A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
magazine
JUNE 2021
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PNC BROADWAY IN LOUISVILLE Preparing to Resume In-person Performances Page 6 | ACTORS THEATRE OF LOUISVILLE Resilient & Innovative Page 11 |LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA A Conductor's Take on the New Season Page 12 | KENTUCKY PERFORMING ARTS A New Era for Governor's School for the Arts Page 16 | KENTUCKY SHAKESPEARE A Triumphant Return to Central Park Page 22 | FUND FOR THE ARTS Get Your FREE Cultural Pass, Details Inside! Page 26
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LIVE & LOVING IT Your audience gives you everything you need. They tell you. There is no director who can direct you like an audience. - Fanny Brice We can’t tell you how thrilled we are that live and in-person performances are back! As the name of our publication suggests, we believe that a big reason our performing arts organizations are so critical to our city’s landscape is the deep and abiding connection they make between performers and patrons. Audiences are not only viewers, but active participants in the theater experience. The lack of give-and-take is one of the things that has made the past year so painful for our arts community. We have enjoyed the livestream options that many of the groups have put on in the interim — some of which have even surprised us with the quality of their productions — but staring at a screen is just not the same.
Amy Higgs Managing Editor
As you’ll see in this issue of Audience Magazine, there are lots of opportunities in the coming months to get out from behind your computer and experience the glory of live performances again. From Kentucky Shakespeare’s Festival in Central Park, to Kentucky Performing Arts’ concerts and comedians, to Broadway and orchestra shows, there are tons of options for every taste. We’ve gone from limited choices to too many. (Wait, who are we kidding? There’s no such thing as too many after a year-long drought!) We’re hesitant to say that things are totally back to normal because they’re not. And they likely won’t be ever again. That’s OK. We’re all defining the “new normal” together. Maybe concert “pods” will catch on for all shows moving forward, and we don’t hate that idea — more room for dancing! We don’t know what the future holds, but it’s a heck of lot brighter than it’s been in a long time. Thank you, as always, to our advertisers, who have stuck by Audience and our performing arts organizations throughout this crisis. Here’s to finally coming out on the other side! As the curtain begins to rise,
– The Audience Group G. Douglas Dreisbach Publisher
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TABLE of CONTENTS JUNE 2021
BROADWAY RETURNS
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STORYTELLING (R)EVOLUTIONIZED
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INTERVIEW WITH BOB BERNHARDT
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SUMMER PREVIEW
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A NEW ACT
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INCREASING ARTS ACCESS
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TICKET
GIVEAWAYS
SPECIAL INVITES
SHOW PREVIEWS Stay Connected with Sign up for our e-news and be the first to hear about ticket giveaways, special invites, email news alerts, show previews, reviews and the latest happenings in the performing arts scene in Louisville.
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A behind-the-scenes look into Louisville’s performing arts and entertainment during this unprecedented time of reflection and artistic creation.
PUBLISHER
The Audience Group, Inc. G. Douglas Dreisbach MANAGING EDITOR
Amy Higgs CREATIVE DIRECTOR
Rhonda Mefford SALES & MARKETING
G. Douglas Dreisbach CONTRIBUTORS
PNC Broadway in Louisville Actors Theatre Louisville Orchestra Kentucky Performing Arts Kentucky Shakespeare Fund for the Arts
To read current and previous Audience playbills and performance guides, go to issuu.com/audience502. On the Cover: Don't miss Waitress at The Kentucky Center Nov. 9-14, 2021! Pictured: Kennedy Salters as Becky, Bailey McCall as Jenna, and Gabriella Marzetta as Dawn. Photo by Jeremey Daniel. Read more on page 6.
GOT AN ARTICLE IDEA? Audience Magazine is a platform for the arts in Louisville. If you have an article idea or something you think we should cover, email ahiggs@theaudiencegroup.com © Copyright 2021. The Audience Group, Inc. Reproduction in whole or part without written permission is prohibited.
Audience® Magazine is published by The Audience Group, Inc. 136 St. Matthews Avenue #300 Louisville, KY 40207 502.212.5177 | Audience502.com M A R C H
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BROADWAY
RETURNS Joseph Morales and Company, HAMILTON National Tour. Photo by Joan Marcus 2018
THE SHOW MUST GO ON! by PNC Broadway in Louisville
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While we are waiting until November to kick off the Broadway season in Louisville, New York is getting out of the gates two months prior. After most COVID-19 capacity restrictions were lifted in New York and New Jersey last month, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that Broadway can reopen at 100 percent capacity beginning on September 14. “Broadway is at the core of our New York identity, and a big part of our economy which employs countless performers and show creators, and beginning this September, the show will go on,” he said during his announcement on May 5. "The simplest formula? 100 percent vaccinated. You want to come to a theater? 100 percent vaccinated. The theaters will have to make those decisions. You want to open with 100 percent vaccinated? God bless." Theaters will be subject to the state’s final approval of each theater operator’s health and safety protocols. Tickets are on sale now.
