Tag Archives: NKU School of the Arts

April 3, 2020 · 12:51 pm

NKU SOTA Cancels Summer Dinner Theatre Season

NKU_SOTA logoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts commitment to the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests is our top priority. At this time, we have decided to cancel our 2020 Commonwealth Theatre Company summer dinner theatre season, with the intent to run the productions of BEGUILED AGAIN and NANA’S NAUGHTY KNICKERS next summer (June & July 2021).

We are continuing to monitor COVID-19 (Coronavirus) news, including regular updates from NKU’s Coronavirus Preparedness Team (nku.edu/covid19), the State of Kentucky, Center for Disease Control, and local health agencies. Decisions are made based on this information, as well as directives from government agencies. Your patience and understanding is much appreciated as we all do our part to ensure the health and safety of our community and country.

In the meantime, we invite you to tune in to our new video series, NKU SOTA Stream – an ongoing collection of videos showcasing the deep talent throughout SOTA. Videos are available to view for free on our YouTube channel, Facebook page, and Instagram. For more information, please visit nku.edu/sotastream.

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March 19, 2020 · 8:49 am

Official Statement on COVID-19 from NKU School of the Arts

NKU_SOTA logoNorthern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts commitment to the health and safety of our students, faculty, staff, and guests is our top priority. We are closely monitoring COVID-19 (Coronavirus) news, including regular updates from NKU’s Coronavirus Preparedness Team (nku.edu/coronavirus), the State of Kentucky, Center for Disease Control, and local health agencies. Decisions are made based on this information, as well as directives from government agencies.

Due to the ongoing impact of the coronavirus, we have made the extremely difficult decision to cancel all SOTA events, on and off-campus, for the remainder of the semester through May 31. All ticket sales are suspended until further notice. Summer activities and events have not been addressed at this time but will be assessed as conditions evolve.

AFFECTED EVENTS INCLUDE:

  • NKU Music Preparatory classes, ensembles, and lessons will continue with online instruction for the remainder of the semester (dependent on instructor).
  • BFA auditions for Theatre + Dance will happen remotely. Performance students will submit video auditions. Interviews for design/tech/playwriting will occur during a virtual meeting or teleconference.
  • SOTA Art Galleries (closed)
  • March 26-April 5: Buried Child (canceled)
  • April 2: Juried Student Exhibition Artist & Awards Reception (canceled; awards will be presented virtually)
  • April 16: Symphonic Winds + Choirs (canceled)
  • April 23: Philharmonic Orchestra (canceled)
  • April 24-May 3: Mamma Mia (canceled)
  • April 30: Concert Band + Conner HS Band (canceled)
  • May 15-16: Getting to Know… Oklahoma! (canceled)
  • June 4-21: Beguiled Again (ticket sales suspended)
  • July 9-26: Nana’s Naughty Knickers (ticket sales suspended)

We’ll continue to keep everyone updated through multiple formats, including email and social media. The latest updates will also be posted on the NKU Coronavirus Preparedness Team webpage (nku.edu/coronavirus).

WHAT ARE MY TICKET OPTIONS?
Ticket holders for shows have several options. You may exchange your ticket for a future production or receive a credit for your ticket price to use later. Or, you may choose to donate your purchase as a contribution to NKU SOTA. All non-profits will be feeling the impact of these directives, and your contribution would be greatly appreciated.

Please note that the Box Office window is closed to visitors until further notice. However, you may call (859) 572-5464 and leave a message or email boxoffice@nku.edu with questions as we will be regularly monitoring emails and voice messages.

Thank you for your continuing support of the performing arts at Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts and stay healthy!

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February 25, 2020 · 3:18 pm

BURIED CHILD Runs March 26-April 5

NKU_Buried Child promo

Photo by Sagar Galolia.

BURIED CHILD
Northern Kentucky University
March 26-April 5
Stauss Theatre [Highland Heights]

Cast: Jordan Whittaker as Dodge, Gabby Barbosa as Halie, Jarod Higgins as Tilden, Trevor Browning as Bradley, Tim Belton as Vince, Mo Cox as Shelly & Randolph Geersas Father Dewis

Deep in the American Heartland, life seems to have mysteriously come to a stop. Grappling with the disillusionment of American Mythology a family seeks to hide their past, only to become trapped by it. The surprise arrival of an estranged grandson and a mysterious finding in the field ignites the characters like fireworks on the Fourth of July. Alternately funny and darkly macabre, Buried Child weaves a twisted family drama of epic proportions.

  • Thu-Sat, March 26-28 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, March 29 at 2pm
  • Wed-Sat, April 1-4 at 7:30pm
  • Sun, April 5 at 2pm

Official page |

 

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February 10, 2020 · 3:35 pm

NKU Dance Concert Features New Works on March 6-7

NKU Dance 20 promoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts will present DANCE ’20, an evening of new works by guest artists, faculty, and students. Twelve dynamic dances will add up to an evening of concert pieces that highlight various styles of dance, including ballet, modern, jazz, musical theatre, tap, and dance theatre. Performances take place March 6-7 at NKU’s Corbett Theatre. The production is coordinated by the artistic team of Frankie Montazemi, Anna Gortner, Sylvia Chervus, DJ Bruggee, and Tracey Bonner.

