UVU is a melting pot of different cultures and events, and this fall promises some very exciting performances for the student body and surrounding community. The performing arts departments are pulling out all the stops this semester.
As fall inches around the corner, departments such as theater, music, fine arts and music are working fervently to bring their best talent to the stage as a new semester commences. They have prepared several performances to share with the campus and community that will showcase just how talent its students are.
Coming up on Nov. 4, 5 and 8 is a special show entitled “Carmina Burana.” The music, theater and dance departments are each collaborating for this performance. “This is our biggest project of the year,” said Nichole Ortega, head of the Dance department. “[Each] department is working hard for this show.
UVU Mastwerworks Chorale and Symphony Orchestra will join the Utah Regional Ballet Ensemble, which has residence on campus, and the UVU Repertory Ballet Ensemble in producing Carmina Burana. Several Chorales from local high schools such as Orem, Lone Peak, Timpanogos, and Maple Mountain High will also join the ensemble.
Carmina Burana boasts of over 200 dancers and features original choreography performed by the Frankfurt Opera in 1937.
The theater department has some other special performances up its sleeve. It has invited Baron Kelley, professional actor and scholar to perform in their adaptation of “Othello.” These performances will be held September 15 through Oct. 1. Kelley will also be a visiting teacher of film and Shakespeare.
“Baron Kelley said he was very impressed with the talent at UVU,” said James Arrington, director and head of the theater department. “He said he’s very excited for the opportunity to perform and teach at our school.”
The Theatre department is also performing “Eurydice” Oct. 13 through Nov. 5, and “Farley Family Christmas,” a UVU tradition, Dec. 15-19.
One of the more anticipated events this semester will be the UVU Ballroom Dance Company’s Winter Show in the Ragan Theatre Dec. 5-12.
“The Ballroom Dance Company is our biggest audience draw in our department,” Ortega said.
The UVU Ballroom Dance Company will be featuring an all new Latin medley as well, and will be returning to Blackpool, England for a shot at the International Championship during the Blackpool Dance Festival. The reserve team will be competing in Ohio as well. The Contemporary Dance Ensemble will not be putting on any major performances this semester, as the fall and winter is usually their time to choreograph and prepare for the spring.
The Synergy Dance Company is set to perform an exciting and tantalizing show on Nov. 10-12. The performance will primarily feature mostly student choreography, with only a few professional and faculty numbers, according to Doris Trujillo, director of the contemporary dance ensemble.
