Posts under the ‘Announcements’ category

John Cariani play performed at McArdle Theatre

Dr. Roger Held, the Theater Department Chair and director of Almost, Maine, had a number of reasons to choose this particular play. Some productions performed at Michigan Tech are very symbolic and different than our everyday experiences. However the setting, characters, and plot of Almost, Maine have a certain familiarity.

Read more at the Michigan Tech Lode, by Abigail Dillon.

Tech Theatre to Perform “Almost, Maine”

With the solar wind electrifying the night sky, the residents of Almost, Maine experience mysterious, life-changing events, falling in and out of love, and in again, in this poignant and funny exploration of personal epiphany on a deep and snowy midwinter’s night.

Read more at Tech Today, by Bethany Jones.

Warm your cold winter bones and nourish your soul with some hot jazz, funk and blues at the Jazz Club Cabaret at 7:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Jan. 27 and 28, in the McArdle Theatre.

Mike Irish, director of Jazz Studies, says two dynamic groups–Jaztec and Momentum–will perform.

Irish has a broad background in jazz studies as both an educator and performer.

Jaztec continues in its great tradition of jazz standards and contemporary jazz, with their own creative twist. Mark Maguire, guitar; Caleb Roty, sax; Jack Matheson, bass; Michael Coburn, piano/vibes; and Kyle Frazier, drums, have created some wonderful arrangements of well-known tunes.

Momentum features Nick Black, saxes; Laura Black, keyboards; Jacob Posega, bass; and Troy Bouman, drums. They will perform some of the deepest grooves and funkiest tunes in the area.

Read more at Tech Today. Original article submitted by Bethany Jones.

Learn more about small jazz combos at Michigan Tech.

Mary Ann Beckwith - Images Now And Then

On a frigid morning, Mary Ann Beckwith is looking over her art exhibit in the Rozsa Gallery and discussing inspiration, hope, teaching and more.

The career-spanning “Now and Then” show, ending Friday, Jan. 27, has given her a chance to reflect on the body of work.

“Color,” is her first answer to the question of what inspires her. “I’m addicted to color,” says the 39-year veteran professor of art. “Living in the land of white, grey, and black much of the year, I’m absorbed by bright color fields.”

Design is important, too, she says. “My approach is not happenstance. I plan my work and try to give people something they have never seen before–something in nature, something in a photo–but I’m planning ahead before I start.”

Article by Dennis Walikainen. Read more at Tech Today.

Untitled, Ceramic, by Susanne Kilpela

The DeVos Art Museum in the School of Art and Design at Northern Michigan University has a UP Focus Exhibit for March 2 to April 8, 2012. Featured artists are Susanne Kilpela, Carol Phillips and Russ Prather.

The UP: FOCUS series is an annual exhibition highlighting artists who live in or are heavily influenced by the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Susanne Kilpela is a ceramic and installation artist based in Hancock. Carol Phillips and Russ Prather are painters based in Marquette.

Closing Reception: Friday, April 6, 6-8pm

Come join Jazz Club Cabaret featuring Jaztec, Momentum, and special guest performer Friday January 27th and Saturday January 28th in the McArdle Theatre at 7:30 pm. If you are looking for an intimate setting, interesting music, and great company; Jazz Club Cabaret has it all. The evening will turn a cold night hot with a mixture of beautiful tunes, and highlighting great classics in Jazz music. The close knit settings and beautiful lighting make for an experience unlike you have seen before in Houghton. Each band brings a different style of Jazz and compliment each other rhythms and harmonies. The Jazz Club Cabaret invites everyone to come out and experience the atmosphere the Jazz bands have created. Admission is $10 for the public and free for Michigan Tech students.

Reposted from the Michigan Tech Lode, by Mandy Barbul-Couch.

Great Lakes Showcase

The Great Lakes Showcase is a fine arts and crafts exhibition. Free to the public, it will be open from March 12 to March 30, 2012 in the Rozsa Center for Performing Arts.

The 2012 Prospectus is ready. The deadline for receiving the application, images and entry fee is January 20, 2012. Entries are juried. Artists may submit up to 4 entries. Read more about awards, eligibility, conditions, presentation, shipping, sales, entry fee, and pick up.

Visit the Great Lakes Showcase web page at the Department of Visual and Performing Arts.

Visit us on Facebook.

The Department of Visual and Performing Arts continues its music lessons program for students, faculty, staff and adult community members, for spring semester 2012. Lessons begin the week of Monday, Jan. 23, and are offered for guitar, piano, voice, and harp, and the woodwind, brass and percussion instruments.

Taught by qualified local professional musicians, twelve 45-minute lessons are offered throughout the semester on campus. This is a great way to enhance your musical talents.

For more information, email lessons@mtu.edu .

Be a part of our exciting season, onstage and off! Auditions are for Twelfth Night are open December 4-5.

Contact Patricia Helsel for more information 487-3283 helsel@mtu.edu

Mary Ann Beckwith

Michigan Technological University Professor of Art Mary Ann Beckwith has always been able to connect with her students, but with her latest venture, she will be able to connect with students around the world.

Approached by one of the largest art suppliers in the country – Joe Miller and his company Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff out of Boone, N.C. – with the idea to make an educational video for aspiring artists and students, Beckwith jumped at the opportunity.

“I’ve taught for him many times, and he asked if I would allow him to produce an art video,” Beckwith said. “So we did it this summer. He has a professional video company that’s first-class … and in two days we did the entire video.”

Read more at the Mining Gazette.

Auditions for “Almost, Maine” will be held beginning at 7 p.m., Sunday and Monday, Nov. 13 and 14, in the McArdle Theatre. Those auditioning only need to come to one of the two nights.

Actors need to arrive at 6:45 p.m. and complete the audition form. Also, they should bring calendars so a schedule can be set.

“The play consists of nine vignettes that depict various stages in male-female and male-male relationships,” according to director Roger Held. “On a cold winter’s night, with sunspot activity at its zenith, the northern lights precipitate a magical moment when one or both persons in the relationship have an insight that changes the relationship forever. Some are pretty darn funny. Some not so much. Remember, if it involves snowmobiles, it must be fun.

“We’re looking for ten men and nine women,” Held adds. “Each scene is about ten minutes long, and the plan is to use each actor in one scene.”

Lindsay Johns is the stage manager, and scripts will be available from Steve Dobbs at the office of the visual and performing arts department.

For more information, contact Held at 487-1080 or at rheld@mtu.edu.