Encore Magazine, Fall 2021

SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

MAGAZINE

Fall 2021

SAY GIRL SAY

PHOTO BY PAM ASHLEY PHOTOGRAPHY

Brigette Yawn and Suad Ihsan comprise this multi-instrumental, indie pop duo to kick off SPA’s Houston Artist Commissioning Project Live!

Alexander Calder, Acrobat, 1929. © 2021 Calder Foundation, New York / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New Yorka

Pablo Picasso, Acrobat (Acrobate), 1930. © 2021 Estate of Pablo Picasso / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York

5601 Main St. | 713.639.7300 | mfah.org/calderpicasso | #CalderPicassoMFAH | Calder-Picasso is organized by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, in partnership with the Calder Foundation, New York; Musée National Picasso-Paris (MNPP); and the Fundación Almine y Bernard Ruiz-Picasso para el Arte (FABA).

Scan and Learn More

This exhibition is supported by an indemnity from the Federal Council on the Arts and the Humanities.

Major support provided by: Bobbie Nau Additional generous support provided by: PHILLIPS Giorgio Armani Corporation Virginia and Lee Lahourcade John and Kathy Orton

Opens October 31

SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ENCORE FALL 2021

Contents 08

NELLA Sponsored in part by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board

12

HOUSTON ARTIST COMMISSIONING PROJECT LIVE: PART ONE All World Premieres & SPA Commissions by Say Girl Say, PJ Davis & Loop38 + Houston Contemporary Dance Company Made possible in part by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, the SPA Foundation and the Texas Commission on the Arts

18

ALTON BROWN LIVE: BEYOND THE EATS Sponsored in part by Shearman & Sterling

20

HOUSTON ARTIST COMMISSIONING PROJECT LIVE: PART TWO All World Premieres & SPA Commissions by Riyaaz Qawwali, Harrison Guy & Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton Made possible in part by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, the SPA Foundation and the Texas Commission on the Arts

FEATURES 2 Letter from the CEO 5 You're Going To Like Where This Is Going 6 The Transformative Power of the Arts 1 0 Q&A with Board Chair Mark Jodon 2 4 SPA Supporters

Nella

Latin GRAMMY winner for Best New Artist, opens 21/22 Season

MAGAZINE is the official magazine of Society for the Performing Arts Brian Glass Managing Editor Melanie O’Neill Design & Production Elaine Reeder Mayo Editorial Consultant Ventures Marketing Group Matt Ross Advertising

Letter

from the CEO Welcome to Society for the Performing Arts! And welcome to the 21/22 Season. I can’t tell you how wonderful it is to write those words.

As you know—it’s been a year. We’ve been apart from one another, relying only on digital connections. Now, thanks to the leadership of our terrific board, and the generosity of our many donors and ticket buyers, we’re returning to our theaters and stages and getting reacquainted with what it’s like to experience live arts together again.

It’s going to be so much fun.

The 21/22 Season features hilarious Houston favorites, like Alton Brown (Tuesday, November 2 at Jones Hall) and David Sedaris (Thursday, April 29 at Brown Theater). Houston debuts from Mystery Science Theater 3000 LIVE (Wednesday, January 19 at Cullen Theater) and Fran Lebowitz (Tuesday, February 15 at Jones Hall) will have us rolling in the aisles. Which is especially good at Jones Hall, considering the newlyadded aisles on the Orchestra Level.

We’ll see big names at Jones Hall, including Neil deGrasse Tyson (Monday, January 17), Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra (Friday, January 28) and Neil Gaiman (Sunday, May 22). For the twentieth time since our founding in 1966, Society for the Performing Arts will present Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (February 18–19), one of the most important contemporary dance companies in the world, featuring Ailey’s iconic Revelations on every program.

In the music category, we’ve got mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile (Saturday, February 5 at Cullen Theater), pianist Seong-Jin Cho, a Chopin specialist (Friday, March 11 at Cullen Theater), Black Violin (Tuesday, May 17 at Jones Hall), and Drum Tao, another Houston favorite (Monday, April 4 at Jones Hall).

Houstonians love their food, so we’ll present chef Yotam Ottolenghi (Monday, May 2 at Cullen Theater). If you love swing dance, SW!NG OUT, directed by Caleb Teicher (Saturday, April 9 at Jones Hall), includes an on-stage dance party, which is a can’t-miss.

2 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

SPA has a long history of bringing new works to life. In the spring, we’ll see the Houston premiere of An Untitled Love, an SPA co-commission by MacArthurwinner Kyle Abraham (Friday, May 6 at Cullen Theater). To support Houston’s own performing artists—after all, we live in a massive city, with huge talents— SPA launched the Houston Artist Commissioning Project (October 15–16 & November 11–12 at Jones Hall).

So much is new. A new magazine (which you’re reading), new renovations to Jones Hall, new artists and world premieres.

What hasn’t changed is our commitment to moving the arts forward, offering our audiences both the familiar—and art they never imagined.

These artists will be here, live and on stage in Houston. I hope you’ll join us for them all, ready to be amazed.

Meg Booth CEO Society for the Performing Arts

Society for the Performing Arts 615 Louisiana Street, Suite 100 Houston, Texas 77002-2715 713.227.4772 info@spahouston.org | spahouston.org Meg Booth Chief Executive Officer Leslie Nelson Chief Financial Officer Andrea Allen Education Specialist

Helena Oliver Senior Development Associate, Individual Giving & Operations

Jordan Drum Director of Development

Jennifer Steiner Director of Operations

Brian Glass Director of Marketing

Lee Strickland General Manager

Devin Kennamore Accounting Manager

Claire Williamson Director of Education & Community Engagement

Brenda Oliveira Board Liaison & Executive Assistant

JEFF GOLDBLUM & THE MILDRED SNITZER ORCHESTRA Friday, January 28, 2022 Jones Hall | 7:30 PM Tickets at spahouston.org

Society for the Performing Arts (SPA) is the largest independent nonprofit performing arts presenter in the southwest. A resident company of Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, SPA was founded in 1966 to be Houston’s window to the world of the live performing arts. In a typical season, SPA presents over 30 different programs, of all genres, with leading artists, innovators and entertainers from around the globe.

Taking these experiences beyond the stage, SPA delivers dozens of extended programs that bring artists and arts engagement into our schools and communities.

For 55 years, SPA has been our city’s home to hundreds of culturally significant artists—Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, STOMP, Philip Glass, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Harry Connick, Jr., Daniel Tiger, Marcel Marceau, Ballet Hispánico, Manual Cinema, and David Sedaris—to name a few.

PHOTO BY PARI DUKOVIC

Their performances represent lifetimes of joy and memories that would not be possible without the leadership and generosity of our donors and audiences. Each contribution and each ticket purchased builds on this legacy. Live arts give us the space to grow and learn about the world, about ourselves. And they’re such great fun.

