Yekwon Sunwoo | Ragamala Dance Company Program

2018–19 ESSENTIAL SERIES

Yekwon Sunwoo, piano OCT 5 | BATES RECITAL HALL

Ragamala Dance Company Written in Water

OCT 18 | BASS CONCERT HALL

TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS

in this issue

18 Written in Water

Ragamala Dance Company “A lexicon of sound, vision and movement.”

—Tallahassee Democrat

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What’s Next Theatre Etiquette What Should I See Next?

TPA Trivia Share Your Experience 5 Things to Expect from this Essential Series Season Word Search

14 Photo by Bruce W. Palmer

Yekwon Sunwoo, piano 2017 Cliburn Gold Medalist hailed for “his total command over the instrument and its expressiveness” —San Francisco Examiner

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Making Tracks

UT alumna Cassie Shankman shares her experiences as Biomedical Music™ composer.

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Student Spotlight Sophmore Brenda Stanfill discusses the affect of performing arts on Human Development.

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Welcome to Texas Performing Arts We are thrilled you could join us this evening.

Should you require any assistance, please speak to the nearest usher or visit Guest Services.

If you would like to provide feedback about your experience, you can share your thoughts with us in the post-event survey emailed to the ticket purchaser.

We look forward to hearing from you!

Family Ties

Alumna Neha Sukumar ’18 shares her family’s historical role in India’s Independence.

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C!RCA Humans NOV 13; Photo by Sarah Walker

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2018–19 Season

WHAT’S NEXT SEP

Reduced Shakespeare Company Sep 13 & 14 | MCT

Fred Hersch Trio Sep 21 | MCT

Taylor Mac Sep 27 & 28 | MCT

OCT

Yekwon Sunwoo, piano Oct 5 | BRH

Ragamala Dance Company Written in Water Oct 18 | BCH

The Play That Goes Wrong Oct 23–28 | BCH

NOV

Blackstar An Orchestral Tribute to David Bowie Nov 1 | BCH

Jordi Savall The Routes of Slavery Nov 8 | BCH

Pavel Urkiza & Congrí Ensemble Nov 9 | MCT

C!RCA Humans Nov 13 | BCH

The Merchant of Venice* Nov 14–Dec 2 | OBT

Private Peaceful Nov 16 | MCT

Love Never Dies Nov 27–Dec 2 | BCH

Texas Performing Arts Essential Series MCT McCullough Theatre

BRH Bates Recital Hall

Lexus Broadway in Austin

BCH Bass Concert Hall

OBT Oscar G. Brockett Theatre

*A Texas Theatre and Dance Production. Subscriber discount not available. texasperformingarts.org

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Please silence or turn off all electronic devices upon entering the hall and refrain from using your phone during performances; the glow from your device is distracting.

Take care of personal needs before the performance or at intermission to avoid disturbing your seat neighbors.

Please sit in the seat you are assigned to avoid confusion.

Outside food or drink is not allowed in any venue. Food purchased within the venue must be enjoyed in the lobby.

Drinks are allowed in the hall.

We encourage you to take selfies in our lobbies before the show. Photography of any kind is not permitted inside our venues unless approved by the artist or tour.

If you need assistance during the performance, please go to the nearest usher.

We understand the need to shift around, but please try not to do so constantly. You will disturb the view of those behind you.

Go easy with perfume and cologne. Many people are highly allergic.

Please refrain from talking, humming, or singing along with the performance, except when encouraged to do so by the artist or show.

Please wait for an appropriate moment to dig something out of your pocket or bag.

If your child becomes restless, frightened, or loud, please take them to the lobby.

Remember, our lobby is not soundproof.

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Photo courtesy the Library of Congress

E R T A THE TTE E U Q I ET

The sound system for shows is provided by the touring production. Unfortunately, many variables may occasionally hinder sound quality. Please let an usher know if you are having trouble hearing.

LOEWY LOEWY LAW FIRM LOEWY LOEWYLAW LAW LAWFIRM FIRM FIRM

Making Tracks Former Texas Performing Arts student employee (’13) Cassie Shankman has always been a busy woman with many talents and interests.

As a young girl, Cassie loved the arts. She frequented the theater, was an active jazz band member, and loved going to the movies.

Simultaneously, she enjoyed learning about science. Her early interest in different sound frequencies resulted in qualifying for the state science fair competition, earning her the attention of multiple universities.

Now, as a leading Biomedical Music™ composer, she combines both her passions of music and

Our student employment program is made possible thanks to the support of our generous donors and Texas Inner Circle members.

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science to help others learn to walk again with the Movement Tracks Project.

Together with an amazing team of music therapists, patients, musicians, and engineers, Cassie creates music that integrates with biomedical systems and devices that makes walking possible for patients. Many of these patients include people that have Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, children with cerebral palsy, and other neurologic conditions.

“As a musician, it’s amazing to know that every day I am helping people get better with my music,” said Cassie. “I feel incredibly lucky for this opportunity.”

With Executive Producer Hope Young’s vision, the Movement Tracks Project creates pieces for patients with neurologic conditions that are helping people move better through texasperformingarts.org

Patterson at Texas Performing Arts who taught her the skills necessary for working in event and program management, Cassie feels lucky to have had so many great mentors.

“As a musician, it’s amazing to know that every day I am helping people get better with my music.”

Photo by Alexandra Galewsky

Cassie Shankman conducts a small orchestra for a churchhouse recording.

much research and testing.

This ground-breaking project has also caught the attention of SXSW, where Cassie recently spoke on the topic and her team became an Official 2018 SXSW Interactive Innovation Awards Finalist. It’s an honor that she credits hard work as well as her education at The University of Texas at Austin.

“While at UT, I met a lot of people, learned professional skills, and was consistently inspired! I had access to visiting artists and shows that I still can’t believe, and I went to several performances a week,” she said.

“This allowed me to listen, learn, and connect with so much music.”

Cassie also attributes much of her success to her professors and mentors outside the classroom. From her first composition mentor Ian Dicke, who opened her mind and ears to the writing process, to Cynthia texasperformingarts.org

“My most-influential mentor was my professor Yevgeniy Sharlat.

He inspired me to get a Bridging Disciplines Program (BDP) certificate in film studies and study film, which led me to meet so many people that I still collaborate with today,” said Cassie.

She gained confidence with speaking film lingo with film and music professionals through her internship in the BDP program with composer Hanan Townsend, which in turn led her to make connections with other industry professionals.

“The best part of my job, whether it be scoring music to the human body or to film, is continuously learning and collaborating with other professionals,” Cassie said.

“I love creating a new industry and seeing results with the patients!”

When she isn’t working on The Movement Project, Austinites can find her DJ’ing at local events under the stage name DJ CASS&RA. She considers herself fortunate to be able to be a part of multiple projects and stresses new graduates to be flexible with their career journey.

“Don’t be afraid to go with what life throws at you,” she said. “I assumed I’d get a job doing film music but it’s been a wild trip to get to this career. I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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What Should I See Next?

BEGIN HERE

The music and movement elements were the most memorable.

WHAT DID YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT THE PERFORMANCE?

WHICH EXPRESSION OF ART IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Dance is amazing!

I loved the storyline!

I love music!

C!RCA

WHAT KIND OF STORIES DO YOU LIKE TO HEAR?

Ragamala Dance Company

Culturally Diverse

Blackstar

Taylor Mac

Pavel Urkiza

*Join us for these Private Peaceful

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Jordi Savall

upcoming Essential Series performances! texasperformingarts.org

Photos by Pedro Grieg, ioulex, David Arenal, Little Fang Photography, Tom Lawlor, and Bruce Palmer

Yekwon Sunwoo

Historically Rich

Student Spotlight At Texas Performing Arts, we professionally involve students in every aspect of our organization. Having the opportunity to show, connect, and inspire our students to be the next generation of arts leaders is one of the most important things we do.

PROFILE NAME YEAR JOB MAJOR

W

MINOR

Brenda Stanfill Class of 2021 Texas Performing Arts Receptionist Human Development & Family Services (HDFS) Sociology

e sat down with Brenda Stanfill to talk about the performing arts, her studies in Human Development, and her time as a valued student employee.

HUMAN DEVELOPMENT & FAMILY SERVICES SOUNDS LIKE AN INTERESTING MAJOR. TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT THAT.

We’re a small group with just over 550 students which is about 1% of the total number of undergrad students at the university. We study every form of development across the lifespan such as emotional, social, and relationship development.