Broadway is at the core of our New York identity, and a big part of our economy which employs countless performers and show creators, and beginning this September, the show will go on. The simplest formula? 100 percent vaccinated. - New York Governor, Andrew Cuomo
“We are thrilled that Gov. Cuomo clearly recognizes the impact of Broadway’s return on the city and state’s economy and the complexity of restarting an entire industry that has been dormant for over a year,” said Charlotte St. Martin, President of
UPCOMING PERFORMANCES Tickets and info at: louisville.broadway.com
Waitress Nov. 9-14, 2021
Cats Jan. 18-23, 2022
Come From Away Feb. 15-20, 2022
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Mean Girls Mar. 22-27, 2022
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Hamilton June 7-19, 2022
Anastasia Aug. 2-7, 2022
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the Broadway League, in a statement. "We remain cautiously optimistic about Broadway’s ability to resume performances this fall and are happy that fans can start buying tickets again.” The Actors' Equity Association also responded to the announcement. "Today’s news means we are one step closer to the safe reopening of not just Broadway, but jobs for thousands of workers in the New York area,” said Mary McColl, executive director of AEA. "We look forward to continuing our conversations with the Broadway League about a safe reopening and know that soon the time will come when members can go back to doing what they do best: creating world-class theater.” Broadway theaters shut down due to the coronavirus pandemic on March 12, 2020. At that time, 31 productions were running, including eight new shows in previews. Additionally, eight productions were in rehearsals preparing to open that spring. Shows were initially set to be shut down through April 12, 2020 then through June 7, 2020 then through September 6, 2020 and then through January 3, 2021. May 30, 2021 was the most recent target date for Broadway's reopening. Off-Broadway, Blindness, Perfect Crime and The Office! A Musical Parody have already begun performances with COVID-19 safety procedures in place as well as reduced capacity. Broadway's Diana is set to begin performances on December 1, and The Music Man is scheduled to begin performances on December 20. The 2021-22 season schedule for Broadway in Louisville is as exciting as ever, kicking off with Waitress in November, followed by CATS, Mean Girls, Hamilton and more. Full season six-show packages start at $298. Don’t miss out! This article was adapted from Broadway.com.
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Top: The North American Tour of Come From Away. Photo by Matthew Murphy. Above: McGee Maddox as 'Rum Tum Tugger' and the North American Tour Company of CATS. Photo by Matthew Murphy. 2019. A U D I E N C E
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YOU DON’T HAVE TO TAKE A NUMBER EVER AGAIN
4OPTIONS TO RENEW CAR TAGS Online ReNew | JeffersonCountyClerk.org Telephone ReNew | 569-3300 Drop-Box ReNew | At every Motor Vehicle location Mail-In ReNew | P.O. Box 33033
Louisville, KY 40232-3033
STORYTELLING
(R)EVOLUTIONIZED Actors Theatre of Louisville is continuing to be resilient and innovative as we pursue civic engagement through and alongside our artistic practice, and aspire to reimagine how a theatre can be of service to its community in the work toward our collective transformation and liberation. We are working to grow our educational and community programs through virtual distribution, planning for reincorporating live event gathering, and addressing economic, geographic, and other barriers to participation in our work. We are working hard to fulfill our mission to unlock human potential, build community, and enrich quality of life by engaging people in theatre that reflects the wonder and complexity of our time. To see all that we have to offer, visit actorstheatre.org, and to learn more about what we have been doing over the past year, watch Convergence! at actorstheatre.org/giving.
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BOB AUDIENCE INTERVIEW
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LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA’S POPS SERIES CONDUCTOR by G. Douglas Dreisbach
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The Louisville Orchestra recently announced its return to live and in-person performances with a stellar season of fan favorites, as well as some creative collaborations that will have audiences applauding with roars of ovation.