Thank you—and enjoy the show!

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

FUNDED IN PART BY

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 3

SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2021–22

Board of Directors EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE G. Mark Jodon, Board Chair H. William Swanstrom, Board Vice Chair Tymothi O. Tombar, Secretary Willie C.W. Chiang, Vice President, Nominating & Governance Vijay D´Cruz, Vice President, Development Melanie Gray, Vice President, Special Projects Curt D. Karges, Vice President, Finance & Audit Theresa Mallett, Vice President, Education & Community Engagement Melanie B. Rother, Vice President, Sales & Marketing

DIRECTORS

Leah R. Bennett Meg Booth (Ex Officio) Chree Boydstun Michael Cannon Charles D. Davidson Theresa A. Einhorn Stephen M. Gill Michael Hatfield Emily T. Kuo Eileen Lawal Katherine Easterby Murphy Ann V. Rogers Stephen M. Trauber

DIRECTORS EMERITI

Norah G. Adams

Gloria Ryan

James J. Postl

Charles C. Boettcher

Marisol Salazar

Robert B. Tudor III

Sean Gorman

Omar Samji

Marcus A. Watts

Shawn K. Jackson

Leslie Elkins Sasser

Donette Manley

Kristina H. Somerville

Ginni Mithoff

Margaret Alkek Williams

Michaelene Lusk Norton Lance G. Reynolds

John T. Jones, Jr. Founder (1917-1994) Jesse H. Jones II President, SPA Foundation

Acknowledgements SEASON SPONSORS

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

FUNDED IN PART BY

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

4 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

YOU’RE GOING TO LIKE WHERE THIS IS GOING SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS IS ON A MISSION.

BY BRIAN GLASS Many stories begin with Once Upon a Time. But we’re going to start with the Happily Ever After: Society for the Performing Arts has a vision for the future of arts in Houston and we’re making it a reality.

After more than a year of collaborating with our board, staff, and community partners, we published a new Strategic Plan in fall 2020. Building on more than five decades of success in presenting major artists and arts education programs, the plan will be our guide over the next several years. It outlines who we are, where we're going, and how we’ll get there.

Who we are is our mission—why we're here and why we do what we do. Our mission drives everything and it's what we always come back to.

OUR MISSION Society for the Performing Arts connects audiences with exceptional artists through diverse performances and learning experiences. We ignite and cultivate passion for the performing arts and together we explore the vast landscape of artistic expression to discover new understanding about ourselves, create community, inspire dialogue, and enrich our world.

Where we’re going, that Happily Ever After, is our vision— one where SPA is an essential part of our communities, a space where live arts thrive, a Houston cultural leader with programs and initiatives on the scale of dreams.

OUR VISION We provide the most diverse and relevant performing arts experiences in Houston. We are essential to our community, providing space for audiences from all walks of life to experience connection through the arts. Through equitable representation and opportunity, we support and amplify the voice of the artist to create positive social, cultural, and economic growth.

How will we get there? Our mission, values and beliefs will be our guide as we write the future of the performing arts in Houston, here at SPA. Our return to the stage for the 21/22 Season is one exciting new chapter. Without giving away any spoilers—many big things are on the way. And we invite you to join us for them all.

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 5

The Transformative Power of the Arts WHAT WE BELIEVE AT SPA

BY CLAIRE WILLIAMSON Our new strategic plan features We Believe statements that expand on our mission to connect audiences with exceptional artists. Below, we explore some of those statements through the lens of community partnerships, specifically, a recent and rewarding collaboration with The HUB Houston (Heard. Understood. Believed In.).

During the past season, our team experienced many challenges and many opportunities for growth and innovation. A reflection on one such opportunity is here.

We Believe the performing arts are for everyone and every person is welcome.

All people in our community should have access to the performing arts and see themselves represented on stage.

Through collaborations with community partners, SPA’s Education & Community programs reached students, teachers, and audiences across Houston both virtually and through physically

distanced experiences. A partnership with community school The HUB Houston provided an in-person, distanced, arts appreciation residency to neurodiverse students.

We Believe the performing arts are an essential part of life-long learning; they fuel growth, creativity, self-confidence, aspiration, and empathy.

During 10 sessions, students at The HUB experimented self-expression, built self-confidence, and engaged with each other and the arts through a curriculum that explored dance, visual art, theater, and music through the lens of SPA’s exceptional artists. The residency provided opportunities to experiment with different artistic disciplines and genres and followed students’ positive feedback and interests to allow for deep engagement.

In this mode of experimentation, SPA Education & Community collaborated with DACAMARA education programs at the school to culminate the program in an outdoor student-crafted song & dance mini-performance.

6 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

We Believe there is no substitute for the shared experience of live performing arts. The arts are a universal language that create empathy, giving us a deeper understanding of each other and our histories, cultures, and values. When we experience the arts together, we build and strengthen community.

The smiles (behind face shields) and ever-increasing positive engagement from students signaled not only the success of the program for the classroom, but also the incredible reward that comes with taking the time and effort to bring the arts and arts education to every community and every student. This simple, weekly shared experience during the spring deepened community partnerships and created a special moment of arts appreciation and exploration for students.

These moments make us grateful for the performing arts, for our role inspiring and educating students, and for the tenacity and resilience of our community.

21/22 SEASON FEATURED PROGRAM SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS presents

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1 | 7:30 PM MILLER OUTDOOR THEATER Nella Rojas, vocals Gilad Barakan, guitar Parker McAllister, bass Jharis Yokley, drums Program to be announced from the stage Duration: 90 minutes, without intermission

Sponsored in part by the City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board

8 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

ABOUT THE ARTIST Born in Venezuela, Nella skyrocketed to international renown u f eled yb her powerhouse voice and undeniable presence. n I a short time, she went rf om Berklee College of u M sic graduate to winner of the 2019 Latin Y M RA G ® w A ard o f r Best New Artist. flat same year, her u f ll-length debut, “ Voy” (I Go) received acclaim rf om NPR and yielded the hit “Me Llaman Nella” (fley Call eM Nella) which surpassed 1.4 million p S otify streams and 1.4 million YouTube views. n I adid tion, the title track was named the 14 th best song of 2019, in any genre, yb The New York Times.

“Nella, a Venezuelan singer living in New York who can convey flamenco tension even in a near-whisper.”

The New York Times eM rging the o f lklore roots of Venezuela, modern production and n A dalusian inspirations, her sound resounds in every corner of the globe. Not only has she packed venues throughout the n U ited tS ates, Venezuela, eM ix co, p S ain and the K,U she has also accompanied lA ejandro Sanz, eJ nnifer Lp ó ez, Carlos Vives, u L is n E rique, Susana Baca, Los m A igos n I visibles, o M nsieur eP riné, Caramelos de Cianuro and u G aco as a soloist. Notably, cA ademy® w A ard winner Asghar aF rhadi recruited her to join the -A list cast of his lm Everybody Knows alongside cA ademy® w A ard winner aJ vier Bardem, iR cardo Darín and cA ademy® w A ard winner eP nélope rC uz. Illuminating her talents, she performed songs written exclusively o f r the screenplay. tI opened at the Cannes iF lm eF stival to rapturous applause. Learn more atnellarojas.com.o F llow on n I stagram @nellarojasm .

