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SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

MAGAZINE

Winter 2022

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER PHOTO BY DARIO CALMESE

One of the most important contemporary dance companies in the world returns.

LISTEN TO THIS! SEONG-JIN CHO PLAYS CHOPIN

Friday, March 11, 2022 Cullen Theater at Wortham Center • 7:30 PM Works by Janáček, Ravel, and Chopin

spahouston.org DRUM TAO 2022 Monday, April 4, 2022 Jones Hall • 7:30 PM

Fun for the whole family!

spahouston.org

SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS

ENCORE WINTER 2022

Contents

Chris Thile

The Grammy Award-winning artist joins SPA at Cullen Theater, Saturday, February 5.

DR. ZAHI HAWASS: RAMSES THE GREAT AND THE GOLD OF THE PHARAOHS JAN 10 | Jones Hall

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: ASTRONOMY BIZARRE JAN 17 | Jones Hall

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 LIVE: TIME BUBBLE TOUR JAN 19 | Cullen Theater

JEFF GOLDBLUM & THE MILDRED SNITZER ORCHESTRA JAN 28 | Jones Hall

AN EVENING WITH CHRIS THILE FEB 5 | Cullen Theater

AN EVENING WITH FRAN LEBOWITZ FEB 15 | Jones Hall

ALVIN AILEY AMERICAN DANCE THEATER FEB 18-19 | Jones Hall

FEATURES 3 Audience Guide 4 Letter from the CEO 8 Interview with SPA Visionaries Christina & Troy Porter 2 6 SPA Supporters

MAGAZINE is the official magazine of Society for the Performing Arts Alexandra Drake Publication Editor Melanie O’Neill Design & Production Elaine Reeder Mayo Editorial Consultant Ventures Marketing Group Matt Ross Advertising 713.417.6857

SOCIETY FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS 2021–22

Board of Directors 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 Alexandra Drake Communications Manager

Helena Oliver Development Manager, Individual Giving & Events Michelle Pacheco Patron Services Manager

Jordan Drum Director of Development Brian Glass Director of Marketing Devin Kennamore Accounting Manager Brenda Oliveira Board Liaison & Executive Assistant

Jennifer Steiner Director of Operations Lee Strickland General Manager

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 Leah R. Bennett Meg Booth (Ex Officio) Chree Boydstun Michael Cannon Charles D. Davidson Theresa A. Einhorn Stephen M. Gill

Claire Williamson Director of Education & Community Engagement

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 more than 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. 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!

Michael Hatfield Emily T. Kuo Eileen Lawal Katherine Easterby Murphy Ann V. Rogers Stephen M. Trauber

DIRECTORS Norah G. Adams Charles C. Boettcher Sean Gorman Shawn K. Jackson Ginni Mithoff Michaelene Lusk Norton Lance G. Reynolds

Gloria Ryan Marisol Salazar Omar Samji Leslie Elkins Sasser Kristina H. Somerville Margaret Alkek Williams

DIRECTORS EMERITI James J. Postl Robert B. Tudor III

John T. Jones Jr. Founder (1917-1994)

Marcus A. Watts

Jesse H. Jones II President, SPA Foundation

SEASON SPONSORS

SEASON SPONSOR

OFFICIAL AIRLINE

FUNDED IN PART BY

THE CITY OF HOUSTON

THROUGH HOUSTON ARTS ALLIANCE

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Audience

E XPE RI ENCE GUI DE

HEALTH & SAFETY

PARKING

DOORS OPEN

At this time, all are required to wear masks inside the venue when not actively eating or drinking. Some artists may require additional safety protocols and all requirements are subject to change. More at spahouston.org/FAQ.

Event parking is available in the Theater District Parking garage for $12. Street parking in Downtown Houston is free after 6pm, MondaySaturday, and all day Sunday. Parking rates and availability are subject to change.

Unless otherwise noted, doors to the lobby will open 60 minutes prior to performance start time and seating inside the auditorium will open 30 minutes prior to start time.

