Amplify Magazine, Winter 2024 | Performing Arts Houston

MAGAZINE

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WINTER 2024

PERFORMING ARTS HOUSTON Amplify Winter Issue

03 Upcoming Events 06 On Stage for the Opening Night Party 08 New/Now Winners: Art on Their Terms Ball 2025: 14 Kaleidoscope Rhapsody in Blue

16 Learning From the Best 21 Die Hard: Action Film or Holiday Classic?

22 Our Supporters

MAGAZINE is the official magazine of Performing Arts Houston Caroline Senter Publication Editor Melanie O’Neill Design & Production Ventures Marketing Group Matt Ross Advertising 713.417.6857

On this page: Contemporary dancer Olivia Yi. Learn more on page 16.

On the cover: Complexions Contemporary Ballet returns to Jones Hall on Saturday, FEB 1, 2025. Featuring the music of U2.

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CONNECTING artists & audiences since 1966

Performing Arts Houston connects audiences with national and global touring artists, exploring a wide range of artistic genres. Each year, the organization presents full seasons of performances in the Theater District and throughout the city. Beyond the stage, the non-profit collaborates with artists, schools, and community partners to create engagement programs for all ages, including masterclasses, workshops, classroom programs, student matinees, and performance opportunities.

Since 2020, we have supported new works by local artists through the Houston Artist Commissioning Project. Founded in 1966, Performing Arts Houston has presented many of the most popular, celebrated, and culturally significant artists of our time.

Thank you to our sponsors

DANCE SERIES

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MUSIC SERIES

FAMILY SERIES

LEAD EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT UNDERWRITER

OCT 29

An Evening with David Sedaris FEATURING BOOK SIGNING

NOV 9

Tenebrae: A Celestial Gift

NOV 12

Vitamin String Quartet: The Music of Taylor Swift

DEC 10

Ben Folds: Paper Airplane Request Tour

DEC 20–22

Yippee Ki Yay THE PARODY CELEBRATION OF DIE HARD

FEB 1

Complexions Contemporary Ballet

FEB 8

Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández

FEB 12

Sō Percussion with Shodekeh Talifero

FEB 14–15

Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock

MAR 6–7

New/Now: The Houston Artist Commissioning Project

MAR 8

Meow Meow AN EVENING OF PURE CHAOS

MAR 19

Anoushka Shankar PART OF THE GLOBAL VOICES MUSIC SERIES

MAR 26

Les Arts Florissants: Vivaldi's Four Seasons at 300

MAR 28

Piano Battle: Andreas Kern vs. Paul Cibis WITH STUDENT MATINEE

MAR 29

Kodō Drummers of Japan: Warabe

APR 1

Ladysmith Black Mambazo PART OF THE GLOBAL VOICES MUSIC SERIES

APR 11

Jim Henson's Labyrinth: In Concert

MAY 6

A Conversation with Amor Towles FEATURING BOOK SIGNING

JUN 12

A Conversation with Tan France

EVENTS

G

UPCOMING

SECURE YOUR SEATS performingartshouston.org

Kodō Drummers of Japan: Warabe MARCH 29, 7:30PM Jones Hall

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STAFF Meg Booth President & Chief Executive Officer Leslie Nelson Chief Financial Officer Jordan Drum Director of Development Brian Glass Director of Marketing, Communications & Digital Janette Hendrix Program Manager, Education & Community Engagement Ashley Johnson Patron Services Associate Caroline McCain Development Associate Brenda Oliveira Board Liaison & Executive Assistant Helena Oliver Development Manager, Individual Giving & Events Michelle Pacheco Patron Services Manager Caroline Senter Public Relations Manager Jennifer Steiner Director of Operations Lee Strickland Director of Artistic Programming Phoebe Vo Accounting Manager Ashley Warner Director of Education and Community Engagement

Reach us!