Some students also study biological and psychological development.

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Our goal is to improve the lives of individuals, families, and communities from infancy to old age.

I’m really enjoying learning about everything so far.

AS A STUDENT OF HUMAN DEVELOPMENT, HOW DO YOU FEEL THE PERFORMING ARTS IMPACTS STUDENTS IN THE AUDIENCE?

As students, we can get caught up in our routines; classes, work, homework, and hang outs with

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friends. And as time goes on, it’s just more of the same—stressing about papers and tests. The performances on campus offer a chance for students to decompress and see something out of the ordinary.

It’s almost something personal because the actor, actress, dancer, or comedian is right there on the stage, giving a unique artistic performance each night. It allows us to make a personal connection with something new and lowers our stress level.

WHAT ABOUT THE GENERAL PUBLIC? HOW DO YOU FEEL THE ARTS IMPACT OUR SOCIETY?

I think the arts are important for both the artists and the audience. Art is an expression of what it means to be human and it reflects our lives. The artist expresses important issues or personal experiences. For the audience, it can connect us through emotion and bring us together in times of uncertainty.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE PERFORMING ARTS?

I’m a really big fan of stories—written or heard. I love the stories that performances tell with dialogue, music, and the combination of storytelling through music. Considering my major, I love seeing cause and effect interactions, especially in a production. We watch a story unfold because the actions of one character affected another character in a certain way. Real life is a lot harder, but the idea of chaos from miscommunication is the same. The way we communicate can affect another person’s emotions and how they feel about themselves. texasperformingarts.org

TEXAS INNER CIRCLE Take your Texas Performing Arts experience to the next level by becoming a member of the Texas Inner Circle.

Your membership supports our educational engagement programs, the student employment program, and last season, thanks to donors like you, Texas Performing Arts was able to provide 14,000 $10 Student Tickets to the Central Texas community.

Memberships start at just $150 for the year and include: • Free Parking • Behind-the-Scenes Tours • Access to our members-only Texas Inner Circle Lounge with pre-ordered drink service and express elevator To Join call 512.232.8567, or email support@texasperformingarts.org

“I’M A REALLY BIG FAN OF STORIES—WRITTEN OR HEARD. I LOVE THE STORIES THAT PERFORMANCES TELL WITH DIALOGUE, MUSIC, AND THE COMBINATION OF STORYTELLING THROUGH MUSIC.” 13

Oct 5, 2018

Bates Recital Hall

Yekwon Sunwoo, piano Mr. Sunwoo appears by arrangement with The Cliburn.

Presented in partnership with the Piano Studio of Anton Nel at the Butler School of Music and KMFA-FM 14

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Program Ramble on Last Love Duet from Der Rosenkavalier 4 Impromptus D.935

Richard Strauss (arr. Percy Grainger) (1864–1949) Franz Schubert (1797–1828)

Intermission Piano Sonata no. 3 op. 5

Johannes Brahms (1833–1897)

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Yekwon Sunwoo is represented by Keynote Artist Management | keynoteartistmanagement.com

Photo by

ABOUT THE ARTIST Gold medalist of the Fifteenth Van Cliburn International Piano Competition, 29-year-old pianist Yekwon Sunwoo has been hailed for his “unfailingly consistent excellence” (International Piano) and celebrated as “a pianist who commands a comprehensive technical arsenal that allows him to thunder without breaking a sweat” (Chicago Tribune). A powerful and virtuosic performer, he also, in his own words, “strives to reach for the truth and pure beauty in music.”

The first Korean to win Cliburn Gold, Mr. Sunwoo’s 2018-19 season features concerto performances with Munich Philharmonic under Valery Gergiev in Seoul, Frankfurter Opern-und Museumsorchester under Sebastian Weigle, Orchestra i Pomeriggi Musicali under Daniele Callegari, and a European tour with 15

the KBS Symphony. He extensively tours Japan including Tokyo, Sendai, and Shizuoka. Solo recitals bring him to Houston’s Society of the Performing Arts, Washington Performing Arts, Texas Performing Arts, Seattle’s Meany Hall, Portugal’s Casa da Musica, and the Hong Kong Arts Festival. He also performs chamber music with the New York Philharmonic String Quartet.

Last season, Decca Gold released Cliburn Gold 2017 two weeks after his Cliburn win, which includes his award-winning performances of Ravel’s La valse and Rachmaninoff’s Second Piano Sonata.

Born in Anyang, South Korea, Mr. Sunwoo gave both his recital and orchestra debuts in 2004 in Seoul. In previous seasons, Mr. Sunwoo has performed as soloist with the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra under Marin Alsop, The Juilliard Orchestra with Itzhak Perlman at Avery Fisher Hall, Houston Symphony Orchestra with James Feddeck, Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra with Leonard Slatkin and Nicholas McGegan, National Orchestra of Belgium, Sendai Philharmonic Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, and others. He has appeared in recital at Carnegie Hall, Wigmore Hall in London, Elbphilharmonie in Hamburg, Hamarikyu Asahi Hall in Tokyo, Radio France and Salle Cortot in Paris, Kumho Art Hall in Seoul, and throughout South Korea, Germany, Switzerland, Prague, and Morocco, among other countries.

He has also performed at prominent music festivals including the Aspen, Grand Teton, and Duszniki International Music Festivals. Last spring, he undertook a nine-city 16

tour of the United States with the National Orchestra of Cuba.

An avid chamber musician, Mr. Sunwoo’s partners have included the Jerusalem and Brentano String Quartets, violinists Benjamin Beilman and Ida Kafavian, cellists Edgar Moreau, Gary Hoffman, and Peter Wiley, and pianist Anne-Marie McDermott. He has toured Costa Rica, Guatemala, and Panama with the Kumho Asiana Cultural Foundation, performed for the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center’s Inside Chamber Music Lectures, and been invited to the Summit Music, Bowdoin International, and Toronto Summer Music Festivals.

In addition to the Cliburn Gold Medal, Mr. Sunwoo has won first prizes at the 2015 International German Piano Award in Frankfurt, the 2014 Vendome Prize held at the Verbier Festival, the 2013 Sendai International Music Competition, and the 2012 William Kapell International Piano Competition.

Mr. Sunwoo began learning piano at age 8. He earned his bachelor’s degree at the Curtis Institute of Music, master’s degree at The Juilliard School, and artist diploma at the Mannes School of Music studying with Seymour Lipkin, Robert McDonald, and Richard Goode, respectively.

He currently studies with Bernd Goetzke at Hochschule für Musik, Theater und Medien Hannover.

Mr. Sunwoo credits each teacher for their guidance in his artistic development and approach.

A self-proclaimed foodie, Mr. Sunwoo enjoys finding pho in each city he visits and takes pride in his own homemade Korean soups. texasperformingarts.org

“I am truly thankful to everyone who has contributed to the $10 Student Ticket Fund. Thank you all so much!�

Ha Bui

Photo by TK

Graduate Student, Economics

With your support, the Texas Performing Arts Student Ticket Fund provides $10 tickets to up to 20,000 Austin area students of all ages each season.

Go to texasperformingarts.org/support or call 512.232.8567 to make a gift. texasperformingarts.org

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Oct 18, 2018

Bass Concert Hall

Written in Water

Ragamala Dance Company

Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy, Artistic Directors

This performance is made possible by a generous grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation.

Support for the creation and touring of Written in Water was provided by a 2016 Joyce Award from the Joyce Foundation, the Doris Duke Performing Artist Awards program, and grants from New Music USA (made possible by annual program support and/or endowment gifts from Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Mary Flagler Cary Charitable Trust, Baisley Powell Elebash Fund, Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation), the National Endowment for the Arts, the Association of Performing Arts Presenters (with support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), the Carolyn Foundation, and Caroline Amplatz Giving.

Additional support for Ragamala’s work comes from The McKnight Foundation; the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation; Target; Delta Air Lines; The Dr. Dash Foundation, whose mission is to preserve and promote rich Indian heritage and culture; The Goodale Family Foundation; the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund; and members of Ragamala’s “Rasika Circle.”

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Ragamala Dance Company is represented by Elsie Management | elsieman.org

Presented in partnership with The University of Texas South Asia Institute and KUT-FM

Photo by Bruce W. Palmer

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FROM THE CHOREOGRAPHERS In Written in Water, we explore the concept of spiritual ascension through the 2nd century Indian board game Paramapadam (a precursor to Snakes & Ladders), the 12th century Sufi text The Conference of the Birds, and the Hindu mythological story Ksheerabthi Madanam, the churning of the seven seas.