LATE SEATING

FOOD & DRINK

ACCESSIBILITY

Late seating is at the discretion of the artist and may not be available. We suggest everyone arrive early, allowing extra time for parking, entry, and concessions inside the lobby.

Eating and drinking are only permitted in designated areas of the lobby. Please note that food and drinks are not allowed inside the auditorium.

For accessibility information, or to purchase accessibility seating, please contact the Box Office at 713.227.4772.

CHILDREN

DEVICES

TICKETS

Unless otherwise specified, all children ages 4 and above may attend SPA performances. Tickets must be purchased for all children, regardless of age, as required by the City of Houston Fire Code.

As a courtesy to others, please silence all electronic devices and refrain from using them during the performance. Even on silent, the glow from devices can be a distraction. Photography and recording of any kind are strictly prohibited.

All tickets are non-refundable. Tickets can be exchanged or donated up to 48 hours prior to the performance. Exchange fees are waived for all SPA Subscribers.

LET'S KEEP IN TOUCH Follow us @spahouston

Encore Magazine — Winter 2022 | 3

Letter

from the CEO Happy New Year! No matter where you are with resolutions, this new year will be packed with creativity, discovery, and fun as Society for the Performing Arts welcomes a wonderous variety of artists and speakers to Houston’s Theater District. We kick off the year with exploration, science, and laugher. We welcome the world’s foremost Egyptologist, Dr. Zahi Hawass, who will guide us through the world of Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs (Monday, January 10, Jones Hall). This program is presented in partnership with the Houston Museum of Natural Science whose world premiere exhibit on Ramses is currently on display at the Museum. Houston’s personal astrophysicist, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, returns to discuss cosmic quandaries like dark matter and the multiverse in Astronomy Bizarre (Monday, January 17, Jones Hall). Let loose with Mystery Science Theater 3000 Live: Time Bubble Tour as the hilarious group of lovable robots riffs through a screening of the 80’s sci-fi movie Making Contact (Wednesday, January 19, Cullen Theater). If you were lucky enough to be in Jones Hall when Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra made their Houston debut, opening our 19/20 season, you

know this is a night you won’t want to miss (Friday, January 28, Jones Hall). Jeff will impress with classic jazz, a dash of Texas Trivia (he does his homework), and an unbelievable amount of laughter. In February, the music continues with mandolin virtuoso Chris Thile (Saturday, February 5, Cullen Theater). You may know him as a member of Punch Brothers and Nickel Creek, or as the former host of the radio program Live from Here – either way, this multiple Grammy Award winning MacArthur “genius” will delight with music bridging bluegrass to Bach and beyond. He’s good, really good.

time since their first visit in 1971, I guarantee you, Revelations will make you feel better, lighter, and ready to re-commit to those New Year’s resolutions.

The evergreen intellect and celebrated humorist Fran Lebowitz shares her urban cool and acerbic wit with Houston audiences just after Valentine’s Day. (Tuesday, February 15, Jones Hall). The subject of the recent Netflix series Pretend it’s a City, Lebowitz will be interviewed by Houston personality Ernie Manouse and will then take your questions.

With so much joy in store for the year to come, I look forward to seeing you in the theater!

And if you’re still looking to replenish your soul after this pandemic, don’t miss one of the most influential and celebrated dance companies in the world, the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (Friday -Saturday, February 18-19, Jones Hall). Returning to Houston for the twentieth

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SPA is also delighted to share our new book club collaboration with the Harris County Public Library, Pages & Stages, based on our speaker series. Grab books at your local library branch and join us before the performances for discussions on works by Neil deGrasse Tyson (January 17), Fran Lebowitz (February 15), David Sedaris (April 28), and Neil Gaiman (May 22). Find more information on our website, spahouston.org.

