Since switching from the School of Music, Theatre, and Dance to the School of Music and Performing Arts, Anderson University theatre students have been working hard to continue to thrive within their program. This campus change made a clear dent on the department at first, but that did not stop them from continuing to thrive because in the coming months they will continue to share music and community to the student body and staff.
Starting out, on February 20 at 6:30 p.m. at York Performance Hall, the freshmen and sophomore musical cabaret is kicking us off with a “a fun evening of songs, dialogue, laughter, and heart.” This is a showcase that will be a night to remember and will show what these two respectable classes of theatre students have been diligently working on this semester.
The fun doesn’t stop there, though because just a week later on Thursday February 26 at 7:30 p.m. at York Performance Hall there will be a guest recital with soprano singer Mary Kathyrn Brewer. This will be a night with sacred musical theatre pieces that will make you want to come back again to hear more. Musical genres will be combined. From Giuseppe Verdi to Mark Hayer and Eva Cassidy. The Anderson community will be happy that you won’t have to wait too much longer for the highly anticipated Spring Choral Concert. This will take place on Friday February 27 at 7:30 p.m. at York Performance Hall. This features the three Anderson University choirs: Chorale, Vola Voce, and Vox Corvi. With all of their combined connected sounds, this will be a wonderful selection of performances with pieces you may have heard before, or you may also hear your next favorite song from this unforgettable group of students.
As the colder months turn to warmer ones, we come closer to spring and the Senior Recital. This is an important event, especially for the SMPA senior students. They get the opportunity to show the public all of the songs that they have been working on as their last days at Anderson University approach. There is a lot to be excited about for these seniors as Samuel Woods, voice, Lizzie Swaile, percussion, and Harmon Hann, voice all enter into this new stage of life in just a few short months.
Than Williams is a senior majoring in record production who has a highly anticipated album that deserves to be celebrated and praised. The album is titled Holy Spirit & Fire and is set to release on March 20 of this year, according to William’s socials as well as an official album release concert happening on March 29th at 2:30 p.m. at York Performance Hall. He writes passionately on his Instagram on December 10, “I hope within these 11 songs you will find one or two that make you smile, one or two that make you think, or or two that make you want to dance, and maybe (just maybe) one or two that make you feel less alone, that resonate deeply with whatever stage of the journey in which you find yourself.”
The students have also been working on two of the latest play productions, The Importance of Being Earnest, an all student-led production happening in the art wing of Krannert Hall on March 20 at 7:30 p.m., the 21st at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and the final performance on March 22nd at 2:30 p.m, along with Anderson University’s official play of the spring season. Radium Girls is a compelling stage play that contains both humor and drama and will be performed six times by the university students. The performances will take place on the following dates and times at Byrum Hall: Friday April 10 at 7:30 p.m., Saturday April 11 at 7:30 p.m., Sunday April 12 at 2:30 p.m., Friday April 17 at 7:30 p.m. and its final two performances on Saturday April 18 at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.