Bob Bernhardt
Pops Series conductor, Bob Bernhardt, is entering his 40th season with the Louisville Orchestra and is ready to feel the energy of a live audience. We are fortunate to have such great leadership and talent with his wealth of knowledge garnered over decades of musical collaborations with various symphonies around the country. He is not only a staple with the Louisville Orchestra, but also works with the Grand Rapids Symphony in Michigan, the Chattanooga Symphony and Opera, and is an Artist-in-Residence at Lee University in Cleveland, Tennessee. Audience publisher, G. Douglas Dreisbach, caught up with the busy conductor to talk about LO’s return to Whitney Hall, his musical influences of John Williams and a snapshot of the season ahead. This is an excerpt from the full interview. To read it in its entirety, visit Audience502.com. G. Douglas Dreisbach: Historically, you have always brought a great lineup of performances with the Pops Series. This season will kick-off with the music of Prohibition, then the popular Holiday Pops concert, a celebration of John Williams in January and rounding out with a Tribute to ABBA and a concert featuring the hits of Elton John. How excited are you to get back to live and in-person performances? Bob Bernhardt: I was able to do a couple of concerts in April, one in Louisville, in fact, without an audience, and then a couple weeks later, in Grand Rapids with 100 people in a 2,400-seat hall. But I will say that doing that concert with an audience was the first time the orchestra had had an audience in over a year, and it was very emotional for everybody to have the immediate response and the communication that an audience brings to all of us onstage. When it comes right down to it, even though it’s been wonderful to have other ways of performing during the pandemic, to have the sense of community and communication with our audience,
from the stage to the seats in the hall, is why we do what we do. So, we’re incredibly excited to get back to a live performance for our audience! GDD: What were some of your initial thoughts when you started putting this season together? Was it different this year as you started scheduling your return to Whitney Hall? BB: It is always a team effort from the artistic team, where we all come up with ideas, and that is the way I love to work – in collaboration. To come up with a program that we all feel offers a variety and an interest to the widest audience possible is the ultimate goal. What is different this year is that for the first concert, the music of Prohibition, the orchestra size can vary. While it’s hard to say what’s going to be happening in October at this point – if there will still be restrictions – we can do the concert with a smaller group onstage, though the hope is we’ll have the full complement for the concert.
Louisville Orchestra's Pops Series Conductor, Bob Bernhardt. Photo courtesy of the Louisville Orchestra.
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Bob at the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory. Photo by O'Neil Arnold.
One constant is the Holiday Pops program Thanksgiving weekend. After those two programs, filling out the season was just a matter of putting together programs we think people will love. The Prohibition concert is going to include music by Josephine Baker, Kurt Weill, King Oliver and others, music from Berlin to the Roaring ’20s in America. It’s a real high-energy program with visuals, so it’s a real multimedia experience and beautiful show featuring three amazing singers. For Holiday Pops, I am asking for a soloist, but I am not sure if that will happen yet so I’m not going to tell you who it is. For certain, this will be a concert for the entire family, with holiday favorites and a sing along to help usher in that Holiday spirit! And then, in January, I’m honored that my LO family has scheduled a little celebration for my 40th year with the company. They asked me what I wanted to do, and I said, “Well, since he’s my hero — how about John Williams?” Over the years we have done many concerts of his music and in fact, in 2012, John came to Louisville and conducted the orchestra, so we have this direct, personal relationship with him. He’s been both a friend and mentor to me 14
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for over 30 years, and I have no more fun anywhere than doing his music. I am thrilled to celebrate my 40th with music I love and with this orchestra that I love. GDD: To celebrate your 40th season and to promote the music of John Williams, the orchestra is hosting a series of free drivein movies featuring his soundtracks. They will be held at the Sauerbeck Family Drive-in on June 11 with E.T., June 18 with Hook and on June 26 with Raiders of the Lost Ark. Can you give us an idea of what we can look forward to in that celebration of his music? BB: I love to do a combination of the music that everyone expects and some of the movie music that is lesser known. Sometimes I get a chance to throw in one of those Olympic fanfares that he wrote. He’s the greatest writer of fanfares in history and the second greatest writer of marches, after John Philip Sousa. This is all my opinion, of course, but I have the microphone, so there you go. You get my opinion. There will have to be something from the Star Wars canon, of course, and I’ll probably do music from Far and Away, which is the Irish epic that had Tom Cruise and A U D I E N C E
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important than it is now. Certainly, over my tenure, I’ve seen many, many changes in leadership in the staff and board, but the commitment and dedication to bringing great music of all kinds to our community has never been stronger. As entertainment options of our audience grow, as they have exponentially in the last 10 to 15 years, we have had to double and triple our efforts to make sure they remember the Louisville Orchestra, and to remind them that there is nothing like hearing great music played by great musicians, live! And that has been a constant in my tenure. GDD: In closing, give us your elevator pitch to someone who has never been to an orchestra performance and why they should give it a try. BB: Well, first of all, I’ll say that every time I conduct a concert, every darn time, I realize that there is someone in the audience there for the first time. So, every time we play, we are making a first impression on somebody. That behooves us to be on our game and at our finest every time we are up there, and we all try to do that. Photo by Brad Cansler
So, I would simply say that if you’re a classical music fan, look at the season programming and find a concert that really suits your fancy and give it a go. If you are a popular music fan, if you like John Williams’ music, if you’re an ABBA nut, come to a concert. Hear the orchestra. I’m willing to bet that after you’ve heard our Louisville Orchestra play, you’ll come back for more. Nicole Kidman in it back in the ’90s. I haven’t gotten into too many specifics other than that. We are excited to also have two other pops concerts in the spring. One is a Tribute to ABBA, with a group called Arrival from Sweden, which is sanctioned by the original group to recreate their music as a tribute band, and they are fantastic. Then, we have Michael Cavanaugh, who was chosen by Billy Joel to play Billy Joel on Broadway in Movin’ Out!. He is a piano man and sings and will primarily do the music of Elton John on this show. But if I were a bettin’ man, I’d say he’ll throw in some Billy Joel in, too! GDD: Over your 40 seasons with the Louisville Orchestra, you have seen a lot of changes over the years. Where do you see the current state of the orchestra now, and where they might be going in the future?
