Category: Performances

The WSU Symphony Orchestra will present “Ellis Island: The Dream of America” in concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 20, in Miller Concert Hall. It is a multimedia presentation with music by Peter Boyer, narration drawn from immigrant testimonies collected in the Ellis Island Oral History Project, and historic photographs from the early twentieth century.

Dr. Cristina Castaldi and Dr. Michael Sylvester, professors of voice, will provide narration. Dr. Mark Laycock, director of orchestras, will conduct.

Boyer’s major work, “Ellis Island: The Dream of America” has become one of the most performed American orchestral works of the past 15 years, with over 250 performances by more than 100 orchestras since its 2002 premiere. Boyer’s recording of “Ellis Island” on the Naxos American Classics label was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary Classical Composition. Grammy-nominated Peter Boyer is one of the most frequently performed American orchestral composers of his generation.

Tickets ($12 for general admission with discounts available) may be purchased through the Fine Arts Box Office (978-3233 or wichita.edu/fineartsboxoffice). Students with Shocker ID get in at no additional cost.

For more information, contact Laycock at 978-6202 or mark.laycock@wichita.edu.

Please join the WSU Concert Chorale and Madrigal Singers as they welcome the Andover High School Madrigals at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 11 in Wiedemann Hall.

Shocker Choir and WU Choir present songs of joy, love, sorrow, and fun at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 in Wiedemann Hall.

The men of Shocker Choir share some South American dance music and the heart-breaking ballad “Bring Him Home” from “Les Miserables.” WSU faculty members Dr. Jeb Wallace (Horn) and Dr. Cristina Castaldi (Soprano) are joining them for a love song. Closing their program is the traditional performance of the “WSU Fight Songs.”

WU choir has prepared an eclectic mix of Canadian folk music and a Macedonian song passed down by oral tradition. Included in the set is “Taylor, the Latte Boy”  popularized by Broadway star Kristin Chenowith.

Tickets are $12 with discounts available and free with a WSU Student ID.

Wednesdays in Wiedemann with Lynne Davis begins another season at 5:15 p.m. today at Wiedemann Hall.

The event will feature music by J.S. Bach, the same piece that was played for Queen Elizabeth’s funeral, and César Franck, celebrating the 200th anniversary of his birth.

Admission for this event is free. This in-person event will also be livestreamed via the WSU School of Music Facebook page.

The 22-23 RBOS season is chock full of exciting performances ahead on the great Marcussen organ in Wiedemann Hall. The first concert will be at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 28, and will feature Lynne Davis on the organ and Mark Laycock directing the WSU Symphony Orchestra.

Don’t miss the other distinguished guest artists and the half-hour Wednesdays in Wiedemann. Admission is free.

The Wichita State University School of Performing Arts will present “Happy Wright,” winner of the Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition, at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 6-8 at Welsbacher Theatre at the WSU Hughes Metroplex, 5015 East 29th St. North. 

Loosely inspired by Samuel Beckett’s “Happy Days,” the show is a portrait of anxiety, bravery, and the help we can give each other when we try. “Happy Wright” is a strange person, this much we can say for certain. They love aviation, poetry, and weekends. But when you step into Happy’s mind, you will see it is plagued with questions. These questions make the world very confusing.

Tickets are $10 for general admission. WSU students get one free ticket with a WSU ID thanks to the support of the WSU Student Government for College of Fine Arts performances. Buy tickets at the Box Office 316-978-3233 

Playwright Straton Rushing, who is currently an MFA dramatic writing candidate at Arizona State University, is excited to join us at WSU for the premiere of “Happy Wright.”  Find out more about Straton.

The Wichita State University National Playwriting Competition was created in 1974 by Dr. Bela Kiralyfalvi,  who was a theatre professor and director of the School of Performing Arts until his retirement in 2003.

WSU students get in free to all university Fine Arts events with a Shocker ID thanks to the efforts of the Student Government Association. Support your fellow classmates and faculty while exploring some of the creative pursuits WSU has to offer.

Learn more about your free Fine Arts tickets at the link below.

Wichita State’s School of Performing Arts musical theatre program will debut “The Fox Sisters” at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 29-Oct. 1 at the Welsbacher Theatre. The production includes music by Anthony De Angelis, lyrics by Christyn Budzyna and a book by Jessica Penzias. New WSU musical theatre faculty member Richard Biever will direct, and Garrett Welch will serve as music director and pianist.  

“The Fox Sisters” tells the story of Katie and Maggie Fox, who convince the world they can speak to the dead and accidentally found a new religion. Based on a true story from the 1800s, this new musical has a haunting, ethereal score and will leave the audience wondering — if you believe something, can you make it real? 

This production is made possible by the generous support of the Jo Zakas Legacy Foundation to fund the Musical Theatre Incubator Program, which was created to fund a staged reading of one new musical each year. The program includes bringing the authors to Wichita to collaborate with students. 

This event is free to Wichita State students who present their WSU ID.

Wichita State’s School of Performing Arts will present “Go Like Saints” at 7:30 p.m. April 21-23. Welsbacher Theatre. The play, by Skye Robinson Hillis Winner of the 2021 Bela Kiralyfalvi National Student Playwriting Competition takes place in 1951 Hollywood at the height of the second Red Scare when a group of friends grapple with the fear and anxiety that sets in when their entire livelihood could be snatched away at any moment.

Wichita State’s Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures will host the Paris-based Theater Companie Caravague at 7:30 p.m. today, April 25 at the Campus Activities Center Theater. During the event, André Nerman and Pascal Thoreau, Compagnie Caravague performers, will play multiple roles from a variety of famous passages from Molière.

The event also marks the 400th anniversary of Molière’s birth. The show is free and open to the public.