Category: Performances

Wichita State Opera Theater, under the direction of Alan Held, professor of voice and director of opera studies, will present the annual “Scenes and Songs” performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 in Wiedemann Hall. WSU students can receive one ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

“Scenes and Songs” has become a favorite on the yearly opera calendar since its inception in 2018. This year, the sixty minute performance features short vignettes from multiple opera classics including “The Student Prince” “Les contes d’Hoffmann,” “L’elisir d’amore,” “Die Zauberflöte” and “Little Women.”

Unique to the WSU opera program, “Scenes and Songs” — accompanied by WSU graduate Bridget Hille — fosters the talents of all opera students at WSU. Students, even in their freshman year, are given roles to be featured along with their older colleagues. Following the progress of the singers through the annual program has become interesting and rewarding for the audience as well as for the young artists. This performance is appropriate for all audiences and can be an introduction to music theater for all ages.

This year will also feature multiple “mystery artists” which will provide extra enjoyment. Tickets are available by contacting the College of Fine Arts Box Office at 316-978-3233 or through the online box office. Discounts apply.

Wichita State Opera Theater, under the direction of Alan Held, professor of voice and director of opera studies, will present the annual “Scenes and Songs” performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 4 in Wiedemann Hall.   

“Scenes and Songs” has become a favorite on the yearly opera calendar since its inception in 2018. This year, the sixty minute performance features short vignettes from multiple opera classics including “The Student Prince” “Les contes d’Hoffmann,” “L’elisir d’amore,” “Die Zauberflöte” and “Little Women.”  

Unique to the WSU opera program, “Scenes and Songs” — accompanied by WSU graduate Bridget Hille — fosters the talents of all opera students at WSU. Students, even in their freshman year, are given roles to be featured along with their older colleagues. Following the progress of the singers through the annual program has become interesting and rewarding for the audience as well as for the young artists. This performance is appropriate for all audiences and can be an introduction to music theater for all ages.

This year will also feature multiple “mystery artists” which will provide extra enjoyment. Tickets are available by contacting the College of Fine Arts Box Office at 316-978-3233 or through the online box office. Discounts apply.

The Jo Zakas Musical Theatre Incubator Program presents, “Express,” an immersive musical by Arri Simon (composer) and Janine McGuire (lyricist), at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Welbacher Theatre at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. “Express” is a transportive new musical that unfolds entirely within the bustling confines of the New York City subway on a real-time subway ride. Set against the backdrop of pivotal moments from World War II through the turn of the 21st century, the show traces the journeys of three generations of an American family navigating personal and cultural change.

Originally conceived as a triptych of site-specific musicals staged inside historic subway cars at the New York Transit Museum, the piece has been re-imaged as a unified 75-minute one-act which can be staged in any non-proscenium space. The original score, inspired by the eras spanned in the show, takes the audience on a musical journey from Golden-Era Broadway to ’60s folk and gospel to early hip-hop and millennial pop.

This ensemble-driven piece explores themes of family, identity and the transformative power of everyday moments. With a big heart at its core, “Express” invites audiences to immerse themselves in the heart of New York City’s subway system and reflect on resilience, connection and the shared experiences that shape our lives.

Purchase tickets from the box office or call 316-978-3233. Students at WSU can get a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Join the School of Performing Arts for a unique opportunity to engage with international guest artist from Universidad Veracruzana, Karina Eguia. For an immersive experience, catch a live performance of “Borderline” from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 20 in the Litwin Theatre of the Heskett Center Dance Studios, showcasing exceptional talent and cultural artistry.

“Borderline” is a solo theatre performance whose text arises from collective creation. It is based in Mexico, but the creative development occurred in artist residencies in Barcelona and Madrid. The title of the work defines the conflict of the central character, Georgina Blanco, who is a victim of the personality disorder known as Borderline. This disorder is characterized primarily by emotional dysregulation; individuals often have extremely polarized thoughts and chaotic interpersonal relationships.

Learn more about the history of the partnership with Universidad Veracruzana.

