Franklin College Fine and Performing Arts Brochure | Season 25-26

FROM THE DEAN

Greetings all new and returning fans of the arts at UGA,

For the first time, you can find all of the arts programming in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences in one place –cultural offerings and opportunities in the Department of Dance, the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, the Lamar Dodd School of Art, and the Department of Theatre and Film. I am so proud of the work of our students, faculty, and staff. We are thrilled to invite you to explore all we have to offer – attend our exhibitions, performances, concerts, and student screenings; join our community art/music classes and more.

Poised at the dynamic intersection of the arts and sciences, Franklin College fosters discovery and creativity as well as academic, research, and performance excellence at the University of Georgia. This brochure highlights the tremendous and varied talents of our students and faculty. We also have a strong roster of visiting artists, scholars, and musicians – all of which help strengthen our research and curriculum, while bringing the world at large to Athens.

The arts serve as crossroads for students, both fine and performing arts majors and non-majors alike, welcoming all into the transformative experience of creative expression and curious exploration. In fact, we lean into the power of the “and” in our name – Franklin College of Arts and Sciences. We see the symbol for “and,” the ampersand, as a beacon of what is possible when these disciplines explore our world together.

FRANKLIN

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I encourage you to support the Fine and Performing Arts in Franklin College and I welcome you to join us for these rewarding opportunities to experience the arts at UGA.

Anna Stenport Dean Franklin College of Arts and Sciences

Photo: Dean Stenport celebrates the Franklin Spark with students in the Hugh Hodgson School of Music during the February 2025 Franklin Fest.

Inset photo: Dean Anna Stenport

Audiences are key component for student success

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences provides a wide variety of experiential learning for students in all disciplines. Whether students are putting a scientific theory into practice in a lab environment or exploring the world through our study abroad programs, these key educational moments are essential parts of the Franklin experience. But for the Fine and Performing Arts at Franklin, a key component of our student’s growth is you…our rich and engaged audience and patrons.

“A performance without an audience is a rehearsal,” said Daniel Bara, interim director for the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. “The energy of a listening audience will have an effect on how a musician will sing and play.” Recent music graduate Marianna Schwark feels the same way. “Feeding off the emotions of the audience, making them feel something and them giving us something back — it’s impossible to describe the feeling.” (Read more about Schwark on page 42.)

Julie Ray, head of the Department of Theatre and Film, agrees. “Our students sometimes think that they know a script, but they can’t really be sure until they perform it in front of a crowd. In live theatre, the audience dynamic shifts with every performance. They need to learn how to navigate audiences who are uproarious and those that are more contemplative while giving the same strong performance every evening.”

This participation is equally important in the Lamar Dodd School of Art. According to Joseph Peragine, director, the critical response to an exhibition “is at the center of a young artist’s development—simply seeing their work outside the classroom, presented in a professional setting alongside other artists’ work, fundamentally shifts how it is perceived, both by others and by the artist themselves. Art is a conversation, and participating in that dialogue helps students refine their practice and learn to stand up for their work in the face of potential criticism.”

The Office of University Experiential Learning believes that creative activities are an excellent way for students to challenge themselves. There are few things more impactful than the immediate feedback a student receives from a performance or exhibit. The reflection process, including considering audience feedback, is an essential component of experiential learning and helps students develop understanding and knowledge through the experience.

“When audiences attend one of our performances,” said Rebecca Gose, head of the Department of Dance, “they aren’t just getting a great show. They are playing an active role in shaping the future of the fine and performing arts in Athens, Georgia, and beyond.”

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

THIS SEASON IN FRANKLIN FINE AND PERFORMING ARTS

WOODWORK

PHOTOGRAPHY

DESIGN

DESIGN

CENTER OF CONNECTION

Year after year, the Lamar Dodd School of Art invites the public to 70+ free events centering visual art, design, culture, and history, along with dozens of community art classes for adults and children. Athens is a college town with a longstanding appreciation of both visual and performing arts, and so unsurprisingly we find our students and community members alike eager to come across new and fresh perspectives.

Boasting almost 100 years as a top producer of artists in both craft and contemporary art and designers from interior to graphic, the Dodd is a meeting point for compelling encounters. We are fortunate to serve our students, faculty, visiting artists, and scholars with five major galleries in our main building on east campus, along with a contemporary art gallery off Broad Street in downtown Athens, the Athenaeum. This year, we also celebrate the tenth anniversary of the C-U-B-E Gallery, an innovative design space curated by Moon Jang, associate professor of graphic design.

When you glance at our season, you’ll find a wide range of media and topics to dive into—an opportunity to engage with vital contemporary conversations. Highlights include: a visiting artist lecture by photographer Mimi Plumb, whose work will be on view at the High Museum of Art; the first major solo exhibition and symposium on the late Beverly Buchanan’s period of artmaking in Athens, guest curated by Mo Costello and Katz Tepper at the Athenaeum; and a lecture by our own Mark Abbe, associate professor of art history on the conservation of marble sculpture in Petra.

ART LAMAR DODD

GRAPHIC DESIGN

PASSION DEDICA-

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The value of public art programming often comes into sharp relief during challenging social moments; many of us recall the salve that art provided during the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic. This power emanates from art’s inherent centering of connection, empathy, and critical inquiry. We are proud to co-create these spaces with students, faculty, and visiting artists and scholars, and we hope you’ll find joy, intrigue, and reflection in our spaces alongside us.

With over 14 areas of studio art and design concentration, art history, and art education, the Dodd has much to offer. And our donors are at the heart of our ability to share scholarship and new artworks with you. If you’d like to support our efforts, we invite you to learn more in the giving and underwriting sections of this brochure on page 48-49.

We are excited to be joining forces with our talented peers in the Franklin College of Arts and Sciences for this inaugural Franklin Arts brochure. We welcome the opportunity to share patrons in the arts, encouraging new faces to participate in our exhibitions, lectures, markets, and more. Moreover, as we grow more closely aligned, I anticipate opportunities for greater exchange between the arts, as well as with the sciences.

Please say hello if you spot me at any of our events. We hope to see you in our galleries and lecture halls this year.

Joseph Peragine Director

Lamar Dodd School of Art

LAMAR DODD SCHOOL OF ART GALLERIES

Dodd Galleries at Lamar Dodd School of Art Building

The Dodd Galleries are dedicated to understanding and promoting contemporary art as a tool and catalyst for education. The Galleries consist of five exhibition spaces that act as laboratories and testing grounds for innovation located among our classrooms and studios. Committed to the idea of art-as-research, the Galleries host established and emerging artists, designers, critics, and curators of national and international stature along with interdisciplinary programming designed to question, educate, and inspire.

Athenaeum in Downtown Athens

The Athenaeum is a non-collecting contemporary art exhibition venue affiliated with the University of Georgia and the Lamar Dodd School of Art. The mission of the Athenaeum is to support artists, pursue contemporary art and ideas with rigor, and to serve as a flexible space that invites extended looking and encourages critical thinking. We are dedicated to presenting the work of major artists in the field of contemporary art as well as centering under-recognized and emerging artists in the commission of new works and projects.

C-U-B-E Gallery at Lamar Dodd School of Art Building

C-U-B-E is a multi-functional space that explores and demonstrates experimental, contemporary design practices. It invites designers, artists, and students to exhibit works and conduct participatory workshops.

Beverly Buchanan, Untitled, Date Unknown, color photograph, 4 x 6 in. Courtesy of Prudence Lopp.

DODD GALLERIES SCHEDULE

EXHIBITION EVENTS

25-26 Exhibition Season Opening

Thursday, September 4 from 5-7 p.m.

Exhibition Opening & MFA Open Studios Thursday, October 9 from 5-7 p.m.

Fall 2025 BFA Exit Show Opening Friday, November 21 from 5-7 p.m.

La Mostra, Closing Event & Reception Saturday, January 24 from 3-5 p.m.

Spring 2026 Exhibition Opening Thursday, February 5 from 5-7 p.m.

Spring 2026 BFA Exit Show Openings Friday, April 3 from 5-7 p.m Friday, April 17 from 5-7 p.m Friday, May 1 from 5-7 p.m.

FALL 2025

Monday - Friday 8 a.m. - 4:45 p.m. Closed weekends and University holidays.

SPRING 2026

AUGUST 28 - SEPTEMBER 26

The grid made human, Gabrielle Gagné Bridge Gallery (3rd Floor)

Slowing Down, Alexandra Stover and Jordan Winiski Suite Gallery (3rd Floor)

AUGUST 28 – NOVEMBER 14

The Body Politic, Kristine Potter 2025 Margie E. West Alumni Prize Exhibition

Margie E. West Gallery (1st Floor)

Mountain Tongue, Aidan Koch Curated by Lindsey Reynolds Lupin Foundation Gallery (3rd Floor)

NEOLOGISMS, Slinko Plaza Gallery (3rd Floor)

OCTOBER 9 – NOVEMBER 14

The Sweetest Meat in This Abattoir Effy Wang

Bridge Gallery

Not Here / Not Now

Curated by Hail Holtzclaw and Samuel Horgan Plaza Gallery

NOVEMBER 21 – DECEMBER 3

Fall 2025 BFA Exit Show Galleries:

Bridge, Suite, Lupin Foundation, Plaza

Top image: Aidan Koch, Excerpt from Stone Blue Sky, 2021. Bottom image: Kristine Potter, The Medium, 2017, from the series Dark Waters. © Kristine Potter

| @uga_dodd_art | doddcomm@uga.edu

JANUARY 12 - JANUARY 24

La Mostra, 2025 UGA Cortona exhibition Galleries:

Bridge, Suite, Lupin Foundation, Plaza

FEBRUARY 5 – MARCH 20

Très Mall, Derek Larson

Margie E. West Gallery

The 35th Annual Student Scientific and Medical Illustration Juried Exhibition curated by Scientific Illustration Lecturer Amanda Manowski

Lupin Foundation Gallery

Exhibition coinciding with British Academy Fellowship curated by Tracey Johnson, assistant professor of history & African American studies

Bridge Gallery

Numinous Material

New work by Phoebe Agnès-Mills Plaza Gallery

Quantum Castle

curated by Jeanne Marie Martineau

Suite Gallery

2026 BFA EXHIBITIONS APRIL 3 - MAY 8

BFA Studio 1: April 3 - April 10: All Galleries

BFA Studio 2: April 17 - April 24: All Galleries

Interior Design, May 1 - 8

Margie E. West Gallery

Graphic Design, May 1 - 8

Lupin Foundation/Plaza Galleries

Art Education, May 1 - 8

Bridge Gallery

Scientific Illustration, May 1 - 8

Suite Gallery

ATHENAEUM SCHEDULE

Krista Clarke & Steven Thompson Gallery Opening

Saturday, September 13 from 4-6 p.m.

Beverly’s Athens Gallery Opening Saturday, January 17 from 4-6 p.m.

Beverly’s Athens Symposium

Saturday, March 21 time TBA

2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition Opening Saturday, April 11 from 4-6 p.m.

Annual Athens Art Book Fair June 2026 (Dates TBA)

FALL 2025

SEPTEMBER 3 – NOVEMBER 22

Krista Clarke: assembly & Steven Thompson: Ever Loyal, Ever True

The Athenaeum presents assembly, a site-specific installation of new work by Krista Clark (American, b. 1975) in the main gallery, accompanied by Ever Loyal, Ever True, an exhibition of recent work by Steven Thompson (American, b. 1967) in a side gallery. Both artists share an affinity to pushing the boundaries and definitions of traditional drawing through layering, erasure, and additive means, moving their work towards sculptural abstraction that commands a physical call-and-response.

SPRING 2026

JANUARY 16 – MARCH 21

Beverly’s Athens Co-curated by Mo Costello and Katz Tepper

Beverly Buchanan (1940–2015) lived in Athens, Ga. from 1987 to 2010. Beverly’s Athens, the first major solo exhibition of her work in the city, situates Buchanan’s expansive practice from this period within the local and lived conditions that shaped it. The exhibition emphasizes two intertwined threads from Buchanan’s Athens years: her modes of surviving chronic illness in the absence of an equitable healthcare system, and her multidisciplinary efforts to study and commemorate Black Southern geography, traditions, and forms.

APRIL 11 – MAY 9

2026 MFA Thesis Exhibition

*The Athenaeum is closed during UGA football home games and follows any UGA administrative or academic closures. For Fall 2025, the Athenaeum is closed: Sept 6, 27, Oct 4, 18, Nov 15, 22. The Athenaeum is also closed Friday, Oct. 31 for fall break. Check art.uga.edu for additional spring closures.

(Left) Steven Thompson, Earth, Goddesses and Garlands, 2025.

(Right) Krista Clark, How to Water a Garden, 2024.

TUESDAY SIGNATURE LECTURE SERIES

At the Dodd, teaching and research are supplemented by the Visiting Artists and Scholars Program, which brings a wide range of extraordinary practitioners to campus. While in Athens, they give lectures, lead workshops, and participate in community activities. Always free and open to the public, these Tuesday evening lectures are an integral part of the culture at the School of Art and are an essential facet of education in the fields of art, design, art history, and art education. Lectures by visiting artists and scholars are supplemented by faculty research lectures from both within the Dodd and faculty across UGA whose interdisciplinary research is arts related. Thanks to generous support from donors, the School of Art offers additional named lectures like the Jack Davis Lecture in Illustration and Design, attracting experts in the field to campus for student enrichment and free public programs.

Association of Graduate Art Students (AGAS) Lecture Series and Shouky Shaheen Lecture in Art History not yet announced. Art History Faculty Lecture Series subject to change. Check back this fall at art.uga.edu for more information.

image:

Bottom image: Jamie Isenstein, Dancing Pop-up Fishing Sculpture, detail, 2010.

All School of Art lectures are free and open to everyone.

Aidan Koch: Visiting Artists & Scholars Lecture

Tuesday, August 26, 5:30 p.m., Main Building S150

Aidan Koch is an artist and graphic novelist based in the Mojave Desert whose solo exhibition Mountain Tongue will open at the Dodd Galleries on August 28. Koch’s work uses modes of ecological story-telling to explore loving and fraught relationships between humans, non-human animals, and landscapes. She is the author of several graphic novels including: Xeric Award winning The Blonde Woman (2012), After Nothing Comes (2016), and Spiral and Other Stories (2024). Her work has been exhibited at the Whitney Museum of American Art, South Bend Museum of Art, and Queens University Belfast, among others. Koch’s ongoing projects, Institute for Interspecies Art and Relations and Environmental Comics, act as pedagogical and collaborative extensions of her ecological inquiries.

Jamie Isenstein: Visiting Artists & Scholars Lecture

Tuesday, January 27, 5:30 p.m., Main Building, Room TBA

Multimedia artist Jamie Isenstein’s work considers perception, subjectivity, and the slippery nature of animate and inanimate existence. In her often humorous work, differences between fact and fiction, subject and object, and life and death are often blurred. Whether using sculpture, video, performance, painting, or photography to convey her intentions, at the heart of Isenstein’s work is a desire to probe the formation of knowledge – how we come to understand our world and what it means to be human today. Isenstein has shown her work nationally and internationally including at The Whitney Museum of Art, New York City; The Hammer Museum, Los Angeles; Tate Liverpool, UK; PS1, New York; Palais de Tokyo, Paris; and ICA Chattanooga. She lives in Portland, Ore.

art.uga.edu | @uga_dodd_art | doddcomm@uga.edu

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Installation view of Kara Walker: Back of Hand, Athenaeum, 2023.

SIGNATURE LECTURE SERIES SCHEDULE

ART HISTORY LECTURE SERIES

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 9, 5:30 p.m.

“The Aphrodite−Al-‘Uzzá Conservation Collaborative: Conserving and Contextualizing Recently Discovered Marble Sculpture at Petra”

Mark Abbe, Associate Professor of Art History

Main Building N100

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 5:30 p.m.

“Curtains”

Isabelle Wallace

Associate Professor of Art History

Main Building N100

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 5:30 p.m.

“On Manet”

Alisa Luxenberg, Professor Emerita of Art History

Main Building N100

TUESDAY, MARCH 3, 5:30 p.m.

“On Quincy Adams Ward’s sculpture, The Freedman”

Akela Reason, Associate Professor of History, Director of the Museum Studies Certificate

Main Building N100

TUESDAY, MARCH 31, 5:30 p.m.

“The Walters Aphrodite: Excavating an important ancient marble head from the basement”

Mark Abbe, Associate Professor of Art History

Main Building N100

VISITING ARTIST, SCHOLARS,

AND

SPECIALTY LECTURE SERIES

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 9, 5:30 p.m.

Katie Kameen

Ann Orr Morris Lecture in Jewelry and Metalwork

Kameen will have work on view at the Lyndon House Arts Center. Lecture coincides with Dodd Galleries opening and MFA Open Studios.

Main Building, Room TBA

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 15, 5:30 p.m.

Jen De Los Reyes, Associate Professor at Cornell, Associate Dean for Diversity and Equity

Main Building S150

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 5:30 p.m.

“High on Type”

Guido de Boer, Jack Davis Lecture in Illustration

Main Building, Room TBA

TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 24, 5:30 p.m.

Dee Clements, weaver and sculptor

Main Building, Room TBA

TUESDAY, MARCH 17, 5:30 p.m.

Mimi Plumb, photographer

Mimi will have a solo exhibition on view at the High Museum of Art.

Main Building, Room TBA

TUESDAY, APRIL 14, 5:30 p.m.

Garnette Cadogan, Tunney Lee Distinguished Lecturer in Urbanism at MIT

Main Building, Room TBA

DODD MARKET

Get ready for another Dodd Market — a signature student-run event profiling over 100 student artists at UGA! Organized by the Lamar Dodd School of Art’s Dodd Ambassadors, the Dodd Market’s mission is to provide valuable selling experience to art students and to engage the UGA and Athens community with student artists.

NOVEMBER 7, 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.

POWER OF MOMENTUM

Welcome to the Department of Dance in Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at UGA! As I move into my second year as the head of the Department of Dance, I want to take a moment to celebrate what we accomplished during the 24-25 academic calendar. With so much great momentum last year, we can’t wait to see where it propels us for the coming season.

I want to start by once again thanking Vic Riden III for his exceptional gift this year. Those of you who joined us for our UGA Dance Company Spring Concert in April have already seen the bright and cheerful space, now named the Victor and Annette Riden Family Theatre Lobby, that was part of this gift. We cannot wait to greet a full season of patrons in this welcoming space. In addition to this renovation, the Riden donation and subsequent generous matching funds by our community have enabled new promotional videos on our website (dance.uga.edu), and sharply helped incorporate Franklin College’s “spark” into our website and social media platforms, elevating our “Dance And” identity. The Riden family donation is part of our new and ongoing Dance 2.0 fundraising initiative which kicks off its second year this fall.

FRANKLIN

On the academic front, given the power of dance both as an art and as a healthy physical activity, we have been successful in adding selected introductory dance courses as part of the UGA physical education requirement. Such classes were always available to nonmajors, but now they will fulfill the academic requirement necessary for graduation. This will help more non-majors keep dance present in their lives, but it will also make it that much easier to incorporate dance into degrees and certificates, such as the Music Theatre Certificate program.

DAN DEPARTM

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PASSION DEDICA-

We are excited to welcome a new full-time faculty member to our team. Jennifer Weber, assistant professor of ballet, merges analytical precision with creative artistry. Holding an MFA from the University of Iowa and a BA in Mathematics, she has danced professionally with Omaha Theater Company, Ballet Quad Cities, and Ballet Nebraska. In addition to teaching ballet, Jennifer will be collaborating with various health and science curricula in developing a Certificate in Dance Science, Health and Wellness, aimed at serving the many science-oriented dance majors and minors who are interested in pursuing both their artistry on stage and in integrating dance as specialists in various dance-related careers such as physical therapists, arts for health specialists, PAs, doctors, and surgeons.

All of this growth directly enhances and supports new possibilities for our students. You can see that growth play out in real time throughout our four-concert season each year. The level of complexity, artistry, passion, and talent combined with the academic strength and commitment of our students is what makes each performance unique and special. We are so excited to share our dancers’ work with you this season!

Sincerely,

Rebecca Gose Head of the Department of Dance

Performance from the Young Choreographers Series from November 2023.

STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHY CONCERT

FORMERLY THE YOUNG CHOREOGRAPHERS SERIES

Wednesday, November 12 at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, November 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Dance Theatre | 263 West Green Street, Athens, GA

The UGA Department of Dance Student Choreography Concert is both a Senior Exit and Emerging Choreographers Showcase, choreographed and produced by the students with faculty and staff guidance and mentorship. Encompassing various music genres and styles of dance, the show has a vast spectrum of creativity and something for every audience member to enjoy! Our students not only build choreographic and leadership skills, but they also get to learn and work with their peers while fully exploring the styles of dance they have been learning and helping to push them in new and innovative ways along the way. dance.uga.edu | @ugadancedept | ugadance@uga.edu

The Ballroom Performance Group performing one of their pieces from Ballroom Magic 2025

BALLROOM MAGIC 2026

CO-DIRECTED BY MICHAEL FULFORD AND NATALIE COX

Thursday, February 5 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 6 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 7 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Dance Theatre | 263 West Green Street, Athens, GA

The Ballroom Performance Group (BPG) is a student dance company at the University of Georgia. The group promotes an appreciation of ballroom dance through performances on campus and around the community. The company was founded in 1991 by Dr. Mark Wheeler. BPG hosts its annual showcase, “Ballroom Magic,” the second semester of each school year. The show consists of between 20 to 25 choreographed pieces in Smooth and Latin dancing, along with guest performances. The majority of pieces in “Ballroom Magic” are choreographed for and premiered at the show. dance.uga.edu | @ugadancedept | ugadance@uga.edu

SANKOFA: A DANCE CELEBRATION DIRECTED

BY JASON ARYEH

Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, February 20 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, February 21 at 2:30 p.m.

Dance Theatre | 263 West Green Street, Athens, GA

The UGA Department of Dance celebrates inclusive excellence through performance. With choreographic works that explore African and diaspora experiences through performance, emphasizing bringing all communities together in celebration, this high energy show includes performances by UGA dance students, as well as dancers from across campus, the local community and region, and features powerful, highly-integrated live West African drummers and other musicians. Often featuring incredible guest performances alongside our talented students, this is an engaging and stunning celebration of our shared human experience through movement. dance.uga.edu | @ugadancedept | ugadance@uga.edu

One of the dancers from GRACE performs a powerful solo during their performance February 2025.

UGA DANCE COMPANY SPRING CONCERT

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR BARBARA POWERS

Thursday, April 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 10 at 7:30 p.m.

Saturday, April 11 at 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.

Featuring dance faculty and guest artist choreography, often including guest alumni artists, this department-wide annual concert, and all that goes into its preparation, provides high-level performance training for dance students, where their learned technical and artistic skills are applied in an authentic setting, reflecting true experiential learning.

The spring concert provides a diverse array of dance genres that are representative of the coursework offered within the AB degree in dance. These genres range from aerial and contemporary modern to ballet, Afrofusion, and ballroom dance. This unique lineup is always an audience favorite and has something for everyone!

dance.uga.edu | @ugadancedept | ugadance@uga.edu

This aerialist performs during an exciting medley of songs from the musical Wicked during the UGA Dance Company Spring Concert in April 2025.

Come take a tour of the garden!

Walk-up tours are now being offered at 11 a.m. Tuesdays-Fridays through select areas of the garden. Tours are $5 per person for groups of less than 10 people. No reservation needed!

For questions, please contact Andrea Fischer at afischer@uga.edu or 706-542-6195.

PARTS AND PIECES

The Department of Theatre and Film is a dynamic hub of creativity, scholarship, and performance, playing a vital role in the cultural and academic life of the university and surrounding community since the 1930s. With over 200 undergraduate majors and 60 graduate students, we offer comprehensive programs in theatre, film, and production—blending rigorous academic study with hands-on artistic practice. Our faculty and students craft narratives that illuminate the human experience, challenge perspectives, and inspire empathy, bringing stories to life in ways that deeply resonate with audiences.

Our annual theatre season offers a rich range of experiences, from classic plays to contemporary works and original student creations. In our intimate 99-seat Cellar Theatre, you’ll engage with our smaller scale productions, new student works, and student group performances.

Meanwhile, our beautiful historic Fine Arts Theatre hosts our annual musical production and larger-scale shows. The productions are designed by students in our MFA Design program, with undergraduates working diligently on stage and behind the scenes—providing valuable experiential learning and rigorous theatrical training.

Our undergraduate and graduate film programs emphasize both critical analysis and creative production. Students explore cinema through scholarly research, scriptwriting, and filmmaking, often showcasing their work at festivals and exhibitions. With access to industry-standard equipment and mentorship from accomplished faculty and alumni, students engage in projects that contribute to national and international conversations.

THEATRE

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PASSION DEDICA-

We also foster interdisciplinary collaboration, community outreach, and global engagement. Guest artists, scholars, and alumni regularly lead workshops, lectures, and mentorship programs, offering students professional insights and valuable networking opportunities. In our upcoming season, the department will be working with director Rachael May, who’ll be directing “Sense and Sensibility.” Rachel is one of the founding members and artistic director of Synchronicity Theater in Atlanta. Amazing guests from last year include actor/ writer/director John Cameron Mitchell, designers Stanley Mayer and Joel Abbott (BSED, ’96), actress Jamie Gray Hyder (AB Theatre, ’07), and producer/writer Steve Yockey (AB Theatre, ’01). These are just a few examples of how the department connects working professionals with students in the program.

Thank you to our donors, whose support plays a transformative role in sustaining and expanding our impact—enabling scholarships; guest artist visits; student travel to festivals and conferences; technology upgrades; and outreach initiatives that connect the university to broader communities.

The Department of Theatre and Film at UGA is more than a training ground for future leaders in the arts—it is a thriving, forward-thinking community that celebrates creativity, cultivates talent, and elevates the human experience through performance, storytelling, and scholarship. We are proud of our legacy of excellence and look forward to broadening its reach. Come share this experience with us. We look forward to seeing you in the theatre!

Sincerely,

Julie Ray Head of the Department of Theatre and Film

UGA THEATRE

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND FILM

Mainstage Productions

The Department of Theatre and Film’s production wing, UGA Theatre, produces four mainstage productions annually, offering audience experiences that challenge convention and provide fresh, engaging takes on both classic and new works. Each UGA Theatre production is cast with University of Georgia undergraduates, while the sets, lighting, and costuming are designed and constructed by the students of our MFA Design program. Through a months-long process of working with both faculty and professional directors, our students work tirelessly in the rehearsal room, backstage, and in the scene shop to bring our productions to fruition on the stage, epitomizing the collaborative spirit of the arts across multiple areas.

Original Student Work

In addition to our mainstage productions, the UGA Theatre season features an original workshop production of a new student work funded by the New Georgia Group Award. The award was established in 2009 by a contingent of alumni known as the “New Georgia Group,” whose ranks include Wayne Knight, Brian Reddy, Barbara Woods, and Ned Bridges, among others. The criteria for receiving the award includes “artistic risk-taking and new approaches in concept and expression, while maintaining an appreciative audience.”

Images (Top Down): John Proctor is the Villain (Dir. Sloan Elle Garner, Spring 2025); 9 to 5 (Dir. George Contini, Fall 2024); Little Shop of Horrors (Dir. Daniel B. Ellis, Spring 2024); Cabaret (Dir. Freddie Ashley, Fall 2017).

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (Dir. Daniel B. Ellis, Spring 2025).

September 25-26, 30 - October 3 at 8 p.m.

September 28 & October 5 at 2 p.m.

Morton Theatre | 195 W. Washington St. Directed by Asia Meana ugatheatre.com/revolution

There will be assigned seating for this production.

Lauren Gunderson’s The Revolutionists is a bold, fast-paced comedy that reimagines four remarkable women navigating the chaos of the French Revolution. With sharp wit and modern flair, the play brings together playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette, and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle as they confront questions of art, activism, and legacy at the height of the French Revolution. The Revolutionists is an inspiring piece of theatre that celebrates the spirit of revolution — and the women who spark it.

November 13-14, 18-21 at 8 p.m.

November 16 & 23 at 2 p.m.

Fine Arts Theatre | 255 Baldwin St.

Directed by T. Anthony Marotta ugatheatre.com/evildead

Evil Dead: The Musical follows a group of friends as they venture into the proverbial “cabin in the woods,” unwittingly unleashing ancient forces, disgusting demons, and a rollicking soundtrack. The musical’s wild blend of slapstick comedy and horror tropes makes for a devilishly good time. Replete with tongue-in-cheek lyrics, interactive moments, and a self-aware sense of camp, Evil Dead: The Musical invites audiences to revel in the fun of classic B-movie horror — with a toe-tapping twist. Expect an unforgettable night of laughs, shrieks, and catchy tunes that pay loving homage to Sam Raimi’s original films while carving out its own gleefully gory identity. For mature audiences.

THE REVOLUTIONISTS is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. www.dramatists.com

SPRING 2026

February 13-14, 18-21 at 8 p.m.

February 15 & 22 at 2 p.m.

Cellar Theatre | 255 Baldwin St.

Directed by Vivian Appler ugatheatre.com/kingdom

Claudia Barnett’s Kingdom is a poetic and genre-defying theatrical experience that reimagines the Snow White myth through the lens of environmental transformation. Inspired by the true story of a Norwegian valley that never sees the winter sun, the play unfolds over a century of human ambition and ecological disruption—from attempts to split atoms and tame waterfalls to a radical act of community as an artist conducts sunlight onto the town square. Kingdom offers a haunting meditation on light, legacy, and the choices that shape our world.

April 10-11, 15-18 at 8 p.m.

April 12 & 19 at 2 p.m.

Fine Arts Theatre | 255 Baldwin St.

Directed by Rachel May ugatheatre.com/sensibility

Kate Hamill’s Sense and Sensibility is a spirited, inventive stage adaptation of Jane Austen’s classic novel, infusing the story with modern theatricality while honoring its Regency roots. This fast-paced, ensemble-driven production follows the contrasting journeys of the Dashwood sisters—pragmatic Elinor and passionate Marianne—as they navigate love, loss, and societal expectations in a world where reputation is everything. Hamill’s adaptation brings fresh energy to Austen’s timeless themes, offering a delightful theatrical experience that resonates with contemporary audiences.

ugatheatre.com | drama.uga.edu | @ugatheatre | wclay87@uga.edu

SENSE AND SENSIBILITY is presented by special arrangement with Broadway Licensing, LLC, servicing the Dramatists Play Service collection. www.dramatists.com

NEW STUDENT WORK

March 26-28 at 8 p.m.

March 29 at 2 p.m.

Cellar Theatre | 255 Baldwin St. ugatheatre.com/finesthour

2025 New Georgia Group Award-winner Arwa Abdelrahman presents The Finest Hour. Layla is a graduating senior whose inability to juggle her various identities comes to head amid questions of grief, racial pressures, sisterhood, and companionship. Is she a present sister? An obedient daughter? A dedicated student? Is it even possible to be everything at once? As Layla is faced with an impending reckoning, she is forced to wonder if her time has finally run out. This performance is free, but individual tickets are encouraged and will be available through the PAC Box Office.

The New Georgia Group Award, an alumni-supported fund within the Department of Theatre and Film, annually champions an original student work by offering a dedicated workshop production slot in UGA Theatre’s season. In 2023, Wyn Alyse Thomas’s First Semester was selected for this honor, leading to its staging in spring of 2024. This in-house production— evaluated by regional adjudicators—helped launch the play into the broader Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) circuit, reflecting the department’s commitment to fostering new voices and nurturing student-driven work.

First Semester advanced to the Region IV festival in early 2025, eventually going on to KCACTF Nationals in Washington, D.C., where it received 2nd Place in the National Student Playwriting Award and 2nd Place in the KCACTF Musical Theatre Award.

From Athens to the national stage, UGA students are earning top honors and turning heads. Turn to page 47 to further explore how UGA Theatre and Film students are stepping into the spotlight —fueled by innovative programs, dedicated mentorship, and opportunities that turn campus creativity into national achievement.

Above: Wyn Alyse Thomas (AB Theatre ’26).

Below: First Semester: A Musical production photo (Spring 2024).

PROMOTING

SCHOLARLY INQUIRY & CREATIVE ACTIVITY

The mission of the Willson Center is to promote research, practice, and creativity in the humanities and arts. It supports faculty and students through research grants; support for visiting scholars, artists, and practitioners; and public lectures, conversations, conferences, exhibitions, and performances. It is committed to academic excellence and public impact.

SPECIAL TICKET PACKAGES AND WAYS TO SAVE

Everyone in Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is thrilled to welcome you to our complete season of fine and performing arts performances and events. We want to make everything as available to you as possible so you can experience all the fantastic work our students and faculty have to offer. One way to do this is to select one of our ticket package options. See it all and save!

Complete Season Packages - Save 25%

With our complete season packages, see every performance in Dance, Music, and Theatre for the entire season. To order these packages:

• By phone: Call the box office at 706-542-4400 and ask to purchase your season subscription to one or all of our available area seasons. Online: Visit ugapac.evenue.net/list/ALL and select your package of choice from each area. Example: the Complete Season for the Department of Dance will be available under the Department of Dance tab. Additional programming details can be found on the individual Arts Units websites: dance.uga.edu | music.uga.edu | ugatheatre.com. Also visit art.uga.edu for free programming.

• By mail: Use the Season Packages Ticket Order Form at the center of this brochure, select the dates for each performance and check the box for the season packages you would like. Calculate your total by adding the number of tickets for each package you would like and complete the payment section on the back of the form.

School of Music Thursday Scholarship Series - Save 20%

Thursday Scholarship Series Event

Unique to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, this discount applies to our eight premier concerts of the year. The process to order these tickets is the same as the Complete Season package, however you will select the “Thursday Scholarship Series” on the phone, online, or on the first form in this brochure. Music events that are part of the Thursday Scholarship Series are indicated throughout the music pages with this symbol to the left.

Create your own package and save up to 15%

For the first time you can create a savings package that includes Dance, Music, and Theatre, and build a season with the performances you cannot wait to see! The more you buy, the more you save.

Our “Pick 15” package saves you 15%, “Pick 10” saves you 10%, and “Pick 5” saves you 5%. To order:

• By phone: Call the box office at 706-542-4400 and ask to purchase your customized subscription and let them know which performances you’d like to include.

• Online: Visit ugapac.evenue.net/list/ALL and add performances from all areas to your cart. At checkout, when asked if you want to use a discount code, add the codes: PICK15, PICK10, or PICK5. Be sure to select the correct number of performances for your package selection.

• By mail: Use the “Pick-Your-Own” Season Ticket Order Form at the center of this brochure, select your package and the performances you want to include. Calculate your total by adding the selected number of tickets for each event and complete the payment section on the back of the form.

ORDERING TICKETS

Order tickets in-person or by phone

All tickets for the Franklin Fine and Performing Arts (FPA) ticketed performances are sold and managed by the UGA Performing Arts Center (PAC) Box Office, located at 230 River Road, Athens, GA, 30602-7280. For in-person ticket purchases, or to order tickets over the phone, please visit or call the PAC during normal business hours: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

The PAC box office phone number is 706-542-4400. Tickets will also be available for purchase an hour before performances at all venues. There is a $3 service fee for phone orders.

Ordering tickets online

Buying your tickets online is the most convenient way to order everything from individual tickets to complete season packages. Visit ugapac.evenue.net/list/ALL and then select the appropriate tab. Example: the Complete Season for the Department of Dance will be available under the Department of Dance tab. Additional programming details can be found on the individual Arts units websites: dance.uga.edu | music.uga.edu | ugatheatre.com Also visit art.uga.edu for free programming.

Ordering tickets by mail

If ordering by mail, you can remove and complete one of the two forms from the center of this brochure and mail it to the UGA Performing Arts Center, 230 River Road, Athens, GA, 30602-7280. You will use the form for the ticket package that suits your needs best. You can learn more about each of those on the previous page. There is a $3 service fee already indicated on the order form.

General Admission

With the exception of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music Annual Holiday Concert and their Combined Concert in April, all of our performances are general admission seating. This means you may sit wherever you would like in the spaces that are open. However, you may be asked by house management to adjust your seats slightly to make sure everyone with a ticket can find a seat comfortably.

Canceled or postponed performances & ticket refunds

Occasionally, events are canceled or postponed due to weather conditions or situations affecting the faculty, students, or audience. When this occurs, FPA units make every effort to ensure you have received notice of a cancellation or postponement through email, phone call and notice on our websites. If an event is canceled, we will communicate all options, including credits and exchanges, that can be used throughout the current season or a prompt refund of the ticket price, if applicable. Fees are non-refundable. If the event was moved or rescheduled, the tickets will be honored for the rescheduled date. Contact us for specific instructions.

Patrons may exchange tickets for another performance until 5 p.m. on the business day prior to the day of the performance. We are unable to refund tickets. All sales are final.

VENUES AND PARKING DETAILS

UGA Performing Arts Center - 230 River Road

Lamar

Dodd School of Art - 270 River Road

Hugh Hodgson

School of Music - 250 River Road

Known as the University of Georgia East Campus Arts Quad, this section of campus includes the UGA Performing Arts Center (PAC) with both the Hodgson Concert Hall and Ramsey Concert Hall; the Lamar Dodd School of Art and their gallery spaces; and the Hugh Hodgson School of Music with both the Edge Recital Hall and the Dancz Center for New Music. We are also neighbors of the Georgia Museum of Art. Free parking is available in the E11 surface lot around the PAC and the HHSOM after 4 p.m. There is a charge for parking in the PAC multi-level parking deck behind the PAC Monday through Friday until 10 p.m.

UGA Fine Arts Building - 255 Baldwin Street

Located at the corner of Baldwin and Lumpkin just north of the Tate Student Center, the UGA Fine Arts Building is home to the UGA Fine Arts Theatre, Cellar Theatre, and Arena Theatre. There is a charge for parking at the Tate Center Parking Deck and the Hull Street Deck Monday through Friday until 10 p.m.

UGA Dance Theatre - 263 West Green Street

The Dance Theatre is located in the Dance Building on Green Street off of Sanford Drive. Free parking is available in lots adjacent to the UGA Department of Dance after 5:00 p.m., or at the South Campus Parking Deck next to the Georgia Center for Continuing Education for a fee.

Thomas Street Art Complex - 215 South Thomas Street

The Thomas Street Art Complex is a collection of buildings comprised of sculpture and jewelry and metalwork studios. Paid parking can be found in the UGA North Deck at 330 S. Jackson Street. Street parking and other nearby secured decks or surface lots may also be available.

Athenaeum - 287 West Broad Street

Located in downtown Athens within walking distance of UGA’s North Campus and accessible through University and city transportation, the Athenaeum offers free parking directly behind the gallery in lot W-15. Pull into the driveway off of Broad Street and take your first left into the parking lot.

For questions about campus parking, call UGA Parking Services at 706-542-7275 or visit the website at tps.uga.edu.

Morton Theatre - 195 West Washington Street

Located in the west end of downtown Athens, the Morton Theatre does not have a dedicated parking lot. Parking is available to downtown patrons in secure decks, metered street spaces, and in surface lots.

Large Groups

Save 10% on tickets to most performances when purchasing ten or more tickets to a single event in one transaction. Some restrictions apply. Contact the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Box Office for details.

Will Call

Tickets purchased in advance and left for collection at “will call” will be available for pick up at the PAC box office during regular business hours or beginning one hour prior to the start of the performance.

Seating

Most of our performances are general admission, meaning you can sit wherever you are most comfortable. The exceptions are: The School of Music Holiday Concert; the April UGASO and Combined Choirs Concert; and the UGA Theatre production of “The Revolutionists.” These three do have assigned seating. The best seats available will be assigned to each patron as advance ticket orders are received. Otherwise, specific seats can be selected online or by calling the box office.

Fees

Georgia 8% sales tax and restoration fees (PAC only) are included in all ticket prices. Additional service fees for online or phone orders and ticket delivery may apply.

Late Seating

Late seating is subject to the discretion of the house manager.

Photography and Recording

Unless otherwise noted, photography, video, and/or audio recording of any kind are strictly prohibited during all performances.

Use of Likeness

Patrons may be photographed, filmed, and/or otherwise recorded by Franklin College of Arts and Sciences or PAC staff for archival, promotional, and/or other purposes. By choosing to enter any of our event venues and spaces, you hereby consent to such photography, filming, and/or recording and to any use, in any and all media in perpetuity, of your appearance, voice, and name for any purpose whatsoever in connection with this venue. You understand all photography, filming, and/or recording will be done in reliance on this consent given by you by entering this area. If you do not agree to this, please contact the house or gallery manager.

Children

Children ages six and older are welcome to attend all performances, unless indicated for specific events. Children under the age of six and babies are welcome, however house management reserves the right to request a parent step out of the theatre should a child become disruptive. Parents and guardians are encouraged to exercise personal judgment when determining if programs are appropriate for their children. Please contact the School of Music at (706) 542-3737 or UGA Theatre at 706-542-4247 with questions.

Accessibility

Venues are accessible to people using wheelchairs or with restricted mobility. Please contact the box office to make special arrangements if you require special assistance. At the PAC only, parking spaces designated for handicap use are located near the entrance to the PAC lobby.

Large-Print Programs

Large-print programs are available by calling the School of Music office at 706-542-4752 for music and dance, or UGA Theatre at 706542-4247 for theatre, at least 72-hours in advance of a performance.

Digital Programs: BYO Tablet

As part of a green initiative to limit the number of printed paper programs, we welcome patrons to engage with our digital programs on Issuu, an app that makes viewing online programs easier and more convenient. A QR code will be provided at the venue.

Assisted Listening Devices

Hearing augmentation headsets are available in the Performing Arts Center and may be checked out with a photo ID at the coat check desk in the lobby.

Food and Drinks

Concessions may be available for purchase in the Performing Arts Center lobby for ticketed events. Food and drinks are prohibited inside the performance venues. This includes bottled water. Please do not unwrap lozenges during performances.

Electronic Devices

Please silence all mobile phones and noise-making devices. Texting during performances is prohibited.

TAPESTRY OF SOUND

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music is celebrated by the Athens community as a hub of exciting music where barely a week goes by without at least one performance taking place. For those of you new to our season, we offer 21 ticketed concerts featuring some of our top student ensembles, as well as dozens of small to large ensemble concerts showcasing music from all traditions, time periods, and backgrounds.

This season of works includes popular and recognizable pieces, such as Rachmaninoff’s Symphony no. 2, the 75th anniversary of Hindemith’s Symphony in B-Flat for Wind Ensemble, and the famous choral and orchestral “Carmina Burana” by Carl Orff. But there are quite a few surprises as well. ARCO Chamber Orchestra will present “The Journey” by Russian composer Efrem Podgaits. UGA Opera Theatre’s fall opera, “Ring of Polykrates,” by famed Hollywood composer Erich Wolfgang Korngold, is a little known gem that will have its regional premiere this November.

It is always a joy to bring special guests to the School of Music to work with our students in a performance setting. This year, as part of our Thursday Scholarship Series, we will welcome multi-award-winning composer, arranger, and conductor Michele Corcella to our stage with our Faculty Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Ensemble I performing an evening of Corcella’s music.

Creating and supporting all of these performances are our incredible and internationally acclaimed faculty, many of whom will be featured in our ticketed Faculty Chamber Ensembles and our free Faculty Artist Series this year. Please join us for these performances to experience the insight of our faculty’s collective expertise and artistry. As you come to know our faculty, you will begin to understand the growth and development of our student musicians, both graduate and undergraduate, as they rotate through our ensembles for a well-rounded performance resumé.

MU HUGH HODG CHOIRS

25 | 26

PASSION DEDICA-

We welcome four new full-time faculty to our team this fall, including Colin Mann, assistant professor of music and associate director of choral activities; Anne Slovin, assistant professor of voice; Cristina “Trinity” Vélez-Justo, assistant professor of composition and director of the Film and Media Scoring Certificate program; and Andrew Voelker, vocal coach and music director of UGA Opera Theatre.

Being a part of Franklin College, many of our undergraduates pursue double majors in music and other fields. However, we also offer double majors within our Bachelor of Music, creating well-rounded performers who can compete at the national level as well as pursue careers in music composition, conducting, music theory, music education, music therapy, musicology, and ethnomusicology.

This year at Hugh Hodgson School of Music promises to be an incredible confluence of performance and academic excellence, familiar and unfamiliar, old and new. As we move toward our upcoming centennial anniversary in just a few short years, it is this innovative juxtaposition and inclusive excellence that makes experiencing music at UGA so exciting! We can’t wait to welcome you to our halls this season!

Daniel Bara Interim Director

Hugh Hodgson School of Music

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA

CONDUCTED BY MARK CEDEL

The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra (UGASO) is one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s premier performing ensembles, showcasing some of the university’s finest players. The UGASO is dedicated to the study and performance of significant orchestral music.

Dvořák Symphony No. 8 - Thursday, September 4 at 7:30 p.m.

As Antonín Dvořák’s most melodious and accessible symphony, Symphony No. 8 is an event for the novice concert goer to the seasoned audience member. Composed in 1889 at Vysoká u Příbramě, Bohemia, on the occasion of his election to the Bohemian Academy of Science, Literature and Arts, Dvořák conducted the first performance in Prague on February 2, 1890. The evening features UGA faculty soloist James Kim, cello.

Rachmaninoff Symphony No. 2 - Tuesday, October 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Rachmaninoff has been known as a barnstorming pianist/composer of the late romantic period. However, his work as a symphonist is equally impressive as you will hear in his second symphony. The score is dedicated to Sergei Taneyev, a Russian composer, teacher, theorist, author, and pupil of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. This evening will be conducted by Nicholas Han as his final Doctor of Musical Arts recital.

Reflections - Thursday, February 19 at 7:30 p.m.

This evening features a wide variety of orchestral music, both classical and contemporary, including one featured concerto, Reflections on the Mississippi (2015) by Michael Daugherty. This piece, composed in memory of his father, Willis Daugherty (1929-2011), is a musical reflection on family trips during Michael’s childhood to the Mississippi River. The evening features UGA faculty soloist Matthew Shipes, tuba.

Fan Favorites- Thursday, March 26 at 7:30 p.m.

If there is a cantata or a symphony you have been longing to hear, now is your chance to play a part in determining our program for the University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra concert this March. From now until October 14th, we are taking requests for your favorite works. Simply visit music.uga.edu/ requests and fill out the form. We cannot wait to see what you have in mind!

All Symphony Orchestra performances will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Hodgson Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA

Thursday Scholarship Series Event

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA WIND ENSEMBLE

CONDUCTED BY NICHOLAS ENRICO WILLIAMS

The UGA Wind Ensemble has earned an international reputation for its artistry, precision, sensitivity, and musicianship. Employing flexible scoring, the Wind Ensemble performs chamber works as well as large scale compositions, fresh ink and classics, and music from around the world.

Frerer – On-Again, Off-Again - Thursday, September 18 at 7:30 p.m.

Described as “exciting…combining boom-crash orchestration with woozy portamenti and jazz elegance” by The New York Times, and “a force to be reckoned with” by Observer, the music of Australian composer Jack Frerer (b. 1995) blends influences from a diverse array of musical languages to craft dynamic and evocative works. His music combines bold, expressive gestures with vivid storytelling.

Thursday Scholarship Series Event

The UGA Wind Ensemble will offer two free performances. These “Chamber Winds” concerts will feature small groups from within the ensemble on Tuesday, November 11 and Wednesday, January 28 at 7:30 p.m. on both evenings.

Both of these free performances will take place in Ramsey Concert Hall.

Persichetti – Symphony No. 6 - Thursday, October 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Vincent Persichetti (1915 – 1987) was an American composer, pianist, and an instructor at Juilliard. His students there included Philip Glass, Kenneth Fuchs, and many more distinguished American composers. Symphony No. 6, or Symphony for Band was composed in 1956. This evening will also include Meditations for Cello and Chamber Winds by Pete Meechan featuring UGA faculty James Kim, cello.

Hindemith – Symphony in B-flat - Tuesday, February 24 at 7:30 p.m.

This year marks the 75th anniversary of Paul Hindemith’s Symphony in B-flat, composed in 1951 and premiered that same year on April 5 by the U.S. Army Band Pershing’s Own, conducted by Hindemith himself. This evening will also include a performance by one of the Concerto Competition winners, which will be announced in November 2025.

Schoenberg – Rise - Thursday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Emmy Award-winning and GRAMMY®-nominated Adam Schoenberg has twice been named among the Top 10 most performed living composers by orchestras in the United States. He previously visited UGA as a guest artist in 2024. This evening also includes Joseph Schwantner’s …and the mountains rising nowhere, and Adolphus Hailstork’s The Bones of Mr. Fortune – featuring Angela Jones-Reus, flute.

All Wind Ensemble ticketed performances will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Hodgson Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA HODGSON SINGERS CONDUCTED BY DANIEL BARA

The international award-winning Hodgson Singers is UGA’s premier choral ensemble made up of many of the university’s most talented and dedicated singers. In 2023, they won the 2nd place prize at the highest level at the 18th Marktoberdorf, Germany International Chamber Choir Competition.

Hodgson Singers and Treble Choir - Friday, October 10 at 7:30 p.m.

This evening’s program features two of our stunning vocal ensembles. Alongside the Hodgson Singers, conducted by Daniel Bara, will be the Treble Choir, conducted by one of the newest additions to the Hugh Hodgson School of Music faculty. Colin Mann, new assistant professor of music and associate director of choral activities, joins the UGA faculty this fall.

Hodgson Singers Spring Concert - Tuesday, March 3 at 7:30 p.m.

The annual Thursday Scholarship Series performance by the Hodgson Singers offers an unforgettable evening of choral music and community. Under Bara’s direction, these talented vocalists showcase their precision and artistry, often performing a demanding and thoughtfully curated program that spans diverse styles, cultures, and musical traditions.

All Hodgson Singers ticketed performances will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Hodgson Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA

Alongside these ticketed choral performances, the choir area at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music has six additional choirs that perform free concerts throughout the year. All UGA students are welcome to audition for all of our choral ensembles. Placement hearings are at the start of each semester. You can find more details on the website at music.uga.edu/choirs.

African American Choral Ensemble Choral Project Repertory Singers

University Chorus

UGA Treble Choir

UGA Glee Club

A list of the free choir performances for the Hugh Hodgson School of Music can be found on page 41.

Thursday Scholarship Series Event

UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA OPERA THEATRE

DIRECTED BY DANIEL ELLIS | MUSIC DIRECTED BY ANDREW VOELKER

UGA Opera Theatre currently produces two full opera productions per academic year plus an additional opera scenes program. This fall’s production is presented in collaboration with the Symphony Orchestra.

The Ring of Polykrates by Erich Wolfgang Korngold Friday, November 7 at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, November 9 at 3 p.m.

Thursday Scholarship Series Event

Wilhelm Arndt has it all: a loving wife, a long-awaited promotion, and an unexpected inheritance. Life is golden—until Peter Vogel, an old friend from the past, arrives unannounced. With just one word, Peter’s cordial visit turns to a roller-coaster of emotional chaos, sending Wilhelm into a suspicious frenzy with hilarious results.

Composed in 1914 by a 17-year-old Erich Wolfgang Korngold—decades before his Oscar-winning Hollywood triumph The Adventures of Robin Hood—this sparkling comic opera brims with youthful brilliance, lyrical charm, and a dash of psychological intrigue. Romantic, clever, and strikingly modern, The Ring of Polykrates is a witty reminder: be careful what you wish for—perfection is a fragile thing.

UGA Performing Arts Center | Hodgson Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA

Mansfield Park by Jonathan Dove

This Chamber “Pop-Up” Opera is coming April 2026

Dates and Locations to be announced this November

Jane Austen’s Mansfield Park comes to life in this fast-paced chamber opera by Jonathan Dove—presented as a Pop-Up Opera experience across Athens and the Atlanta metro area this spring. With elegance, wit, and a shimming piano four-hands score, Dove’s adaptation captures the heart of Austen’s world, where Fanny Price holds firm as those around her flirt with love, ambition, and moral compromise.

To celebrate Austen’s 250th birthday, we’re whisking you away on a magical romp where elegant melodies meet unexpected places—think secret gardens, cozy courtyards, and charming city nooks. Each performance will be a curious surprise, a joyful tribute to Austen’s timeless wit, warmth, and wisdom. Expect your invitation to this unique journey through drawing rooms, dreams, and the art of growing up this November.

ARCO CHAMBER ORCHESTRA

DIRECTED BY LEVON AMBARTSUMIAN

The ARCO Chamber Orchestra was founded in Russia in 1989 at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory by Levon Ambartsumian. When Ambartsumian joined the University of Georgia’s School of Music faculty in 1995, he remained the artistic director and moved ARCO’s home base to UGA.

The Journey - Thursday, November 13 at 7:30 p.m.

This exquisite evening includes The Journey, suite for violin, viola and chamber orchestra by contemporary Russian composer Efrem Podgaits, dedicated to Levon Ambartsumian. It will also feature the cello concerto by contemporary Armenian composer Karen Khanagov with Oliver Yatsugafu, UGA alum as a guest conductor and UGA faculty James Kim, cello, as the soloist.

Violin and Guitar - Tuesday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m.

One of the featured pieces of the evening will be the Concerto for Guitar, Violin and Chamber Orchestra by William Lovelady with UGA faculty Daniel Bolshoy as the guitar soloist and UGA alum Pyeongkang Park as guest conductor.

All ARCO Chamber Orchestra performances will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Hodgson Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA

music.uga.edu | @ugamusic | 706-542-3737

Save the date for the first summer music festival of the Athens season

RE DISCOVER

UNIQUE SPECIALTY CONCERTS

PART OF THE THURSDAY SCHOLARSHIP SERIES

In addition to a performance by each of our premier ensembles, the Thursday Scholarship series includes specialty concerts each season. Some of these are recurring collaborations between faculty, featured students, and ensembles. However, each year we include unique events, conceived by different faculty, to highlight the rich variety of talents in the School of Music.

Thursday Scholarship Series Event

Faculty Jazz Ensemble and Student Jazz Ensemble I with Special Guest Michele Corcella

Thursday, October 2 at 7:30 p.m.

The School of Music Faculty Jazz Ensemble returns to Hodgson Concert Hall alongside Jazz Ensemble I for a fantastic evening of music composed by multi-award-winning composer, arranger, and conductor, Michele Corcella.

Corcella (pictured left) graduated in Musical Studies (DAMS) at the University of Bologna, defending a thesis on Duke Ellington’s soundtracks. In addition, while at the Bologna Conservatory, he graduated in Jazz Music, as well as Arrangement and Composition for Multimedia Music. Corcella also studied orchestral conducting at the Imola International Academy “Incontri col Maestro.”

At the international level, Corcella has won numerous composition awards such as Eddie Lang (2009), 2 Agosto (2009), Jazzverk (2010), Bargajazz (2012), Scrivere in Jazz (2014), Siae Libera il Jazz (2015), and the European Jazz Composers Competition (2018).

Corcella has worked as composer, arranger, or conductor with Kenny Wheeler, Randy Brecker, John Taylor, David Liebman, Anders Jormin, Jules Buckley, Enrico Pieranunzi, Gianluigi Trovesi, Gianluca Petrella, and WDR Big Band. In the classical field, he has worked with Mario Brunello, Altenberg Trio Wien, Orchestra Sinfonica del Teatro Comunale di Bologna, and Orchestra dei Pomeriggi Musicali di Milano.

All Thursday Scholarship Series Unique Specialty Concerts will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Hodgson Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA

music.uga.edu | @ugamusic | 706-542-3737

Thursday Scholarship Series Events

Annual Holiday Concert

Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21 at 7:30 p.m.

A concert to be thankful for! Once again, Thanksgiving falls so late in the academic calendar that our Annual Holiday Concert will be the week before Thanksgiving. Featuring the Symphony Orchestra, Hodgson Singers and other choirs, Jazz Combos, and more. Forget the Macy’s Parade, join the Hugh Hodgson School of Music for this favorite annual holiday tradition and start the season off right!

Concerto Competition Winners & the Symphony Orchestra

Thursday, January 29 at 7:30 p.m.

The soloists performing in this concert are selected after advancing through a rigorous competition process judged by faculty within the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. These winners are selected and announced near the end of the fall semester, so be sure to keep an eye out for our announcement of the winners and their program. Winners will be announced in November 2025.

Carmina Burana by Carl Orff

Combined Choirs & Symphony Orchestra Concert

Thursday, April 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Carmina Burana is a powerful cantata composed by Carl Orff in 1935-36 based on a collection of twentyfour medieval poems. Recurring themes from Carmina Burana, such as the “O Fortuna,” have appeared in hundreds of films and television commercials. This recognizable piece continues to be a popular crowd pleasing experience for audience and musicians alike.

There is nothing quite like the power of more than three hundred student musicians collaborating on a single concert. The University of Georgia Symphony Orchestra is joined by the UGA Hodgson Singers, Treble Choir, University Chorus, UGA Glee Club, as well as talented student and faculty soloists. This concert has sold out the past two years, so be sure to get your tickets to this special concert now.

All Thursday Scholarship Series Unique Specialty Concerts will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Hodgson Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA

FACULTY CHAMBER ENSEMBLES

Music is, by its very nature, a collaborative art form. Whether in an orchestra, band, choir, or opera, a strong ensemble is essential for a successful performance. What better way to showcase our faculty than by inviting you to hear them at their best. Working together in stunning chamber ensembles, audiences will be able to experience and understand the true level of technical and artistic mastery the Hugh Hodgson School of Music faculty possess. With a combined professional experience that spans the globe, this is a fantastic opportunity to hear twenty internationally recognized musicians right here in Athens.

Georgia Brass Quintet and Georgia Wind Quintet Tuesday, September 16 at 7:30 p.m.

Ten of our powerhouse instrumental faculty returning to the stage this fall make up the Georgia Brass Quintet and the Georgia Woodwind Quintet. The Brass Quintet (left from top) features Brandon Craswell, trumpet; James Naigus, horn; Joshua Bynum, trombone; Matthew Shipes, tuba/euphonium; and introducing Gilbert Villagrana, trumpet (not pictured). GWQ (below from left) features Angela Jones-Reus, flute; Brandon Quarles, saxophone; D. Ray McClellan, clarinet; Amy Pollard, bassoon; and Jean Martin-Williams, horn.

FACULTY CHAMBER ENSEMBLES

Masterworks for Piano and Strings

Tuesday, October 21 at 7:30 p.m.

The two works being performed are the A Major Piano Quartet by Johannes Brahms and the C Minor Piano Quintet by Ralph Vaughan Williams. The evening features four of the UGA string faculty (pictured clockwise from top left): Michael Heald, violin; Maggie Snyder, viola; Milton Masciadri, double bass; and James Kim, cello. The pianist for the evening will be guest artist Timothy Lovelace, professor of collaborative piano at the University of Minnesota. While the Brahms may be rather more well-known to audiences, the Vaughan Williams is a masterful work full of tonal richness and romantic sweep, employing the same forces as Schubert’s famous “Trout” Quintet.

Subaerial Collective and Woodwind Duos

Monday, February 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Subaerial Collective, pictured from left in the group photo, is a trio of UGA faculty composer-performers: Adrian Childs, piano/ keyboards; Peter Lane, bassoon/contrabassoon and technology; and Emily Koh, double bass/electric bass. Formed in September 2018, Subaerial Collective champions works that expand the limits of traditional concert boundaries through the use of technology, reinterpretation of performance practice or re-contextualization of the concert experience. The program also includes woodwind duos featuring Angela Jones-Reus, flute (upper left); Amy Pollard, bassoon (mid-left); and Brandon Quarles, saxophone (right).

Quartets by W. A. Mozart and Johannes Brahms

Monday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m.

Closing out the season of Faculty Chamber Ensembles are four of our UGA string and piano faculty presenting an evening of piano quartets by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Johannes Brahms.

Pictured clockwise from top: Shakhida Azimkhodjaeva, viola; Levon Ambartsumian, violin; James Kim, cello; and Alan Woo, piano.

All Faculty Chamber Ensembles will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Ramsey Concert Hall 230 River Road, Athens, GA

FACULTY ARTIST SERIES

Reimagined last year, the Faculty Artist Series is now an incredible chance to get to know the excellence of our Hugh Hodgson School of Music performance faculty both on and off the recital hall stage. You are invited to join these six highlighted faculty for an evening of music followed by a meet-and-greet reception catered by local Athens restaurants. There, you can meet the faculty and discuss their playing and teaching, and be introduced to some of their students as well. RSVPs for the Faculty Artist Series are not required, but are encouraged. Mark your calendars now and don’t miss this great chance to meet our amazing faculty, including Anne Slovin, new assistant professor of voice.

All Faculty Artist Series performances will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center | Ramsey Concert Hall | 230 River Road, Athens, GA, 30602

Alan Woo, piano - Tuesday, September 9 at 7:30 p.m.

Scan QR Code to RSVP

Praised by the New York Times as a pianist with “assurance and vitality,” Alan Woo made his Lincoln Center debut performing with the Juilliard Orchestra under Yannick Nézet-Séguin. He has since made solo appearances with the Houston and Fort Worth Symphonies and presented recitals throughout the United States, Brazil, Europe, and Asia. As a chamber musician, he has performed at the New York Philharmonic Ensembles, Lake George Music Festival, and La Jolla Music Society’s SummerFest series among others. Woo completed degrees at The Juilliard School and Peabody Institute, and currently teaches at the University of Georgia as an assistant professor of piano.

Anne Slovin, soprano - Thursday, October 30 at 7:30 p.m.

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Anne Slovin, soprano, will be joining the UGA Hugh Hodgson School of Music voice faculty this fall as assistant professor of voice. Slovin is a versatile performing artist, researcher, and voice pedagogue who earned her doctorate from Indiana University’s Jacobs School of Music in 2025. Passionate about crossing genres and exploring new vocal repertoires and styles, she has recently performed as Eve in Haydn’s The Creation at the University of Notre Dame, collaborated across universities for Tom Cipullo’s A Visit With Emily, and joined the Raritan Players in Bloomington and New York City for a concert of 18th-century Jewish music.

FACULTY ARTIST SERIES

Damon Denton, piano - Wednesday, November 5 at 7:30 p.m.

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Damon Denton was born in Charleston, S.C., and grew up in Severna Park, Maryland. He is a graduate of the Peabody Institute of the Johns Hopkins University and The Juilliard School where he received a Master of Music degree studying under Russian pianist, Oxana Yablonskaya. He has been a faculty accompanist at the University of Georgia since 2010. During his career, Denton has performed concerts in England, Ireland, Mexico, Germany, South Africa, and throughout the United States. Venue highlights have included: Lincoln Center’s Alice Tully Hall, Carnegie Hall’s Weill Recital Hall, The University of South Africa, and The State Theater of Pretoria among others.

Michael Heald, violin - Tuesday, January 27 at 7:30 p.m.

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Michael Heald is currently professor of violin at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, University of Georgia. He primarily studied with Emanuel Hurwitz and Richard Deakin in England, and then with Walter Verdehr at Michigan State University. Heald has performed in a multitude of settings, collaborating with artists such as Peter Frankl, Joseph Lin, and Ralph Votapek in chamber music. He has performed throughout Europe and the United States as an orchestral musician, playing and recording in such orchestras as the Philharmonia, the BBC Philharmonic, and the English String Orchestra. Conductors include Simon Rattle, Yehudi Menuhin, and Valery Gergiev.

Levon Ambartsumian, violin - Tuesday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m.

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Levon Ambartsumian is Regent’s and Franklin Professor of Violin at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music. Prior to coming to UGA in 1995, he was a visiting professor at Indiana University School of Music, replacing legendary American violin teacher Joseph Gingold. Ambartsumian also taught for 15 years at the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, beginning in 1978. Ambartsumian is an alumnus of the Moscow Central Music School and the Moscow Tchaikovsky Conservatory, where his teachers were Felix Andrievski, Yury Yankelevitch, Leonid Kogan, and Igor Bezrodny. In 1977, he became the First Prize winner of Zagreb International Violin Competition.

Daniel Bolshoy, guitar - Tuesday, March 17 at 7:30 p.m.

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Daniel Bolshoy is committed to bringing the guitar to the attention of audiences everywhere. He is regularly praised for his friendly and informative spoken introductions, and progressive programming of solo and chamber music. His concert tours take him from prestigious international concert stages to remote villages and house-concerts. Bolshoy has performed as a soloist with over sixty orchestras internationally and across Canada, including the Mexico City Philharmonic, Israel Chamber, Volgograd Symphony (Russia), and the symphony orchestras of New Mexico, Vancouver, Toronto, Edmonton, Calgary, Kingston, Victoria, Okanagan, Saskatoon, and Nova Scotia.

FREE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE CONCERTS

The Hugh Hodgson School of Music offer dozens of free concerts, recitals, guest artist recitals and master classes, and student ensembles. Below are some of the larger ensembles featured in these free performances, but please visit music.uga.edu regularly for the latest updates on all of our free programming. These ensembles are listed alphabetically in each section, as each has dates throughout the year.

African Music Ensemble - Monday, March 30 at 7:30 p.m.

UGA Professor of Ethnomusicology Jean Kidula will be offering the African Music Ensemble this spring as an opportunity for students to discover and explore musical history, instrumentation, and expression that is rooted in African cultures and traditions.

All free performances will take place at the UGA Performing Arts Center

230 River Road Athens, GA, 30602

British Brass Band - Friday, October 24 and Friday, March 20 at 7:30 p.m.

The British Brass Band has become an Athens fan favorite. The repertoire encompasses a wide variety of styles including excellent original works, marvelous transcriptions of orchestral works, as well as marches and other light pieces. British Brass Band is conducted by Gilbert Villagrana.

Chinese Music Ensemble - Fall date TBA; Monday, April 13 at 7:30 p.m.

Under the direction of Vicki Lu, several distinguished guest artists often join this fan favorite ensemble which features instruments such as the erhu, guzheng, pipa, hulusi, and the yangqin. Typically following the concert, the audience is invited on stage to explore the instruments.

Jazz Ensembles I and II

Wednesday, October 29 and Wednesday, April 1 at 5:30 p.m.

Jazz Ensemble I is the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s advanced level big band group, comprised of traditional big band instrumentation: saxophones, trombones, trumpets, and a rhythm section featuring drums, piano, guitar, and bass, conducted by David D’Angelo.

Jazz Ensemble II introduces students to the experience of performing in a traditional big band, and teaches students the evolution of big band music, familiarization with stylistic comparisons, and refinement of improvisational skills. Jazz Ensemble II is co-conducted by Greg Satterthwaite and James Weidman.

Latin American Music Ensemble - Tuesday, November 4 at 7:30 p.m.

This performance group explores the diverse musical styles of Latin America. The ensemble focuses on both traditional and contemporary Latin American music, including Afro-Brazilian percussive forms. They often feature a specific country or region in their performances, such as Argentina or Brazil.

Middle East Music Ensemble - Tuesday, April 21 at 7:30 p.m.

Directed by Jared Holton, this ensemble features music, rhythm, and dance mainly from North Africa and the Eastern Mediterranean. Students perform on regional instruments such as the oud (Arabic lute), nay (reed flute), riqq, daff, and tabla. Performances often include special guest artists.

music.uga.edu | @ugamusic | 706-542-3737

FREE INSTRUMENTAL ENSEMBLE CONCERTS

UGA Philharmonia * - Thursday, October 16; Monday, February 20; and Monday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.

As one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s large orchestral ensembles, the University Philharmonia offers an outlet for musical expression to all string players at the University of Georgia. The ensemble performs three times per academic year. The University Philharmonia is under the supervision of Mark Cedel.

Symphonic Band *- Wednesday, September 24; Monday, October 27; Wednesday, February 25; and Monday, April 27 at 7:30 p.m.

University of Georgia Symphonic Band is one of the Hugh Hodgson School of Music’s large wind bands. The Symphonic Band focuses on the classic band repertoire as well as exciting new music, and has recorded for C. Alan Publications. Symphonic Band is conducted by Michael C. Robinson.

Wind Symphony * - Wednesday, September 24; Wednesday, October 29; Wednesday, February 25; and Monday, April 20 at 7:30 p.m.

As one of the University of Georgia’s large wind bands, the Wind Symphony has performed extensively throughout the Southeast, including concerts at regional conferences of the College Band Directors National Association. Wind Symphony is conducted by Jack Eaddy, Jr.

FREE CHORAL ENSEMBLE CONCERTS

African American Choral Ensemble

Monday, November 24 and Friday, April 24 at 7:30 p.m.

Since the 70’s as the Pamoja Singers, the African American Choral Ensemble (AACE) has kept concert halls and churches filled with the powerful musical treasures birthed from the African American experience. AACE is a beacon tower of fellowship and friendship for the university community, conducted by Gregory Broughton.

Glee Club ** - Tuesday, October 7 and Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The UGA Glee Club perform repertoire for tenor/bass voices several times a semester both as individual ensembles and as part of the UGA combined choirs. The Glee Clubs are home to undergraduate and graduate music majors, minors, and students from majors across the university.

Opera Scenes - Tuesday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m.

Join the UGA Opera Theatre for a showcase of the graduate and undergraduate vocal performance students. The opera scenes workshop gives students an opportunity to push the boundaries of the skills they have been learning throughout the year in a practical format. Directed by Daniel Ellis. Music Directed by Andrew Voelker.

Repertory Singers - Friday, September 19; Friday, October 24; Tuesday, December 2; Wednesday, February 4; Friday, March 20; and Monday, April 27 at 3:30 p.m.

The Repertory Singers is a mixed chamber choir directed by graduate student conductors. Its format offers laboratory rehearsal and performance experience for conductors and singers alike.

Treble Choir ** - Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The UGA Treble Choir perform repertoire for treble voices several times a semester both as individual ensembles and as part of the UGA combined choirs. Treble Choir is home to undergraduate and graduate music majors, minors, and students from majors across the university.

University Chorus ** - Tuesday, October 7 and Tuesday, March 24 at 7:30 p.m.

The University Chorus is UGA’s largest mixed choral ensemble and is open to university students as well as faculty, staff, and Athens community members. It specializes in classical choral and choral/orchestral repertoire and is conducted by Colin Mann.

* These three ensembles often play shared concerts with one another. Italicized dates indicate shared performances.

** These choirs often sing shared concerts with one another. Italicized dates indicate shared performances. Treble Choir also shares a ticketed performance with the Hodgson Singers, and you can read about that performance on page 31.

REDCOAT MARCHING BAND

DIRECTED BY BRETT BAWCUM

Recognized by Hall-of-Fame Coach Vince Dooley as the Heart of the Bulldog Spirit, the Redcoat Band is fundamental to the identity and culture of the University of Georgia. Founded in 1905, the band has since become both creator and keeper of the university’s most beloved traditions while proudly representing the institution in thousands of appearances. Central to the Redcoat Band’s contributions to UGA are the efforts and creativity of its 400+ student members, who come from a broad set of the university’s over 140 major fields of study. The Redcoat experience is among the most rewarding forms of involvement on the University of Georgia campus, yielding thousands of loyal alumni in countless career paths and lifestyles. The relationships that develop during this experience--both among members, and between members and their alma mater--are relationships they maintain and treasure throughout their postcollegiate lives.

Where to see the Redcoats play

In addition to football games and other sporting and spirit events, feel free to stop by and see the Redcoat Band rehearsing on the RCB Practice Field located on Lake Herrick Drive. It’s also sometimes referred to as the Redcoat Band Practice Field. The best time to catch them is on Friday nights the day before a home game between 5:45-7:45 p.m. In the spring, many of the band members perform in the Concert Band or University Band. This year, these two ensembles will perform on Wednesday, March 18, 2026 at 7:30 p.m. at the UGA Performing Arts Center, Hodgson Concert Hall, 230 River Road, Athens, GA.

Happy Birthday, Redcoats!

We are celebrating the 120th season of the Redcoat Marching Band! Join us in wishing them a Happy Birthday by contributing to the “Rally for the Redcoats” campaign, helping support investments in new uniforms, a new tour truck, and other necessities to keep them playing strong. Go Dawgs!

Scan the QR code or visit: give.uga.edu/redcoats

CAMPS IN ART AND MUSIC

ADULT ART CLASSES

The UGA Community Art School features courses taught by UGA faculty for adults seeking to learn new skills, hone techniques, and expand their artistic expression at the Lamar Dodd School of Art.

MUSIC LEARNING FOR ALL AGES

The UGA Community Music School is an organization of faculty, students, and professional alumni that offers instruction to all community members, both children and adults, at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music.

Community Art School:

CommunityArtSchool@uga.edu art.uga.edu/uga-community-art-school

High school students are invited to study under acclaimed faculty in art and music at the UGA Summer Art Camp and the UGA Summer Music Camps. These popular preparatory programs offer access to state-of-the-art facilities and a preview of life on a college campus with fellow creatives. Day and residential camp options available for students from across the country.

Registration opens January 2026

UGA Summer Art Camp:

SummerArtCamp@uga.edu art.uga.edu

CREATE WITH US ART AND MUSIC PROGRAMS AT FRANKLIN COLLEGE COMMUNITY

UGA Summer Music Camps:

706-542-2061 | smcamp@uga.edu music.uga.edu

Community Music School:

706-542-2894 | ugacms@uga.edu music.uga.edu/cms

The Laytons (left) with the inaugural cohort of the Layton Design Studio at the Lamar Dodd School of Art celebrate its official unveiling with Dean Anna Stenport (right) and School Director Joseph Peragine (far right), April 17, 2025. Inset: Students and guests explore the Layton Design Studio, seen through a glass window with the Studio logo.

Design happens here

On a large screen, a dozen cursors dance around a mosaic of logos with varying colors and shapes. Fourteen graphic design seniors—including actor Marshall Smith, BFA, BBA ’25, featured as the lead of April’s UGA Theatre production of Murder on the Orient Express on the cover of this brochure— are workshopping an identity and brand kit that feels fresh, genuine, and playful.

These students form the inaugural cohort of the Layton Design Studio at the Lamar Dodd School of Art. A whiteboard lists daily deliverables, large batches of paper adorn several tables with mock-ups, and the counters along the wall hold printers, books, and sample designs. On a pillar outside the glass walls of the studio entrance, a black vinyl sticker reads “Design Happens Here.”

ART and...

This new, client-focused studio is modeled after a small design firm fully run by creatives. It exemplifies the University of Georgia’s commitment to experiential education and career readiness through a transformative gift by graphic design alumna Kelly Layton BFA ’90 and husband Brent Layton AB ’89. In 2023, the Laytons donated $500,000 toward the Layton Graphic Design Endowment. In 2024, the Laytons pledged an additional $500,000 toward the founding of the Layton Design Studio and $1 million for a new faculty chair in graphic design.

Launched in spring of 2025, the donor-funded Layton Design Studio bridges academic learning and professional practice. Students work as a team of art directors with non-profit and business clients alike from concept to execution, cycling through the many facets of project development, pricing, and deliverables. Initial projects have included book publishing, environmental signage, branding, and more.

Sarah Tanaka, current BFA student, has benefited from this team-oriented model. “The Layton Design Studio provides a place for all of us to try out new things without the full pressure of the professional world. We all get to wear different hats, and trial and error is widely accepted as part of the process,” Tanaka said. Her experience translated directly into a web design and branding apprenticeship this summer at Bright Bright Great in Chicago.

Anna Pham BFA ’25, who will pursue a Master’s in Emerging Media at UGA, shares, “After working in the Layton Design Studio, I have greater confidence and the experience to manage projects in a design agency. Whereas before I only wanted to work as a designer, now I am willing to step out of my comfort zone and lead with project management skills.”

Anna Stenport, dean of Franklin College of Arts and Sciences, has first-hand experience as a client of the studio — coinciding with the college’s recent rebrand, Franklin contracted the students for new environmental signage in the historic Old College building on North Campus. “I have already witnessed the Layton Design Studio’s success in action,” said Stenport. “I’ve met with students, and I have heard what a difference the studio is making in connecting classroom to career – helping our students advance in the soft skills of managing client relationships while bolstering portfolios and the spirit of collaboration and teamwork that makes a company successful.”

Above: Abigail Schulze Double Dawg AB Dance and MA Student in Nonprofit Management and Leadership. Inset: Nika Shlomi, BS with majors in Biology and Psychology and a minor in dance, seen here dancing while studying abroad in the UGA at Oxford Summer Program in 2024.

Dance majors and minors excel at UGA

The Franklin College of Arts and Sciences Department of Dance at UGA has a long-standing tradition of training and educating talented and creative dancers who go on to dance professionally, teach in a multitude of contexts from studios to P12 schools, work as arts administrators in non-profits, pursue physical therapy, or other graduate work, as well as personal training, or forge creative interdisciplinary careers. Many dance students at UGA Dance are also involved in other pursuits such as our Double Dawgs degree, our teacher certification track, another minor, or double major. Combining the love of dance with another field can enhance a student’s versatility, wealth and breadth of knowledge, and a student’s understanding of how the world is more connected and interdisciplinary than one might think.

Abigail Schulze (AB Dance ’25, MA in Nonprofit Management and Leadership ’26) added the Double Dawg pathway in Nonprofit Management and Leadership shortly after working at the Joffrey Ballet School’s summer residency at the Department of Dance and as the marketing coordinator for the Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company. “I found it incredibly satisfying to coordinate dance to enrich local communities. The Double Dawg program allowed me to merge my love for dance and administration with advanced coursework at an accelerated pace that suited my professional goals. I can now pursue upper-level administration and directorship in dance programs.”

“I have learned though my experience at UGA that my success is defined by the community I build around me,” said Schulze. “As a student, I was most satisfied when I connected with others and pursued opportunities that supported the arts on campus and in the state.”

Schulze added that “for all four years of my undergraduate degree, I created space for dance in the university community by choreographing and performing in student-led works through our Department of Dance resources and curriculum. I also engaged in elective leadership opportunities in dance marketing and communication, which bolstered performance awareness and accessibility on campus. This project-based learning allowed me to connect with my peers in ways that accurately reflected my future career paths in the dance field.”

Nika Shlomi (BS Biology, BS Psychology, Dance Minor ’25) “When I made the decision to pursue a career in medicine, many factors came to mind while determining what undergraduate school, degree and overall experience would suit me best. I had grown up in the world of ballet. Although the career I wanted to pursue was drastically different from this passion of mine, I knew that I needed to maintain my dance training wherever I attended.”

Maintaining a dance practice while pursuing her pre-med curriculum has done more for Shlomi than simply supporting a passion. “The blend of my scientific and artistic studies will enable me to approach the medical field with creativity and with a greater understanding of the mindset, work ethic, and healing processes of young athletes. I am extremely grateful for the UGA Dance Department for facilitating my deep-rooted passion alongside my medical career goals, and for continuing to push me towards artistic and technical improvement every day.”

DANCE

Jean Martin-Williams, professor of horn (far left) and James Naigus, assistant professor of horn (far right) with Horn Studio Graduates (from left) Marianna Schwark, Aizhia Nicole Poblete, Gracie Gambrell and Jacob Evarts at HHSOM convocation Thursday, May 8, 2025. Inset: Gambrell and Evarts, along with Peter Dixon (back left) perform the off-stage solo in Mahler’s Symphony No. 2 during the combined concert on April 24, 2025.

Horn studio graduates take next steps

Studying music at the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, part of Franklin College of Arts and Sciences at the University of Georgia, offers the resources and excellence of a conservatory-style music program alongside Franklin’s high-quality interdisciplinary education. Students explore a wide range of passions and interests, resulting in graduates that can create their unique and successful path with confidence, creativity, and a firm grasp of critical analysis and comprehension. This year’s graduates from the Horn Studio at UGA represent this strength remarkably as they take the next steps in their respective journeys.

MUSIC and...

Jacob Evarts (B Mus Composition ’25) alway knew UGA was his dream school. Now, he graduates already working on two major commissions. The first piece is a fanfare for 32 horns premiering at the International Horn Symposium this summer. The biggest commission is a brand-new piece for solo trumpet and wind ensemble, written for our now retired professor of trumpet Phil Smith, to celebrate his legendary career as a performer and pedagogue. “This is by far the biggest honor of my compositional career to this point.” At UGA, Evarts has learned “to work hard and do what you love, and work hard doing what you love!”

Gracie Gambrell (AB Music, Biology Minor ’25) constructed her degree to move her towards a career in dentistry. “The AB Music degree was the perfect option for me, as it allowed me to participate in large ensembles, be a member of the Horn Studio, and take lessons all four years while also providing flexibility in my schedule for my dental prerequisites.” As Gambrell heads to the Dental College of Georgia this fall, she knows that “music will always be integral in my life, regardless of my career, and there are many outlets by which I hope to continue making and sharing music with others.”

Aizhia Nicole Poblete (AB Music, Comparative Literature & Intercultural Studies (CLIS) ’25) constructed her degree at UGA to meet the pre-med qualifications while keeping music a part of her development. This fall, she will be heading to Augusta University for an MS in Medical Physiology. “Music and humanities supports medicine in ways that most people may not initially think of. Music allows for genuine listening, understanding, resilience, and performance. These values alone set some physicians apart from one another. There are so many valuable lessons to be learned from music that cannot be found in a typical STEM course.”

Marianna Schwark (B Mus Performance ’25) began as a composition major, but switched to performance at the end of her second year. “The performance that sold it for me was my final summer competition with the Phantom Regiment at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis August 13, 2022. Near the end of our show, the entire hornline turns and plays backfield. Before this turn around, the crowd gave us a standing ovation. We played facing backfield and when we turned back around, the audience was still standing for us. I had to swallow my emotions right there so I could finish out the show. As soon as I released that final note, I cried. Happy tears!” Schwark is heading to the University of Michigan to pursue her Master of Music in Horn Performance this fall.

Above: Garrett McCord (AB Theatre ’25) as “Stuff” in UGA Theatre’s Fall 2024 production of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins Everybody. Inset: Bella Smith (AB Theatre & BS Psychology ’25) in UGA Theatre’s Spring 2025 production of Kimberly Belflower’s John Proctor is the Villain

Bridging Stage, Sciences, and Beyond

Each year, the University of Georgia’s Department of Theatre and Film helps students turn academic work into nationally recognized artistry. In 2025, that commitment was on full display at the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF), where UGA students earned national honors across multiple disciplines—from performance and playwriting to musical theatre. But the path to these stages begins at UGA, with a department that uniquely merges artistic training, academic rigor, and cross-disciplinary innovation.

Garrett McCord, a recent graduate of the department’s Musical Theatre Certificate Program—a joint effort with the Hugh Hodgson School of Music—won first place in the Region IV Musical Theatre Initiative for his performance of “You’ll Be Back” from Hamilton. That win, guided by faculty from both the Department of Theatre and Film and the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, exemplifies the kind of collaborative mentorship that fuels UGA’s national impact. Other UGA students—Reagan Simmons, Kaylor Jones, and Jenna Gubran—were also recognized as semi-finalists, while Bianca Cardona, a double major in theatre and psychology, advanced as a Region IV Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship semi-finalist.

These accomplishments are not outliers—they’re the result of a department designed to nurture individual voices across the wide spectrum of performance and production. Bella Smith, a recent graduate who earned degrees in both theatre and psychology, represents this kind of well-rounded, forward-thinking education. “While earning a Bachelor of Science, you learn research ethics, collaboration, and critical thinking. I used all of those in my theatre work—especially directing and stage management,” Bella shared. “Theatre is a collaborative art, and constant group projects helped me become a better communicator.”

Smith contributed to the development of the department’s Theatre and Film Leadership Forum, a student-faculty group aimed at improving communication across the programs. She is currently auditioning for professional theatre and film opportunities while also exploring long-term goals in education and counseling—combining her passions for storytelling and youth development.

The department’s creative reach continues to expand. In addition to analytical training in screen storytelling, beginning in Fall 2025 the Film program will also offer practical training with its new production emphasis at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The impending launch of a BFA in Animation—a joint initiative with the Lamar Dodd School of Art—invites students to explore performance, design, and digital media in dynamic new ways. Many students also take advantage of CURO (Center for Undergraduate Research Opportunities), developing original projects that deepen both academic and artistic inquiry.

The throughline is clear: whether it’s on Broadway, behind the camera, or in a collaborative leadership role, UGA students are equipped to lead. As they return from national festivals and professional opportunities, they bring renewed energy to the creative community that launched them.

THEATRE, FILM and...

BE A PART FROM THE VERY START

Underwriting a concert to honor my husband’s birthday was enthusiastically and fully supported by the team. It was an event that he and our guests still talk about.

- Nan Cantrell

24-25 School of Music Underwriter

HELP UNDERWRITE THE ARTS AT FRANKLIN COLLEGE

Underwriting the Arts at Franklin College of Arts and Sciences is your opportunity to shape the next generation of actors, artists, dancers, musicians, and creators. You can be the difference for the arts at UGA by supporting unique exhibitions, plays, concerts, and more. Your charitable contribution will be acknowledged in print and in person during our widely-attended programs.

Underwriting support directly funds essential elements:

Cover production costs...

...such as venue rentals; set construction; exhibition installation; instrument maintenance and repair; and innovative new equipment purchases.

Build community and create accessibility...

...by allowing us to keep our ticket prices as low as possible. Underwriting also helps our ticket revenue more directly support student programming.

Support experiential learning...

...by upgrading the number of performances, lectures, guest artists, and other professional experiences we can provide our students throughout the year.

INSPIRE

To learn more about underwriting opportunites for the Franklin Fine and Performing Arts, please contact: Levi Dean: 706-542-4232 | levi.dean@uga.edu

SUPPORT FRANKLIN FINE AND

Lamar Dodd School of Art

Help the Lamar Dodd School of Art lead vibrant arts education, research, and events by giving to our Academic Excellence Fund. With 14 different areas of emphasis ranging from sculpture to photography, art education to graphic design, and painting to ceramics, we serve as the flagship program in the state of Georgia for a world-class education in art.

To learn more about supporting the Lamar Dodd School of Art, please contact: Grace Mercer: 706-542-5191 | grace.mercer@uga.edu

Department of Dance

Donor gifts have enabled students to learn and perform at the American College Dance Festival Conference; the Tennessee and Alabama Dance Festivals; and presentations at the National Dance Education Organization Conference and other regional and national performance events. Gifts also provide scholarships for our dance majors and professional master classes for students by renowned artists. Please support the Friends of Dance Fund.

To learn more about supporting the Department of Dance, please contact: Alison Godley: 706-542-3581 | alison.godley@uga.edu

Hugh Hodgson School of Music

Gifts to the  Hugh Hodgson School of Music Enhancement Fund  support operations in the school, including instrument purchases, student travel, research, performances, and funding for external concerts and events. If you would like to tailor your gift to a specific area of music, such as opera or bands, there are also dozens of area-specific funds on our website at music.uga.edu/opportunities.

To learn more about supporting the Hugh Hodgson School of Music, please contact: Levi Dean: 706-542-4232 | levi.dean@uga.edu

Department of Theatre & Film

The Department of Theatre & Film relies on generous gifts and legacies to realize its twin missions: to prepare students for successful careers as practitioners and scholars of theatre, media and film; and to produce innovative, professional-quality works of theatre, animation, and interactive media for local, national, and even international audiences. Please support the Theatre & Film Department Fund.

To learn more about supporting the Department of Theatre and Film, please contact: Alison Godley: 706-542-3581 | alison.godley@uga.edu

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“The Performing Arts Center (PAC) at the University of Georgia continually sets the standard for excellence in entertainment for the Athens community.”

—Athens Banner-Herald

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Left: Paul Taylor Dance Company | Jada Pearman

Photo by Rachel Neville

Center: Yo-Yo Ma

Photo by Brantley Gutierrez

Right: Chris Thile

Hodgson School of Music Building

Hugh