For more information and tickets to the 2021-22 season, visit LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
LOUISVILLE ORCHESTRA TO HOST SUMMER DRIVE-IN MOVIES To celebrate the music of John Williams and his highly anticipated concert in January, Louisville Orchestra will host three FREE family movies featuring the esteemed conductor’s music. All movies will take place at the Sauerbeck Family Drive-in located at:
BB: The orchestra is playing wonderfully right now, and that has a lot to do with [Music Director] Teddy [Abrams]. We have had several recent auditions because some of our most important people have retired or some of our younger folks have moved on to other orchestras. Auditions bring new blood to the orchestra, and with competition for jobs so intense, our new hires bring increasing excellence with them!
3210 D.W. Griffith Ln. LaGrange, KY 40031.
One of the constants in my career, and it’s been the same with most orchestras with which I’ve been associated, is the financial challenge in keeping things going, affording the players a living wage, and that we are able to put on a varied and interesting programming with guest artists and the series that people want to hear. Part of that challenge has been maintaining the essential support of our sponsors and donors, which has never been more
Saturday, June 26 Raider’s of the Lost Ark
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Friday, June 11 E.T. Friday, June 18 Hook
Gates open at 8:30 pm, movies start at 9:30 pm. For more information, visit LouisvilleOrchestra.org.
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SUMMER PREVIEW
GOVERNOR’S SCHOOL FOR THE ARTS RETURNS TO LIVE, IN-PERSON PROGRAMS AFTER A YEAR OF EVOLUTION AND GROWTH by Daniel Chioco
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his summer, 256 of Kentucky’s artistically gifted high school students will participate in the 34th iteration of Governor’s School for the Arts (GSA), a program of Kentucky Performing Arts. After 2020’s virtual programming, GSA is returning to live and in-person programming.
The immersive educational experience at the University of Kentucky allows students to study one of nine art forms: architecture and design; creative writing; dance; drama; film and photography; instrumental music; musical theater; visual arts; or vocal music. Though participants focus on their creative discipline, program director Nick Covault emphasizes that they will be exposed to each art form over the course of three weeks. “While the student is there, it is interdisciplinary and collaborative with other art programs,” he explains. “Guest presentations will also help students learn about the different types of art, but they’ll spend most of the day immersed in their own specialty.” Since 1987, GSA has been a gateway to college for thousands of students. Tuition is completely free, covering the cost of classes, room and board, guest presenters, meal plans, and social activities.
THE NEW NORMAL GSA’s class of 2020 was the first to experience an entirely virtual program. But it wasn’t until a few weeks ago that the format for the class of 2021 was made known. “Whether or not we would return to in-person was a moving target, as so many things have been during COVID,” Covault says. Some of the decision-making was based on the host campus and how it was responding to the pandemic. GSA staff and faculty took hope from the fact that UK was facilitating courses virtually, but was also allowing students on campus. The final approval for a return to in-person programming came in early May, after Gov. Beshear’s office approved the COVID safety plan proposed by GSA.
Students in the GSA program participate in immersive arts experiences. Photo by Ed Boomershine, GSA Alumnus 2014.
While GSA will return to its traditional format, it will incorporate lessons learned from its year of virtual programming. “The biggest positive from last year's virtual program really proved that our program is a ‘state of mind’ and a type of bond that we have as artists,” says Covault. “That is the core of our program's identity, rather than the physical place and how much time we spend there.” “So much of the perception [of the program] is based on our seclusion in the physical space, intense studying, and spending time together,” he adds. “But it took not only the faculty and staff showing up [and committing to virtual programming], but also the students. It is challenging enough to make a practical, normal summer happen. Last year proved and re-affirmed that if we show up and believe in ourselves and each other to create a community of artists, not even a computer screen can hold us back from doing that.” In the past, the selection of guest artists, mentors, and performers was limited by physical location and budget restraints. GSA wouldn’t have been able to bring in an artist or mentor from Los Angeles, for example, because of prohibitive travel costs.
GSA participants choose to focus on one of nine creative disciplines, including theater and dance. Photo by Ed Boomershine, GSA Alumnus 2014.