NKU SOTA ballet instructor Jay Goodlett has choreographed both contemporary and classical ballet works for the concert. He has also lent his choreographic and/or directing talents to the St. Louis Opera Theatre, Cincinnati Opera, Columbia Ballet Company, Lachey Arts, The Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati, and Cincinnati Landmark Productions. He is a former member of NYC’s School of American Ballet, Cincinnati Ballet, Toledo Ballet, and Ballet Theatre of Toledo, and previously served as Artistic Director of Education and Outreach for the Children’s Theatre of Cincinnati.

Choreographing a commercial jazz piece is the incredibly distinguished Lea Lachey. Although Lea was born in Cincinnati, her professional works reach far beyond. The versatile dancer has had live stage performance experience with 98 Degrees, NKOTB, Boys II Men, as well as countless others.

Performer, choreographer, director, writer, producer and costume designer Jenny Fitzpatrick will be presenting a dance theatre piece. Jenny is the Founder and Artistic Director of Blackbird Dance Theatre in Lexington, Kentucky. She has also worked as a dance professional, taught at the Burbank School of Ballet and choreographed/directed for the National Enrichment Teacher’s Association.

NKU SOTA modern dance instructor, Ka-Ron Brown Lehman has choreographed a modern piece for the concert. Her rich legacy of dance credits includes concert stages, TV Variety Series, Award Specials, Broadway, Theatre, Film, and Commercials, as well as a featured muse for well-known choreographers like Joe Bennett, Miguel Godreau, Tom Hansen, Joe Layton, Donald McKayle, Jamie Rodgers, Claude Thompson, David Winters, Rob Iscove; and a host of others.

Tracey Bonner, area coordinator of the BFA Theatre Performance Dance Track at NKU SOTA, has choreographed a variety of musical theatre and jazz pieces for the show. She has performed nationwide including touring companies of A Chorus Line, Show Boat, and West Side Story; regional theatres, including Stages St Louis, Barter Theatre, The Human Race Theatre, The Pirate Playhouse, and City Center in New York City. Her artistic creations have garnered regional and national awards in both theatrical and dance venues, including the American College Dance Association, Ostrander Awards, and the Kentucky Arts Council.

Event Details: 

What: “Dance ’20” Spring Dance Concert

When: 7:30 p.m. on March 6 & 7; 2 p.m. on March 7

Where: Corbett Theatre, Northern Kentucky University, Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099

Tickets: $12; $10 students. 859-572-5464 or nku.edu/sotatickets.

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February 5, 2020 · 1:11 pm

NKU School of the Arts Collaborates on HMS PINAFORE

NKU_HMS PINAFORE promoHIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY – Northern Kentucky University’s School of the Arts kicks off 2020 with Gilbert and Sullivan’s comic operetta of HMS PINAFORE. This is a first-time mainstage collaboration between the Theatre + Dance and Music Programs since SOTA’s inception. The production runs Feb. 21-March 1 at NKU’s Corbett Theatre. For more information and tickets, visit nku.edu/pinafore.

The gentlemanly Captain Corcoran has a daughter, Josephine, who is in love with a lowly but gallant sailor named Ralph Rackstraw. Meanwhile, the Captain’s former nanny, Little Buttercup, falls in love with him, but he hesitates to reciprocate due to his higher social rank. The whole situation is turned on its head when Little Buttercup reveals a game-changing secret she has kept for decades. HMS PINAFORE is filled with robust sailors, star-crossed lovers, and crazy comical antics sure to tickle your funny bone and lift your heart.

This is the first time that NKU is performing HMS PINAFORE. The only other Gilbert & Sullivan shows that have been performed at NKU over the past two decades have been The Mikado and The Pirates of Penzance. Gilbert & Sullivan works are considered to be the precursors to modern musical theatre. HMS PINAFORE was an immediate smash hit in the US and continues to be one of the three most often performed of the Gilbert & Sullivan comic operas, boasting big choruses with catchy music and dynamic dance numbers.

The NKU cast features Joshua Van Nort (Sir Joseph Porter), Jacob Threadgill (Captain Corcoran), Jackson Hurt (Ralph Rackstraw), Joel Morgan Parece (Dick Deadeye), Jake Hunter (Boatswain Bill Bobstay), Austin Ray Adams (Carpenter Bob Becket), Adria Whitfill (Josephine), Elanor Morris (Cousin Hebe), and Ally Davis (Little Buttercup). The Chorus of Sailors is comprised of Jeremiah Savon Jackson, Ethan Brooks Baker, Cube Wyrick, Logan Anthony, Liam Sweeney, Tre Taylor, and Kanai Nakata. Sir Joseph’s Female Relatives are Grace Vetter, Victoria Avery, Katie Boyd, Bria Anderson, Makenna Henehan, Olivia Rose Barrell, Willow Davis, and Megan Carlson. The show is co-directed by Nicole Perrone and Kimberly Lazzeri. Other creative team members include Damon Stevens (Music Director), Jay Goodlett (Choreographer), Anna Catton (Scenic Designer), Paige Devroomen (Props Design/Master), Ronnie Chamberlain (Costume Designer), Jeremiah Kearns (Lighting Designer), Zach Collins (Sound Designer), and Halee Hood (Hair/Makeup Designer). The Stage Manager is Brian Robertson, and Assistant Stage Managers are Tiffany Turner and Alexis Pendleton.

For more information, call the NKU School of the Arts Box Office at (859) 572-5464 or visit nku.edu/sotatickets.

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