Meg Booth CEO Society for the Performing Arts

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

DR. ZAHI HAWASS: RAMSES THE GREAT AND THE GOLD OF THE PHARAOHS MONDAY, JANUARY 10, 2022 | 7:30 PM JONES HALL Duration: 90 minutes, no intermission Travel back 3,200 years across the sands of the Sahara Desert to a god amongts men – Ramses the Great. Your guide this evening, Egyptian archaeologits and former Minister of State for Antiquities A–airs, Dr. Zahi Hawass, will untangle truth from the myth as he discuses the magni cent life, death, and conquests of this beloved and charismatic pharaoh. is lecture is oered in conjunction with the world premiere of Ramses the Great and the Gold of the Pharaohs, an exhibit presented by World Heritage Exhibitions and Cityneon and on view at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

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Society for the Performing Arts has partnered with Harris County Public Library to launch Pages & Stages, the SPA Book Club!

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Scan the QR code or visit spahouston.org/pagesandstages for details and registration.

World-renowned archaeologist, DR. ZAHI HAWA SS , has brought the world of the pharaohs into the homes and hearts of people everywhere. Known for his charisma, he uses his platform to raise public awareness for the conservation and protection of Egypt’s monuments and heritage. One of Dr. Hawass’s most important endeavors has been the Egyptian Mummy Project (EMP), which uses modern forensic techniques, including CT scans and DNA analysis, to answer questions about human remains from ancient Egypt. e EMP has resulted in several crucial ndings, including identications of the mummy of Queen Hatshepsut and members of the family of Tutankhamun and the cause of death of Rameses III. Dr. Hawass began as an inspector of antiquities and rose to the height of the profession in Egypt, becoming Secretary General of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, as well as the rst Minister of State for Antiquities.

Neil deGrasse Tyson’s Cosmic Queries JAN 17 | 5:30 PM | Jones Hall Fran Lebowitz’ The Fran Lebowitz Reader FEB 15 | 5:30 PM | Jones Hall David Sedaris’ The Best of Me APR 28 | 5:30 PM | Wortham Theater Center Neil Gaiman’s The Neil Gaiman Reader MAY 22 | 6:00 PM | Jones Hall

with SPA Visionaries CHRISTINA & TROY PORTER 8 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

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2019 Gala. Photo by Wilson Parish

BY JORDAN DRUM Q: How did you first get involved with SPA? A: As an adult, my involvement with Society for the Performing Arts started with romancing Christina, my wife. We met March 15, 2007, at a progressive dinner with an organization called Eight Friends Out. After we got married, I was looking for ways to continue dating my wife, so I bought tickets to see Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater in March 2009. I was still trying to impress her. As our commitment to each other grew so did our commitment to SPA in many ways. SPA had become such a positive force in our lives that we started volunteering with the Education and Community Engagement Committee and even helping during Theater District day. We eventually decided to become Visionary members in 2012. Q: Why do you believe it’s important to support the arts? A: It’s important to support the arts because the arts give individuals an opportunity to experience their world in a new way or to see the world from someone else’s perspective. The arts push one’s horizon beyond the mundane or the routine to consider that something more is possible. I, Troy, served for six years as chair for the Urban Enrichment Institute (formerly known as the Fifth Ward Enrichment Program), and I used this opportunity to expose a group of young boys of color to SPA with the intention of showing that these areas of society can be open to them as well. The arts also can create a meditative feeling or calmness within an individual. A perfect example are the fourteen abstract paintings hanging at the Rothko Chapel. I, Troy, serve as the current Rothko Chapel chair elect and I constantly urge people to visit this sacred art space to disconnect and to find their breath. In such a busy world, we are all more receptive to the universe’s message when we can stop and be still for five minutes. Art can be the vehicle to take us there.

Christina and I are fortunate enough through education and professional opportunities to enjoy the arts in such an intimate way. As the Global Estimating Manager of Capital Projects for Chevron Phillips Chemical Company and Christina as a speech therapist and owner of Porter Therapy, we want to do our part to give back and support the total art economy - meaning the valets, the restaurants, hotels, and the nonprofit operations. Most importantly, to support the artists to help ensure they will be here tomorrow. These artists show so much courage; many times, putting their art and their messages above profits and security in ways we could never imagine. Many times, the arts have the ability to bring all parts of society together. Whether we like it or not, many common spaces outside of work can seem rather segregated. Work, for some, is one of the few places where people are interacting with someone different than themselves. We’ve made such great friends with other couples and individuals that I can’t say we would’ve met otherwise. Q: Why do you support SPA in particular? A: This answer can be summed up with two words: Diversity and People. We support SPA specifically because it is the only performing arts organization that offers such diverse programs: contemporary dance, magic shows, comedy, puppet theatre, and author interviews. We truly enjoy this intentional mix of live performances within each season and from the past or upcoming seasons. We support SPA specifically because of the diversity of artists that are showcased each season: Alvin Ailey, tango dancing, Taiwanese dance theatre, Algerian hiphop dance, and contemporary ballet. I was asked to serve on the Strategic Planning Committee in the 19/20 Season and this was my first chance to learn the process in which acts are chosen. SPA has done a great job of providing a balance of acts that I believe appeal

to many people who make up the most diverse city in the nation: Houston. During that conversation, Meg asked if SPA has exhausted all possible ways to find artists. This type of reflection created the 21/22 Season local commissioned pieces. When we look at the art pieces commissioned for the 21/22 season, we applaud the courage Meg has shown to spotlight not only artists from Houston but also artists whose messages will stir conversation, even create uncomfortable feelings, but ultimately an eye-opening experience for the viewer, which is good. Believe me, Christina and I drove home reflecting on the messages from the performances. I, Troy—being from a community that has been fighting for equal exposure of different perspectives— must say “thank you” to Meg and the SPA staff for being so courageous. This was not easy in this environment. Last, we support SPA in particular because of the people who make it all happen. We see on average six to eight shows each season, so we spend many hours together with the SPA staff. Our friendship with each of the staff members has deepened over the years such that we feel like we are a part of the SPA family. If you are looking for a way to get involved in our community, in a program that not only supports the arts but also promotes community involvement and education around diversity and equality then I say look at SPA. Whether it involves going to a show, getting involved in one of their activities, or simply making a donation; I would like for you to consider SPA. Q: Do you have an artistic background? A: Christina smiled when she saw this question because I do. I consider myself to be quite the storyteller. That comes out when entertaining friends with stories about our vacations and when, in the early 2000s, I was a full-time professional magician. Part of being a magician is telling a story using magic as the plot or sub-plot. My parents thought I was nuts, but that’s okay. When I think of SPA, continued

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Encore Magazine — Winter 2022 | 9

Q&A with SPA Visionaries Christina & Troy Porter, continued my artistic talents are another example of life coming full circle. I didn’t want to grow to be an old man and regret never trying. Back in the late '70s, Doug Henning, the famous magician, performed at Jones Hall through SPA. I can’t say that I was conscious of being a magician as a teenager, but I have to believe that exposure helped me perceive my world in a much broader perspective, which in many ways comes back to our earlier discussion about the importance of the arts in our lives.

ever seen. Manual Cinema was like a glass of wine someone introduced you to while on vacation and you’ve not been able to find the wine back at home. Manual Cinema is special, one-of-kind, and unforgettable. We hope they can come back to Houston soon.

A: Obviously, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. The dance, the presentation, and the story are why we never miss them when they come to Houston.

We have to add Jeff Goldblum to this list of favorites. Unexpectedly, I had recently read a story about him and his jazz band playing every Thursday night at a club that very month. He was so much fun. A guy even proposed to his girlfriend and Jeff helped with the ask. The guy was so nervous and the audience, along with Jeff, was encouraging him to just ask. That was so much fun. During the cast party here, Jeff sung to Christina while we took pictures with him.

We were both blown away with Manual Cinema. They took puppet theatre to another level; beyond anything we had

A: We are looking forward to Alvin Ailey

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

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

Jeff Goldblum Cast Party. Photo by Daniel Ortiz.