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In the past, the selection of guest artists, mentors, and performers was limited by physical location and budget restraints...The introduction of Zoom has broken down those barriers and created so many opportunities, even as programming returns to in-person. The introduction of Zoom has broken down those barriers and created so many opportunities, even as programming returns to in-person. “Can we apply virtual appearances and mentoring even though we’re back in person? Yes!” Covault says. “Two years ago, we wouldn’t have known where to start in terms of videoconferencing a guest. But now, so much more is opened up.”
OVER 1,200 STUDENTS APPLIED In order to participate in GSA, students had to apply. This year, there were over 1,200 artistically gifted applicants. A total of 256 were chosen represent 50 counties throughout Kentucky. The application journey is a two-step process. Even prior to the pandemic, the first part had been virtual. Students submitted essays, teacher recommendations, and virtual samples of their art. For musicians and performing artists, the virtual sample was usually a video of a performance. For creative writers, it was a digital writing sample. For visual artists, it was digital versions or photos of their art. Though the most of the application remained mostly the same, GSA faculty and staff added a few more questions about access to arts education. Why? Because in the midst of the pandemic, many students no longer had the same access to music lessons, dance lessons, or other formal artistic instruction. By asking these sorts of questions, judges had deeper context about each student, ensuring that each candidate had equal consideration. Students who moved forward past the first round were advanced to in-person auditions. Even during the pandemic, the second round brought students and judges face to face. In 2021, GSA partnered with the application portal, Acceptd, and their newly developed program, Audition Room. Similar to Zoom, Audition Room allows students to log into a virtual lobby where they wait their turn to showcase their work. 18
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Top and Above: GSA students and educators are excited to return to in-person programming for both visual and performing arts. Photos by Ed Boomershine, GSA Alumnus 2014
The faculty and staff in each art form determined how the audition process would unfold. In visual arts, for example, the judges might have asked the student to talk about the piece they submitted, then followed up with questions about the work. For performing artists, the students would have danced, sung, or performed during their audition. The final selections, including alternate students, were made based on these auditions. “Similar to last summer's program, the process went much smoother than anyone would have expected,” Covault says. One audition process in particular that impressed Covault was the second component of the dance audition. “Forty-eight dance finalists were brought in for two days of auditions,” Covault recalls. The finalists were divided into two groups of 24, each group with a dedicated day for auditions. From the group of 24, the dancers were then divided again into smaller groups of 12. They used breakout rooms to send one group of 12 to learn ballet choreography, then the other group of 12 to learn modern dance. There were two instructors present, one teaching the class and the other adjudicating. At the end of the session, each group switched, so the students that were auditioning with ballet had a chance to do the modern choreography and vice versa. A U D I E N C E
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When GSA returns to UK, there will be social distancing requirements in place, including reduced classroom capacities. This means that there is no space large enough to host an assembly, so the event will be livestreamed instead. Similarly, there will be no public-facing event on the closing day. Traditionally, the students put on a final performance or final art display to share their work. There may be the possibility of a live-streamed performance or art galleries posted online. “We might discover something new,” Covault says, noting the many positive adaptations over the past year. “We might find great opportunity in this, finding that less is more this summer. That’s not to say that those things won’t return in the future, but we’re excited to learn more about new experiences and programs this year.”
GSA CONTINUES TO MOVE KY FORWARD Aside from incredible faculty, staff, and guest presenters, one of the things that makes GSA so successful is its connection to the local community. “One of our goals is for our students to gain an awareness of those arts organizations and becoming involved,” says Covault. “Many of our students don't realize the scope of the arts community in Kentucky and that it's possible to be an artist in Kentucky.” Top and Above: It has been two years since GSA has hosted its summer program on the University of Kentucky's campus. Photos by Ed Boomershine, GSA Alumnus 2014.
As the “new normal” dawns upon us, the conversation around the trauma of social isolation and healing from the past year continues to include the arts.
Finally, when the breakout process was complete and students auvditioned with both ballet and modern dance, the virtual rooms were joined together for all 24 students to do an improv class, which the adjudicators observed.
Reflecting on the relevance of GSA today, Covault says, “For so many of our students, the reason they are involved and passionate in the arts is because in some shape or form, it is a healing process for them as well. They're in high school, thinking about college. And they're starting to think that the college or major they choose will completely shape the rest of their life. All the pressure is on this one choice, so to speak.”
“All in all, it was probably a 3 1/2 hour process,” Covault says.
