Center for the Arts

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Connects Campus and Community in Deep Hispanic Heritage Month Engagement

Laura Mertens — Wed, 06 Nov 2024 22:10:18 +0000

Mason Artist-in-Residence Ballet Hispánico Connects Campus and Community in Deep Hispanic Heritage Month Engagement Laura Mertens Wed, 11/06/2024 - 17:10

In This Story

Samantha Sinagra

Lawrence M. Jackson

Victor Adebusola

Learn more about Mason Artists-in-Residence

Mason Artist-in-Residence and “smashingly theatrical” dance company (Chicago Sun-Times) Ballet Hispánico led a whirlwind of inspiring engagement activities October 1–5, 2024 during Hispanic Heritage Month. With events held at the Center for the Arts, in Mason classrooms, and at other sites around the community, the residency exemplified the Center's commitment to joyous and transformative experiences in the arts for all ages.

"Ballet Hispánico’s visit to the Mason community far exceeded my expectations. It’s clear that community engagement is a top priority for this organization," said Victor Adebusola, programming and engagement manager at the Center for the Arts at George Mason, "Very rarely do you have an Executive Director participate in so many residency activities, further evidencing their commitment to community outreach. During every engagement, they brought warmth and fun while educating communities on the historical and cultural influences of various Hispanic diasporas. It was a joy to see so many smiling faces! Their performances at our Concert Hall were the cherry on top of a phenomenal weekend."

The Maryland Theatre Guide declared of the October 5 performance, "Saturday night’s program at the George Mason University Center for the Arts (the culmination of their time as a Mason Artist-in-Residence) was a well-curated, sophisticated, and poignant production with work spanning three decades. The dancers of Ballet Hispánico are all fabulous, technically talented, and charismatic performers."

Below is a recap of just some of the week's events:

Ballet Hispánico company members taught a master class on modern repertoire to students in George Mason University’s School of Dance on Wednesday, October 2 at 10:30 a.m.

Ballet Hispánico led a masterclass on modern repertoire with local high school students at Fairfax County Public School's Fairfax Academy, also participating in discussion with the students on Wednesday, October 2 at 1 p.m.

Ballet Hispánico members led a Latin Social Dance Workshop and Community Party the evening of Thursday, October 3, co-hosted by the Latin Student Association and Mason Dining outside Southside Dining Hall, for George Mason students, faculty, and staff. Chef Monica Bastidas Moreno curated snacks for the event including Colombian ceviche and churros, and Latin dance student group Azucar attended, along with many other Mason students of all experience levels.

The company performed exciting excerpts of works for hundreds of students in grades 6-12 in a free school time matinee performance on Friday, October 4, at 11 a.m. With brief interstitial presentations, charismatic Ballet Hispánico artistic director and CEO Eduardo Vilaro fully immersed the students and teachers in the program, getting them up on their feet and dancing along.

The free and interactive Artists in Conversation: Latin Social Dance Workshop with Ballet Hispánico, co-presented by the City of Fairfax and the Center for the Arts at George Mason University, offered community members free lessons in salsa, merengue, cha chá, and more on Friday, October 4, at 7 p.m. at the Stacy C. Sherwood Community Center.

Ballet Hispánico artistic director Eduardo Vilaro taught an interactive Baila Conmigo dance workshop to members of the public and the Mason Community Arts Academy following the free school time matinee performance on Friday, October 4, 2024.

George Mason School of Dance Professor Lawrence Jackson moderated a pre-performance discussion with Vilaro in Monson Grand Tier, on the third level of the Center for the Arts, prior to the October 5 culminating performance. The recorded discussion is available for viewing on the Mason Arts Amplified digital venue, which features curated arts experiences including livestreamed concerts, releases of previously recorded content, behind-the-scenes talks with artists, and more (free account setup and login required).

Vilaro joined additional George Mason classes for discussion, including the “Survey of Latin American History,” taught by Associate Professor Joan Bristol from George Mason’s College of Humanities and Social Sciences, on Tuesday, October 1, at 9 a.m. Vilaro discussed topics including the company's history and how the need for visibility for a community spurred rich innovation based on the intersection of Latin diasporas; colonization, the cross-Atlantic slave trade, and the legacy of movement throughout history; and the history of Latin dance in modern dance and culture in the United States. In the virtual class “Introduction to Arts Management,” taught by Professor Samantha Sinagra from George Mason’s Arts Management Program on Thursday, October 3 at 1:30 p.m., Vilaro discussed with class members how the company centers its mission when creating programs and initiatives.