713.227.4772 info@performingartshouston.org 615 Louisiana Street, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77002-2715 Monday–Friday • 9AM–5PM The Box Office is open to in-person transactions up to 90 minutes before performances

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2024–2025

BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS H. William Swanstrom, Board Chair Vijay D’Cruz, Board Vice Chair

Curt D. Karges, Treasurer † Tymothi O. Tombar, Secretary

DIRECTORS Norah G. Adams S. Kris Agarwal Jeffrey A. Ball * Leah R. Bennett * Charles C. Boettcher * Brian D. Bravo Roxann Thomas Chargois Willie C.W. Chiang *† Charles D. Davidson* Tejuana L. Edmond Theresa A. Einhorn* Mary Fischer

DIRECTORS EMERITI James J. Postl Robert B. Tudor III Marcus A. Watts Meg Booth President and CEO John T. Jones Jr. Founder (1917-1994) Jesse H. Jones II President, Performing Arts Houston Foundation

Stephen M. Gill * Sean Gorman Melanie Gray *† Shawn K. Jackson G. Mark Jodon*† Wendy K.D. King Emily T. Kuo*† Joel Lambert Taylor E. Landry Ellen L. Levy Chad Michael Theresa Mallett *†

Ginni Mithoff Katherine Easterby Murphy Miki Lusk Norton Scott S. Nyquist * Salvador Pareja Armando A. Perez Amy Marlyse Plato Lance G. Reynolds Ann V. Rogers Marisol Salazar * Omar Samji Leslie Elkins Sasser

PERFORMING ARTS HOUSTON FOUNDATION Jesse H. Jones II, President Robert B. Tudor III, Vice President, Treasurer, and Secretary Willie C.W. Chiang, Trustee Melanie Gray, Trustee Charles D. Davidson, Trustee Theresa A. Einhorn, Trustee G. Mark Jodon, Trustee James J. Postl, Trustee Stephen M. Trauber, Trustee Marcus A. Watts, Trustee

Andrew B. Smith Kristina H. Somerville Stephen M. Trauber * Saul Valentin* Fernando Vizcaino Jason P. Wells Margaret Alkek Williams *

Executive Committee

†

Vice President/Committee Chair

FOUNDATION FOR JONES HALL, PERFORMING ARTS HOUSTON REPRESENTATIVES Meg Booth Vijay D’Cruz Charles D. Davidson Stephen M. Gill James J. Postl

DEC 10 7:30 PM JONES HALL

PERFORMINGARTSHOUSTON.ORG Amplify Magazine — Winter 2024 | 5

THE OPENING NIGHT PARTY Celebrating artists on stage Once a season, we invite audience members and distinguished guests to take center stage during the Opening Night Party, an annual celebration benefitting Performing Arts Houston's Education and Community Engagement programs.

This year, we kicked off the season with Conrad Tao and Caleb Teicher's Counterpoint on Saturday, September 14th at the Cullen Theater.

City Kitchen catered the event and pianist Alex Navarro provided music for the 80 attendees, who mingled with the artists as well as several current and former awardees from New/Now, Performing Arts Houston’s commissioning project for local artists.

To learn more about membership perks like valet parking and cast parties, or to explore special events like the upcoming Kaleidoscope Ball on April 12th, 2025, visit performingartshouston.org/support.

Photos by Claire McAdams

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Meg Booth and Opening Night Party Guests

Caleb Teicher and Guests

24/25 New/Now awardee Ben Chavez and Walker Chancey

Emily Kuo and Julie Brooks

Guests with Conrad Tao and Caleb Teicher

Performance Sponsors Syma and Walt Zerkow with Jordan Drum

Guests with Conrad Tao

Pianist Alex Navarro and Party Guests on the Cullen Theater Stage

Guests with Caleb Teicher

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MEET THE NEW/NOW WINNERS Art in their words, on their terms Each year, Performing Arts Houston commissions new artistic works by Houston artists as part of New/Now: The Houston Artist Commissioning Project. This year’s winners, Ben Chavez, Marlon Simon, and YUNGCHRIS come from vastly different backgrounds and create within different artistic genres, but they all make one thing clear: their life’s work is to create, express, and inspire.

See their world premier works unveiled at the Wortham Center, March 6-7.

Photo by Claire McAdams

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Meet the New/Now Winners

I make new music for old souls.

BEN CHAVEZ “Last Day, County Fair is a piece I've been thinking about for a couple years now, and it's inspired by both my life and my partner's life, and just us coming to terms with self-acceptance as gay men. It's about finding your identity and learning to love it, regardless of what other people think about you. And ultimately, it's a celebration of life and beauty.

I'm hoping that people walk away from the piece strengthening their connections with the people in their own lives, and just embracing people who may need a little extra love. I hope people realize how much of an impact their words and actions have on

other people and that we don't have to love each other, but we must respect each other.

