Category: Performances

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.

The last Rie Bloomfield Organ Series distinguished artist event will take place at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 19 at Wiedemann Hall via Facebook Live. The event will feature organ virtuoso Christopher Houlihan, from Trinity College, Hartford, Connecticut. Houlihan perform a program including works by Bach, Mendelssohn, Dupré, Debussy, and Vierne on the great Marcussen organ at Wiedemann Hall.

Nationally acclaimed, Grammy-nominated, African-American flutist and composer Allison Loggins-Hull will make her Wichita debut in a recital for flute and electronics at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 3 in Wiedemann Hall.

Tickets are free for students, but range from $6 to $12 for others.

Loggins-Hull’s performing and composing span the spectrum from popular to classical music, from Lizzo and Super Bowl commercials to commissions from the Metropolitan Museum of Art and The Library of Congress.

Loggins-Hull’s visit is part of the annual FluteShox Day event on April 3. This event for flutists of all ages will feature clinics and masterclasses with WSU assistant professor of flute Dr. Carmen Lemoine and with Ms. Loggins-Hull. For more information and to register for FluteShox Day, go to carmenlemoine.com.

Loggins-Hull’s appearance is generously sponsored by the WSU School of Music, WSU Office of Diversity and Inclusion, and the Kansas Flute Society.

Wichita State University Opera Theater presents the Kansas premiere of “The Scarlet Letter” by Lori Laitman at 7:30 p.m. April 8-9 at the Duerksen Fine Arts Center.

Based on the great Nathaniel Hawthorne novel, the important new work follows the shame and pride of Hester Prynne, her condemnation by the Puritan community, and her forbidden love with the Reverend Arthur Dimmesdale. The fully staged performance is directed by Opera Theater Director Alan Held. The performances will be conducted by Dr. Mark Laycock with the WSU Symphony Orchestra.

Tickets are available at the College of Fine Arts Box Office or by calling 316-978-3233. WSU students receive one free tickets with their Shocker ID. Other discounts apply.

The last organ recital of the 2021-22 season of the Wednesdays in Wiedemann series will be performed by Lynne Davis at 5:15 p.m. April 6 at Wiedemann Hall or via livestream on Wichita State’s School of Music Facebook page. The half-hour program will include works by César Franck (1822-2022) the 200th anniversary of whose birth is being celebrated this year. This event is free and open to the public.

“(Re)Current Unrest” will take place at the noon-1:30 p.m. Monday, March 21 at the Rhatigan Student Center Sante Fe Room. “(Re)Current Unrest” is a social justice dance theatre film screening and artist talk. This event is presented in collaboration with and is free and open to the public.

Created by Charles Anderson, “(Re)Current Unrest” explores the kinesthetic state of unrest—the condition of unease, discontent and social disturbance. This physical state of agitation represents staying woke. To stay woke refers to an intangible level of awareness about community issues and social justice.

Due to COVID-19, the live immersive performance engagement has been reimagined by Anderson in the form of a digital iteration of “(Re)Current Unrest” featuring live and pre-recorded video footage.

The School of Music’s Faculty Artist Series welcomes celebrate American pianist Dr. Julie Bees who will perform at 3 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27 at Wiedemann Hall. The concert will feature works by Bach, Chopin and Schubert.

Bees is a professor of piano and director of the Konrad Wolff-Ilse Bing Chamber Music Endowment Award at Wichita State. She is also a founding member of The Orfeo Trio, a traveling piano trio that has most recently given recitals and masterclasses across Southeast Asia, including Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand.

During her career, Bees has given countless performances as a soloist and collaborative pianist. Her most recent appearances include performing as a concerto soloist with the SAR Philharmonic in Hong Kong and with the WSU Symphony Orchestra during their tour of Spain.

Wichita State’s School of Performing Arts will host the Wichita Contemporary Dance Theatre spring Concert 2022 beginning at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 24-26 at Wilner Auditorium. 

The event will be a repertory dance concert featuring the faculty works of Denise Celestin, Cheyla Clawson Chandler, Nick Johnson, Sabrina Vasquez and other guest artists.

Tickets are free to WSU students who present their ID, $10 for other students, $18 for faculty, staff, military, and senior citizens. For more information or to get tickets, contact 316-978-3233 or visit the online WSU College of Fine Arts Box Office.