The Mason Artist-in-Residence program is supported in part by the Wendy Frieman and David Johnson Fund.

Topics

CFA

Center for the Arts

Friends of the Center for the Arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA)

College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA) Arts Management Program

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

Mason Dining

Latino Student Association

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga

Laura Mertens — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:26:26 +0000

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Laura Mertens Wed, 08/28/2024 - 14:26

George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts Presents ARTS by George!, an Evening Celebrating Mason Arts

ARTS by George! makes its return to George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus on September 28, 2024. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the annual benefit event raises funds for student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Since its launch in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for Mason Arts.

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly,” notes Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “From art and music to dance and theater, virtual reality to documentary film, the student showcases offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of what we do every day in Mason Arts. I learn something new every year and become an even prouder Dean.”

ARTS by George! begins at 5 p.m. by bringing hundreds of CVPA students and faculty together to showcase performances and exhibits, as well as to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative process. The seven CVPA academic units will be featured in showcases, which are a highlight of the annual event.

The School of Art will host an antique photobooth and give demonstrations of 3D art and letterpress printing, while Arts Management will host a display of the Free Little Art Gallery created by a graduate from the program. School of Dance will offer two presentations by faculty members—Christopher d’Amboise on dancing to the music of Stravinsky and Karen Reedy on Robert Battle’s “The Hunt”—which also include live dancing by students. Film and Video Studies will screen a selection of films by students, and Computer Game Design will offer a presentation titled “Unlocking the Future: Game Design with A.I. and Mixed Reality.” Students in the areas of jazz, opera, classical piano, and percussion will perform, representing the Dewberry School of Music; and students from the School of Theater will stage selections from 110 in the Shade, this fall’s musical, and student-written plays to be premiered in The Originals! 2024. In addition, two Mason Arts programs—the Green Machine Ensembles and Mason Community Arts Academy—will also offer performances throughout the event. These showcases will be held in the Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and drinks over the course of the evening.

At 8 p.m., attendees will move into the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall for a live Fund-a-Student appeal. The event culminates with a performance from Lea Salonga, starting at 8:30 p.m. Salonga will treat audience members to famous songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films, and join them onstage for a champagne toast following the show. Beforehand, she will welcome George Mason students for an open soundcheck and Q&A.

ARTS by George! Chair and Mason Arts Board member Annie Bolger shared, “I’m thrilled to return as chair of this awe-inspiring event, which features George Mason’s impactful arts programs and highlights the talents of its amazing students. I invite our community to join us for what promises to be a very special evening, and to support us in raising critical funds for student scholarships and community arts programs so that the exploration and creativity continues for years to come.”

For high-resolution images, press tickets, and interview requests, please email kfranko@gmu.edu and pr@camillecdevlin.com.

**2024 ARTS by George! Schedule:**

5 p.m., Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall

Showcases by the talented students from George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, complemented by a buffet dinner and drink stations throughout the event.

8 p.m., Center for the Arts

Alumni performance and Fund-a-Student appeal.

8:30 p.m., Center for the Arts

An Evening with Lea Salonga, followed by an onstage champagne toast

Ticket and Sponsorship Information for 2024 ARTS by George!:

Individual benefit tickets are $350 per person and include entry to the student showcases, dinner, An Evening with Lea Salonga, champagne reception, and free garage parking. Each ticket includes a charitable donation portion directly supporting student scholarships and community arts programs.

Sponsorship packages begin at $2,000. To reserve tickets, become a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Susan Graziano at cvpagive@gmu.edu, 703-993-4188, or visit the ARTS by George! website.

Standalone tickets to only the 8:30 p.m. performance of An Evening with Lea Salonga are $50–$100 and are available for purchase through the Center for the Arts website.

The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Dominion Energy.

The Presenting Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Sandy Spring Bank.

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Purchase tickets for culminating concert, An Evening with Lea Salonga

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly.”