Saturday, February 5, 2022 Cullen Theater at Wortham Center 7:30 PM Tickets at spahouston.org

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

FUNDED IN PART BY

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

with SPA’s Newest Board Chair: MARK JODON

BY JORDAN DRUM Q: How did you first get involved with Society for the Performing Arts?

A: My wife, Kris, and I moved to Houston in 1985. We both enjoy the performing arts. Soon after we arrived in Houston, we discovered SPA. The seasons offered such a variety of performances. We have been attending performances for more than 35 years.

Q: Why do you believe it’s important to support the arts?

A: There has not been a day when I have not sung a few lines of a song, hummed a tune without thinking about it, snapped

my fingers or tapped my foot to some rhythm. I suspect many people have the same experience to some degree.

The arts are an essential part of life, an essential part of spirit and soul, a piece of something divine in all of our hearts. I support the arts because they are essential to life and living in community. They are essential to the human experience.

A performance may be the thread that connects us to what we have in common, creating space for new conversation and perhaps even room for new friendships.

Q: What has it been like serving on an arts board through COVID-19?

10 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

A: It was a time when we saw the passion and commitment from so many people who love the performing arts and SPA step forward and offer their presence, their talents and their gifts to ensure this organization would emerge from the pandemic and be in a position to thrive once we were ready to return to the stages. This outpouring of support did not come from only current and past board members, but from SPA visionaries, community partners and so many people who are part of the SPA family. I saw how creative and responsive the SPA staff was to pivot quickly to virtual performances at a time when stages were shuttered

Pictured: Mark and Kris Jodon at their home, preparing for SPA’s 2020 Arts Forward Virtual Gala

for the indefinite future. Every single member of the SPA staff made significant contributions, provided critical leadership and made personal sacrifices for the sake of the arts. I cannot thank them enough for their commitment and dedication.

I reflect on this time with a sense of thanksgiving and gratitude – thankful to be a part of this amazing arts community and grateful that its legacy will live long beyond the darkness of the pandemic.

Q: Tell us about your background as an artist.

A: I love music. I participated in the musical arts in elementary school through high school, singing in choirs and performing in musicals. I even performed the role of Conrad Birdie in the musical Bye, Bye Birdie, and wore a gold sequins body suit! I know, some things cannot be unseen. Sorry.

I started writing poetry in college. I like to say I started writing poetry because of a woman, and I eventually married her! My poetry has been featured in the Houston Poetry Fest, displayed in a city hall with a photography exhibit, quoted in a doctoral dissertation, incorporated in a wedding ceremony, and read in contemplative worship services, in addition to being published in a variety of poetry journals and anthologies. I am the author of a fulllength book of poetry, Day of the Speckled Trout (Transcendent Zero Press) and a limited-edition chapbook, What the Raven Wants (Provision Press). I perform poetry readings as an Iconoclast Artist (www.iconoclast artists.org), where I am paired with a slam or performance poet and we create an evening of poetry, improbable friendships and deep conversation.

Q: What’s one of your favorite SPA performances?

A: My favorite performances are those where the artist and the audience have an immediate connection. The performances of Jeff Goldblum, Lila Downs and the iconic Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater are just a few examples that come to mind. Many years ago, Goran Bregovic & His Wedding and Funeral Orchestra performed in Jones Hall. This was the only time I ever experienced the audience charge the stage and dance in the aisles throughout the entire performance. It was an amazing (and very memorable) evening.

Q: What are you most looking forward to this season?

I am excited for us to return to live performances. There is something so special about being in the audience, hearing the pre-curtain buzz, the audience’s response to the curtain rising, absorbing the electricity of the artist’s passion and being part of the excitement that continues after the performance as we leave the hall.

I am looking forward to the broad expanse of artistry this season offers. I am looking forward to being in community with artists and people who love the arts. I am looking forward to making memories.

Needle & Thread At first all we thought we had was a black bolt of cloth.

Eventually we unrolled the cloth and when we held it up before us there was a pinhole of light.

Hope is a needle and thread we pull through the darkness.

Here there are many hands teaching us to sew. Hands threading the needle for us, holding and feeding the cloth.

Hands basting and tacking our places.

Hands guiding our stitches away from raw edges; hands darning the worn areas.

We are all seamstresses in this darkness waiting for our needle and thread.

Q: Would you be willing to share a poem with us?

This poem [right] was written for all of us as we emerge from the isolation of the pandemic.

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 11

21/22 SEASON FEATURED PROGRAM SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS presents

Commissioning Project Live: Part One FRIDAY, OCTOBER 15 | 7:30 PM SATURDAY, OCTOBER 16 | 7:30 PM JONES HALL World Premieres & SPA Commissions by Say Girl Say, with Two Star Symphony & Input/Output Patrick “PJ” Davis Loop38 & Houston Contemporary Dance Company Jason Cochran, Lighting Designer

Duration: 75 minutes, with two pauses These performances are planned to be general admission, with social distancing These performances are presented in the inaugural year of an initiative to promote and sustain Houston’s working artists and artist communities by supporting the creation of new works across all performing arts disciplines.

Made possible in part by

THE CULLEN FOUNDATION Houston Artist Commissioning Project artist awards are made possible in part by the SPA Foundation through the Mattox Fund for New Works.

12 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

BECOMING SAY GIRL SAY

Brigette Yawn, viola, ukulele & vocals Suad Ihsan, vocals & percussion

TWO STAR SYMPHONY

Debra Brown, violin & percussion Margaret Lejune, cello Cathy Power, glockenspiel, marimba, accordion & percussion Chris Bakos, bass & vocals John Duboise, clarinet & percussion Kirk Suddreath, drums & percussion

INPUT OUTPUT

Alex Ramos, Technobrujeaux Billy Baccam, Technowizard BECOMING is a unique sonic and visual collaboration composed of local artists Say Girl Say, Two Star Symphony and INPUT OUTPUT. This performance reflects the human experience on an epic journey through love, exploration and the ultimate evolution of “becoming” the most authentic and true version of who we are. Our world is a complex landscape filled with lessons that can only be remedied by the power of forgiveness, self-love and compassion to heal ourselves and heal the world.