Being that I'm not from Houston originally, I have really come to love Houston for its diversity and its acceptance of people who look and act and identify in all different ways. There's a place for everybody in Houston. And so, I think Last Day, County Fair is important here because Houstonians are kind of ambassadors of acceptance. We're this little bubble of color and light. Having this piece incubated in Houston will radiate and cause ripple effects outside of Houston as well.”

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For me, making music is when I feel closest to God.

MARLON SIMON “On Different Paths is the live premiere of the music on my last record, which was created during the pandemic. I think we, as artists, were forced to create in a different way than we were used to, and during that time, I think I became more in touch with myself because of the isolation of the pandemic.

There was also a lot of violence going on in our country at the time, so I was writing these compositions while watching it all play out on the news. Reflecting on all of this, and how we desperately need to find an even ground between cultures and belief systems,

inspired me to blend multiple music styles together on this album as a way to represent that we can live differently, and still live together.

I’m moved by the joy of music and its ability to unite us. Art can be the one common interest we have with one another, so let’s start there. Let’s start with art as a language we can all understand, and then we can learn about the world, about what motivates people, and what’s important to them.”

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Meet the New/Now Winners

Photo by Claire McAdams

Amplify Magazine — Winter 2024 | 11

Photo by Claire McAdams

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Meet the New/Now Winners

Art should push the envelope, tell a story, and keep it real.

YUNGCHRIS “My Posse’s on Broadway pays homage to the story of Houston hip hop dance, from its conception, to where it’s at now. At some point, seemingly overnight, hip hop became world renowned, but a lot of things happened in the Houston hip hop scene that the world still doesn't know about. I want my piece to tell those stories and show the world that hip hop is homegrown, right here. Hip hop, and art in general, is alive and well in Houston.

Houston is my creative hub. I’ve spent a lot of time in other cities, and it got to a point where I was spending a lot of time, money, and energy trying to tell everyone else's stories. I realized I have my own stories, and my own city’s stories to tell. We have stories at home, you know?”

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SAVE THE DATE

SATURDAY, APRIL 12, 2025 WORTHAM CENTER GRAND FOYER MARGARET AND BRIAN BRAVO, CHAIRS HONORING MEL ANIE GRAY AND MARK WAWRO

More information, including table, tickets, and sponsorships, at performingartshouston.org/2025ball

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Photos by Priscilla Dickson

HOW TO SUPPORT THE ARTS AND HAVE (SO MUCH) FUN DOING IT: STEP 1

Get ready to gala! Invite your friends and book your tickets!

STEP 2

Pick out a spiffy outfit. Think “black-tie meets roaring 20’s pizzazz.”

Coat tails and flapper dresses are not required, but we love a theme!

STEP 3

Brush up on your Gershwin. We’re celebrating the 100th anniversary of Rhapsody in Blue.

STEP 4

Party time!

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Photos by Melissa Taylor

LEARNING FROM THE BEST Olivia Yi makes the most of masterclasses Each year, our Education & Community Engagement team works with the artists we present to create immersive opportunities for students and life-long learners. Olivia Yi, a high school senior and student at Institute of Contemporary Dance, has participated in many of our masterclasses and workshops where she’s been able to learn from dance legends who’ve shaped the past, present, and future of the dance world.

We asked Olivia about dancing in Houston, her journey in the arts, and learning from dance legends with Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ballet Hispanico, Step Afrika!, Complexions Contemporary Ballet, and Twyla Tharp Dance.

How did you get started in dance?

"As a child, I was very shy and had a closed off demeanor, so my mother decided to enroll me in some children’s imaginative movement classes. I began to start expressing myself more and started to come out of my shell and continued to take classes until I started to recognize a passion for dance. Over the years, dance has become the only thing that I have wanted to pursue, and has been a constant since the age of two. It began as a place for expression and confidence building but is now something that I want to pursue professionally."

What’s your favorite Performing Arts Houston masterclass memory?

"My favorite memory was getting to learn repertoire from Dance Theatre of Harlem that they performed at Jones Hall. It was exciting because I don’t get to train in contemporary ballet as often and we had the opportunity to learn choreography that was originally set on a professional company. I also was challenged with the excerpt that we learned because it was a solo, and it made me feel connected to not only the dancer but the character the professional dancer was portraying, and as someone who struggles sometimes to express certain characterizations or emotions, it was a great challenge and a chance for me to grow."

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How does it feel to have the opportunity to take classes from some of the most revered dance companies from across the world, right here in your hometown?