~ Rick Davis

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Martha Graham Dance Company Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Expansive Program

Zoe Harr — Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:40:19 +0000

Martha Graham Dance Company Celebrates 100th Anniversary with Expansive Program Zoe Harr Mon, 04/01/2024 - 09:40

Buy Tickets

Martha Graham Dance Company performs at the Center on April 13.

On April 13, the oldest modern dance ensemble in the country, Martha Graham Dance Company, returns to the Center with a program that celebrates the company’s 100th anniversary through iconic classics and new work. The spectacular program features pieces by choreographers Agnes de Mille, Jamar Roberts, and of course, Martha Graham, including a special performance by Mason School of Dance students.

Opening the April performance is Graham’s Steps in the Street, a piece that originated as part of a larger project entitled Chronicle. The piece was created in response to the rise of fascism in Europe during the 1930s and features sharp, uncomfortable movements meant to entice its audience into questioning the violent nature of war. Steps in the Street notes a subtitle of “Devastation – Homelessness – Exile” which depicts the tragedy that war leaves in its wake. In a special collaboration with Martha Graham Dance Company, Mason School of Dance students will perform the piece in its entirety, which was also featured on the program at the annual Mason School of Dance Gala Concert on March 22 and 23.

"It would be easy to forget that the performers in Saturday night’s performance by the students of the George Mason University Dance Company are just that—students," emphasizes a recent review by Maryland Theatre Guide.

Watch a preview below that features collaboration between Elizabeth Auclair, former company member with the Martha Graham Dance Company, and Mason dance students.

Agnes de Mille in Rodeo (1942). (Photo Credit: Maurice Seymour)

Next, Martha Graham Dance Company dancers perform the iconic Rodeo (pronounced Roh-day-oh), a piece created by choreographer Agnes de Mille set to music by famed composer Aaron Copland. In its 1942 debut at New York’s Metropolitan Opera House, it’s claimed that curtain call lasted 17 to 23 minutes from an uproarious standing ovation. Telling a classic American story of cowboys and true love, de Mille’s Rodeo impressed two audience members in particular, composer Richard Rodgers and lyricist Oscar Hammerstein II, who invited de Mille to collaborate during the creation of their latest musical, Oklahoma! Thus, de Mille also then created “Laurey Makes Up Her Mind,” Oklahoma!’s 18-minute dream ballet sequence that classic musical lovers have come to know and enjoy.

Interested in learning more about the revolutionary Rodeo? Visit the National Endowment for the Humanities’ 2021 piece and discover the rich history of Rodeo.

Jamar Roberts' We the People will be performed by Martha Graham Dance Company on April 13. (Photo Credit: Andrew Eccles)

We the People, a new commission by acclaimed choreographer Jamar Roberts that features music by multi-instrument virtuoso and two-time GRAMMY winner Rhiannon Giddens, Artistic Director of Mason Artist-in-Residence Silkroad Ensemble, follows on the program. Roberts acted as the resident choreographer for the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater from 2019 to 2022, creating five pieces that have been met with critical acclaim. This new work is a preview that will be performed one week before the piece’s official world premiere at New York City Center. In a recent review by The Dance Enthusiast, author Toussaint Jeanlouis notes, “The dancers uphold the quintessential fierceness of Martha Graham... [and] Giddens’ track complements the movement while exposing a deeper relationship to the landscape.” He adds, “A successful partnership to say the least, this collaboration is a brilliant nod to American folk music.”

Concluding the evening’s program is Graham’s joyful Maple Leaf Rag, her 180th (and last) choreographic work, created at the age of 96 in 1990. Demonstrating the comedic, light-hearted side of her work, Maple Leaf Rag features a contemporary choreographer and gently mocks the artist, demonstrating the goofiness of those in the clutches of creation. According to the Seattle Times, “Graham created a dance that spoofs some of her well-known choreographic trademarks while, at the same time, using many of her movements in fresh and energetic ways.” The work is set to the beloved ragtime piece by Scott Joplin with costumes designed by the acclaimed fashion designer Calvin Klein.

Watch a preview of Maple Leaf Rag below.

Buy tickets and witness what the Washington Post calls “one of the seven wonders of the artistic universe,” Martha Graham Dance Company on April 13.

This program is sponsored by Woodleigh Chase.