MAKING MODIFICATIONS What will GSA look like in 2021? “A modified in-person summer program,” says Covault. Much of the program will look like it did pre-pandemic. Students will have roommates and enjoy a traditional college experience. Aside from classes, they’ll have the experience of walking to and from class together, doing laundry, and dining on campus. Covault emphasizes that it is a truly immersive experience with faculty. Students will be learning, practicing, and collaborating as early as 9 a.m. and as late as 10 p.m. seven days a week. Normal COVID-19 best practices will be enforced, including social distancing and everyone wearing masks. Perhaps the biggest changes will be at the very beginning and end of the GSA program. Typically, there is an assembly on the opening day. This orientation gives students and parents a preview of what they can expect and highlights some of the exciting features of the summer program. K E N T U C K Y
“They're thinking about arts from a professional standpoint,” Covault adds. “But as artists, you're not just performers. You’re not just a dancer on the stage, or putting art in a gallery. “We are producing the next generation that can create that hope and healing, by helping students realize the role they play in society,” Covault explains. “The arts bring joy and provide healing. They create an opportunity to self-reflect and catharsis, not just for the performers but for the audience members as well. You never know who is in the audience, who will be moved. In that sense, it moves from interpersonal to societal. It’s not just the high notes, the most beautiful painting, the most moving poem, but understanding that artistry is a way of life as opposed to just the art you create.” “We are trying to make good humans,” he adds. “It is about the arts, but less about the skill and more about why you’re being an artist and the change you want to be in the world. We want students to leave the program excited to contribute and return back to their communities.” For more about Governor’s School for the Arts, click here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS Be the first to know about upcoming shows. Visit KentuckyPerformingArts.org and sign up for our Free eClub to receive show announcements and presale opportunities.
JUNE 11 Connecting For A Cause Fix It, Black Girl: A Collaboration with Actors Theatre of Louisville + Grow West Christy’s Garden 720 Brent Street
JUNE 12 Connecting For A Cause StageOne Family Theatre + Louisville Academy of Music Christy’s Garden 720 Brent Street
JUNE 13 Connecting For A Cause Return to Health, the Role of Nature in Human Health, A Collaboration between the University of Louisville’s Christina Lee Brown Envirome Institute + School of Music Christy’s Garden 720 Brent Street
JUNE 25 (rescheduled from May 8) Connecting For A Cause Music through Time: From String Bands to Rock and Roll featuring Leyla McCalla and instructors of Girls Rock Louisville + Louisville Folk School Christy’s Garden 720 Brent Street
SEPTEMBER 12 Franco Escamilla Brown Theatre
OCTOBER 16
OCTOBER 29
Jo Koy: Just Kidding World Tour Brown Theatre
Michael W. Smith: 35 Years of Friends Brown Theatre
Pink Martini featuring China Forbes Brown Theatre
OCTOBER 8
SEPTEMBER 19
OCTOBER 24
NOVEMBER 2
Andrew Schulz: The INFAMOUS Tour Brown Theatre
All Time Low Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
Sylvan Esso Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
OCTOBER 9
OCTOBER 27
NOVEMBER 7
Caamp Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
San Holo: bb u ok? Tour Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
Tommy Emmanuel Brown Theatre 20
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Pink Martini featuring China Forbes
Tommy Emmanuel
Jo Koy Andrew Schulz
Caamp
Ashley McBride
NOVEMBER 20 Shovels & Rope: “The Bare Bones Tour” Old Forester’s Paristown Hall
DECEMBER 17 Fortune Feimster: 2 Sweet 2 Salty The Kentucky Center-Bomhard Theater
Sylvan Esso Han Solo
SHOW YOUR SUPPORT
JANUARY 6, 2022
There are many causes worthy of your support during this uncertain time. We invite you to consider a gift to Kentucky Performing Arts, so that we may continue to build lifelong relationships with the arts across the Commonwealth. Donate.
Ashley McBryde:This Town Talks Tour with special guest Priscilla Block Brown Theatre
APRIL 3, 2022 Alton Brown LIVE: Beyond the Eats The Kentucky Center Whitney Hall K E N T U C K Y
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A NEW ACT SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL IN CENTRAL PARK RETURNS AS NEXT CHAPTER BEGINS by Daniel Chioco
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t’s a new act for Kentucky Shakespeare — in more ways than one. Kentucky Shakespeare will make its long-awaited return to the Central Park stage this month, kicking off the company’s 2021 summer season. Not only is this the first in-person Shakespeare Festival since 2019, it is also the first season to operate in its brand new headquarters, just a few minutes’ walk from Central Park.
“It's a historic move and situation, and we've never had anything like this — never had anything like this in Old Louisville,” says Matt Wallace, the company’s Producing Artistic Director. “A location right by the park was something we didn't expect to find.”
Kentucky Shakespeare's new headquarters in Old Louisville. Rendering by Kyle Ware.
Amy Attaway, Associate Artistic Director, emphasizes the undercurrent of excitement fueling the launch of the 2021 summer season. “Everyone is so overwhelmed with joy at being together again, but the new building, thanks to the generosity of angel donors, has made this especially special,” she says. “Operations are all under one roof. We’re so excited to see each other and the space.”
“Some people might recognize the title from the movie [and give it a chance], then realize that they enjoy the festival experience or Shakespeare himself,” Attaway says. “If they do, we hope they come back to see Henry V and Shakespeare’s other works.”
FESTIVAL ATMOSPHERE MAKES THE BARD ACCESSIBLE TO ALL
The season launches on June 16 with Shakespeare in Love, the story of which originated in the 1998 film directed by John Madden.
One of the unique aspects of Shakespeare in Central Park is the festival atmosphere that accompanies the event.
This is the first time since Matt Wallace took over in 2013 that the company is doing a non-Shakespeare story on the summer Festival stage. “Yes, Shakespeare is involved, but it wasn’t written by him,” Attaway says.
When most people think of Shakespeare, they likely think of performances in swanky, expensive theaters with audiences dressed in their elegant best. Kentucky Shakespeare Festival turns those perceptions upside down and makes the Bard accessible and relatable for all.
The play is the perfect reintroduction of Shakespeare to audiences after a two-year hiatus, especially for those who might not realize they are fans of the Bard.
At 6:00 p.m., food trucks bring the best tastes of Louisville to Central Park. At 7 p.m., an hour before the performance
First day of rehearsal in the new space, 2021. Photo by Amy Attaway.
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Kentucky Shakespeare performers and production staff are thrilled to return to the stage at C. Douglas Ramey Amphitheater in Central Park. Photo by Amy Attaway.
begins, the bar opens with drinks from Brown-Forman and West Sixth Brewing. Children will also enjoy the Kids' Globe Tent, where a teacher from Kentucky Shakespeare will offer free, interactive activities for young people an hour before the show. Activities will be related to what the kids are about to see on the stage, but will also showcase fun facts about Shakespeare and theater in general. The Shakespeare Festival is non-ticketed and completely free to the public, so all are invited to attend. Pets are allowed and even encouraged. Same with kids. Audience members are permitted to bring their own food and snacks, or they can patronize the food trucks and bar on site. It’s this electric atmosphere that many people are looking forward to experiencing again. “For me, it’s about the people,” Attaway says, when asked about what she’s looking forward to most this season. “I’m thrilled to be back with actors, technicians, and designers. But the main thing I haven’t experienced since 2019 is the magic of the sun setting in the park — the festival atmosphere of people in every direction. [I’m excited for the] food trucks, hearing the crickets, cicadas, and birds as it gets dark, and the stage lights coming on and transforming the stage into magical storytelling.”
MILESTONES MARK A TRIUMPHANT RETURN This year is the 61st anniversary of Kentucky Shakespeare. Aside from Shakespeare in Love, which is the first non-Shakespeare written work to be performed under Wallace’s leadership on the summer main stage, there are numerous milestones marking the Festival’s 2021 season. Audiences can look forward to the return of Monte Priddy, a fantastic actor who was a member of the very first season of Kentucky Shakespeare in 1961.
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If people don’t recognize Priddy outside of costume or character, they will certainly recognize his voice as the voice of Kentucky Shakespeare. Each night, when the lights dim and the audience settles in, Priddy does his signature pre-show announcement: “Welcome to Kentucky Shakespeare in Central Park!” Though Priddy has not performed every summer since 1961, he has performed in most summers, making him the company’s longest standing member. Other performers audiences will recognize are Greg and Abigail Maupin, who are married in real life and have performed in the past as Beatrice and Benedick. The company regularly auditions and welcomes new talent every season, though it is not uncommon for local actors to continue returning to Kentucky Shakespeare year after year. “It feels as though we have a resident company, but we don’t officially,” says Attaway. “We have amazing actors who like working with us, so we get very lucky getting to work with the same people over and over.” In addition to personal milestones, Kentucky Shakespeare is collectively celebrating its historic move into new headquarters. As the director of Henry V, which runs from July 8 to August 1, Attaway notes the historic nature of the move, saying, “In our 61-year history, this is the first time we’ve ever had anything like this. Everything is there. Our storage warehouse is there. It’s just half a block from Central Park. You walk outside and it’s just a 5-minute walk away. Before, we weren’t super far from the park, but the storage warehouse was in another neighborhood entirely.” For actors, crew, and staff, the combination of returning to in-person performances while also experiencing the new office and new rehearsal space is truly overwhelming. Even for new company members, Attaway notes that “every time someone walks in, they’re overwhelmed with how awesome it is.” A U D I E N C E
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WHAT AUDIENCES CAN EXPECT
HEALING THROUGH ART
With the Shakespeare Festival returning for the first time in two years, there will only be two plays this year instead of three.
Throughout the entire pandemic experience, the conversation of “healing through art” has become a hot topic.