PAUSE

BLACK, BLUE, ALL LIVES; OH MY! • ALL LIVES MATTER • BLUE LIVES MATTER • BLACK LIVES MATTER • MAKE AMERICA GREAT Patrick “PJ” Davis, producer/co-director Contrina Jala Buggs, director

POETS John Ross

Ashlie Thomas Young

Equality

Outspoken Bean

BLACK, BLUE, ALL LIVES; OH MY! is a collection of poems that taps into the height of tension between African Americans and law enforcement, with police brutality and resisting arrest at its crossroads of bias and stereotypes in America. Ignited by the wondering eyes of public opinion, media spin and scrutiny, four poets illustrate different perspectives as they paint the pictures of truth and rhetoric under the guise of America’s game, football, with each party playing to win.

programming continued 

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 13

Houston Artist Commissioning Project Live: Part One (continued)

PAUSE

BODY AND SPIRIT (CORPÓREA Y ESPÍRITU) Music by Gabriela Ortiz

LOOP38

Doug DeVries, flute Julian Hernandez, clarinet Paulus Maxwell, clarinet Russell Haehl, trumpet Maxwell Paulus, horn

Matt Flanders, percussion Caitlin Mehrtens, harp Jacob Schafer, violin

Bree Ahern, cello Casey Karr, bass Craig Hauschildt, conductor

HOUSTON CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY Jesus Acosta, co-choreographer, dancer Dwain Travis, co-choreographer, dancer Risa D’Souza, dancer Genene Wallis-McGrath, dancer

BODY AND SPIRIT (CORPÓREA Y ESPÍRITU) celebrates human connection and relationships, while also honoring the challenging divisions we have yet to overcome. This work interlaces the evocative music of Gabriela Ortiz performed by Loop38 musicians, and the brand-new choreography created by Jesus Acosta and Dwain Travis of the Houston Contemporary Dance Company.

At the heart of the project is Ortiz’s Corpórea (2014), an 18-minute musical work that explores the dichotomies of life such as “body and mind, matter and soul, reason and intuition.” In highlighting those dichotomies, we can see it is the space between those polarities and how they interact that allows for the vibrancy and complexity of human nature. As we navigate social injustice, physical isolation and our daily search for meaning, it is clear we must rely on both the physical and the spiritual within ourselves. By pairing Ortiz’s music with choreography, this work explores these dichotomies through both the tangible reality of dance and the intangible form of sound.

From the politics of liberalism and conservatism, to the power dynamics inherent in race and culture, to gender expression and sexuality, opening one’s mind to the space between the binary can illuminate and liberate. May this collaboration of music and dance speak to the power of those things that connect opposing forces in this world.

14 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Houston Artist Commissioning Project Live: Part One

SAY GIRL SAY is composed of Brigette Yawn and Suad Ihsan who are self-taught songwriters and musicians born and raised in Houston.

The band formed in 2012 starting as a new friendship which grew into a local staple at open mic nights and local bars, eventually becoming crucial for events within Houston’s underground artist community.

They describe the band as a “genre-bending multi-instrumental duo.”

Their signature sound is known for articulate soaring vocal harmonies, lyrical finesse and entrancing melodies backed by eclectic instrumental production. In May 2015, Say Girl Say released its first self-titled record Say Girl Say. Say Girl Say has earned local accolades such as “Best Alternative Act” and “Most Weird Act” from the Houston Press Music Awards ‘15-’16. Since then, the band has performed at SXSW, CMJ, Art Outside, Houston Whatever Fest, River Revival, In Bloom and many others.

In 2019, Say Girl Say partnered with sign language interpreter Amber Galloway-Gallego, who specializes in music interpreting for a mini-docu series Music Has No Bounds sponsored by Dell. This collaborative experience depicted the representation of the deaf and hard of hearing community and bridged the gap for cultural linguistic minorities in America by making meaningful and genuine connections through music.

Say Girl Say has evolved over the years, recently writing and recording its sophomore album Let My Hair Down, which was released in Spring 2021. Follow on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter @saygirlsay. Listen along on Spotify at https://spoti.fi/2SxRFIM and watch on YouTube at https://bit.ly/3f6PCTG.

TWO STAR SYMPHONY has been described as “Houston’s most unusual music ensemble.” The band works differently than most classical ensembles in that every member is also a composer. Songs are collaboratively written and arranged, with each player responsible for his or her own parts. By the time the songs are finished, the music is memorized. Two Star does not create sheet music, so the player is free to focus on listening rather than reading and to play in the dark, which is advantageous for theater and dance. The group also has a unique way of scoring silent films that allows players to react to the screen rather than having their eyes on their music.

Composing and performing all-original music in quartet, quintet and octet configurations, Two Star brings modern instrumental music to a wide range of audiences, from classical music enthusiasts to first-time listeners. The dark, distinctive sound is inspired by Dr. Dre, cartoons, hauntings, skulls, graveyards, black cats, Dominic Walsh, Danny Elfman and Tom Waits.

Two Star Symphony has a history of collaboration with other artists and mediums. It has created original works for American Ballet Theatre Studio Company, Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre, Whim W’him Dance Company, Bobbindoctrin Puppet Theater, The Museum of Fine Arts and The University of Houston School of Theatre and Dance. The band has released six albums. More at twostarsymphony.wordpress.com. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @twostarsymphony.

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 15

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Houston Artist Commissioning Project Live: Part One

INPUT/OUTPUT is a creative media lab composed of Billy Baccam and Alex Ramos.

Billy Baccam, a Dallas native, studied fashion design at the University of North Texas and electrical engineering at the University of Houston before moving to New York to join an entrepreneurial program with a budding tech startup as chief technology officer. Once back in Houston, Billy was invigorated to merge his passion and skills of art and technology through creative coding and interactive art.

Alex Ramos, a Mexican-born artist, studied at the University of Houston and the Art Institute of Houston and is a veteran of the Iraq and Afghan wars. He previously worked at Apple, taught computer science at the WIDE School and is the Museum Public Programs and Education Curator at Seismique. Alex was seeking ways to integrate art with technology as well, learning various programs to manipulate color and light in a style all his own.

Together, Billy and Alex formed INPUT/OUTPUT to research, design and develop immersive, digital-physical experiences that challenge the ideas of what reality is and what reality can be in the future.

Born out of a collaboration that lit up the inaugural Illectric River Festival in 2017, they bring inanimate structures and spaces to life by combining art, science, technology and architecture with the creative implementation of light and sound. Each brings innovative approaches along with unique human experiences that shape their artistic process.

INPUT/OUTPUT has sought to make its mark on Houston, partnering with local artists, institutions and events such as Dream Machine, The Health Museum, Art Car Ball, Nuit Blanche, HUE Mural Festival and Seismique Museum, among many others, to provide unique and novel experiences for people to enjoy. More information at www.inputoutput.space. Follow on Facebook @inputoutput.space and Instagram @1nput0utput.