The Jo Zakas Musical Theatre Incubator Program presents, “Express,” an immersive musical by Arri Simon (composer) and Janine McGuire (lyricist), at 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 in the Welbacher Theatre at the Eugene M. Hughes Metropolitan Complex. “Express” is a transportive new musical that unfolds entirely within the bustling confines of the New York City subway on a real-time subway ride. Set against the backdrop of pivotal moments from World War II through the turn of the 21st century, the show traces the journeys of three generations of an American family navigating personal and cultural change.

Originally conceived as a triptych of site-specific musicals staged inside historic subway cars at the New York Transit Museum, the piece has been re-imaged as a unified 75-minute one-act which can be staged in any non-proscenium space. The original score, inspired by the eras spanned in the show, takes the audience on a musical journey from Golden-Era Broadway to ’60s folk and gospel to early hip-hop and millennial pop.

This ensemble-driven piece explores themes of family, identity and the transformative power of everyday moments. With a big heart at its core, “Express” invites audiences to immerse themselves in the heart of New York City’s subway system and reflect on resilience, connection and the shared experiences that shape our lives.

Purchase tickets from the box office or call 316-978-3233. Students at WSU can get a ticket at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association.

Get ready for an evening of music with the Wichita State University Symphony Orchestra at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 19 in Miller Concert Hall.

Faculty soloist Dr. Cristina Castaldi, soprano, will perform Samuel Barber’s “Knoxville: Summer of 1915,” a nostalgic piece set to text by James Agee. The WSU Symphony will also present Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 3 in Eb Major” (“Eroica”), a revolutionary work that was originally dedicated to Napoleon before Beethoven famously withdrew the honor. Joining the WSU Symphony is the Blue Valley Northwest High School Chamber Symphony, directed by Michael Arbucci.

The concert begins with “The Block” by Carlos Simon, a vibrant piece from 2018 inspired by the art of Romare Bearden, capturing the energy of a Harlem city block.

The Wichita State University Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Shade, will kick off the 2024-25 academic year at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 12 in Miller Concert Hall. The concert will feature a variety of evocative and thought-provoking works, including Kelijah Dunton’s “Moving Paths,” a powerful piece inspired by Nelson Mandela’s resilience, and David Maslanka’s “Morning Star,” a vibrant work celebrating new beginnings.

Also featured is Jacob A. Harrison’s “Urban Pulse,” which captures the energetic, ever-changing nature of city life, and Kevin Charoensri’s “Rising Light,” an expression of solidarity and celebration of Asian-American identity in response to recent violence. The program concludes with Dan Welcher’s “Zion,” a tribute to the grandeur of Zion National Park and the unyielding spirit of early settlers.

This performance also celebrates the Wind Ensemble’s recent distinction as a National Finalist for The American Prize in performance of American music.

The Rie Bloomfield Organ Series welcomes its first distinguished guest artist, Jens Korndörfer, to perform at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 17 in Wiedemann Hall.

Dr. Korndörfer is the associate professor of organ at Baylor University in Texas, with a full schedule as guest recitalist in North America and Europe. His program on the great Marcussen organ at WSU will have a wide variety of organ repertoire from the 16th to the 21st century. The “Conversation with the Artist” following intermission will give a chance for the audience to get to know the person behind the recitalist.

Tickets are available at the Fine Arts Box Office. Students can attend at no additional charge with their Shocker ID, thanks to the Student Government Association

Wednesdays in Wiedemann’s annual Organ POPS concert will have a special title this year, “The Winds of Wiedemann,” at 5:15 p.m. Wednesday, May 1 in Wiedemann Hall.

Braeden Held, a current grad student, Keysto Stotz and Bobby Kitchen, past graduates will join Lynne Davis in this concert featuring wind instruments: the great Marcussen organ, trumpet, tuba and saxophone. The program will include famous organ and trumpet tunes, a tuba sonata by Telemann and the famous Vocalise by Rachmaninov in a version for saxophone and organ.

The concert will be livestreamed on the School of Music’s YouTube page.

Wichita State’s French Division in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures presents “Chante la vie, chante,” a live event featuring classic French songs recorded during “The Golden Age of French Song 1950-1999” designed and directed by André Nerman, at 7 p.m. Monday, April 22 in the CAC Theater. The musical is free to attend.

It will feature songs by artists such as Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour, Jacques Brel, Serge Gainsbourg and many more. Musicians from Paris will be singing and performing these classic French songs.