Topics

CFA

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

Center for the Arts

A Contemporary Composer Fuels a New Mason Collaboration

Emily Schneider — Tue, 07 Mar 2023 19:19:10 +0000

A Contemporary Composer Fuels a New Mason Collaboration Emily Schneider Tue, 03/07/2023 - 14:19

In This Story

Lawrence M. Jackson

Dr. William Lake, Jr.

Growing up in the Black church, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Concert Bands, Dr. William Lake, Jr., deeply understands the power of music and movement.

After hearing Come Sunday by composer Omar Thomas, Lake dreamed of bringing this work to life with movement, bringing together the George Mason University Bands and the School of Dance. Working on such a project would not only expand his students' musical vocabulary but also create an authentic and expansive cultural experience for the Mason community. Associate Professor of Dance, Lawrence M. Jackson, had similar experiences, growing up in “the southern Black church, a very charismatic church” and reflected on his own upbringing and research into African diasporic dance forms. This collaboration came to life onstage in the Center for the Arts on Mason’s Fairfax Campus on February 28.

Students from Mason's School of Dance performing with the Mason Wind Symphony to Omar Thomas's Come Sunday on February 28. Photo by Will Martinez.

As a composer, arranger, and educator, Omar Thomas works with some of the most respected names in composition and education, including multiple GRAMMY-winning composer and bandleader Maria Schneider, Ken Schaphorst, and Frank Carlberg. Born to Guyanese parents in Brooklyn, New York, Thomas pursued music diligently, completing his Master of Music at Berklee College of Music and becoming the first Black composer to ever receive the National Bandmasters Association/Revelli Award for Come Sunday. His compositions are described as “thought-provoking, multi-layered masterpiece[s],” which made embarking on a partnership around this piece even more exciting for Jackson and Lake.

“I really hold dear my experiences as a musician in the Black church (I started playing the piano for my children’s choir around age 6) to my musical upbringing. Since I know gospel and other sacred music intimately, I can infuse the music with the extra nuances that can’t be described using notation but are true to the style. This piece has been performed by many great ensembles across the country… however, there hasn’t been a performance that centers movement and these great sounds.” said Lake.

Professor Jackson’s career often includes collaborations, a hallmark of his practice at other universities before coming to Mason in the fall of 2022. While the invitation to work with Dr. Lake at the end of the fall semester was a surprise, it also felt reassuring to find this partnership so early on and to begin exploring what this experience would mean for Mason students from both the School of Dance and the Dewberry School of Music.

A student from the School of Dance smiles at the audience during the performance of "Come Sunday" by Omar Thomas, performed by the Mason Wind Symphony. Photo by Will Martinez.

Building a vocabulary for the dancers was an opportunity for Jackson’s students to explore the storied culture of the Black church's sacred space and develop an understanding of the types of movement vocabulary that would reflect the energy and history of these spaces and traditions. From watching Alvin Ailey’s Revelations and clips of a particular scene from the movie Blues Brothers, Jackson offered context to his creative process, “blending contemporary dance forms, African diasporic dance forms, and pedestrian movement that is derived from the Black church, all merged into an amalgamation of movement vocabulary uniquely designed for this work.”

“The Mason School of Dance students are excited to work with the musicians,” said Jackson. “These dancers, most of them, if not all of them, have never had the experience of working alongside a symphony or a band. I’m excited for them to experience the unique energy of the symphony and adapt in the moment.” All of the dancers performing in this piece are seniors in their final semester with the School of Dance, which made Jackson that much more eager to share this experience with them before they embark on the next stage of their careers.

The dancers are not the only ones expanding their understanding and skills with this performance. “The jazz and gospel musical vocabulary is foreign to my students,” said Dr. Lake.

“It’s inspiring to see how invested our students are in something that they realize is new and different. My hope is that through music and collaborations, my students have a gateway to appreciate cultures different than their own,” Lake adds.

Dancers from Mason's School of Dance perform Professor Lawrence M. Jackson's original choreography to Come Sunday by Omar Thomas, performed by the Mason Wind Symphony on February 28. Photo by Will Martinez.