"To be given the opportunity to take classes from some of the most revered dance companies from across the world in my hometown makes me feel more connected to the dance industry as well as grateful to be given more exposure to professional dancers that are currently in the midst of their careers, to enhance my training. Not only does it enhance my training, but it also provides a space where I can express an interest in a certain dance company or in a particular form of dance, allowing for continuous creative exploration."

Why are masterclasses important to your dance education?

"Masterclasses are important for my dance education by providing opportunities for aspiring dancers, such as myself, to be able to gain an insight into what a career in this industry looks like. It provides places for connections to be built which are extremely important, as the dance industry is quite selective.

It also is important because it allows for dancers to have diverse training opportunities and to be more well-rounded within the art form to be as successful as possible and to strive for artistic excellence."

To learn more about masterclasses and workshops offered throughout our season, visit performingartshouston.org/education.

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PART OF THE CHIANG FAMILY SERIES

Piano Battle AN EPIC CONTEST—WHO WILL WIN? On March 28, internationally acclaimed pianists Andreas Kern and Paul Cibis go head-to-head at Jones Hall.

Public Performance

Student Matinee

MAR 28 • FRI, 7:30 pm Jones Hall Secure your seats at performingartshouston.org

MAR 28 • FRI, 10 am Jones Hall Reservations through the Box Office at 713-227-4772 KRIS AND MARK JODON FAMILY SERIES

PRODUCING SPONSORS

On View Through January 5, 2025 Poignant stories of Holocaust survivors captured in masterful paintings and drawings by acclaimed artist David Kassan David Kassan, Generational Trauma, 2024, 22 x 33 in.

Ruth Steinfeld, 2024, 30 x 25 in. Martin Greenfield, 2020, 40 x 23 in.

Paintings are oil on panel. Photos courtesy of the artist.

hmh.org/facingsurvival

Our city has something to say H-E-B Performance Preludes showcase the talents of artist groups from our own backyard. Spoiler alert: our city is extraordinary.

SEE OUR 24/25 H-E-B PERFORMANCE PRELUDES OCT 29 NOV 12 FEB 1 FEB 8 FEB 12 MAR 8 MAR 19 MAR 26 MAR 28 APR 1 MAY 6 JUN 12

An Evening with David Sedaris, prelude by HSPVA Jazz Vitamin String Quartet, prelude by Houston Show Choir Complexions Contemporary Ballet, prelude by Houston Contemporary 2 (HC2) Ballet Folklórico de México de Amalia Hernández, prelude by Ballet Folklórico Herencia Méxicana de Houston Sō Percussion with Shodekeh Talifero, prelude by Meyerland Dance Ensemble Meow Meow, prelude by Alli Villines Anoushka Shankar, prelude by Vaijayanthi Raghavan Les Arts Florissants, prelude by Cymphoni Fantastique Piano Battle, prelude by Bayou City Ballet Youth Company Ladysmith Black Mambazo, prelude by Pershing Middle School Dance Company A Conversation with Amor Towles, prelude by Cypress Winds Clarinet Quartet A Conversation with Tan France, prelude by Open Dance Project’s ODP 2

Learn and explore at performingartshouston.org/preludes Sponsored in part by

DIE HARD:

ACTION FILM OR HOLIDAY CLASSIC? We’re here to settle the decades old debate on one of our favorite films, Die Hard. While the 1988 action thriller is set at a holiday party, anyone who’s seen it knows it doesn’t exactly elicit the warm, fuzzy feelings you get from watching It’s a Wonderful Life. But are a soundtrack of carols, snowfall, and a brief Santa hat appearance enough to add it to the ranks of holiday classics?

We asked our staff, friends, and family what they think!*

65% 35%

HOLIDAY CLASSIC ACTION FILM

In case you’re still on the fence, the one-man-parody of the movie, Yippee Ki Yay, comes to the Wortham Center December 20-22.

*This poll was conducted amongst the Performing Arts Houston staff and was furnished solely for fun and silly purposes.

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INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS $25,000+ Linda and Willie Chiang Nancy G. and Charles D. Davidson Mignon and Stephen Gill Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro Kristin and Lance Reynolds Mari Salazar Leslie Elkins Sasser and Shannon Sasser Janet and Bill Swanstrom Phoebe and Bobby Tudor Margaret Alkek Williams Syma and Walt Zerkow $10,000-$24,999 Ernesto D. Baca Rachelle and Jeff Ball Leah R. Bennett Kourtney and Vijay D'Cruz Theresa A. Einhorn and Donald Yurewicz C.C. and Duke Ensell Kris and Mark Jodon Curt and Stephany Karges John P. Keeton Emily T. Kuo and Michael Chu Ginni and Richard Mithoff Sarah Knight Morgan and Oscar Brown Judy and Scott S. Nyquist Lisa and Mustafa Parris-Cochinwala Beverly and Jim Postl Leticia and Stephen M. Trauber Abigail Winn and Brad Crocker $5,000–$9,999 Charles and Casey Boettcher Daniel Boss Margaret and Brian Bravo Katrina L. Dibala Tejuana L. Edmond Carl and Mary Sapp Fischer Susan and Sean Gorman Melinda and Jeffrey Hildebrand Jeffrey Hopkins Yvonne and Mark Jacobs Jesse H. Jones II and Terry Wayne Jones Sarah and Joel Lambert Mimi Lloyd Marilyn Maloney and Paul Longstreth Laura and Daniel Pears Corina and Armando Perez Amy Marlyse Plato and Kelly Plato Andrew B. Smith Charlene and Tymothi O. Tombar Paola and Fernando Vizcaino $3,000-$4,999 Elizabeth Collins Susan E. Denson Catherine and Nick Dunbar Tracy and Jim Fish Timothy G. Green Harry Grenader Mary Van and David Grindle Arianda and Richard Hicks Sallie Morian and Michael Clark Katherine Easterby Murphy Kathryn O'Brien Robert Santana Lisa and Saul Valentin Hannah and Paul Wolfert $1,000-$2,999 Anonymous (3) Norah G. Adams

Performing Arts Houston would like to thank the individuals who support our work through generous membership contributions and annual gifts. For more information on member and donor benefits, please visit performingartshouston.org or contact Jordan Drum at 713.632.8104 or jdrum@performingartshouston.org.

Carol Bates Alissa Blankenship Meg and Brandon Booth Julianne Brooks Ignacio Carrion Dominic Cellitti Nancy Chafe Sloan and Alec Clark Nell and Russell Clingman C.C. Conner and David Groover Annie and Will Cooper Carl R. Cunningham Susie and Joe Dilg Michael and Terri Dougherty Susan Guthrie Dunn Jenny Elkins Joe J. Fisher Jr. Caroline Freeman Deborah C. Gordon and Nathan Coco Katherine and Walker Hale Jennifer Hardy Sheila Heimbinder Tara Hemmer Jorge Hernandez Rachell L. Hill Joanne Houck and Tim Singletary Katrina Jackiewicz and Nick Peacock Rochelle and Alan Jacobson John Jones Felicia and Perry Jordan Taylor and Daniel Kaufman Heather and Rusty Kelley Susan and Michael Klaveness Marjena Kohnke Erika Kusjanovic Kelle and Chris Lambert Eileen and Kase Lawal Juliet Lawrence Amy LeBlanc Ellen and Joseph Levy Amy Liles Larissa Lindsay and Stuart Bailey Pedro Lourenco Lindsey and Ryan MacLeod Jane and Steve Malashock Theresa and Edward Mallett Maryann and Bryce Mannen Vickie L. Milazzo and Tom Ziemba Linda C. Murray Miki Lusk Norton and Ralph E. Norton Alifiya and Salvador Pareja Tricia and Alan Ratliff Mike Reed Gary Rodriguez and Michael Ball Gloria and Nick Ryan Manuel Solis Judy and Charles Tate Ann Chambers Taylor Mark Taylor Susan L. Thompson Patricia and Michael Tilton Wilson Van Tine Holly A. Wolfert Gina and Joseph Wyszynski Monica and Larry Ziemba $500-$999 Anonymous Alim Adatia Chree Boydstun Melanie Camp Patricia Carnes Janet and John Carrig Tripp Carter Hali and Bill Frasure Laura and Robert Fullick Kim and Chris Graeter Jishnu Guha Claudio Gutierrez

Ted Harwood Kevin Howard Scott P. Howard Lurlean Hunt Ken and Tracy Janda Simone and Sean Maher Matt Main Mavin H. Martin and Neil E. Mellen Sydni and Ryan Mossman Barrett Naman Jim Oswald Katherine and Tim Pownell Melissa Reihle George Rissky Patrick Ryan Bryan Scrivner Kristina H. and Paul G. Somerville Lindsay and Richard Strattan Charnette and Derek Taylor Kirin and Joe David Wells Randy Williams Davina and Lewis Wilson Neil Woods $250-$499 Anonymous (6) Rhona Aksoy Ashley Bales and Lee V. Strickland Jeanna and Wesley Bamburg Melissa and Steven Batchelder Thomas Booth and Dale Cover E. Brietzke Sarah and Adam Brock Carol Brooks Berglass Laura and Christian Brown Richard Carter and Elizabeth Sjoberg Phillip Chang Sarah and Sean Clements Janine Corman Esme De La Cruz Ann Deaton Mariana and Paul Dickerson Sheila Duffy LaTanya Easter Douglas Elliott Mary and Mike Espinosa Kathy Flanagan Kristen Ford Jordan Fossee Kerri Francis Dana Levy Germain Mary Gleason Frances Gonzales Brenda Granderson Hicks Kimberly Green Holden Hamblen Isabella Hawkins Joshua Henke Susan Hightower Heather Hofstetter Malia Jones and Alex Stefan Nancy Jones Janice Kemp and John Kling The Kendrick Family Kristian Knudsen Phil Leech Kristin Lenoir Cassie Levy Janelle and Phillip Lewis Jonathan Love Mari Marchbanks Bri and Joe Martin Sherry Mathews Courtney and Cary Maurstad Ali McHenry Samita and Utpal Mehta Miroslava Mendiola Leslie and Kent Nelson

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Kim Padgett Peri Patel David L. Peavy and Stephen R. McCauley Holley Rainwater Stu Redsun Michell Rios-Ordonez Elizabeth Rivera Sherrie Robinson Shirley and John Rouse Justine and Frank Schageman Tracey Shappro Sarah Shull and Sabi Balkanyi H. Colleen and Michael B. Silva Jr. Randal Smith Jeremy B. Sochol Don Sowell Jr. George Stoeckert Edda Tinis Raul Villareal Lauren Waddell Sixto Wagan Whitney Wall Weighter and Jason Weighter A. and T. Waterhouse Julia and Thomas Pascal Williams Robinson Emri and Adam Witas Sharon Yacob Frank Yeverino $100-$249 Anonymous (33) Manisha Abate Amy Abbott Tarek Abdelaziz Amr Abouleish Clena Abuan Steven A. Adams Princess Sherifat Akorede Jessica Alcantara Patrice Alexander Jackson Alford Miguel Almazan Hedda Altamirano Pharr Andrews Robert Andries Rachel Ansari Evette Aranas Heather and Reed Arnos Garima Arora Tanya Arora Natearah Austin Daniel Thomas Ayers Richard Baird Anne Marie Baker David Baker Kimberly Ballew Leigh Barbosa Anita and Bonner Barnes Anna Bass Kipp Baxter Aimee Beliveau Kathy Belton Barry Benedict Armando and Vanessa Benitez Annie Bernstein Marsha and Roger Bertholf Lynne Best Alex Besterman Ashlyn Blakeman Damian Blow Zarrina Bobokalonova R. Michelle Boldon The Boldon Family Benjamin B. Bolger Justyn Booth Rebecca Braeutigam Richard Braverman

INDIVIDUAL SUPPORTERS Lisa Brenskelle James Britton George Brown Angela Bryant Lisa Buckner Shirley G. Burlew Reed Bussey Cheryl Byington Wendy Campbell Tina Marie Campos Sherry Carmouche Ben Carpenter Alicia Carranza Dewey Cash Cynthia Castleman Lorenzo Castro Igor Chak Jackie Chang Charlene Charette Kieana Peluso Susan Chiboroski Lina Chung Doris Cleveland Thomas Clingenpeel Kevin L. Coggins Renay Cohen Clifford Collins Irina and David Cook Lawson Cooper Fred Corsiglia Gwendolyn Coscarelli Gigi Cox Rodney Cox Abigail Craig Dayton Crisp Jeremy Cruey John Curtin Margaret Daniels Larry Danziger Lisa Darling Tina Marie Davenport Jeff Davis Kris Davis Erika De La Cruz James Dean Peter Dear and Wendy Prater Dear Michael and Carla Deavers Arden Decker Doris Dempsey Mary Dieckhaus Sheila Diombala Sarah DiPier Karen Doolittle Dan and Kathleen Duncan Jon and Katie Eichler Alexandra Emsley Fred Endelman Michael Engelhart Jesse Erickson Katie Esparza Daniel Espinoza Gabriel Espitia Margarita Farias Chad T. Farley Marcia and Tom Faschingbauer Coreen Fazakerly Diane Felder Shantau Fellows David and Diane Ferrufino-Montague Joan Finn Matt Fiorillo Jesse Flores Elouise H. Fluitt Bobbie Fontenot Melissa and Stewart Foster Mary Frazier Kenneth Friedman Abigayle Friehauf Chris Funk Sonja Galloway Vanessa N. Gaona Manuel Garcia Maldonado Mark Gartner Lynette L. Gascoigne Leslie Gassner

Sonja Gee Diane and Harry Gendel Ruth Gilman Anna Goldberg Tammy Gomez Tyonia Gomez Breona Gonzalez Rene Gonzalez K. Goode Krisanne Graves and Christopher Harris Susan Greenfield Yizhu Guan Olivia and Mark Guerra Becky Bunnell Gumm Jenny Guo Harrison Guy Chris Hadley Julie Hanson Brandi Harleaux LaSchon Harris Yousuf Hasan Susie and Michael Hatfield Irene and Marc Helsinger Tristin Henry Gerardo Hernandez James Herrera Kari Hickman G.B. Hieshima Allyson Hill Jan Hill Clarissa Hinojosa Jesus Hinojosa Alyssa Holland Alba Huerta Velda Hunter Nicholas Hussey Debra Hyder Andrew F. Icken Katherine Jackman Chandria Jackson Joyce Busch Jackson Michael Jackson Corrie Jenkins Stephen Jeu Karen Jewell Sheila Jobe Andrea Johannes Alex Johnson Myrtle Jones Kresimir Josic Jamie Jung Kristina Kamel Shagandeep Kaur Tracey Kearny Lori Kennedy Danny Kirkpatrick Nikola Kivett Jenny Koehler Alex Kosmala Erin and Jeff Kraus Miguel Kremenliev Wojciech Kropiewnicki Ilianna Reyna Kuntz Cynthia Lamb Patrick Lamb Rosie Lang Jillian Lara Sheri and Tim Lathrop Nancy and Andrew Lattu Patricia Lawler Susan Lazarus Shirley Lee Tina Lee and Joel Smith Elizabeth Leos Devin Licata Ruben Lizaola John Lock Vickie Lofton Delena Logan Maria Lopez Pedro Lopez Linda Lorelle and Lou Gregory Marisa Lozano Jason Luong Jessica MacDonald

Noelle MacGregor L. Elena Macha Sean Mahan S. Mak Natalie Marsh Stephen Marsh Charlotte Marsh-Jiles Alex Martinez and Anita Shahani Refugio Martinez The Honorable Joaquin Martinez Kim Martin-Long Susana R. Martinoia Megan Mason J. McCormick Sheryl McCurdy Ashley and Robert McDonough Jeff McFarland Alicia McGhee Yvonne McIntyre Ron McKeithen Brian Meigh Rosalinda Mendez Kara Mings Annette Moise Curtis Monroe and Kelli Woody Desiree Moore Deboraha Mora Jordan Morgan Cheryl Murphy Nicole Murray Doris J. Myles Andrew C. Navarre Margarita Navarro Lynn Nazareth Kharyne Neptune Marc and Duyen Nguyen Kelly Nicholls Katherine Nix Ryan Nobles Judith D. Nordgren Derek Novak Almas Obinna Maxwell Ocansey Melanie O'Neill Leah Oren-Palmer Michael Palmer Adecia Parker Stephen Patlan Rodney Pegram Juan Pena Sharon Peoples Jerome Pereira R.L. Perez Chadwick Peters Kay Peterson Kim Pilcher Erica Piper Marie and Douglas Polega Christina and Troy Porter Casey Potter Renita Price Rigo Puga Liliya Quebedeaux Alice Quinn Schwarz Diana Quintanilla Florante A. Quiocho Charlie and Frankie R. Luis E. Ramirez Morgan Rasmus Alfred Ragan Rhodes Jonathan Richard Alicia Richardson Denise N. Richardson-Brown Thomas Roberts Jane and Alex Robinson Sylvia Rocha Shalla Rogers Joseph M. Rojas Atin Rosen Constance Roy Rozanne and Howard Rubin Alexander Rush Linda Ryan Matthew Ryan Tina Saenz