PATRICK “PJ” DAVIS was born and raised in Beaumont (Golden Triangle). Graduate of McNeese State University, he is a creative and social activist based in Houston and founder of the poetry troop Starving Poets, Ink. PJ has produced homegrown events such as the Starving Poets: Poetic House Party and worked with many other landmark events such as Poetry Lounge Houston, Houston International Jazz Festival and Tournament of the Stars. He has also been a pioneer on the arts scene co-producing and collaborating with many events from poetry, comedy, theater, jazz, live music and major festivals. He is the father of a beautiful daughter, Phoenix. More at www.713Black.com.

16 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

Houston Artist Commissioning Project Live: Part One

LOOP38 is a boundary-pushing, artist-driven new music ensemble that aims to build community around innovative, stimulating and culturally relevant musical experiences.

Since its debut in 2016, Loop38 has performed a wide range of works by local composers, young and upcoming voices, and globally established artists. Frequenting a variety of neighborhoods throughout Houston, Loop38 has performed in venues such as the Rothko Chapel, the Turrell Skyspace at Rice University, the Silos at Sawyer Yards, the Live Oak Friends Meetinghouse, the First Congregational Church of Houston, MATCH and the Archway Gallery.

Loop38 cherishes opportunities to work closely with composers and artists from other disciplines to create unique artistic experiences. Past collaborations have involved the Rice University Theater Department, Apollo Chamber Players, the Moody Center for the Arts, WindSync, University of Houston’s Blaffer Art Museum, Musiqa and several artists in residence at Sawyer Yards.

As an ensemble, Loop38 prioritizes each individual, celebrating and honoring personal experiences, while working together and drawing upon those experiences to form a cohesive, unified voice. Members work to build relationships between audiences, performers, composers and collaborators. In those relationships, Loop38 embraces opportunities for diverse voices to participate and share their stories. Learn more at loop38.org. Follow on Facebook @loop38 and Instagram @loop.38.

HOUSTON CONTEMPORARY DANCE COMPANY (HCDC) is a fresh, brand-new arts organization whose mission is to ignite passion for contemporary dance by providing world-class professional repertory concert performances and community engagement activities that are accessible to all regardless of race, culture, sexual orientation, gender, gender variance or nationality. Each season, led by founder and artistic director Marlana Doyle and drawing from her 20-plus years of curatorial experience, HCDC presents vibrant and compelling works of art.

HCDC aims to lead and innovate performing arts in Houston by drawing upon the director’s long tradition of inclusiveness and diversity within all facets of the organization. It sets itself apart by employing high caliber performing and choreographic artists from across the country. In setting high technical and artistic standards, HCDC is currently the only contemporary repertory company to provide Houston audiences with opportunities to view works created by some of America’s most exciting dancemakers that speak to and are representative of the full spectrum of Houston’s diverse populace, all the while supporting talented Texas-based artists.

HCDC aims to be a vital component in keeping contemporary dance alive in Houston and firmly positioning the city as a cultural center for dance by building broad participation and support for contemporary dance. Learn more at www.houstoncontemporary.org/. Follow on Facebook and Instagram @houstoncontemporary.

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 17

21/22 SEASON FEATURED PROGRAM SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS presents

ALTON BROWN LIVE: BEYOND THE EATS TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2 | 7:30 PM JONES HALL Duration: 2 hours, with one intermission

18 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

AB O U T THE ART IST TOAL N W BRO N has been on the Food Network for more than 20 years and is best known as the creator, writer and host ofGood Eats , Good Eats: Reloaded and Good Eats: e Return . He also hosted Cutthroat Kitchenand served as the culinary commentator on Iron Chef America . ere are two James Beard awards with Brown’s name on them in a drawer in his oce, and somewhere in the world there’s a coveted Peabody awarded forGood Eatsthat was stolen out of his car back in 2013. In his spare time, he’s working on his ninth book on food and cooking.

YOTAM OTTOLENGHI Monday, May 22, 2022 Cullen Theater at Wortham Center 7:30 PM Sponsored in part by

Tickets at spahouston.org

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

PHOTO BY ELENA HEATHERWICK

FUNDED IN PART BY

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

Westwood Trust

21/22 SEASON FEATURED PROGRAM SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS presents

Commissioning Project Live: Part Two FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 12 | 7:30 PM SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 13 | 7:30 PM JONES HALL World Premieres & SPA Commissions by Riyaaz Qawwali Harrison Guy Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton Hudson Davis, Lighting Designer

Duration: 75 minutes, with two pauses These performances are planned to be general admission, with social distancing These performances are presented in the inaugural year of an initiative to promote and sustain Houston’s working artists and artist communities by supporting the creation of new works across all performing arts disciplines.

Made possible in part by

THE CULLEN FOUNDATION Houston Artist Commissioning Project artist awards are made possible in part by the SPA Foundation through the Mattox Fund for New Works.

20 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

SAINT KABIR’S POEMS IN QAWWALI Riyaaz Qawwali, several South Asian American artists who prefer to identify as a singular entity, performing vocals, percussion and harmonium KABIR DAS was a prolific poet of the Bhakti Tradition from South Asia, loved by the Hindu, Muslim and Sikh communities. This is true even today, evidenced by the fact that his poetry is sung in Hindu Bhajans, Sikh Shabads and Sufi songs. Saint Kabir’s poetry will be performed in a newly composed qawwali by Riyaaz Qawwali. The selected lyrics will tease out interfaith themes and the need for introspection for a worshiper.

The last several years have divided the South Asian immigrants settled in the Greater Houston area. The tumultuous political rifts that have transpired in South Asia have impacted the communities here. Taking inspiration from the region’s pluralistic heritage and the poetry of Saint Kabir, Riyaaz Qawwali looks to celebrate what each of these different communities has in common. The musicians’ hope with the commissioning is to activate art to facilitate healing. Perhaps the music and the subsequent community dialogue can act as a balm for the wounds of the past, allowing us to build afresh for a better tomorrow.

PAUSE

COLORED CARNEGIE Harrison Guy, choreographer John L. Cornelius II, music Kazi Owens, poetry Bryan Andre Sears, costumes Edgar Guajardo, set design Hudson Davis, lighting

Urban Souls Dance Company

Mayra Bullock, rehearsal director Walter J. Hull, Jr., executive director DANCERS: Andrea Oregon Anthony Davis Brittany Jones Courtney Sherman-Allen

Jade Devault Kaeleb Edward Lauren Burke

APPRENTICES: Tobaric Atkins-Montana Braylon Alexander Jasmine Hamilton

Sharieka Hall Tiara Blake Aniya Wingate

The COLORED CARNEGIE LIBRARY’s story began in 1907, when Houston’s Public Library denied service to a group of African American teachers. In response, they decided to advocate for their own library. It opened in 1913 in Houston’s Fourth Ward and was one of the first public libraries for African Americans west of the Mississippi River. It was also one of twelve segregated public libraries originally funded by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie between 1908 and 1924.

programming continued 

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 21

Houston Artist Commissioning Project Live: Part Two (continued)

PAUSE

THE WORLD’S INTERMISSION Deborah D.E.E.P. Mouton, director, playwright, projection design & set design Jsmooth Ink Graphics, video editing High School for the Performance and Visual Arts, set elements

Cast

Yolan Young, Father Rachel Dickson, Mother Joseph Palmore, Son Lyric Smith, Daughter THE WORLD’S INTERMISSION — As the world shutters under the weight of a global pandemic, members of one family find themselves considering the looming and lingering dangers they encounter in quarantine. While the greatest threat to some may be the virus, this 25-minute, one-act play which blends poetry, projections and storytelling elements considers how fragile mental health conditions, rising racial tensions and the coming Texas Spring serve as the perfect storm for imagining a new beginning. A Deep Ink Production.

