Category: Performances

Students from DANC 405 Choreography 2 will explore their individual and collective response to the exhibition “[RE]POSE: Leisure Bodies and Empowered Postures” (now on view at the Ulrich Museum of Art) at 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 25 in the Beren Gallery at the Ulrich Museum of Art.

This collaborative group work focuses on the dance composition “toolbox” of crafting movement previously learned in Improvisation and Choreography. The event is free and everyone is welcome.

The School of Performing Arts presents the Senior Capstone Celebration 2024, starting at 1:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 23 in Wilner Auditorium with breaks throughout the day.

The Senior Capstone Celebration is a day full of celebrating the creativity, talent and hard work of the school’s seniors, it features capstone projects from students in:

• Dance performances and solos
• Dance presentations
• Design and technical theatre presentations
• Musical theatre performances
• Theatre general studies presentations
• Theatre performances

This is a free event, but donations will be accepted to support future work by students.

Don’t miss this showcase of passion and artistry as the seniors take the stage to share their final projects.

Join an evening with the WSU Symphony Orchestra as it performs “Symphony Chaco,” featuring renowned Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai, soprano Christina Martos and composer Gary Gackstatter as narrator. This special concert, part of the College of Fine Arts Connoisseur Series, will occur at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 21 in Miller Concert Hall at Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Tickets are available through the Fine Arts Box Office.

“Symphony Chaco” is the result of a years-long collaboration between Gackstatter and Nakai, whose music and philosophy inspired this powerful work exploring nature, culture and connection. Gackstatter reflects, “It was not just a dream come true; it was far beyond that.”

Funding for this Connoisseur Series performance is generously provided by the Sam and Rie Bloomfield Foundation and Shoko Kato Sevart.

In celebration of Ulrich’s 50th Anniversary, Mina Estrada, assistant professor and director of dance at Wichita State, has created a new dance piece — inspired by the fall exhibition “Dream Machine: Fantasy, Surreality, and Play,” on view through Dec. 7 — which will be performed at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 15 in the Polk/Wilson Gallery in the Ulrich Museum.

The performance, featuring WSU dance majors, will play on the intricate layers of reality and surrealism, drawing inspiration from the exhibition’s rich tapestry of fantastical and interactive works. The new work entitled, “Inside the Dream Machine,” will also include live music performed by ICTus, directed by Chase Hampton. “Inside the Dream Machine” will continue to evolve as it is transformed into a film produced in collaboration with WSU School of Digital Arts. The dance film will premiere at the School of Performing Arts Film Showing April 19, 2025 at Welsbacher Black Box Theatre in the Hughes Metropolitan Complex.

The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series is presenting its second Distinguished Guest Organist, James O’Donnell, in its 2024-25 season at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Wiedemann Hall. WSU students can get a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker IDs, thanks to the Student Government Association.

O’Donnell will be performing a recital of English, French and German organ music, particularly Franz Liszt’s epic on “Ad nos ad salutarem nostram.” Don’t miss the Conversation with the Artist following the intermission in which Professor Lynne Davis interviews Dr. O’Donnell about his many experiences.

O’Donnell, currently professor of organ at Yale University, is the former organist and music director of Westminster Abbey in London. His last duty there was to organize the music for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series is presenting its second Distinguished Guest Organist, James O’Donnell, in its 2024-25 season at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 12 in Wiedemann Hall. Tickets may be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office.

O’Donnell will be performing a recital of English, French and German organ music, particularly Franz Liszt’s epic on “Ad nos ad salutarem nostram.” Don’t miss the Conversation with the Artist following the intermission in which Professor Lynne Davis interviews Dr. O’Donnell about his many experiences.

O’Donnell, currently professor of organ at Yale University, is the former organist and music director of Westminster Abbey in London. His last duty there was to organize the music for Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.

Mark your calendars for a musical event with the Wichita State Wind Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Miller Concert Hall at Duerksen Fine Arts Center. This evening promises a captivating lineup of compositions that explore diverse emotions, themes and histories through the power of live music.

The program will open with “Nobunaga – A Shaft of Light in the Renaissance” by Eiji Suzuki, setting a dramatic and historical tone. Lee Gannon’s “Symphony No. 1” will follow, offering a compelling symphonic journey. Audiences will also experience “I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold” by James David, a vibrant tribute inspired by a renowned piece of modern art, and “A deep reverberation fills with stars” by John Mackey, a piece filled with wonder and celestial imagery.

WSU students can get one ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker IDs, thanks to the Student Government Association. Just head over to the Fine Arts Box Office in Duerksen Fine Arts Center. Additional tickets can be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office in person or online.

Mark your calendars for a musical event with the Wichita State Wind Ensemble at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5 in Miller Concert Hall. This evening promises a captivating lineup of compositions that explore diverse emotions, themes and histories through the power of live music.

The program will open with “Nobunaga – A Shaft of Light in the Renaissance” by Eiji Suzuki, setting a dramatic and historical tone. Lee Gannon’s “Symphony No. 1” will follow, offering a compelling symphonic journey. Audiences will also experience “I Saw the Figure 5 in Gold” by James David, a vibrant tribute inspired by a renowned piece of modern art, and “A deep reverberation fills with stars” by John Mackey, a piece filled with wonder and celestial imagery.

Tickets are available now. Secure your seats through the Fine Arts Box Office and join the WSU Wind Ensemble for a powerful and inspiring performance.

Join the School of Performing Arts for performances of “Twelfth Night” Nov. 7-10 in Wilner Auditorium. The performances start at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7-9 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 10. An ASL interpreter will be available for the performance on Saturday, Nov. 9.

Tickets cost $20 for adults, $18 for seniors, military and faculty/staff, and $12 for children and students. WSU students 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

Historically dubbed “the perfect comedy,” “Twelfth Night” tells the story of Viola, a young maiden shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria. She believes she has lost her twin brother, Sebastian, to the sea. She disguises herself as a man named Cesario and enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is smitten with the Countess Olivia, who herself is mourning the death of her brother. Duke Orsino sends “Cesario” as an intermediary to profess his love to Olivia, but Olivia, however, falls hopelessly in love with “Cesario,” setting her at odds with her “mourning.” If that wasn’t enough, Viola falls in love with Orsino, creating a seemingly impossible love triangle. Add a hilarious subplot about servants and drunken lords, add in some original music and this is a romantic night of laughs to remember.

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

Wichita State Opera Theater will present the world premiere of Lance Hulme’s new opera “December Night” at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 7 at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 430 N. Broadway. A second performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 8 in Wiedemann Hall.

The one-hour opera is based on Willa Cather’s “Death Comes for the Archbishop.” The Bishop of Santa Fe is suffering from a “dark night of faith” and becomes inspired by the great devotion of Sara, an old Mexican slave.

The composer will conduct these performance which will be under the direction of WSU Opera Theater director, Alan Held. Admission to the Nov. 7 performance is free. Tickets are available for the Nov. 8 performance at the College of Fine Arts Box Office or by calling 316-978-3233. Students can get a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.