Rabia and Omar Samji Cesareo Sanchez Michael Sanchez Sharon Sanders Ed Schneider Mary Schoemann Carrie Schultz John Schwartz Andrea and Charles Seay Sara Speer Selber Todd and Betsy Siff Maxine Silberstein Raquel Silverberg Jim Simon Deepa Singh Andrew Smith Beverly Smith Phillip Smith Sydney and Allen Smith Fade Soboyejo Kevin Solomon Jeannine Soto Katherine Speed John Spelman Damion Square Trina Stanfield LaShonda Stokes Debbie and Gene Straka Victoria Stratton Rocio Subira Andrew Sung Caitlin Sutton Bharat Swatantran Corey M. Tay Stephanie Taylor Kerry-Ann Thompson Elizabeth Troxler Nimi Tuamokumo Brenda Turley Calissa Ubi Lesly Van Dame Gleeson Van Riet Mary and Martin Vandenbrook Jane Vaselenak Naomi Ventura John M. Vitucci David Wainwright Elizabeth Walker Tammie Wallette Charles Ward Joyce M. Wellman Susan West Joyce Westfall E.W. Wey Bettina M. Whyte Paula and Richard Wilbourn Yann Wilhelm Edward Willey III and Aramis Willette Julisa Williams Chris Williamson Carrie Wirsing Cynthia Wolff Christine Wong Ekaterini Yamalidou Jasmine Young Jean Zoppe

Amplify Magazine — Winter 2024 | 23

INSTITUTIONAL PARTNERS Performing Arts Houston is proud to recognize our corporate, foundation, and government partners for their exemplary community leadership and support. To learn more about partnership opportunities and benefits, please contact Jordan Drum at 713.632.8104 or jdrum@performingartshouston.org.

CORPORATE PARTNERS $50,000+ Admiral Transfer & Rigging CenterPoint Energy ConocoPhillips† ExxonMobil† H-E-B† Le Méridien Houston Downtown* Shell*

$25,000-$49,999 Kirksey* Wells Fargo† Westwood Wealth Management

$10,000–$24,999 711 FIT*

City Kitchen* Locke Lord LLP† McCoy Rockford, Inc.* Motiva Enterprises LLC TD Securities Truist Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP WM*

$5,000–$9,999 AIG Corebridge Financial Architectural Floors* Bank of Texas Bracewell LLP CAMAC International Corporation Collaborate The Friedkin Group

Houston First Corporation* JP Morgan Private Bank* Legacy Community Health Services PNC Porter Hedges LLP StoneTurn Group Vinson & Elkins LLP

$1,000-$4,999 BrightStar* Coterra Energy Inc. LD Systems* Littler Vision Production Group

FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES $100,000+

$25,000-$49,999

$5,000-$9,999

Houston Endowment, Inc. † The Humphreys Foundation† Texas Commission on the Arts † Texas Tourism Industry Recovery Program The Wortham Foundation, Inc. †

The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts † M.D. Anderson Foundation†

Anonymous George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation† Lyrasis

$50,000-$99,999 The Brown Foundation, Inc. † The Elkins Foundation Powell Foundation

$10,000-$24,999 Kayser Foundation Memorial Hermann Foundation Mid-America Arts Alliance National Endowment for the Arts† Vivian L. Smith Foundation

MATCHING GIFT SUPPORTERS AIG Corebridge Financial BASF Corporation Chevron Corporation

Coterra Energy Inc. ExxonMobil † LyondellBasell

Listings Accurate as of 9/13/2024

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Phillips 66 Truist *Includes in-kind support † Indicates 10+ years of consecutive support

2025

Student Art Contest Performing Arts Houston’s 27th Annual Student Art Contest encourages students to think outside of the box, to expand the limits of their creativity and identify new and unique ways to express their artistry.

This year’s theme, OUT OF THE BOX, invites students to consider the question: What makes your artwork distinctive, and what inspires YOU to unleash your personal creativity?

Each season, hundreds of students submit their artwork for the chance to win prizes, with winning entries showcased in exhibitions around the Houston area.

The Annual Student Art Contest aligns the visual arts with Performing Arts Houston’s mainstage performing arts presentations, which serve as inspiration for the contest’s theme.

Applications open December 2nd, 2024 Learn more at performingartshouston.org/artcontest Photos by Melissa Taylor

PART OF THE GLOBAL VOICES MUSIC SERIES

Kodō: Warabe MAR 29, 2025 • JONES HALL

On sale now! performingartshouston.org SPONSORED IN PART BY

THE ELKINS FOUNDATION