ABOUT THE ARTIST RIYAAZ QAWWALI is an ensemble of musicians with South Asian roots founded and led by “Sonny” in 2006. While Qawwali has its roots in Sufi Islam, its musicians are religiously diverse and multi- ethnic; including Hindus, Muslims, Agnostics and Atheists. The ensemble is reflective of the cultural diversity of South Asia and the diverse South Asian community that calls Houston home.

Since 2016, the ensemble has lectured and performed at major universities and festivals, including Dartmouth University, Harvard University, University of Chicago, US Military Academy and several major museums. It has been featured by Huffington Post, NPR, The New York Times and Miami Herald.

Building interfaith harmony and bridging political divides through music have been a central part of Riyaaz Qawwali’s presentations since its inception. The group has released two traditional albums and several pieces on social media platforms. More information at riyaazqawwali.com. Follow on Facebook @riyaazq, or YouTube @riyaazqawwali.

22 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

Houston Artist Commissioning Project Live: Part Two

HARRISON GUY began his dance journey in the small town of La Marque, Texas.

He has captivated audiences across the nation through his inspirational and unique works of passion, beauty and activism that are rooted in African American history and culture. Building on his love for social dance and Hip-Hop, he affirmed his purpose and calling by studying dance at Prairie View A&M University. He continued his studies at the Houston Metropolitan Dance Center, Sam Houston State University, Deeply Rooted Productions in Chicago, Dallas Black Dance Theater and The Ailey School in New York.

He was a founding member of both Exclamation Dance Company and Dorrel Martin’s Dance Fusion in Houston. In 2004, he debuted his dance company Urban Souls Dance Company at the city-wide dance festival, Dance Houston.

Harrison has gained a reputation for creating soul-stirring works that shift the consciousness of the audience and inspire response. He facilitated a cultural exchange in Kigali, Rwanda and was commissioned to create a work at Vanderbilt University in 2015 to honor one of America’s most prominent composers, John Harbison. In 2016, he launched Houston’s first African American Dance Festival. He founded “Black Arts Movement Houston”, a gathering space for local creatives. Harrison is the inaugural artist in residence at Rice University through the CERCL Department where he is presenting a project for Black students and community called “Black Bodies in White Spaces”. He has won numerous awards which include Best Choreography for his work as Movement Director with Rec Room’s presentation of The Royale. He is the founder of the Charles Law Community Archive through the Black LGBTQ History and Heritage Project with the African American Library at The Gregory School.

In addition, he has taught dance for 18 years, at Codwell Elementary, Gregory-Lincoln Fine Arts Academy, Hamilton Middle School and Waltrip High School. Harrison has served the City of Houston as a member of the Mayor’s Quality of Life Committee and chair of the Mayor’s LGBTQ Advisory Board. He currently serves on the Mayor’s Policing Task Force. He is the Director of Arts and Culture for the 5th Ward Community Redevelopment Corporation. Follow on Facebook @urbansoulsdance and Instagram @urbansoulsdance.

DEBORAH D.E.E.P. MOUTON is an internationally known writer, educator, activist and Poet Laureate Emeritus of Houston. Formerly ranked the #2 Best Female Poet in the World, her work has appeared in Houston Noir by Akashic Press (2019), Black Girl Magic

by Haymarket Books (2019), Fjords Journal, Crab Orchard Review, as well as on NPR, BBC, ABC, Apple News, Blavity, Upworthy and across the TedX circuit. She serves as a contributing writer to Texas Monthly and Glamour. Her most recent poetry collection, Newsworthy, won honorable mention for the Summerlee Book Prize. A German translation, under the title SayTheirNames, is set to be released in Fall 2021 by Elif Verlag.

A fellow with The Writer’s Hotel and The Poetry Foundation’s Poetry Incubator, D.E.E.P.’s collaborations with The Houston Ballet, The Houston Rockets and the Houston Grand Opera have opened new doors for performance poetry. The opera, Marian’s Song, for which she wrote the libretto debuted in 2020 to roaring reviews. As a finalist for Texas State Poet Laureate, a Kennedy Center Citizen fellowship and the prestigious Breadloaf Retreat, her work has been highlighted and studied in Canada, England, New Zealand and Germany. She performed and led a workshop at the Leipzig in Autumn literary festival in 2018, where she bridged the gap between the poetry slam and international publishing communities.

D.E.E.P. holds two Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Michigan- Ann Arbor, in English and African American Studies respectively. She also holds a M.Ed. from the University of St. Thomas. She is a certified teacher with the State of Texas and has dedicated more than 15 years toward the education of young minds, the expansion of literacy and the dismantling of literary racism.

Follow on Facebook @LivingLifeDEEP and Instagram @livelifedeep.

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 23

Individual Supporters Society for the Performing Arts would like to thank the individuals who support our work through generous contributions throughout the year. For more information on donor benefits, please visit spahouston.org/donate or contact Jordan Drum at (713) 632-8104 or jdrum@spahouston.org.

We also wish to extend our sincere thanks to the hundreds of individuals included below who helped sustain Society for the Performing Arts through our Relief & Response Fund in the 20/21 Season.

