The five must-see performances from the School of Arts

It’s no secret that Utah loves its art, and we are not shy when it comes to talent either. Supporting the arts has been a very big campaign in the past five or so years because of schools’ insufficient funds, but the talent at UVU shows how important it is to keep the Arts in our lives as a way to keep our culture and entertain ourselves. This season, you are more than welcome to show your UVU pride by supporting your fellow students while maybe doing something different with your significant other and/or friends rather than the same old dinner and a movie. Here are the top 5 highly anticipated performances of the semester:

5. Dreams & Nightmares – Wind Symphony
October 20; 7:30 p.m., Ragan Theatre

This concert comes just in time for Halloween. It will be some hauntingly good music. The Wind Symphony is conducted by Dr. David Fullmer, the Director of Bands at UVU who is also the President-elect of the Western Division of the National Association for Music Education. It’ll be stuck in your head and serve as theme music for the rest of your for your nights full of spooky fun.

4. Path of Miracles – Chamber Choir
November 11; 7:30 p.m., NuSkin Atrium

The two-time award-winning UVU Chamber Choir is coming back this year with what has become their signature grey dresses and “choralography” (choir choreography). This concert will include some challenging Spanish pieces as well as a breathtaking and angelic piece from British composer, Joby Talbot. The unified group of musicians and friends will give you an unforgettable night with one of their favorite conductors, Dr. Reed Criddle.

3. Romeo & Juliet – Utah Regional Ballet
September 25-27; 7:30 p.m., Covey Center for the Arts
September 25; 2:00 p.m., Covey Center for the Arts

Performed to music by Sergei Prokofiev, the beautiful classic ballet is based on Shakespeare’s most famous play. It will be a beautiful performance full of joy and hope until the tragic ending. I wouldn’t want to miss one of their only performances of the year. The Utah Regional Ballet company, founded and directed by Jaqueline Colledge, made its home at UVU in 1995. Go on a romantic date to go see this good ole UVU veteran.

2. Blood Wedding – UVU Drama Department
Sep 25-27, 29-30; 7:30 p.m., Noorda Theatre
Oct 1-4, 6-11; 7:30 p.m., Noorda Theatre
Oct 11; 2:00 p.m., Noorda Theatre

This is another Halloween performance that will get you into the festivities. Blood Wedding is a tragic love triangle story full of murder and revenge. It is a different way to enjoy the Halloween holiday. This Spanish written play from 1932 is being directed by Assistant Professor Lisa Hall Hagen. Men will like it for the gore and the women will like it for the drama and the easy-on-the-eyes Alexander Woods and Brian Kocherhans.

 

1. The Romeo & Juliet Project – UVU Drama Department
September 25-27; 7:30 p.m., Covey Center for the Arts
September 27; 2:00 p.m., Covey Center for the Arts

This is a project that the UVU Drama Department has been working on for about 6 months. This story of Romeo and Juliet is half-filmed and half-staged to create a different sort of theatrical experience. Director D. Terry Petrie had a unique vision that entails the story to be in modern times but with the same Old English text. Not only is it a must-see for its new approach, but it also has an amazing cast, including Devin Neff as Juliet, Dallin Major as Romeo, and Topher Rasmussen, one of the leads from UVU’s award-winning Next to Normal, among many other extreme talents of the drama department.