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and Neil Gaiman. Ailey because we have a shared history, and they get our bodies and minds moving. We believe Neil Gaiman will be as engaging as Margaret Atwood’s interview from the 18/19 Season. Listening and learning from great authors like Gaiman and Atwood makes me a better storyteller.

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

NEIL DEGRASSE TYSON: ASTRONOMY BIZARRE MONDAY, JANUARY 17, 2022 | 7:30 PM JONES HALL Duration: 2 hours, no intermission –e list of cool things in the universe is long and occasionally scary: Black Holes, Dark Matter, Dark Energ y, Diamond Stars, Gamma Ray Bursts, White Holes, Worm Holes, Multiverses. Join Astrophysicits Neil deGrasse Tyson, head of NYC’s Hayden Planetarium and host of FOX’Cosmos: s A Spacetime Odyssey , for a review of all that bends the mind the most in the cosmos.

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AB O U T T H E ART I ST In addition to dozens of professional publications, Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson has written, and continues to write for the public. From 1995 to 2005, Tyson was a monthly essayist for Natural Historymagazine under the title Universe . Among Tyson’s 15 books is his memoir e Sky is Not the Limit: Adventures of an Urban Astrophysicist ; and Origins: Fourteen Billion Years of Cosmic Evolution , co-written with Donald Goldsmith. Originsis the companion book to the 2004 PBS NOVA four-part mini-seriesOrigins, in which Tyson served as on-camera host.

More recently, Tyson published Astrophysics for People in AHurry in 2017, which was a domestic and international bestseller. at was followed in 2018 by Accessory to War : e Unspoken Alliance Between Astrophysics and the Military , coauthored with Avis Lang, and in 2019, Letters from an Astrophysicist , bothNew York Times Bestsellers. Finally, in 2021, Cosmic Queries: StarTalk’s Guide to Who We Are, How We Got Here, and Where We,are Going coauthored with James Trel.

Tyson served as executive science editor and on-camera host and narrator forCosmos: A SpaceTime Odyssey , the 21st century For ve seasons, beginning in the fall of 2006, Tyson appearedcontinuation of Carl Sagan’s landmark television series. e as the on-camera host of PBS NOVA’s spino program NOVA show began in March 2014 and ran 13 episodes in primetime on ScienceNOW , which is an accessible look at the frontier of all the FOX network and appeared in 181 countries in 45 languages the science that shapes the understanding of our place in thearound the world on the National Geographic Channels. universe. Tyson reprised his role as on-camera host for the next season of Cosmos – Cosmos: Possible Worlds , which premiered on the Now also a popular podcast, for three years it enjoyed a limitedNational Geographic Channel in March 2020 and on the FOX run television series on the National Geographic Channel. network in September 2020. StarTalk combines celebrity guests with informative yet playful banter. e target audience is all those people who never Tyson is the fth head of the world-renowned Hayden thought they would, or could, like science. In its rst year on Planetarium in New York City and the rst occupant of its television and in three successive seasons, it was nominated for Frederick P. Rose Directorship. He is also a research associate a Best Informational Programming Emmy. of the Department of Astrophysics at the American Museum of Natural History.

PHOTO BY DAN DEITCH

Encore Magazine — Winter 2022 | 13

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

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MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 LIVE: TIME BUBBLE TOUR WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 19, 2022 | 7:30 PM CULLEN THEATER, WORTHAM CENTER Duration: Act 1: 50 minutes Intermission: 20 minutes Act 2: 50 minutes

AB O U T T H E SH OW

Following the wildly successful “ Watch Out for Snakes! Tour” in 2017, theth“3Anniversary 0 Tour” in 2018, and “ e Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour” in 2019, Mystery Science eater 3000 LIVE is launching the next all-new production to hit the road! Join host Emily Connor (Emily Marsh) and the world’s greatest – and only – movie ring robots, Tom Servo (Conor McGin), Crow (Nate Begle), and GPC (Yvonne Freese), as they take you on an exhilarating rollercoaster ride through Mak theing lm Contact, imposed by Mad Scientist Mega-Synthia (Yvonne Freese). Now you can sit in the same theater with your favorite characters and experience this long-running comedy phenomenon in a universally acclaimed LIVE event.