Unlike most concerts, the Wind Symphony will be moved further upstage than normal and without the acoustic shell to allow for the choreography to be presented downstage. This has resulted in the assistance of the Center for the Arts Artistic Staff to add audio, lighting, and stage-managing support. This unique concert has been chosen as one of the Mason Arts at Home features that will be captured via six cameras in the hall and even GoPros! Dr. Lake shared, “I’m jealous of the audience, I won’t get to experience the concert from their vantage point – I’m thankful that the School of Music and the College of Visual and Performing Arts have agreed to record, edit, and professionally mix our hard work”.

The duo is optimistic that this is just the beginning of collaborations between the Mason School of Dance and the Dewberry School of Music.

You can watch an in-depth interview with Jackson and Lake on the College of Visual and Performing Arts YouTube channel, including behind-the-scenes footage of rehearsals leading up to the performance.

The Wind Symphony’s performance from February 28, 2023, including Come Sunday featuring the School of Dance, will be available to watch from March 28 through April 28, 2023 exclusively through Mason Arts at Home.

Topics

College of Visual and Performing Arts

Mason Arts

Dewberry School of Music

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

Get Ready for Camille A. Brown & Company

Kirstin Franko — Wed, 01 Dec 2021 22:44:51 +0000

Get Ready for Camille A. Brown & Company Kirstin Franko Wed, 12/01/2021 - 17:44

Choreographer, director, and dancer Camille A. Brown brings her company to the Center for the Arts this spring. (Photo by Josefina Santos)

“Why do we dance? Why do we dance together?”

Prolific, Black female choreographer Camille A. Brown tackles these profound but straightforward questions through vibrant, intensely athletic, story-infused social dance that has brought the pint-sized phenom tremendous acclaim and catapulted her to fame. Fresh off her critically acclaimed co-direction and choreography of the Metropolitan Opera’s Fire Shut Up in My Bones and in the midst of making history as the first Black woman to direct and choreograph a Broadway production in more than 65 years with for colored girls who considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Brown is bringing her Bessie-Award-winning company, Camille A. Brown & Dancers to the Center Saturday, April 2 at 8 p.m.*

The New York Times calls her “one of the most sought-after choreographers of her generation,” and the Pittsburgh Tribune writes, “Brown’s combination of dance styles, precision and fluidity, and remarkable musicality were enthralling.” In addition to her flourishing stage, television, and film credits, the much in-demand Brown leads the Camille A. Brown & Dancers with a focus to inspire and incite positive social change.

The company will be bringing that mission to the Center for an exuberant program that blends hip hop, modern, African, ballet, and tap and boldly explores African American history, culture, and identity. They will also be engaging with the greater community as Artists-in-Residence, holding masterclasses and events. The residency surrounds the company’s Center for the Arts debut, which will feature selections from their trilogy of works including Mr. TOL E. RAncE,” “BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play,” and “ink.”

Later in the spring, Brown’s work “City of Rain” will be featured as part of the 2022 Mason Dance Gala Concert, performed by students of Mason’s School of Dance. On Wednesday, November 24, Brown took part in a first residency event during a zoom conversation with the members of the School of Dance community, including students, faculty, and staff.

During the conversation, Brown shared what she is looking forward to about the company’s performance at the Center:

“I have a couple of new members, so it's going to be exciting to introduce them to the community. There's just so much that’s gone on, with COVID and in terms of race. For instance, we're doing a portion of “Mr. TOL E. RAncE” which is about Black stereotypes in the media… I remember in 2011 when I was starting to work on that particular piece people were saying, “Barack Obama’s in the White House, we don't need to talk about race anymore--we’re in a post-racial society.” We performed the piece that year and again in 2019. I didn’t hear a single person say anything about a “post-racial society.” It'll be interesting, as we continue to unpack these past events and things continue to reveal themselves, how people respond to the work.”

For more on Camille’s recent work and journey as a choreographer, dancer, and performer, read this recent article by her alma mater University of North Carolina School of the Arts or enjoy her video featured by the TED Radio Hour on “The history of African-American social dance.”

Don't miss your chance to see Camille A Brown & Dancers in Fairfax at the Center for the Arts Saturday, April 2 at 8 p.m.

*This story has been edited to reflect Camille A. Brown & Dancers new performance date of April 2, 2022. The original performance was scheduled for January 22, 2022.

Topics

CFA

Center for the Arts

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance