life, where the performances are held.

All meals will begin at 5:30 p.m. in Peace Dining Room on the second floor of the Dahl Centennial Union. Dinner tickets are $20 per person. Wine and beer are available for purchase.

A distinctive vegetarian entrée (V) will be available for every meal. Special dietary needs will be accommodated as we are able; please inform the Ticket Office at time of ticket purchase (a minimum of 24 hours prior to the meal).

Guests who want to sit together should designate this on the order form (or notify the Ticket Office a minimum of 24 hours prior to the meal). Luther students may use NordiCash.

Menu items are subject to change based on availability. More information about the dinner series is available at tickets.luther.edu.

Saturday, September 8, 2018: PUSH [physical theatre] Celebratory subscriber dinner. By invitation only.

To start, arugula with charred peaches, grilled corn, heirloom tomatoes, and toasted pine nuts, served with a grilled baguette. For an entrée, grilled flank steak with cabernet bordelaise, sauteed asparagus, and caramelized shallots and cremini mushrooms over smashed baby red rosemary potatoes, or herb-roasted chickpeas and cherry tomatoes (V). For dessert, a strawberry tart with pistachio crust and chocolate.

Friday, September 21, 2018: Cristina Pato Quartet: Latina To start, crab cakes (or red bean and rice cake, V) over radicchio and endive with a mango-habanero remoulade, served with jalapeño cornbread with whipped honey butter.

For an entrée, smoked barbecued chicken breast with thrice-fried potatoes, apple-fennel slaw, and sauteed green beans and carrots, or roasted barbecued cauliflower (V). For dessert, black currant bread pudding with crème anglaise and bourbon glaze.

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tickets.luther.edu

Saturday, October 6, 2018: Vitaly (Illusionist) To start, beet salad with goat cheese marshmallow, baby kale, microgreens, toasted pine nuts, and balsamic duo, served with herb-grilled naan. For an entrée, stuffed Ferndale turkey breast with pecans, sage, and cranberries over zucchini “fettuccine,” caramelized fingerling potatoes, and roasted garlic beurre blanc, or pecan patty with cranberry relish (V). For dessert, a deconstructed apple pie martini with puff pastry and crisp apple.

Friday, October 19, 2018: Frankenstein To start, fig bruschetta with burrata, prosciutto, and bull’s blood microgreens. For an entrée, pan-seared, herb-rubbed pork tenderloin with cranberry-orange relish, sauteed brussels sprouts and wild mushrooms over roasted spaghetti squash, or a red bean cake with roasted tomato coulis (V). For dessert, port-infused red velvet cake layered with chocolate ganache and finished with a raspberry-port glaze.

Saturday, November 3, 2018: Blind Boys of Alabama To start, roasted green tomato panzanella. For an entrée, smoked brisket over sweet potato puree, braised kale, and caramelized onions with a brown sugar bourbon glaze, or braised kale and toasted quinoa with caramelized onions over sweet potato puree, finished with a brown sugar bourbon glaze (V). For dessert, pecan pie with whipped cream.

Saturday, November 17, 2018: Lorelei Ensemble To start, a blood orange salad with spice-roasted walnuts and chevre, served with a warm baguette. For an entree, citrus-herb-roasted cod over braised carrots and parsnips with a sweet pea puree, finished with carrot and parsnip jus and pea shoots, or a red quinoa cake (V). For dessert, a lemon-cream tart with blueberry swirl and whipped cream.

Friday, February 15, 2019: The Westerlies Brass Quartet To start, strawberry-balsamic bruschetta with Maytag blue cheese and cold-smoked cashews. For an entrée, bacon-braised duck breast with cherry beurre monte over sauteed Yukon Gold potatoes with shallots, leeks, thyme, and shaved brussels sprouts, or walnut-and-sage-stuffed cremini mushrooms (V). For dessert, a raspberry-brownie trifle: brownies layered with raspberry mousse and fresh raspberries, topped with whipped cream and dark chocolate.

Thursday, March 14, 2019: Goitse To start, sweet pea bisque with crisp prosciutto, pea shoots, and lavender yogurt, served with an aged-cheddar twist. For an entree, slow-braised smoked lamb shank with cognac demi-glace over couscous pilaf with green beans and carrots, or couscous pilaf–stuffed, herb-roasted tomato (V). For dessert, celeriac-lime sorbet with ginger cream, hazelnut biscotti, crystallized celery leaf, and candied ginger.

Saturday, April 6, 2019: EVOLUTION To start, grilled peach and sweet corn salad with heirloom tomatoes, baby kale, burrata, and chili-spiced smoked pecans topped with pickled radish, pickled red onion, fresh basil, and micro kale, served with a grilled baguette. For an entrée, sweet chili-garlic glazed salmon over rice noodles and miso with stir-fried vegetables and mango salsa cruda, or sweet chili-garlic glazed tofu (V). For dessert, raspberry-ginger sorbet with mint sugar and candied ginger.

Friday, April 12, 2019: Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain To start, sweet pea crostini with radish and crème fraîche. For an entrée, cold-smoked, pan-seared chicken breast supreme with apricot reduction over roasted tomato-herb couscous and roasted asparagus, or chili-braised chickpeas (V). For dessert, a mocha pot de creme with almond crisp and whipped coconut cream.

• (V) = vegetarian • All items are subject to availability

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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Office

Ticket

CenterStage Series 2018–19

Mail: Ticket Office, CFL, Luther College 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101 (include a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope)

Center Stage eries

Phone: (563) 387-1357 • (800) 458-8437 (800-4Luther) Email: tickets@luther.edu

Online: Log into your account at tickets.luther.edu.

You have an account if you have purchased Luther tickets in the 2018–19 past, online or not. Do not create a new account. If you have any difficulties or have special requirements, please contact the Ticket Office.

In person: Regular hours:

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Monday–Friday 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Thursday 9 a.m. –7 p.m.

Closed for chapel (Mon., Wed., Fri.: 10:30–10:50 a.m.)

9 a.m. to showtime on performance days.

1 p.m. to showtime for Saturday performances.

Summer hours: (May 29–July 31) Monday–Friday 10 a.m. –1 p.m.

Regular hours resume August 1.

Fees and Discounts Ticket fees are waived for subscribers! Individual tickets purchased online or via phone have a $2/ticket fee. No fee for purchases at the Ticket Office.

Group rates are available at a 15% discount for 10 or more.

Gift cards are available from the Luther Book Shop; gift subscriptions are available if purchased by August 24.

Venue Information and Policies All performances are held in the Center for Faith and Life at 7:30 p.m.

All sales are final. Sorry, no refunds.

Children under 4 years of age are not admitted to Center Stage events.

Perfumes and colognes are discouraged in consideration of the allergies of other patrons.

Assisted Listening Devices are available at no charge from the Ticket Office.

Accessible seating is available on the main floor. Accessible seating is not available in the balcony. We appreciate advance information to help with special needs.

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tickets.luther.edu

Choose

Season Tickets Season packages may be purchased by mail or in person at the Ticket Office. Complete the form below (or download it from tickets.luther.edu) and mail to the address below.

This form is only for packages of 5 or more performances, not individual tickets. Only 400 subscriptions are available.

Select 5 or more different events for each subscription. Designate the desired number of regular, senior, or youth tickets and complete the math for a total price.

Returning subscribers must respond by Friday, July 13 to retain last year’s seats.

All subscription orders must be received by Friday, August 24.

Dinner tickets are separate from your subscription, and are $20 for all events, ages 4 and up. Any number of dinner tickets may be purchased; they are not tied to your subscription.

Event/Day

Regular

Senior (65+)

Youth (4–18)

Event subtotal

Dinner

PUSH [physical theatre] Sat., September 8

____@ $27

____@ $25

____@ $15

$________

Sept. 8 dinner by invite only.

Cristina Pato Quartet Fri., September 21

____@ $26

____@ $24

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

Vitaly (Illusionist) Sat., October 6

____@ $26

____@ $24

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

Frankenstein Fri., October 19

____@ $28

____@ $26

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

Blind Boys of Alabama Sat., November 3

____@ $36

____@ $34

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

Lorelei Ensemble Sat., November 17

____@ $28

____@ $26

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

The Westerlies Fri., February 15

____@ $28

____@ $26

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

Goitse Thurs., March 14

____@ $26

____@ $24

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

EVOLUTION Sat., April 6

____@ $25

____@ $23

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

Ukulele Orchestra of GB Fri., April 12

____@ $30

____@ $28

____@ $15

$________

____@ $20

Subscriber subtotal Discount 5–6 events—10% off (multiply event total by .10) = Discount 7–8 events—15% off (multiply event total by .15) = Discount 9–10 events—20% off (multiply event total by .20) = Subscriber total (subtract discount from subscriber subtotal) = Return completed form with payment to: Ticket Office, CFL, Luther College 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101 (include a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope)

Dinner total Donation (optional) Grand total due

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Choose

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Season Tickets New subscribers (please indicate preference) h Red seats h Main level

Stage Red Seats

h Balcony

Main Level Balcony

Subscription renewals (check one)

h I/we would like to retain last year’s seats. (Respond by July 13.) h I/we would like new seating. Preference:_______________________________

Want to be seated with friends? Mail orders in the same envelope.