$100,000+

$5,000–$9,999

Natasha and Michael Cannon Linda and Willie Chiang Nancy G. and Charles D. Davidson Leticia and Stephen M. Trauber

Anonymous Norah G. Adams Leah R. Bennett Duke and C.C. Ensell Amy and Jonathan C. Homeyer Susan and Michael Klaveness Mimi Lloyd Marilyn Maloney and Paul Longstreth Kristin and Lance Reynolds Ann V. Rogers Charlene and Tymothi O. Tombar Margaret Alkek Williams Syma and Walt Zerkow

$50,000–$99,999 Melanie Gray and Mark Wawro Kristina H. and Paul G. Somerville Janet and Bill Swanstrom

$25,000–$49,999 Casey and Chuck Boettcher Theresa A. Einhorn and Donald Yurewicz Kris and Mark Jodon Stephany and Curt D. Karges Emily T. Kuo and Michael Chu Janiece Longoria and Steve Lasher Beverly and Jim Postl Susan and Fayez Sarofim Leslie Elkins Sasser and Shannon Sasser

$15,000–$24,999 Mignon and Stephen M. Gill Jesse H. Jones II Miki Lusk Norton and Ralph E. Norton Melanie B. Rother and Justin Pack Mari Salazar

$10,000-$14,999 Chree Boydstun Patricia and Sig Cornelius Kourtney and Vijay D'Cruz Susan and Sean Gorman Susie and Michael Hatfield Shawn and Bill Jackson Yvonne and Mark Jacobs Eileen and Kase Lawal Theresa and Edward Mallett Ginni and Richard Mithoff Gary Rodriguez and Mike Ball Gloria and Nick Ryan

$1,000-$4,999 Anonymous Nancy C. Allen Leslie Alston Ashley Bales and Lee V. Strickland Meg and Brandon Booth Ron Boston Kristen and David Buck Chris Caddell Sandy and Thomas Cattarin Nancy Chafe Chris Chandler Susan E. Denson Mary and Carl Fischer Mary Van and David Grindle John and Cynthia Gualy Rene Haas and David Perry Sheila Heimbinder Shelley and William Horwitz David B. Jackson Taylor and Daniel Kaufman Lilia D. Khakimova and C. Robert Bunch Emily Korinek and Jordan Drum Kathryn E. Lott Jane and Steve Malashock Donette and Jeff Manley Anna McDonnell Vickie L. Milazzo amd Tom Ziemba Paul L. Mitchell Katherine Easterby Murphy Barbara E. Murray and Ernesto D. Baca Leslie and Kent Nelson Kathryn O'Brien

24 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

The Parris-Cochinwala Family Laura and Daniel Pears Christina and Troy Porter Sam Quintero Demi and Ron Rand Meredith and Michael Rice Jay Ring Rabia and Omar Samji Mark C. Schroeder John B. Thomas Susan L. Thompson Patricia and Michael Tilton David Uthe Wilson Van Tine James Williams Gina and Joseph Wyszynski

$500-$999 Latasha Bell Dona and Bob Chambers Carl R. Cunningham Joe J. Fisher Jr. Denis Flanigan John Halbur Tracy and Ken Janda Beth Diane Landay Masha and Richard Lunam Bruce Lundstrom Teresa J. McCanlies Neil E. Mellen and Mavin H. Martin David L. Peavy and Stephen R. McCauley Tricia and Alan Ratliff Lila Rauch Bryan Scrivner Lynda Seaman Randal and Robert Smith Mary and Martin Vandenbrook Alero and Thomas Waterhouse Tonya Williams Nora and Charles Zabriskie

$250-$499 Anonymous Amr Abouleish Molly and Jerry Adams Roy Allice Anne and German Amador Carol Brooks Berglass

Individual Supporters

Monika Bertoni Thomas Booth and Dale Cover Julie Bortolotti Peter Botvin Claudia Brown Barbara Bullock Emily Bullock Richard Carter Denise Castillo-Rhodes and Bob Sergesketter Edward Cazier Kendra Clark C.C. Conner Janice Cormier Janet Covington Rodney Cox Jill Cude Mary and Mike Espinosa Berenice Espinoza John Eymann Jennifer Feldmann Mary Gleason Torsten Gretz Kevin J. Grice Kathy Grubbs David Guetzow Byron Gulick Lee Ann Hellums Irene and Marc Helsinger Suzanne Holyfield Celia Homer Scott Howard Christopher M. Johns-Krull Richard Knight Tina Lee Wendy Lee-Graham Dena Linda Larissa Lindsay and W. Stuart Bailey III Barry Mandel James Marbach Vikki Marsh Thomas Mills Timothy Molloy Juliana Montgomery Randy Morrow Jeff Munoz Sandra Murray Kathy Parven Andrea and Carl Peterson Valerie Phipps Monique and Steve Pinckney Janice Quackenbush Melissa Reid and Jeff Gibb Sandra Dittrick Reid Cali Ritter Christa Robbins Bowen Roberts Stephanie Ross

Stephan Shaw Aaryn Silva Sharon Snyder Elizabeth Sparks Rhonda Stewart Nicholas Stuart Johanna Sweed Vita and Boris Taksa Shontell Thomas Sheila Valley-McBrinn Lori van Veldhoven Jane Vaselenak Amanda Videtich Georgia Viret Friederich von Schenk Janet Waid Charles Ward Paul and Lisa Welch Joyce Wellman Cheryl Williamson Marissa Yu

$100-$249 Dorothy and Mickey Ables Barbara and Mike Adams Hadiyah Aluqdah Sarah Andrews Jami Arnst Barry Baisden Diana Baker Lani Baker Debbie and Franklin Ballard Laurel and Jeb Bashaw Kipp and Harry Baxter Sam Baxter Roslyn Bazzelle Paul Beguin Patricia and Scott Benesh Linda Bennett and Jeffrey Nunn Leslie Berardo Pantaleon Beverly Emily E. Bhatti Paul M. Bitner Ruthlynn Black Michele Blackburn Kayleigh Blevins Janica Boles Dorothy Boone Douglas Bosse Pamela Boyd Belinda Bracht Michael Bradford Cathy Breeden Lisa Brenskelle James Broadfoot Trevina Broussard Lucy Buencamino

Amy Burns N.C. Cafarelle-Guidry and Randy Guidry Ben Carpenter Constance Cephus Suzanne Cetrullo Andrew Chaney Cristina Checka Denise Cheplick Penny and Bill Clark Kristin Clermont Cindy Clifford Joan Cohen Ana Colina Douglas Constance Cathi Cook Jocelyn Corbett Margaret Culbertson Angelique Cunningham Richelle Cynowa Janice and William J. Dana Patricia Davis Mary Dawson Lynn Derrick Ida Diamond JeanMarie Diskin Karen Doolittle Mary J. Doornbos D.M. Droogleever Sarah A. Duckers and Mark Davidson Jane and Richard Dudek Joel Dye Douglas Edit Tejuana Edmond Mynde Eisen Nicole Elliott Alexandra Emsley Susan Entwistle Connie Evans Rivera Patricia A. Fadely Jeffery Faulkinbury Kimberley Felton Katy Fricke William Fu Diane Garey Maricarmen Garza Jeremy Gaskins Leslie Gassner Anson Gibson Marian and Philippe Gleize Valerie Gordon Sarah Gutierrez Lucila and Bill Haase The Hafle Family Suzanne Hall Lizzy Hargrove Margie Harrington Erin Hasbrouck Eduardo Hernandez

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 25

Individual Supporters

Julie Hester Melvyn Hetzel Susan Hightower Eric Hintz Brian Hodge Merlin Hoiseth Holly Holmes Robert Hopkins Anne Benedicte Houang Andrew F. Icken Robert Inaba Evelyn Ireton Harry W. Jackson Angela Jackson Hudson Carson Jarnagin Nikki Jennings Crystal Johnson Norma Johnson Sheila K. Johnstone Darla Jones Linda Kane Manpreet Kaur Linda Kelly Douglas Kenaley Lori Kennedy Rainey Knudson Micki Ko Jenny Koehler Jacob Kosior Ilianna Kuntz Courtney Landry Shoe Latif Pacquitta Laverents Mark Leger Kelly Levar Johnnie Lister Susan Litts Judy Liu Ryan Long Dolores Lopez-Cardenas and Eduardo M. Lopez Sommer Louie Dominic Macklon Donald Marcus Pauline Markenscoff Alex Martinez Hoyt T. Mattox Suzanne McAndrew Michelle McCormick David McKee Rose A. Medlin Patricia Medors Laura Mendoza Janet Meyer Alisa Miller

Anthony Miller Bonnie Milne April Mims Nancy Lee Mitchell Ann and John Montgomery Elizabeth Montz Wendy Moore Blaine Morris Norman Morrow Andrew Mosher Marci Murff Shelley Myers Karyn Nabhan Angela Nava Nelli Nikova John Ogletree Brenda Oliveira Leah Oren-Palmer Regan Orillac Susan S. Osterberg Sari Ozeri Gracie Padron Ruth Paige Robia Pautler Sara Peaks Jerry Petrizzo Melissa Peyton Harrison Phan Nathalie Phlips Zuleika Pierson Sharon Polt Sara Ptomey Walter Rabon Susan Resnick Rana T. Rice Jennnifer Richardson Jane Robinson Melanie Rogers Margaret Rudd Ann Saunders H. Irving Schweppe Kerry Seizinger Carlos Serrano Sheryl A. Shafer Emily Shields Jessica Sinclair David Smith Roger Smith III Nina Staats Michelle Star Deborah and David Stern Rebecca Storey Sofia Straus Cynthia Sudela Sylvia Sundqvist

Listings Accurate as of 9/19/2021 26 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

Amy Tanner Rebecca Tapick Ann-Marie Tcholakian Felicia Tew Justin Thekkekara Heather Thiel Julie Thyne Edda Tinis Stephani Tipton Eleanor and Jon Totz Erick Tournier Shelley Townsend Saundra and Mark Truett Nicole Tunmire Ashley Turner Tamika Tyson Priti Ubhayakar Hywel Upshall and Tracey Rankin Faith Vedder Stephanie Viator Angelita Villarreal Hannah Villarreal Jacqueline Villarreal John Vitucci William V. Walker Gail Walsh Cheryl Walters Jamie Webster Michelle Wettig Nikolas White Susan Whitfield Bettina M. Whyte Kenneth Williams Stacey Wilson Ximena Wood Barbara A. Woolhandler Courtney Young Scott M. Zindler Rachel Zoch

Institutional Partners Society for the Performing Arts 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@spahouston.org.

We also wish to thank the institutional supporters who helped sustain Society for the Performing Arts through our Relief & Response Fund in the 20/21 Season.

CORPORATE PARTNERS $50,000+

$10,000–$19,999

$5,000–$9,999

ConocoPhillips† H-E-B†

711 Fit* American Bank Bank of Texas Barclays BBVA - Houston The Friedkin Group*† Houston First Locke Lord LLP† Plains All American Shearman & Sterling LLP TD Securities United Airlines*† Wells Fargo†

Boeing Tombar Energy Holdings, Inc. Winstead PC

$20,000-$49,999 Le Méridien Hotel Houston Downtown* Truist Bank Westwood Wealth Management

$1,000-$4,999 Ahmad, Zavitsanos, Anaipakos, Alavi & Mensing PC Dobrowski Larkin & Stafford LLP Bracewell LLP Hicks Thomas LLP Legacy Community Health Services

FOUNDATIONS & GOVERNMENT AGENCIES $100,000+ The City of Houston through Houston Arts Alliance† The Cullen Foundation Houston Endowment, Inc.† Humphreys Foundation† Society for the Performing Arts Foundation† The Wortham Foundation, Inc.†

$50,000-$99,999 The Brown Foundation, Inc.† The Margaret and James A. Elkins Foundation

M.D. Anderson Foundation† William Stamps Farish Fund

Mid-America Arts Alliance The Vaughn Foundation†

$30,000-$49,999

$5,000-$9,999

National Endowment for the Arts Texas Commission on the Arts†

$20,000-$99,999 The Cullen Trust for the Performing Arts†

George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation† Albert & Ethel Herzstein Charitable Foundation The City of Houston through the Miller Theatre Advisory Board, Inc.†

$10,000-$19,999 The Alkek and Williams Foundation† Kayser Foundation†

MATCHING GIFT SUPPORTERS The Coca-Cola Company ExxonMobil HP

Listings Accurate as of 9/13/2021

Legacy Community Health Services LyondellBasell

Murphy Oil Corporation Phillips 66 *Includes in-kind support †Indicates 10+ years of consecutive support

Encore Magazine — Fall 2021 | 27

NEIL deGRASSE

TYSON ASTRONOMY BIZARRE Monday, January 17, 2022 Jones Hall • 7:30 PM

FUNDED IN PART BY

PHOTO BY DAN DEITCH

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 LIVE Wednesday, January 19, 2022 Cullen Theater at Wortham Center 7:30 PM

Featuring Revelations in every performance!

February 18–19, 2022 Friday 7:30 PM Saturday 2 PM & 7:30 PM Jones Hall Tickets at spahouston.org PHOTO BY ANDREW ECCLES

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

FUNDED IN PART BY

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

SUBSCRIBE AND SAVE! OCT 15–16 NOV 2 NOV 12–13 JAN 17 JAN 19 JAN 28 FEB 5 FEB 15 FEB 18–19

Houston Artist Commissioning Project LIVE: Part 1

MAR 11

Seong-Jin Cho Plays Chopin

Alton Brown Live: Beyond The Eats

APR 4

Drum Tao 2022

Houston Artist Commissioning Project LIVE: Part 2

APR 9

SW!NG OUT Directed by Caleb Teicher

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Astronomy Bizarre Mystery Science Theater 3000 LIVE: Time Bubble Tour

APR 10

Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood LIVE: Neighbor Day

APR 28

David Sedaris

Jeff Goldblum & The Mildred Snitzer Orchestra An Evening with Chris Thile

MAY 2

Yotam Ottolenghi

MAY 6

A.I.M by Kyle Abraham: An Untitled Love

An Evening with Fran Lebowitz

MAY 17

Black Violin

Alvin Ailey ® American Dance Theater

MAY 22

Neil Gaiman

Buy 3 or more shows when you call 713-227-4772 and you'll save 15% of the cost of single tickets.

FUNDED IN PART BY

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE