Author: Stacy Salters

Ready to dive into a summer of excitement and enrichment? The School of Performing Arts is offering a lineup of online and in-person classes.

Whether you’re a budding performer, a curious mind or simply seeking to expand your horizons, the School of Performing Arts has something special in store with Stage Combat, Dance and Theatre Appreciation, or Theatre as a Mirror of Today’s America.

THEA 365: Stage Combat – May 20-June 1, Monday through Friday from 12:30 to 5 p.m.
DANC 140: Dance Appreciation – June 3-July 26 and June 3-June 29, online only
THEA 143: Theatre Appreciation – June 3-July 26 and July 1-26, online only
THEA 385: Theatre as a Mirror of Today’s America – June 3-July 26

With multiple options and flexible scheduling, these courses are perfect for anyone looking to enrich their summer or get a jumpstart toward graduating. Register now and embark on a journey of discovery and growth this summer.

To register for summer 2024 courses, use Banner in your myWSU.

Kennedy Rogers is the new Staff Senate President, succeeding Jason Bosch, who recently resigned to pursue an exciting new opportunity.

Kennedy brings a wealth of experience and dedication to this important role. Having been an active and engaged member of our community, she has consistently demonstrated a commitment to fostering collaboration, advocating for the well-being of the staff and contributing to the overall enhancement of the organization.

As the Staff Senate expresses its sincere gratitude to Jason Bosch for his invaluable contributions during his tenure, it eagerly looks forward to the positive impact Kennedy will undoubtedly make as she assumes the responsibilities of Staff Senate President. Her leadership skills, passion for the community and vision for a unified and supportive work environment align seamlessly with the values of Wichita State.

Help welcome Kennedy to this esteemed position and extend heartfelt appreciation to Jason for his dedication and service to the organization. The Staff Senate is confident that under Kennedy’s leadership, it will continue to thrive and be an effective voice for the interests of WSU’s staff.

The School of Performing Arts proudly presents “A Chorus Line” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 2-4 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 5 in Wilner Auditorium.

Ticket prices are $20 for adults; $18 for senior citizens, military, and faculty and staff; and $12 for children and students. Wichita State students can receive one ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID thanks to the support of the Student Government for College of Fine Arts performances. Call the Box Office at 316-978-3233 or order tickets from the online storefront.

Directed and choreographed (adapted from Michael Bennet’s original Broadway choreography) by Amy Baker Schwiethale, “A Chorus Line” examines one day in the lives of seventeen dancers, all vying for a spot in the “chorus line” of a Broadway musical. After the first round of cuts, Zach, the director and choreographer, asks each dancer to speak about themselves. Discomfort opens into revelation, confession leads to redemption and within the bright, outwardly homogenous chorus, the audience begins to see each dancer’s individuality.

The School of Performing Arts is thrilled to announce that 2021 Alum Ariel Glorsky-Seyl will be joining the performance as a special guest artist to portray the role of Diana Morales in “A Chorus Line.” During her time at WSU, she played several roles including Susan in “[title of show]” and Amy in “The Theory of Relativity.”

The School of Performing Arts proudly presents “Move on Litwin: Dance Up Close,” a diverse evening of dance works, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 26-28 in the Litwin Theatre of the Heskett Dance Studio.

Tickets are $15, but Wichita State students can receive one ticket to the performance at no additional charge with their Shocker ID thanks to the support of the WSU Student Government for College of Fine Arts performances.

Call the College of Fine Arts Box Office at 316-978-3233 for tickets, or purchase them online.

The School of Performing Arts presents “Mama Bushwick is Dead” at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 5 through Oct. 7 in the Welsbacher Theatre in the Eugene M Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

Ticket prices are $15, and Wichita State students receive one ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID thanks to the support of the Student Government Association.

Written by Elizabeth Shannon, the show is about five estranged siblings, Bard, Joyce, Robin, Scott, and Jo, who return to their recently deceased mother’s home. They must prepare for her funeral, clean her duplex, and decide who will give her eulogy. Filled with grief, trauma, childhood memories, and dolls, “Mama Bushwick is Dead,” explores the complex family dynamics present regardless of place and time. This show is rated PG-13 for language and adult themes that may not be suited for children under 13.

Purchase tickets from the box office online or call 316-978-3233.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 15, 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room. All USS meetings are open to the campus community.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 25 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room. All USS meetings are open to the campus community.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 20 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room. All USS meetings are open to the campus community.

The next University Staff Senate (USS) meeting is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 16 in 142 Rhatigan Student Center, Harvest Room. All USS meetings are open to the campus community.

The School of Performing Arts’ dance program will presents the Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre (WCDT) concert at the Wilner Auditorium at the following times and dates:

• 7:30 p.m.: Friday, April 28-April 29
• 2 p.m.: Sunday, April 30

Tickets are available at no additional charge to Wichita State students with a Shocker ID, $18 for seniors, military and WSU faculty and staff, $20 for adults, and $10 for children and students.

WCDT’s repertoire concert includes the works of faculty members Cheyla Clawson Chandler, Denise Celestin, Nick Johnson, Sabrina Vasquez and international guest artist Charlotte Boye-Christensen. Chandler will restage the work, “Logged in and Buffering,” an abstraction of the challenges of relationship and community-building in the age of social media and technology. Johnson will present his mime ensemble, “Angels Rising,” that explores the often lethal competitive nature of humanity from the beginning of times until after death in “Angel’s Rising.” Celestin’s work, “Prelude,” is a poetic and heartfelt tribute to her late mother Lynn Celestin. Vasquez will present her new work, “seenUnseen,” an abstract exploration of being seen by others and oneself. Charlotte Boye-Christensen’s dance film, “The Wanderer,” was inspired by poetic and sometime strange visits to Prairie pines and Field of Screams. “The Wanderer” is in collaboration with Shocker Studios and musician Dr. Kevin Harrison.