Please note accessible-seating needs:____________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________

Dinner tickets h I want to be seated with friends. Names/which shows?____________________

_________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________ h Vegetarian entrĂŠe needed. Number of tickets/which shows?_________________

_________________________________________________________________ h Special dietary needs:______________________________________________

Please provide all information Name_____________________________________________________________ Address___________________________________________________________ City_______________________________________________________________ State_____________________________ Zip______________________________ Daytime phone (__________)__________________________________________ Evening phone (__________)__________________________________________ Email address______________________________________________________ Enclosed is my check in the amount of $__________________________________ Charge to my (circle one):

American Express

Discover

MasterCard

Visa

Number___________________________________________________________ Expiration date (required)_______ / _______

Security code (required)________

Signature__________________________________________________________

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tickets.luther.edu

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Event

Parking

Any campus lot is available after 5 p.m. with the exception of the studentonly lot south of Loyalty Hall. Event parking is encouraged in the Library Lot behind Preus Library and in the Jenson Parking Lot. These parking areas are marked in blue. Dotted red lines show the walkways that lead to the performance venue. Handicapped parking is marked with a circled P, and some visitor spaces are available near the Center for Faith and Life entrances.

Visit luther.edu/campus/map or contact the Ticket Office for specific driving directions.

Ticket Office (563) 387-1357

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Campus

Highlights 2018–19

This listing highlights top-notch creative offerings by Luther College student artists and special guests. For a complete listing of events and activities, see luther.edu/events. Get tickets for all Luther events at tickets.luther.edu.

Signature Campus Events Sept. 21–23 Oct. 26–28

Family Weekend Homecoming

Music Department @ Center for Faith and Life Oct. 28 1:30 p.m.

Feb. 10 7:00 p.m.

Feb. 12 7:30 p.m.

April 2 7:30 p.m.

April 16 7:30 p.m.

Homecoming Concert (Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, and Nordic Choir) Symphony Orchestra Homecoming Concert Nordic Choir Homecoming Concert Concert Band Homecoming Concert Jazz Orchestra Homecoming Concert

Fall 2018 Gallery Schedule Center for Faith and Life Art Gallery (tentative) Professional art exhibitions by local, regional, and national artists are displayed in the gallery on the upper level of the Center for Faith and Life.

Please note that the CFL art gallery does not have elevator access. luther.edu/galleries Sept. 4–Oct. 12 Oct. 22–Dec. 7

Laura Gleissner, paintings Phoebe Jan-McMahon ’13, paintings

Kristin Wigley-Fleming Fine Arts Gallery Sept. 10–Oct. 12 Oct. 23–Dec. 12

Joshua Walker, paintings Ben Moore, Chasing the Sublime

Preus Library (tentative) Sept. 5–Oct. 12 Oct. 22–Dec. 7

Linda Elkins, collage and assemblage Reunion alumni artists in the Luther College Fine Arts Collection, mixed media

All dates subject to change. For information on events at Luther, contact the Campus Programming Office at (563) 387-1291 or visit luther.edu/events.

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tickets.luther.edu

FRIENDS OF

CenterStage Series 2018–19

This season we are introducing a $1,500 Friends of Center Stage sponsorship package that is open to businesses and individuals. By supporting the performing arts you are helping to build stronger communities, generate tourism, and foster creativity. As a token of our appreciation for your support, you will receive the following benefits and recognition: • Four complimentary show tickets • Two free Dinner Series tickets • Two free tickets to the invite-only season-opening dinner • Name or business logo included in all show programs (approximately 6,500 black-and-white programs)

• Name or business logo displayed on the digital sign in the Center for Faith and Life lobby during Center Stage Series performances • Name or business logo listed on the Center Stage Series webpage

Please complete and return the below form or become a Friend of Center Stage online at tickets.luther.edu.

Please cut carefully to ensure no information is lost.

Event/Day

Quantity of Tickets

Dinner Tickets

Event/Day

Quantity of Tickets

Dinner Tickets

PUSH [physical theatre] Sat., September 8

_______

2 free tickets

Lorelei Ensemble Sat., November 17

_______

_______

Cristina Pato Quartet Fri., September 21

_______

_______

The Westerlies Fri., February 15

_______

_______

Vitaly (Illusionist) Sat., October 6

_______

_______

Goitse Thurs., March 14

_______

_______

Frankenstein Fri., October 19

_______

_______

EVOLUTION Sat., April 6

_______

_______

Blind Boys of Alabama Sat., November 3

_______

_______

Ukulele Orchestra Fri., April 12

_______

_______

Name________________________________________________________________ Address______________________________________________________________ City/State/Zip__________________________________________________________ Phone number_________________________________________________________ Email address_________________________________________________________ Charge to my (circle one):

American Express

Discover

MasterCard

Visa

Card Number__________________________________________________________ Expiration date (required)______/______

Security code (required)_______________

Signature_____________________________________________________________ Return completed form with payment to: Ticket Office, CFL, Luther College 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101 (include a self-addressed, stamped, business-sized envelope)

Conversely, you can complete this form online:

tickets.luther.edu.

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Spanish Brass

700 College Drive Decorah, Iowa 52101

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2018–19

Center Stage eries

Series

2018–19

CenterStage tickets.luther.edu