AB O U T T H E F I LM MAKING CONA T CT (1985) appears to be a send up – or at least heavily referenced – of every Spielberg movie ever made, including notes ofE.T., Poltergeist, e Goonies, Jaws, Close Encounters of the ird , and iK nd just a pinch ofLincoln. It features animated toys in an overcrowded childhood during the ‘80s, complete with an evil ventriloquist dummy, and heavily branded IP at almost every turn. You’ll have fun watching as Emily and the Bots try to make sense of it all. Shot on location in Germany.

Encore Magazine — Winter 2022 | 15

ABOUT THE ARTIST

MYSTERY SCIENCE THEATER 3000 LIVE: TIME BUBBLE TOUR

NATE BEGLE is a puppeteer, voice actor and most importantly...a lifelong “MSTie”! Nate has puppeteered for film, TV, and stage. He has worked with The Jim Henson Company, Sesame Street, HBO, Universal Studios, and The Walt Disney Company, where he opened WDW’s Muppet Show! His voice work includes commercials, animation, video games, audiobooks, and e-learning; and he can currently be heard as the promo voice and announcer for The Wendy Williams Show! “MST3K is very much a part of who I am as a person and performer. It helped inform my sense of humor, and fed my love of movies, comedy and puppetry!” Nate’s passion has always been bringing characters to life. He is truly honored to return as Crow for the live show and beyond excited to also write and perform on the new 13th season! Follow him on Instagram: @nate_begle, Twitter: @NateBegle or at natebegle.com. KELSEY BRADY is an Orlando-based puppeteer and has performed at the theme parks since 2007. She has some exciting upcoming projects in the works, but in the meantime, you can find her and her fuzzy friends on TikTok @OneBradyLady. YVONNE FREESE is ecstatic to hit the road again as new MAD Mega Synthia and sweet one-eyed purple GPC! Yvonne grew up on a dairy farm outside of Lanesboro, Minnesota, where her love of performing outgrew the audience of her animals and landed her at Northern State University, where she studied music education and musical theater. When not on tour, Yvonne lives in Minneapolis where she has performed with a number of regional houses, including Garrison Keillor’s A Prairie Home Companion, Pillsbury House, Stage’s Children’s Theater, Really Spicy Opera Co, Open Eye Theater, Science Museum of MN, and Teatro del Pueblo. Thank you to all MSTies everywhere for being the best fans! Follow her @yifreeze and at www.yvonnefreese.com.

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EMILY MARSH is puppeteer, singer, and actor. She was most recently seen in the MST3K LIVE Social Distancing Riff Along Special and Behind the Scenes at the Supermarket short during the 2020 Turkey Day Marathon. As a puppeteer, Emily was part of the BBC TV show Moon and Me, the newest show created by Andy Davenport, creator of Teletubbies, which debuted in the United States on Universal Kids. Emily was also the puppeteer for Slingy, Sling TV’s newest slinger in its new commercial campaign with a puppet built by Muppets veteran Tim Clarke. Emily has also performed theatrical puppetry all over the country. Favorite credits have included Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer at the Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta and Gruff: An Eco-Puppet Musical with Doppleskope Theatre Company in New York City. Emily has been an MST3K fan since childhood and is beyond thrilled to be back on the road with the MST3K live cast. Follow her @emily.k.marsh or at www.emilykmarsh.com. CONOR MCGIFFIN is fulfilling a childhood dream to be a part of this hilarious show as Tom Servo. Hanging with Crow, Cambot, Gypsy, Emily, and the myth himself, Joel Hodgson, is the professional thrill of his life! He is a proud University of Michigan and Dover High School graduate, and he is one of six people in American history to have actually lived in Delaware. His most recent productions include Guys and Dolls (Clear Space Productions), Finding Neverland (National Tour), A Gentlemen’s Guide to Love and Murder (National Tour), and The Great Cheesy Movie Circus Tour (National Tour). You may have also seen him on Zoom trying to connect his headphones to the Bluetooth, or through a pair of binoculars from your van, you creep.

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

JEFF GOLDBLUM & THE MILDRED SNITZER ORCHESTRA FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022 | 7:30 PM JONES HALL

Duration: 120 minutes, including intermission

PHOTO BY PARI DUKOVIC

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Sponsored in part by

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AB O U T ALV I N AILEY AMER I CAN DAN C E T H E AT E R Alvin Ailey American Dance eater, recognized by U.S. Congressional resolution as a vital American C “ ultural Ambassador to the World,” grew from a nowfabled March 1958 performance in New York that changed forever the perception of American dance. Founded by Alvin Ailey, posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom – the nation’s highest civilian honor, and guided by Judith Jamison beginning in 1989, the Company is now led by Robert Battle, whom Judith Jamison chose to succeed her on July 1, 2011. Alvin Ailey American Dance eater has performed for an estimated 25 million people in 71 countries on six continents, promoting the uniqueness of the African American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of the American modern dance tradition. In addition to being the Principal Dance Company of New York City Center, where its performances have become a yearend tradition, the Ailey company performs annually at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, the Auditorium eatre in Chicago, e Fox eatre in Atlanta, Zellerbach Hall in Berkeley, CA, and at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center in Newark (where it is the Principal Resident Aliate), and appears frequently in other major theaters throughout the world during extensive yearly tours. e Ailey organization also includes Ailey II (1974), a second performing company of emerging young dancers and innovative choreographers; e Ailey School (1969), one of the most extensive dance training programs in the world; Ailey Arts In Education & Community Programs, which brings dance into the classrooms, communities, and lives of people of all ages; and e Ailey Extension (2005), a program oering dance and tness classes to the general public, which began with the opening of Ailey’s permanent home—the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City, the dance capital of the world—named e Joan Weill Center for Dance, at 55th Street at 9th Avenue in New York City. For more information, visit www.alvinailey.org. JEROBOAM BOZEMAN. PHOTO BY DARIO CALMESE.

Encore Magazine — Winter 2022 | 25

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 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 Phoebe and Bobby Tudor

$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 Duke and C.C. Ensell 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 and Mike Zenker 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 Amy LeBlanc Kathryn E. Lott Jane and Steve Malashock Donette and Jeff Manley Anna McDonnell Vickie L. Milazzo and Tom Ziemba Paul L. Mitchell Katherine Easterby Murphy Barbara E. Murray and Ernesto D. Baca Leslie and Kent Nelson Kathryn O'Brien

26 | 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 Katherine Warren 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

Individual Supporters

Anne and German Amador Carol Brooks Berglass Monika Bertoni Thomas Booth and Dale Cover Julie Bortolotti Peter Botvin Claudia Brown Barbara Bullock Emily Bullock Lawrence Burns 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 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 Anonymous Dorothy and Mickey Ables Barbara and Mike Adams Hadiyah Aluqdah Sarah Andrews Jami Arnst Barry Baisden Diana Baker Lani Baker Debbie and Franklin Ballard Kipp and Harry Baxter Patricia and Scott Benesh Linda Bennett and Jeffrey Nunn Leslie Berardo Pantaleon Beverly 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 Richard Carter Constance Cephus Suzanne Cetrullo Cristina Checka Denise Cheplick Penny and Bill Clark Cindy Clifford Ana Colina Douglas Constance Cathi Cook Jocelyn Corbett Margaret Culbertson Angelique Cunningham Richelle Cynowa Janice and William J. Dana Patricia Davis Patrick 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 Berenice Espinoza Connie Evans Rivera Patricia A. Fadely Jeffery Faulkinbury Kimberley Felton Joe J. Fisher Jr. Katy Fricke William Fu Diane Garey Jeremy Gaskins Anson Gibson Marian and Philippe Gleize Valerie Gordon Kevin Grice Richard Guerrero Sarah Gutierrez The Hafle Family Lizzy Hargrove Margie Harrington Eduardo Hernandez Melvyn Hetzel Susan Hightower Eric Hintz Brian Hodge

Encore Magazine — Winter 2022 | 27

Individual Supporters

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 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 Beth Diane Landay Shoe Latif Pacquitta Laverents Tina Lee Mark Leger Kelly Levar Johnnie Lister Susan Litts Ryan Long Dolores Lopez-Cardenas and Eduardo M. Lopez Dominic Macklon Stephanie Magers Pauline Markenscoff Alex Martinez Suzanne McAndrew David McKee Laura Mendoza Janet Meyer Alisa Miller Anthony Miller Bonnie Milne April Mims Nancy Lee Mitchell Elizabeth Montz Blaine Morris Norman Morrow Andrew Mosher Marci Murff Kasey Myers Shelley Myers

Karyn Nabhan Angela Nava Nelli Nikova John Ogletree 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 Sharon Polt Sara Ptomey Sandra Dittrick Reid Susan Resnick Rana T. Rice Jennnifer Richardson Jane Robinson Melanie Rogers Ann Saunders Rebecca Schlembach H. Irving Schweppe Andrea and Charles Seay Kerry Seizinger Carlos Serrano Sheryl A. Shafer Emily Shields Jessica Sinclair David Smith Roger Smith III Sharon Snyder Nina Staats Michelle Star Deborah and David Stern Rebecca Storey Sofia Straus Cynthia Sudela Sylvia Sundqvist Amy Tanner Rebecca Tapick Ann-Marie Tcholakian Justin Thekkekara Heather Thiel Julie Thyne Edda Tinis Stephani Tipton Eleanor and Jon Totz Erick Tournier Saundra and Mark Truett Ashley Turner

28 | Society for the Performing Arts | spahouston.org

Tamika Tyson Priti Ubhayakar Hywel Upshall and Tracey Rankin Lori van Veldhoven Mary and Martin Vandenbrook Faith Vedder Stephanie Viator Angelita Villarreal Hannah Villarreal Jacqueline Villarreal John Vitucci William V. Walker Gail Walsh Cheryl Walters Alero and Thomas Waterhouse Jamie Webster Michelle Wettig Nikolas White Susan Whitfield Bettina M. Whyte Kenneth Williams Stacey Wilson Ximena Wood Courtney Young Scott M. Zindler Rachel Zoch Listings accurate as of 11/28/2021

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* Admiral Transfer & Rigging 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 CAMAC International 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+

$30,000-$49,999

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.†

National Endowment for the Arts Texas Commission on the Arts†

$50,000-$99,999 The Brown Foundation, Inc.† M.D. Anderson Foundation†

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

$5,000-$9,999

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† Mid-America Arts Alliance The Vaughn Foundation† Vivian L. Smith Foundation

MATCHING GIFT SUPPORTERS Admiral Transfer & Rigging The Coca-Cola Company ExxonMobil

Listings Accurate as of 11/28/2021

HP Legacy Community Health Services LyondellBasell

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

HOUSTON PREMIERE & SPA CO-COMMISSION

F R I D A Y

MAY 06 CULLEN THEATER AT WORTHAM CENTER 7:30 PM

A.I.M BY KYLE ABRAHAM: AN UNTITLED LOVE An Untitled Love is Kyle Abraham’s newest evening-length work. Drawing from the catalogue of Grammy Award-winning R&B legend D’Angelo, this creative exaltation pays homage to the complexities of self love and Black love, while serving as a thumping mixtape celebrating our culture, family, and community. CLAUDE CJ JOHNSON AND TAMISHA GUY, PHOTO BY CARRIE SCHNEIDER

SPA FOUNDATION

spahouston.org CHARLENE & TYM TOMBAR