We have drawn upon The Conference of the Birds to frame the arc of Written in Water. The protagonists of this Sufi epic progress through seven valleys, representing states of being. With Written in Water, we mirror their journey through a world of psychological complexity, traversing experiences of spiritual longing, human love, unity with others, detachment from material life, and finally ultimate oneness with the divine.

In the first movement of Written in Water, we experience human life, love, and struggle, explored through the framework of the board game Paramapadam. The gameboard serves as a physical and metaphorical framework through which the seekers/dancers navigate snakes and ladders representing the heights of ecstasy and the depths of longing.

In the second movement, we explore the human quest for the divine. The mythological story of Ksheerabthi Madanam is a metaphor for a world in chaos. Amidst this dynamic tension between good and evil, Vishnu stands for the perfect center toward which humans strive.

In the final movement, we journey toward transcendence—toward unmediated union with the divine.

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In developing Written in Water, we played the game hundreds of times, using the floor as the board and our bodies as the game pieces. The projected images are from original paintings by Chennaibased visual artist Keshav, specially commissioned by Ragamala for this work. Written in Water was developed through an ongoing collaboration in which choreography, music, and visual art were constructed simultaneously in a constant artistic dialogue that spanned two years.

ABOUT THE COMPANY Ragamala Dance Company was founded in 1992 by Ranee Ramaswamy, and recently completed its 25th season under the leadership of Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy (mother and daughter). Ragamala creates work that conveys a sense of reverence, of unfolding mystery, and of universal celebration.

Hailed by The New York Times as “soulful, imaginative and rhythmically contagious,” Ragamala has toured extensively, highlighted by the Kennedy Center (Washington, D.C.), Joyce Theater (New York), Lincoln Center (New York), Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival (MA), Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), American Dance Festival (Durham, NC), Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, International Festival of Arts & Ideas (New Haven, CT), Cal Performances (Berkeley), Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates), Just Festival (Edinburgh, U.K.), Bali Arts Festival (Indonesia), Sri Krishna texasperformingarts.org

Gana Sabha (Chennai, India), and National Centre for Performing Arts (Mumbai, India), among others.

Ragamala’s 2018-19 season features performances at the Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College (NH), Walton Arts Center (Fayetteville, AK), Texas Performing Arts at UT-Austin, Kennedy Center (Washington, DC), Harris Theater for Music and Dance (Chicago), Reif Center (MN), Middlebury College (VT), Fox Cities Performing Arts Center (Appleton, WI), and the O’Shaughnessy (St. Paul, MN).

ABOUT THE ARTIST RANEE RAMASWAMY and APARNA RAMASWAMY (Artistic Directors/Choreographers/ Principal Dancers) explore the dynamic tension between the ancestral and the contemporary, highlighting the fluidity between the secular and the spiritual, the inner and the outer, the human and the natural, rhythm and stillness. As mother and daughter, each brings her generational experience to the work—the rich traditions, deep philosophical roots, and ancestral wisdom of India meeting and merging with their hybridic perspectives as Indian-American artists. As protégés and senior disciples of legendary dancer/choreographer Alarmél Valli, Ranee and Aparna’s training in the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam is the bedrock of their creative aesthetic.

Most recently, Ranee and Aparna were awarded 2018 Guggenheim Fellowships and selected as 2017 Research Fellows by the Rockefeller texasperformingarts.org

Foundation Bellagio Center (Italy).

Their choreographic work has been commissioned by Lincoln Center (New York), Walker Art Center (Minneapolis), Krannert Center (University of IL), Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center (University of MD), Opening Nights Performing Arts (FL State University), and the Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (United Arab Emirates); supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, National Dance Project, MAP Fund, The McKnight Foundation, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, New Music/USA, USArtists International, and the Japan Foundation; and developed in residence at MANCC (Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography) and an NPN residency at The Yard.

Ranee currently serves on the National Council on the Arts, appointed by President Barack Obama. She is recipient of a 2014 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a 2012 United States Artists Fellowship, a 2011 McKnight Distinguished Artist Award, a Bush Fellowship for Choreography, and 14 McKnight Artist Fellowships for Choreography and Interdisciplinary Art, among others.

Aparna is recipient of a 2016 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, a 2016 Joyce Award, a Bush Fellowship for Choreography, and three McKnight Fellowships, among others. Described by The New York Times as “thrillingly three-dimensional… rapturous and profound,” she was selected as one of Dance Magazine’s 25 to Watch for 2010. She is an empaneled artist with the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) and her solo work, with live music, 21

has toured the U.S. and India with support from the National Dance Project and USArtists International.

In the summer of, 2018, she premiered a solo work commissioned by the American Dance Festival.

She is currently working with composer/violinist Colin Jacobsen on a new work commissioned by and for the Silk Road Ensemble, to premiere in 2019 with performances at UC-Santa Barbara (CA), the Soraya at Cal State Northridge (CA), and Cal Performances (UC-Berkeley).

AMIR ELSAFFAR (Composer/ Trumpet/Santur/Vocal) has distinguished himself with a mastery of diverse musical traditions and a singular approach to combining Middle Eastern musical languages with jazz and other styles of contemporary music. A recipient of the 2013 Doris Duke Performing Artist Award, ElSaffar has been described as “uniquely poised to reconcile jazz and Arabic music without doing either harm,” (the Wire) and “one of the most promising figures in jazz today” (Chicago Tribune).

He currently leads four criticallyacclaimed ensembles: Two Rivers, which combines the musical languages and instrumentation of Iraqi Maqam and contemporary jazz; the Amir ElSaffar Quintet, performing ElSaffar’s microtonal compositions with standard jazz instrumentation; Safaafir, the only ensemble in the U.S. performing and preserving the Iraqi Maqam in its traditional format; and The Alwan Ensemble, the resident ensemble of Alwan for the Arts, specializing in classical music from Egypt, the Levant, and Iraq. In addition, he has worked with jazz legend Cecil Taylor, and 22

prominent jazz musicians such as Mark Dresser, Gerry Hemingway, Marc Ribot, Henry Grimes, and Oliver Lake. ElSaffar has appeared on numerous recordings, and has released six under his own name, Maqams of Baghdad (2005), Two Rivers (2007), Radif Suite (2010), Inana (2011), Alchemy (2013), and Crisis (2015).

SMT. PREMA RAMAMURTHY (Composer) has been an outstanding vocalist and composer for more than four decades. Ms. Ramamurthy received intensive training under the great Maestro ‘Padmavibhushan’ Dr. Mangalampalli Balamurali Krishna, specialized in the art of ‘Pallavi singing’ from Vidwan Sri T. V. Gopalakrishnan, and learned the art of singing ‘Padams & Javalis’ from the veteran musician, Mrs. T. Muktha. An A-TOP Grade Artist of All India Radio and Doordarshan TV, she has won critical acclaim as a composer, and has performed in many of the top venues and festivals of India, the U.S., Europe, Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Mexico, and South Africa.

V. KESHAV (Visual Art) has been a cartoonist for the Indian national daily newspaper The Hindu since 1987. With no formal training in art, his quest in Indian art led him to discover the treasures in temples and the symbolism used in the Indian epics. He began a journey into symbols, fascinated with the way abstract ideas could be communicated in simple metaphors that have stood the test of time. In 2006, his one-man show Krishna Leela was presented in Chennai, texasperformingarts.org

Photo by TK

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and later in Bangalore. For the past several years he has been painting a Krishna a day (#krishnafortoday) and sharing it in his blog and social media. Keshav has a master’s degree in Commerce from Madras University. ‘Cartooning is my profession, painting is my passion.’

ASHWINI RAMASWAMY (Choreographic Associate/ Dancer) has studied Bharatanatyam with Ragamala Dance Company’s Artistic Directors, Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy (her mother and sister) for over 25 years; she now has the honor of studying under the legendary Alarmél Valli in Chennai, India. Celebrated for her ability to “[weave] together, both fearfully and joyfully, the human and the divine” (The New York Times), Ashwini is a founding member of Ragamala, and has toured nationally and internationally. She is a recipient of grants and fellowships from the McKnight Foundation, Minnesota State Arts Board, Metropolitan Regional Arts Council, Jerome Foundation, USArtists International, and the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project.

Ashwini’s choreography was among the “Best of the Year” in the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Big Dance Town, and Minnpost, and has been presented by the Joyce Theater (NYC), Triskelion Arts (NYC), Cowles Center (Minneapolis), The Yard (Martha’s Vineyard, MA), and Just Festival (Edinburgh, U.K.), among others.

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra’s Liquid Music Series has commissioned a new work from her to 24

premiere in 2019, which she will create in part during a residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center (NYC). She is Ragamala’s Director of Publicity and Marketing, and currently serves on the Board of Arts Midwest.

TAMARA NADEL (Dancer) is a disciple of Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy and founding member of Ragamala. She has toured with the company throughout the U.S. and in Russia, Taiwan, Indonesia, Japan, U.K., UAE, and India. She is a McKnight Fellow in Dance, and a recipient of grants from the Minnesota State Arts Board, Jerome Foundation, Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and Metropolitan Regional Arts Council.

Most recently, she premiered a solo created for her by choreographer Ranee Ramaswamy, rooted in the writings of the Sephardic Jewish poets of Golden Age Spain, at Beth El Synagogue (Minneapolis).

Tamara is Ragamala’s Director of Institutional Development and holds a degree in Religious Studies and Dance from Macalester College. She served on the City of Minneapolis Arts Commission from 2008-2010, and currently serves on the Board of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts.

JESSICA FIALA (Dancer) has studied with Ranee and Aparna Ramaswamy since 2006 and has toured with Ragamala throughout the U.S. and to India, the U.K., and the UAE. In recent years, she has also performed works by Ashwini Ramaswamy, Jeremy Bensussan, Vanessa Voskuil, and Kaleena Miller. Jessica holds a master’s in Museum Studies & Cultural Studies texasperformingarts.org

from the University of Minnesota, and has presented research at conferences at the University of Naples “l’Orientale,” the University of Shanghai, the University of Pittsburgh, Pomona College, and Hong Kong Baptist University. Her writing is included in the anthology The Ruined Archive and the journal Diálogos com a arte and she was Research Coordinator for the 2015 International Award for Public Art.

Photo by Luque Photography

PREETHY MAHESH (Vocal) has been accompanying eminent dancers since 2003. She belongs to the traditional school of music initiated by respected guru Sangitha Kalanidhi Shri D.K. Jararaman, and later came under the tutelage of Tanjore Shri S. Kalyanaraman.

She is a graded artist of All India Radio. She has several recordings to her credit, many in collaboration with dancer Smt. Priyadarsini Govind. She has toured widely as an accompanist to many of India’s most renowned dancers, performing at prestigious festivals and venues around the world with such performers as Alarmél Valli, Vyjayanthimala Bali, Priyadarsini Govind, Revathi Ramachandran, Rukmini Vijaykumar, Shobana, the Dhanajayans, and Ragamala Dance Company. She is the recipient of the Best Dance Vocalist Award from Sri Krishna Gana Sabha (Chennai, India), and the Bharatalaya Trust honored her with the title Gana Kokilam.

ROHAN KRISHNAMURTHY (Mridangam), described as the “pride of India” by The Times of India and “international mridangam player” by USA Today, is a musical texasperformingarts.org

ambassador specializing in Indian and multi-percussion. He received advanced training from the esteemed Indian master, Guruvayur Dorai. Distinguished as a soloist, composer, and collaborator, Rohan performed with legendary Indian musicians and Grammy Award-winning artists such as Glen Velez, Anoushka Shankar, and Vishwa Mohan Bhatt. An acclaimed educator, Rohan earned a Ph.D. in musicology from the Eastman School of Music in New York. He has presented and taught at renowned institutions, including the Eastman School of Music, Harvard University, and A.R. Rehman’s K.M. Conservatory of Music (India).

He directs the award-winning 25

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Let’s Connect!

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RohanRhythm Percussion Studio, which has attracted dozens of students from around the globe.

Rohan holds a patent for a novel drum tuning system that is now available worldwide.

ARUN RAMAMURTHY (Violin) is a versatile violinist and educator based in Brooklyn, NY, and is a disciple of the celebrated Carnatic violinist brothers, Dr. Mysore Manjunath & Sri Mysore Nagaraj and the esteemed violinist Sri Ananthakrishnan. He has distinguished himself as a multifaceted artist, performing internationally in both traditional Carnatic and Hindustani settings as well as bridging genres with his own innovative projects. Arun has been fortunate to perform with artists like Dr. M. Balamurali Krishna, Sudha Ragunathan, Anindo Chatterjee, T.N. Seshagopoloan, Amir ElSaffar, Marc Cary among others. Arun’s music has brought him prestigious stages like Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Kennedy Center, Celebrate Brooklyn and more. Arun is co-founder and Artistic Director of Brooklyn Raga Massive, a globally recognized collective of forward thinking musicians rooted-in and inspired-by the classical music of India. Through BRM, Arun has curated and performed in a multitude of concerts incorporating music from all over the world.

PREETHY MAHESH (Vocal) KASI AYSOLA (Nattuvangam) is the Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director of Prakriti Dance. Kasi is a Bharata Natyam dancer, choreographer, and nattuvanar who trained under his Guru, Viji Prakash, for over ten texasperformingarts.org

years. Kasi has been privileged to learn from leading exponents such as: Guru T.K. Kalyanasundaram, Mythili Prakash, Harikrishna Kalayanasundaram, Ajith Bhaskaran Dass, C.V. Chandrasekhar, Bragha Bessel & Sudha Chandrasekhar. Kasi has performed solo and group work in the US, India and abroad, and has toured with the Shakti Dance Company and Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company.

A versatile and composite artist, Kasi continues to further his study of classical Indian dance and music. He is a Kuchipudi disciple of the late Guru Sri Vempati Ravi Shankar. He continues his learning in Kuchipudi under Smt Yamini Saripalli. He also learns Carnatic music under Smt Vanaja Dasika.

JEFF BARTLETT (Light Design) has been honored to light Ragamala Dance Company since A Canticle of Mary in 1994. He has lit many of the company’s signature works, including Song of the Jasmine, Sacred Earth, 1,001 Buddhas: Journey of the Gods, Yathra/Journey, The Transposed Heads, Body and Soul, Bhakti, Sthree, and Ihrah. A dance lighting specialist based in Minneapolis, Jeff has lit scores of artists in hundreds of productions over more than two decades. A 2008 Artist of the Year in City Pages magazine, his design work has also been recognized with a 2015 St Paul Cultural Star Award, a 2014 Knight Arts Challenge Grant, 2010 and 2005 Sage Awards for Dance, and a 2003 McKnight Theater Artist Fellowship. Jeff is Production Manager and resident lighting designer at the Weitz Center for Creativity at Carleton College.

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CREDITS Concept and Choreography Ranee Ramaswamy and Aparna Ramaswamy Choreographic Associate Ashwini Ramaswamy Musical Composition Amir ElSaffar and Prema Ramamurthy Development of the Musical Score Amir ElSaffar, Aparna Ramaswamy, and Ranee Ramaswamy, with the musical ensemble Visual Art Original paintings by V. Keshav Additional artwork by Nathan Christopher Historical image provided by the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Cambridge Dancers Aparna Ramaswamy, Ranee Ramaswamy, Ashwini Ramaswamy, Tamara Nadel, Jessica Fiala Musical Ensemble Amir ElSaffar (trumpet, santur, and vocal), Preethy Mahesh (vocal), Rohan Krishnamurthy (mridangam), Arun Ramamurthy (violin), Kasi Aysola (nattuvangam)

Lighting Supervisor/Production Manager Mat Terwilliger Video Director Rob Simmer Commissioners The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi (Lead Commissioner and Developmental Partner) Opening Nights Performing Arts at Florida State University, Tallahassee Created in residence at The Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography (MANCC) at Florida State University, Tallahassee The Arts Center at NYU Abu Dhabi An NPN residency at The Yard in Martha’s Vineyard, MA The Cowles Center for Dance and the Performing Arts in Minneapolis, MN Special thanks to Dr. Vasudha Narayanan at the University of Florida Dr. Mark Elliott, Senior Curator at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology at the University of Cambridge Dr. Savitri Puram

Light Design Jeff Bartlett Sound Engineer Maury Jensen

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FAMILY TIES Alumna’s Ancestry Linked to India’s Nonviolence Movement

Photo by TK

BY SELENA SAN MIGUEL PHOTOS COURTESY OF THE SUKUMAR FAMILY

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Photo by Amitiva Sarkar

University of Texas at Austin Theatre and Dance graduate and former Texas Performing Arts employee Neha Sukumar ’18 shares her family’s historical role in India’s Independence with Bass Concert Hall guests.

When Neha Sukumar ’18 was a young girl, she loved to watch her sister dance.

“I would watch my older sister in her Bharathanatyam class, and I would discretely dance on the side [of the room]—trying out all the steps and poses,” said Neha. “I was always in awe of Bharathanatyam and I knew from a really young age I wanted to pursue it.” Soon after, Neha’s mother signed her up for Indian classical dance lessons.

Bharathanatyam, a form of dance dating back more than two thousand years, was originally a Hindu temple dance from the South Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Like many Indian families, the women in Neha’s family passed down this art form from generation to generation.

Neha worked for years to prepare for her Arrangetam, a debut Bharathanatyam performance, in India. Through practice and performance of this art form, she built a personal and spiritual connection.

“For many years now, it has been my own way of worshipping God and connecting to my heritage despite living so far from India,” said Neha. “I love that I can tell a story and translate emotions through this dance—it’s more than just movement to music and always has a deeper meaning behind it.” texasperformingarts.org

Growing up locally as a first generation American in a large Indian immigrant community, she learned Bharathanatyam as a way celebrate her cultural heritage and share it with others. This traditional dance had been performed by her sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.

In the future, Neha looks forward to watching her own daughter’s Arrangetam performance.

“One day, I was telling my family story to Judith, the Texas Performing Arts Campus & Community Engagement Assistant Director, when she asked me if I would be willing to share my family history to create this exhibit.”

“THESE STORIES ARE CLOSE TO MY HEART BECAUSE THEY REMIND ME THAT THE FIGHT FOR FREEDOM LED MY FAMILY TO A SUCCESSFUL LIFE IN AMERICA.” Feeling honored, Neha gladly agreed to have a collection of personal photos and items showcased in Bass Concert Hall in support of the Ragamala performance associated with The Power of Protest.

Part of the exhibit features Neha’s great-grandfather Vajapeyam Venkatasubbaiya’s

Opposite: Neha Sukumar at Bharathanatyam performance

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Vajapeyam Venkatasubbaiya (left) and letter from Ghandi

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The Power of Protest: Arts and Civil Disobedience is motivated by the increasingly contentious climate in America as demonstrated by worldwide protests for women’s rights, LGBTQ rights, immigration reform, and other controversial topics. Texas Performing Arts has partnered with The Andrew C. Mellon Foundation to highlight key performances that explore these ideas.

View Gandhi and the Nonviolence Movement and Bharatanatyam in Photos Sep 4–Dec 20, on Level 4 of Bass Concert Hall. texasperformingarts.org

Photo by TK

involvement in India’s nonviolent movement and his personal relationship with Mahatma Ghandi.

“My father would tell me these family stories to teach me how important the freedom movement was in India—what it meant for the country and our people,” she said. “These stories are close to my heart because they remind me that the fight for freedom led my family to a successful life in America.”

Over the past months, the Sukumar family sifted through the family collection of photographs and memorabilia from both the US and India to share in this exhibit.

Within the photographs, Neha’s relatives can be seen interacting with important leaders related to India’s struggle for independence.

“Everyone that we have featured in this exhibit has protested and fought for their freedom; whether that was freedom from the British Raj, freedom from unfair imprisonment, freedom from being

physically and brutally beaten because of their skin color in their own homeland, or freedom from any type of persecution.”

It is the Sukumar family’s goal that through sharing these personal stories, the audience can discuss the civil disobedience philosophy and visualize the connection between art and freedom.

“The beauty about this exhibit to me is the interconnectedness of it all,” said Neha. “I feel so blessed that I can honor my family on both my mother and father’s side as well as my cultural heritage and love for performing arts.”

Malpaso Dance Company PrePerformance Talk with Dr. Mariano DiazMiranda, Professor of History at Austin Community College.

Texas Performing Arts in the Community

Each season, Texas Performing Arts offers free community events to connect UT faculty, students of all ages, touring artists, and the greater Central Texas community with our performances.

Some of these events include: • Artist-led master classes • Pre and post-performance talks • Lunch-time chats with touring artists • Daytime performances for youth Join us for these fun events!

Visit texasperformingarts.org/getinvolved for more information.

A lasting legacy…

In April 2018, Texas Performing Arts lost a dear friend, Phillip Auth, who was a dedicated patron, donor, and member of the TPA Director’s Council.

Phillip enjoyed world music, jazz, and theater, but his passion was contemporary dance. In his will, Phillip made a bequest to establish the Phillip Auth Endowed Dance Fund. This gift from Phillip’s estate will be invested and proceeds will provide permanent, ongoing support for dance programming at Texas Performing Arts. Thanks to Phillip’s extraordinary generosity, future audiences will be able to enjoy the world-class contemporary dance that he loved so much.

If, like Phillip, you would like to leave a legacy that provides future generations the opportunity to enjoy the performances that bring so much joy to your life, we can help.

For more information: Sarah Young Associate Director of Development syoung@texasperformingarts.org 512.471.1195

Photo by TK

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Texas Inner Circle Texas Performing Arts gratefully acknowledges the financial support of our donors. Each year, thousands of students throughout the region enjoy the performing arts thanks to your generosity.

Donations made as of Aug 13, 2018 Please note that the donor acknowledgment page is updated each semester. Texas Performing Arts values every gift received.

However, we regret that limited space does not allow us to list every donor. For information on ways to give, please call the membership office at 512.232.8567 or email us at support@texasperformingarts.org *Denotes Essential Series Subscriber

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BENEFACTOR’S CIRCLE $6,000+ Anonymous Julie and Steve Avery Jannis and Robert B. Baldwin III Dianne and Robert Brode* Virginia and Gilbert Burciaga* Marianne and Mario Davila* Susan and Geoffrey Gay Joanne Guariglia* Dan Jackson and Jeremy Guiberteau* Julia Marsden* Eric and Angie Mischke Kathleen D. Panoff Stephanie L. Perkins* Gina and Don Reese Sarah and Berny Schiff PRODUCER’S CIRCLE $3,000-5,999 Drs. Lynn Azuma and Brian Hall Dinah and Barry Barksdale Thomas D. Barrett Carolyn R. Bartlett* Joe Batson Lori and Tito Beveridge Edwina P. Carrington Suzanne and Bill Childs* Maria and Jeffrey Dwyer* Matthew B. Ely Debi and Tom Etheredge Jessica and Marc Evans Susan and Lee Gammill* Cynthia S. Glover and Dwight C. Williams Susan and Barry Goodman Lisa Harris Mary Ann and Dr. Andrew Heller Mellie and Tom Hogan* Jessica Jansen and Michael Cicchella Dede Kerr Gretchen and Lance Kroesch* Sue and Gary Lowe Janis and Joe Pinnelli Chuck Ross and Brian Hencey* Tahira Sahibzada Dianne and Eugene Schoch, III Carolyn and Marc Seriff Syd Sharples* Carol Ann Shepherd Barry Smith Kathleen and Gilbert Soto Laura and David Starks Shari and Eric Stein Lorri Stevenson Barbara Tocker Carole Tower and Matthew St. Louis Rebecca and Scott Van Den Berg Chris Yost Annie and Brian Zucker DIRECTOR’S CIRCLE $1,200-2,999 Tiffany Andrews Anonymous Kimberly Attallah

