Walton Arts Center reveals next season's dance, music and theater events
Natalie Johnson
Issue date: 4/20/09 Section: Lifestyles
|
WAC is the largest venue for performing arts and entertainment in Arkansas.
"It is beneficial for the entire community to expose the campus to this great resource," said Ashley Tull, associate dean of students for campus life.
WAC hosted about 4,300 students last season, and the programming staff has developed the schedule to draw more students to the theater starting this fall. This season has about 40 performances, including at least seven Broadway shows and a concert from the North Arkansas Symphony.
"The 2009-10 season is a wide range of programs that highlight some of the best and most accomplished artists in the world at a pretty reasonable price," said Jodi Beznoska, communications director for WAC.
The WAC program directors are looking for ways to collaborate with the UA and to make tickets more affordable for students. Waltonartscenter.org will have a student page this summer, and the center will continuously update its Facebook page for information on ticket discounts and sales for students.
Although the details are not definite, ideas include setting specific days of the week for students to purchase Broadway tickets at half price and on-site discounts for students who come by the WAC.
"Grease" and "Legally Blonde" are two Broadway hits that will be in town this season. "Grease," which is Time magazine's 2007 pick for the No. 1 musical of the year and stars Taylor Hicks as Teen Angel, will arrive on stage May of 2010. "Legally Blonde," a successful film about an underestimated blonde who is determined to go to Harvard Law School, commences the season on July 7 and will run through July 12. "The Wedding Singer" will be perfecting its show here in September before heading off on a national tour.
Talent of every genre of performing arts will grace the Fayetteville stage this season. If the audience wants to laugh, "The Second City" is celebrating its 50th year of unrestricted improv and sketch comedy on August 28-29. Musical performances range from classical symphony to the root music of the American Revival, which mixes funk, folk, bluegrass and more, exemplifying "Americana at its finest," said Jenni Swain, vice president of the WAC programs.
Some of the music acts, such as Grammy award-winning South African a cappella group Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Kayhan Kalhor/Brooklyn Rider are living, breathing examples of cross-cultural dialogue and connection, Beznoska said.
In addition to music and dance, some shows combine the arts, such as "Little House on the Prairie" or "The Nutcracker."
"I would like to see the WAC used more as a local venue, inviting students and people to enjoy it between the major shows," said Jasmine Nile, a UA senior art history major.
Tull is working with the WAC to coordinate Friday Night Live events and other occasions at the venue. The studio theater will host the University Theatre's rendition of Arthur Miller's Pulitzer Prize-winning drama, "The Death of a Salesman," in October.
"I can only ask for more world dances, symphonies, orchestral symphonies and ballets," said Libby Atkins, a senior food science major.
Beznoska encourages all students to experience the events at the WAC.
"Live performance is a really important part of a dynamic, engaged lifestyle," she said. "Movies and recorded music are great, but live performance has an element of authenticity and uniqueness that can't be experienced in pre-recorded media."
For a full list of performances and upcoming student discounts, visit Waltonartscenter.org.
Be the first to comment on this story