The College of Visual and Performing Arts at Purdue University Fort Wayne will be returning to a full schedule of performances and exhibitions for the 2021-22 academic year.
Masks will no longer be required inside campus buildings for anyone who is fully vaccinated.
From Snoopy to Dracula
The PFW Department of Theatre is presenting the following plays this coming school year:
The World According to Snoopy (directed by James Stover, musical direction by Holly Knott, choreography by Brittney Coughlin), Williams Theatre, Sept. 24-Oct. 2.
The Laramie Project (directed by John O’Connell), Williams Theatre, Nov. 12-20.
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) [revised] (directed by Jeff Casazza), Studio Theatre in Kettler Hall, Dec. 3-4.
Sondheim on Sondheim (directed by Craig A. Humphrey, musical direction by Holly Knott), Williams Theatre, Feb. 18-26, 2022.
Dracula: An Act of Destruction (conceived and directed by Jeff Casazza), Williams Theatre, April 15-23, 2022.
Tickets go on sale on July 12, and season memberships are available for $74. Go to pfw.edu/tickets or call (260) 481-6555 to purchase tickets.
From Recitals to Orchestra
The School of Music’s fall concert season includes 31 concerts, recitals, workshops, lectures, and instrumental days. There will be a Music Education Teacher Workshop on Sept. 18, the inaugural recital for the Northern Indiana Chapter of the American Liszt Society on Sept. 25, and the return of a full orchestra on Oct. 13.
The award-winning Novacane Quartet will take the stage on Oct. 10, and Indian Classical music vocalist Vidita Kannakis will perform on Oct. 28.
The school’s large ensembles, such as bands, jazz, choral, and orchestra, will each perform twice with major works in their repertoire. Along with the large ensembles will be performances by voice and instrumental students.
Tickets go on sale on Aug. 23. To purchase, call the University Box Office at (260) 481-6555.
From Workshops to Artist Receptions
PFW’s Department of Art and Design welcomes the return of artist receptions, in-person workshops, and educational opportunities. Fall offerings include photographer Ashley Beatty, a wood-fired ceramic exhibition with a two-day demonstration workshop, and the return of our High School Juried Exhibition where awards will be announced at the end of the High School Workshop Day.
Fire and Light Presents Musical
Fire & Light Youth, with performers aged 18-22, will perform Disney’s Newsies on Friday, Aug. 6, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 7, at 2 and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, Aug. 8, at 2 p.m. at the USF Robert Goldstine Performing Arts Center, 431 W. Berry St., Fort Wayne.
Set in turn-of-the century New York City, Newsies is the tale of Jack Kelly, a charismatic newsboy and leader of a band of teenaged “newsies.” When titans of publishing raise distribution prices at the newsboys’ expense, Jack rallies newsies from across the city to strike against the unfair conditions and fight for what’s right.
This is the first production in the partnership between Fire & Light and the University of Saint Francis. Tickets can be purchased at fireandlightproductions.com for $10. They can also be purchased at the door on the day of the show for $12.
4th of July Event at TekVenture
The Twistful Meadow, a new fantasy mechanism nature park, presents “A Leprechaun Easter Egg 4th of July Christmas Post Pandemic Catch Up.” The event will feature costumed characters, parade puppets, and games, including Leprechaun Freeze Tag, Easter Egg hunts, action pictures with Santa and Krampus, and squirt gun battles.
The event will be held at The Twistful Meadow, outside TekVenture Maker Space, 1550 Griffin St., on Sunday, July 4, from 4-9 p.m. Participants can bring their own grill and food and stay after to watch the downtown fireworks. No bare feet or sandals. Donations to Ecstatic Theatrics will be accepted.