Cathi Backor Bonnie L. Bain Becky Beaver and John Duncan* Casey Blass and Lee Manford Robert Bloemhof Tahra and Michael Boatright Kim Britt Kara and Shelby Brown Kim and Thomas Reed Brown* Kay Brumley Renee Butler Lee Carnes Carol and Shannon Casey Farrah and Nathan Chelstrom Linda and Jim Cintron Sue and Kevin Cloud Thomas Crowson Isabella Cunningham Dr. and Mrs. Exalton Delco* Margaret Denena and Cliff Knowles* Beth Domel Susan and David Donaldson Weslie and Stephen Elliott Barbara Ellis and Alex McAlmon* Kevin Espenlaub and John Hampton* Laura Estes and Joyce Lauck Judy and Bill Estes Mr. and Mrs. John W. Fainter, Jr. Richard and Susan Farias Andrew C. Fear Jim Ferguson and Art Sansone* Nanci L. Fisher Pamela and David Frager Clay Francis and Andrew Haver* Sandra Freed Nancy Gary and Ruth Cade Michael Gibertini and Kari Nations Brian Gleason* Sharon and Bruce Golden* Melissa and Rick Gorskie Carolyn and Lino Graglia Karen and Rowland Greenwade Sven and Robin Griffin Juan M. Guerrero, M.D. Richard Hartgrove and Gary Cooper* Gladys M. Heavilin Raje Heyer Anne and Thomas Hilbert Martha Hilley Damon and Ella Holditch Amy and Jeffrey Hubert Frank Ikard Admiral and Mrs. B. R. Inman Donna and B.R. Israel Ben and Jenn Ivester Jo Ann Ivester John Izzo and Deb Tackett* Gary C. Johnson Jacqueline and Eric Johnson* Dr. Peniel Joseph Donna and Edward King Sheila Kothmann Cathy and James Kratz Terri LeClercq and Jack Getman* Calvin and Donna Lee texasperformingarts.org

Sue and Larry Lewellyn* Ellen and Richard Leyh Suzanne Lima* Mr. and Mrs. George F. Littlejohn Thomas and Ashley Loftus Yadira and Delfino Lorenzo Gayle and Scott Madole Liza and Jack Martin Mr. and Mrs. W.F. McCasland Molly McDonald and Chad Hartmann Sheryl and Daniel McNichol Monica and Robert Meadows Leti Mendoza Jennifer and Jim Misko* Mary and Lynn Moak Amy Wong Mok Melissa Moloney and Chris Walk Miriam and Jim Mulva Jennifer Muniz Carol Nelson Meri and Don Nelson Jeffrey Neumann Alan Nicholson Elizabeth and Dustin Norman Jacqueline and Shawn O’Farrell Julie and Pat Oles, Jr. Cathy Oliver Leora Orent and Art Markman Seema Parekh and Neel Segal Connie and Sam Pate* Michele and Roy Peck Shari and John Pflueger Liz and Jon Phelan Leslie Powell Kate and Scott Powers Debbie and Jim Ramsey Sara and Dick Rathgeber Gina Richardson LTC and Mrs. Gerald Risovi Faith Roberts Kenneth and Libby Sandoval Nancy Scanlan Steve and Susan Schaffer Dylan Scott Nina and Frank Seely Tracey Sharples Trish and Brian Sierer Mark W. Smith* Karin and Robert Stern Austin Stitzer Bruce Stuckman Lisa and Gregory Symons Nancy and L. Brent Talbott Martha Talley Louann and Larry Temple John E. Thompson Keith Uhls* Craig Wagener Zahir Walji Mark Weiss and Janet Bray Suzy and Otto Wheeler* Theresa and K.C. Williams Suzanne and Marc Winkelman Jacqueline Wittmuss Dr. Lucas Wong and Dr. Lisa Go Michele and Jud Wyatt

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CENTER STAGE $600-1,199 Dwain Aidala Mark Aitala Eric and Jackie Anderson Anonymous Donna Ayala* Jana and Barry Bandera April Berman Carolyn and Andrew Birge Denis Blake Stephanie and Michael Blanck Kurtis and Katherine Bowman Robert Bracewell Janice and Charlie Brown Aaron Buckholtz Jeanette Cortinas Wilma Dankovich Lorraine and John Davis Courtney and Adam Debower Dr. and Mrs. Ben Denny Lucy Ditmore Sharon Duboise* Susan and David Eckelkamp Sheila Ellwood* Carol and Clint Fletcher Jane W. Fountain Jon and Terece Geld Cheryl and R. James George, Jr. Sharon and Richard Gibbons Glenn and Nancy Gilkey Gabrielle and Gary Grossenbacher Cindy and John Hanly Jennifer and Randall Harris* Matt Hoggle and Austin Rodenbiker Marjorie and David Hunter Diane M. Hurst Pam and Doug James Mr. and Mrs. Michael Johnston Susan and Richard Klusmann Jan and Orion Knox* Melanie C. Lewis Jenny and Luis Lidsky Robin Lieberman Mary and Don Lorenz Nancy and Dale Lowe Vicki and John Meadows Dawn and Jason Melear Frances Ellen and Paul Metzger Pauline and Alfred Meyerson James W. Moritz R. Kent Morrison Brian Neidig Margaret Nilson Jonathan Ninh Augustine Park Robert Pender Kari and Brian Phenegar Suzanne Pickens and Douglas Hoitenga* Eric Rabbanian Dawn and Thomas Rich Karla Roberson Julie and Richard Schechter Betty Schnell Austin Seal Sean P. Sexton Amy Shipherd

Katherine and Dennis Smith Raymond Smith Steven Smith Nancy Whitworth Spong John Stockton Kay Strand Geeta and David Suggs Judy and Jay Tarwater Stacy and Michael Toomey Saradee and Melvin Waxler Marie and Phil Wendell Leslie and Bryan Weston Brenda and Rex White, Jr. Michael Wilen Micka and Richard Ziehr BACK STAGE $300-599 Lani Abbott John Adams Kathleen and Randy Adams Patricia and Steve Adams Laura Agnew Charlotte Alexander Doug Alexander Terri and Rick Allen Charlene Allmon Joann Anderson Anonymous Sandy and Richard Apperley Joel Artzt Carol E. Barrett Sherri Herschmann Battle June and Jim Baumoel Liby and Carl Beck Vicki and Mike Belcher Judy and Bob Benning Sky Benson and James Martin Robin and Martin Berson Carolyn and Jon Bible Kevin Black and William Basinger Bobbie and Billy Bloch Philip Bowden Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Braasch Jeanette H. Bradfield Glenda and Gilbert Bragg Becky and Larry Brenner Linda Broaddus Francesca Brockett and Jim Pedicano* Brook and Gerald Broesche Christopher and Tira Brom Judy and Ronald Brown Kimberly Brown Martha and Louis Brown Peggy and Gary Brown Angela Bryant Kathryn and Christopher Burch Esther Ray Burns Josie and Jim Caballero Cathy and Thomas Campbell Kelly Canavan Mary Jean Cargile Beverly Carr Kristen and Luis Casaubon Sue Chalmers Shane Chambers Rita and William Chapman

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Anne Marie and Roger Chenu* Byron Childs Amrish Chokhavatia Beth and Tom Chronister Salina and Bing-Lun Chu Brenda Clayton Amy Clemmons and Mark Clarke Valerie Cline Fredrick G. Cloud III Joann Cocoros Eric and Sharon Cohan Rebecca and Mike Cole Sarah Compton Mary Crouch James B. Crow Jennifer and James Cuddeback* Mark Cunningham Brian and Amy Cussimanio Elaine Daigle Jo Ellen and William Dale Michael Damal Billy Davis Michelle DeWine* Courtney Dickey Richard and Deborah DiMeo Jim Dodrill and Kym Oltrogge Linda and Jim Dufner Patrick Dumont Jody and Robert Durch Karen and Tim Elliott Marsha and Jack Elrod Marilyn and Martin Englander Susan and Robert Epstein Eunice and Carlton Erickson* Debra and Heath Esterak Rosemary and Craig Estes Mary Etheredge Gaye H. Evert Marcia Fagerberg Carol Fahs Jaelene Fayhee and Jeff Smith Barb and Danny Fennewald Dinah and Bill Flood Paula Fowler Drs. Donald and April Fox Susan Gaddis Sara J. Gaetjens Lucy and Gary Gibbs Danny and Harriet Gleason Michelle and Jason Gooch Joy and Cal Gooden Nicola D. Grady Ann Graham* Susie Grandi Cynthia and Michael Gray Jana and John Grimes Beth and David Grimm Janet Grobowsky Bill and Carrie Grove Betty and Neil Gurwitz Maria Gutierrez and Peter Nutson Elizabeth and George Hainsworth Lawrence Hall Tizzle Bizzle Hallock Barbara and Tom Hamff Brenda and Tommy Harper Susan Harris Fran and Jim Hart

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Sherman Hart Laura Harvey Nicole Heimlich Bryan, Valerie, and Felicity Hesters Ann Heuberger Bette Hines Gabriela and Hector Hinojosa Aline and Alan Hollingsworth Laura and Marcus O. Horton Robbi Hull John Huth Linda Jacoby Linda Jakobeit Kibbie D. Jensen Darlene Jilka Marion and Jim Jirsa* Brian Johnson and Brooke Turner* Katherine P. and Thomas L. Johnson Steven Johnson Anita and Ralph Jones Brenda E. Jones Smruti Joshi Laura and Ronald Kaplan Peggy D. Karstendiek Profs. Kelso and Dart Randy Kemp Kathleen Kennedy Deborah S. and Bill Keyes Kim and Glen Kieschnick Krystal Kincell Mark Kobren Nancy and Henry Kojzarek Bobbi Kommineni and Chakri Gottemukkala Walter Kuenast Paul Lagrone Cyndee Lake Hans Landel* Sheryl and Richard Lane Nadya Laws Rhonda Lawson Jeffrey Lazar Daniel Leeman Gail and Larry Lerche Joan and Moise Levy Dawn and Fred Lewis Phyllis Light Jung Lim Betty Lorch Alaire and Thomas Lowry Maria Luedke Tracey and Steve Luhrs Charles Lupher Russell Lyday Flo and Ren MacNary John Madden and Nikki Le Ramona Magid Richard Maier Jason Mance Pat and John Maniscalco Peggy Manning Michelle and Richard Manson Sarah and Glenn Marcus Joyce Martin Lauren Martin Steve and Roxanne Martin Tonya and Nicco Martinez

Jerry and Cindy Matl Charlotte and Tom Matthews Vicki and W. S. May, Jr. Stephanie Mayes Natalie and John Mazzie Virginia and Donald McAlister Kelli McDonald Suzanne and John McFarlane Ford McTee Bret Meador Hawk Mendenhall Alan Metayer Lynn Meyer and Rick Clemens Mark Miller Tracie Miller Janet Mitchell Janet and Jerry Morford Gwen and Robert Morton Leslie and Ron Munson Radhika Nair Todd Nash Marina Navarrete Catherine and James Nelson Desmond Ng Caleb North Nancy Norvell Mary and David O’Bannon Susan and Robert Oakley Doug Opalka Dr. Susan Orth and Dr. Mark Maunder Betty and Ron Patterson Gene and Karen Payne R. Richard Payne Sally and Doug Pendergras Deborah H. Peterson Barbara and John Pickett Allen and Tonya Place Bonnie and James Pohl Carla and Steve Portnoy Wanda Potts Buck Powers and Greg Sovey Selena and David Procter Sandra and Harry Pruett James Putnam Christina and Steve Quakenbush Sharan Rae and Craig Smith Lisa and Curtis Randa Phil Reeder Elinor and Edwin Reese Colleen and James Reeves Charles Rice Jeanine and Dan Roadhouse Christy and Matthew Robinson Sandra and James Robinson Susan Rodenko Kathleen and Art Rodriguez Duane Rogers Michele Ross Patricia Rotunda Linda and Jerry Roudebush Summer Rydel Terry and Rita Salyer Roberta and Ernest Saulmon Chad Schexnayder Keith Schnell Sandford Matthew Schocket, M.D. Charles Schoepflin texasperformingarts.org

Catherine Scholl David A. Schwendner Suzy and Guss Searcy Jude Sears Kathy and Howard Seitzman Lori Nunan Shaw Ann Silvernail and Judy Tierney Louise Simpson Emily Skeen Carole Smith Debbie and David Smith Rae Smith The Snyder Family Ann and Benard Stafford Barbara and David Staggs Paul Stone Charlie Stover Teri and Alex Suarez Mary and Francis Sullivan Richard Suman Kathy and Daryl Swarts Peter Swartz Kathy and Tom Sweet William Tabbit-Humphrey Johanna Takach Lynn and Gabriel Tellechea Mary Temple Faye Terry Bri Thatcher and Andy Modrovich Carrie Thomas Jodie Thompson Kathy Thompson Carol and Ted Thomson Heather and Jeffrey Tramonte Leslie and Gary Urano Jamie and Thomas Valigura Janet and Jack Van Cleave Stephanie and Stewart Vanderwilt Angela and John Vanston Bruce Vasbinder Ruth Verver Nancy and Michael Voticky Dennis Waley Martha Waller Kate and John Watson Lynmarie Weaver Kenneth R. Webb Steve and Kathy Weiner Chrissie Welty Pamela Werner Tracy Weston Barbara and Daniel Wheat Connie and Scott White Dianne and Leslie White Patricia White* Carolyn Williams Dyanne and Stan Williams Ann and Eric Wilson Susan and Chris Wilson with Bonita Grumme Elise Winchester Jerie Winekauf Nancy and Allen Woelke Christine Wolf Lisa Wyatt Timothy Young Riyam Zreik

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Director’s Council Volunteer Leadership in Action The Texas Performing Arts Director’s Council is a group of dedicated donors, sponsors, and volunteers committed to presenting world-class performances, providing students access to every performance on our stages, and building the next generation of audiences, artists, and presenters.

We are grateful for their extraordinary support and dedication.

2018–19 COUNCIL MEMBERS Robert and Jannis Baldwin Becky Beaver and John Duncan Reny Buduan Edwina Carrington Marianne and Mario Davila Laura Estes and Joyce Lauck Joanne Guariglia Rob Hagelberg Dan Jackson and Jeremy Guiberteau Cassie LaMere Julia Marsden Stephanie L. Perkins Rachel Tocker Annie and Brian Zucker

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ESSENTIAL SERIES

Blackstar An Orchestral Tribute to David Bowie

Nov 1

Bass Concert Hall

Cellist Maya Beiser joins composer and conductor Evan Ziporyn and his Ambient Orchestra for a performance of David Bowie’s final album.

PRESENTED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH the Butler School of Music and KMFA-FM

$10 STUDENT TICKETS (K-12 and college) $12 MILITARY TICKETS

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Charity Angel Dawson, Desi Oakley and Lenne Klingaman in the National Tour of Waitress; Photo by Joan Marcus

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT / TEXAS PERFORMING ARTS

UT Students: Do you like Broadway, Concerts, and Comedy?

You need a BASS PASS. Get 10 Tickets to every show, all year long at Texas Performing Arts. $

Get yours at basspass.org

BASS PASS

The Team Relationships & Revenue Kathy Panoff

Kristi Lampi

Director and Associate Dean

Business Operations Manager

Judy Lister-Patrick

Leigh Remeny

Assistant to the Director

Administrative Associate, Business Operations

DEVELOPMENT

Terri Waddle

Ashley Clarke Member Relations Manager

Rachel Schoen

Senior Departmental Buyer, Business Operations

Ticket Concierge Manager

CAMPUS & COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Ann Stafford

Judith Rhedin

Director of Development

Sarah Weidler Young Associate Director for Development HUMAN RESOURCES

Warren G. Whitaker SPHR, SHRM-SCP, Human Resources Manager MARKETING

Gene Bartholomew Director of Marketing & Communications

Morgan Bathe

PRODUCTION

Seb Boone Master Electrician

Scott Bussey

Senior Associate Director

Assistant Stage Supervisor

Dani Pruitt Performance Logistics Coordinator

Hank Schwemmer Rebecca Switzer PROGRAMMING

Cynthia Patterson Program Manager

Will Shirey Talent Buyer

Tim Rogers

Master Electrician

Jeff W. Ellinger

Stage Supervisor

Business Operations, Programming & Production Rachel Durkin-Drga

Travis Perrin

STUDENT ENGAGEMENT

Danielle Culp

Marketing Coordinator, Strategic Content

Assistant Scenic Charge Artist

Sarah Cantu

Performance Logistics Coordinator

Selena San Miguel

Ashton Bennett Murphy

Technical Director

Marketing Coordinator, Media Buying & Settlements

Graphic Designer

Scenic Art Supervisor

Prop Shop Supervisor

Program Coordinator, Education & Curriculum Development

Phoebe Greene

Nick Galuban

Karen Maness

Brenda Simms

Laura Bennett

Marketing Specialist, Digital Media

Audio Supervisor

Master Carpenter

Lighting Supervisor

Erica De Leon

Michael Malak

Assistant Director, Campus & Community Engagement

Senior Graphic Designer

Project Administrator

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BUSINESS OFFICE

Conrad Haden Carolyn Hardin Assistant Prop Shop Supervisor

Jason Huerta Associate Scenic Studio Supervisor

J. E. Johnson Scenic Studio Supervisor

Yvonne Kimmons Assistant Director, Performance Logistics

Kenny Kuykendall Assistant Audio Supervisor

Lindsay Long Performance Logistics Coordinator

Assistant Director, Student Engagement

Patron Experience, Planning & Analytics Tara Vela Associate Director GUEST SERVICES

Sarah Andrews Guest Services Manager

Alec Pasquarella Special Events & Operations Manager TICKET OFFICE

Susan Griffin Ticketing Services Manager

Shade Oyegbola Assistant Ticketing Services Manager, Broadway & Theatre and Dance

Dianne Whitehair Ticketing Systems Manager texasperformingarts.org

Texas Performing Arts is also proud to acknowledge the hundreds of part-time and volunteer staff who play a critical role in presenting our annual season of world-class performing arts events to the Austin community.

House Managers Dina Black Virginia Bosman Margaret Byron Jan Collinson Carlos Hernandez Chuck Hesse Paige Horton Olga Kasma-Carnes Charlotte Klein

Eric Lee Laura Kojzarek Lee Michael Lee Ryan Monahan Shana Nichols Elisabeth Poigin Kimberly Hans Reaves Jessica Reed Ron Rizzato

Gracie Sanders Robyn Scott Josh Shandera Julie Spruell Andrea Stanfill Debra Thomas Leah Waheed Kyle Walker Sally Zukonik

Student Employees Hannah Hurst Alexandra Jereb Taylor Jones Jiajing Qi Mikaela Kelarek Rachel Lai Adriana Lara James “Wyatt” Laster Kelsey Linberg Anna Lu Mila Luna Natalie Manning Jenifer Margos Zachary Markizer Diamante Martinez Adam Means Sean Meyers Olivia Naworol Brian Nguyen Claire Norris

April Owusu Malyssa Quiles Alyson Redland Hayley Reese Morgan Riddle Ryan Rosson Jessica Sell Brenda Stanfill Christian Scheller Brisa Shaw Rohit Swaminathan Skyler Taten Taylor Travis George Velasquez Eric Vera Kenneth Wei Henry Wheatley-Ruther Nathan Wilton Claire Wood

Photo by TK

Laura Baggs Mahaly Baptiste Alex Bellon Jacob Brinks Casey Canamar I Gusti Ayu “Tiara” Chikadini Jane Cloninger Madeline Daniell Maddie Dennison Kate Dopkin Carol Endicott Emily Fernandez Wendy Fernandez Benjamin Galvan Lina Garcia Lauryn Hanley Madeleine Hayes Hannah Robbins Hopkins Jared Horn

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Become a Corporate Circle Member Members of the Corporate Circle enjoy VIP benefits while providing jobs for up to 70 students at Texas Performing Arts each year. With your support, students gain real work experience in every field from accounting to stage management, as well as professional mentoring, résumé and job search support, and a paycheck to help cover the cost of a world-class education at The University of Texas at Austin.

The Corporate Circle is a great way to enjoy everything that Texas Performing Arts has to offer today, align your brand with the cultural leader in Central Texas, and help our students build a strong foundation for the future!

ENCORE

OVATION

Audre and Bernard Rapoport Regents Chair in Jewish Studies Dell Computer Corporation Dormady Financial Tito’s Handmade Vodka APPLAUSE

Austin Oral Surgery Michael Iupe, PLLC Jean-Marc Fray French Antiques K Friese & Associates Live Oak-Gottesman OroSolutions For information on the Corporate Circle contact Ashley Clarke, Member Relations Manager 512.232.8567 | aclarke@texasperformingarts.org 44

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Photo courtesy of ©Park Street Photography

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MAKE THE MEMORIES LAST ALL SEASON T H E S P E L L B I N D I N G S E Q U E L T O T HE PH A N TOM OF T HE OPER A

NOV 27 - DEC 2 ON SALE NOW!

JAN 22 - 27 ON SALE OCTOBER 26

FEB 12 - 17 ON SALE NOVEMBER 9 ”ENTIRELY FRESH.

A REASON FOR CELEBRATION!” –NEW YORK MAGAZINE

APRIL 2 - 7 ON SALE NOVEMBER 30

JOIN US FOR THE BEST OF BROADWAY BroadwayInAustin.com Groups 10+*: 877.275.3804 WAITRESS contains mature content Presented by Texas Performing Arts. Broadway Across America provides production services for Texas Performing Arts. Sales tax exempt pursuant to Texas Tax Code Section 151.3101 (a)(3).

Celebrate as we welcome the collaboration of world-renowned Chef & Restaurateur Richard Sandoval and Chef James Flowers at Four Seasons Hotel Austin.

Enjoy 15% off and VIP parking with our Pre-Theatre dinner offer.

98 San Jacinto Boulevard | Austin, TX 78701 | 512.685.8300

Support The 2018–19 Texas Performing Arts Season is made possible by generous support from our corporate and foundation partners.

PRESENTING SPONSOR

PLATINUM SPONSORS

GOLD SPONSORS

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MEDIA SPONSORS

PROGRAM SUPPORT

As an educational institution committed to the free exchange of ideas, Texas Performing Arts is proud to present a rich array of performing arts for the Austin and Central Texas community. Sponsorship of Texas Performing Arts does not imply endorsement of artists or their performance content by sponsors or their representatives.

For Information on Corporate Sponsorship Contact Ann Stafford, Director of Development 512.471.7583 | astafford@texasperformingarts.org 50

texasperformingarts.org

RARE FORM

IN SUPPORT OF GREAT PERFORMERS Lexus of Austin and Lexus of Lakeway are proud sponsors of the Lexus Broadway in Austin series at Texas Performing Arts. Through this dynamic partnership, Lexus is committed to supporting the cultural life in Central Texas by expanding world-class programming and strengthening the bond between performing arts and the community.

LEXUS OF AUSTIN 9910 Stonelake Boulevard (512) 343 -3400

lexus.com | #Lexus

LEXUS OF LAKEWAY 108 RR 620 South (512) 580 - 0600

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5 THINGS TO EXPECT FROM THIS ESSENTIAL SERIES SEASON

1

Bellyaches

Comedy troupes and colorful playwrights will leave you with breathless with laughter.

Photos by Jeff Thomas, Mark Niskanen, John Abbott, and Tom Lawlor

Learn more about our Essential Series artists at texasperformingarts.org/season

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Rhythm

Whether it’s the smooth jazz of Fred Hersch or the harmonies of The Sounds of Zamar, you’ll enjoy this season’s melodies.

Strength

From the athleticism of the acrobats to the grace of Ragamala dancers, this season’s dance performances will demonstrate the art of strength.

4

Storytelling

Photo by TK

This season’s storytelling will transport you through Shakespeare’s Elizabethan era, the heartbreak of WWI, and the historic events of the 1960s.

texasperformingarts.org

5

Culture

You’ll experience a spectrum of cultures that bring perspectives from around the globe to center stage.

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1. Inspired by the second century Indian board game, Paramapadham (the precursor to Snakes and _ _ _ _ _ _ _) and the 12th century Sufi poem, “A Conference of Birds.” (7 LETTERS) 2. The company is currently under the direction of its co-founder Ranee Ramaswamy and her daughter Aparna, who is a first-generation _ _ _ _ _ _-American artist. (6 LETTERS) 3. Ragamala Dance Company has been sharing the South Indian classical dance form of Bharatanatyam with audiences for over _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ years.

(10 LETTERS)

4. Yekwon Sunwoo is the gold medalist of the 2017 Van _ _ _ _ _ _ _ International Piano Competition. (7 LETTERS) 54

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5. Born in Anyang, South _ _ _ _ _ , Sunwoo studied at the Curtis Institute of Music, The Juilliard School, and received his artist diploma at the Mannes School of Music under Richard Goode. (5 LETTERS) 6. A self-proclaimed foodie, Yekwon Sunwoo enjoys finding _ _ _ in each city he visits. (3 LETTERS) 7. He gave both his recital and _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ debuts in 2004 in Seoul before moving to the United States in 2005 to study with Seymour Lipkin at the Curtis Institute of Music. (9 LETTERS) 8. Record label _ _ _ _ _ Gold released Cliburn Gold 2017 two weeks after Sunwoo’s Cliburn win. The album reached #1 on the Traditional Classical Album Billboard charts. ( 5 LETTERS)

texasperformingarts.org

Answers: 1. LADDERS; 2. INDIAN; 3. TWENTY-FIVE; 4. CLIBURN; 5. KOREA; 6. PHO; 7. ORCHESTRA; 8. DECCA

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Albert Einstein

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