Winter 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Nashville Ballet
TPAC’s Polk Theater
Learn how Shakespeare’s fanciful comedy comes to life onstage in the form of dance by Nashville Ballet. Join Paul Vasterling, Nashville Ballet’s artistic director and choreographer of A Midsummer Night’s Dream, as he reveals the inspiration behind the piece with an exceptional panel including Denice Hicks of the Nashville Shakespeare Festival, Michael Kurek of Vanderbilt’s Blair School of Music, and Belmont University English professor James Wells. Actors from Nashville Shakespeare Festival will perform short scenes followed by Paul’s interpretation performed by members of the Nashville Ballet. You’ll delight in this fresh, new interpretation of the beguiling Shakespearean classic.
See video footage.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The Color Purple
TPAC’s Polk Theater
The Color Purple is a soul-stirring musical based on the classic Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Alice Walker and the moving film by Steven Spielberg. It is the unforgettable and inspiring story of a woman named Celie, who finds her unique voice in the world. Nominated for eleven Tony Awards, The Color Purple is a landmark theatrical event, a celebration of love, and a Broadway phenomenon.
Dr. Frank Dobson, director of the Bishop Joseph Johnson Black Cultural Center at Vanderbilt University, along with cast members from the touring production of The Color Purple, will guide us through the intricacies of this inspiring and profound story. This discussion will provide insights into the musical that will leave you eager to see the show.
See video footage.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Juggleville and Playing By Air
TPAC’s Polk Theater
Come learn about the ultimate symbol of multi-tasking - juggling! Panelists and performers Jacob Weiss and Doug Denniston will demonstrate and discuss the physical and mental demands of the art form as well its creative community applications to promote a healthy lifestyle.
Juggleville is the annual Spring performance put on by the members of Vanderbilt Juggling and Physical Arts (JPAC). JPAC offers students, faculty, and community members the opportunity to learn, practice, and perform juggling and related physical arts. Juggleville features both student and professional performing artists, including collaborations with dancers, gymnasts and musicians. The 2010 performances are directed by Doug Denniston, a junior at Vanderbilt, and will be held at Vanderbilt's Blair School of Music on April 2nd and 3rd.
Playing By Air Productions was established in 2009 by Jacob Weiss, PhD, the founder of the student Juggleville shows. Playing By Air offers touring theatrical stage productions, as well as high-energy, creative entertainment for corporate meetings and special events. Playing By Air also uses juggling and variety entertainment to support community health initiatives; in particular, the cancer community.
See video footage.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Proof – TN Repertory Theatre
TPAC’s Polk Theater
On the eve of her 25th birthday, Catherine, a troubled young woman, has spent years caring for her brilliant but unstable father, a famous mathematician. Now, following his death, she must deal with her own volatile emotions, the arrival of her estranged sister Claire, and the attentions of Hal—one of her father’s former students. Hal hopes to find valuable work in the 103 notebooks that Catherine’s father left behind. Over the weekend that follows, a burgeoning romance and the discovery of a mysterious notebook draw Catherine into the most difficult problem of all: How much of her father's madness—or genius—has she inherited?