Shakespeare in Love will have an “extra-long run” from June 16 to July 31. Henry V will run from July 8 to August 1.
When the pandemic first began and lockdowns were in effect, people turned to streaming services, TV, and the Internet to get through the day. Watching TV and film was a way to escape and get lost in a fictional world. For others, it was an opportunity to learn a new creative skill such as music, visual art, or even home repairs.
It’s mostly the same company of actors doing both plays, as is the case each season. Some performers occasionally come in for one play, but it’s normal for performers to commit to an entire summer. After the two major works, the Kentucky Shakespeare’s Globe Players will perform A Midsummer Night’s Dream August 4 through August 8. The Globe Players is a professional training program for high school students who study for six weeks prior to opening night. The production is a culmination of that training program. At 10:30 p.m. on June 26, July 24, and August 14, audiences will be treated to late-night improv by the Louisville Improvisers. The series, Late Night Shakes, marks the sixth year of Louisville Improvisers’ partnership with Kentucky Shakespeare. The troupe improvises Shakespeare plays based on suggestions from audience members each night, making it a highly interactive event.
But all of these art forms were enjoyed at a distance, either through the screen or away from friends and family, void of a communal experience. “The most important thing [about this season] is we’re back,” Attaway says. “We’re back doing our work, and our mission is to bring Shakespeare to people — to tell good stories under the stars for free, to provide stress-free joy and healing. Everyone within the company is ecstatic to be able to do that again, and we’re excited to share that joy and cathartic feeling with audiences.” For showtimes and up-to-the-minute information and updates, visit KYShakespeare.com. You can also download the free Kentucky Shakespeare app at Google Play or iTunes.
Finally, the season closes out with a week of the Louisville Ballet presenting Shakespeare in Dance, a Shakespeare-inspired dance premiere that features original choreography.
JUNE 16- JULY 31 Shakespeare in Love
The stage adaptation of the 1998 Oscar-winning film, featuring music, dance, 20 performers, and a dog. Will Shakespeare has writer’s block, the deadline for his new play is fast approaching, and he’s in desperate need of inspiration, until he finds his muse!
THE NEXT ACT BEGINS With the new headquarters in Old Louisville and the 2021 season underway, the new act for Kentucky Shakespeare has officially begun. What’s not new is the tremendous support the company has enjoyed from the Greater Louisville community. From performers who want to participate, to volunteers who want to be help out, to angel investors who made the new headquarters a reality, Kentucky Shakespeare continues to be a cornerstone for the arts in Louisville.
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Most of the work at Kentucky Shakespeare is done by staff and contractors, but volunteers make a huge difference, especially on performance nights. For example, volunteers assist with front-of-house seating as well as handing out programs to guests. Anyone interested in volunteering this summer can sign up at kyshakespeare.com/volunteer. One tradition that will be returning, albeit in a modified form, is “barrelling.” In a typical year, barrelling would provide audience members with the opportunity to donate, as actors and actresses go out into the seating area to collect donations. However, due to COVID, the barrelling tradition will look a little different this year. Anyone who is moved to support the company will still be able to do so via Square’s contactless platform or a text-to-donate option. More information will be provided during intermission. K E N T U C K Y
Henry V
Shakespeare’s epic history play – a classic tale of kingship and war that explores the making of a legend. The production features original music from Wax Fang’s Scott Carney.
Plus... Don't miss A Midsummer Night's Dream (with Kentucky Shakespeare's Globe Players), Late Night Shakes (with Louisville Improvers), and Shakespeare in Dance (with Louisville Ballet)! More information at kyshakespeare.com.
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ACCESS FUND FOR THE ARTS CULTURAL PASS OFFERS BOTH IN-PERSON & VIRTUAL EVENTS FOR SUMMER 2021 by Denise Lacey-Cocoran
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Since 2014, the Fund for the Arts Cultural Pass has promoted arts, culture, and summer learning in the Louisville area. Over 240,000 free passes have been issued to families with children ages 0-21 since this groundbreaking program began. During the summer of 2021, families will be able to access all the Cultural Pass has to offer, both in person and virtually.
Beginning June 1, fifty-one arts and cultural institutions will provide free access to a wide variety of activities, including live and video performances, art projects, scavenger hunts, demonstrations, and outdoor events. Some of the participating venues include the Kentucky Science Center, Commonwealth Theatre Center, Roots 101 African American Museum, and Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest. Children in the Greater Louisville area, including Bullitt County and Southern Indiana, are eligible for a Cultural Pass. In order to register for a free pass, families should visit the website of their local library. Participants in Jefferson County can register and keep track of their progress here. The website includes badge icons for each online venue and special links to virtual Cultural Pass activities.
The Cultural Pass offers kids of all ages a chance to show their creativity through hands-on art activities.
A CITYWIDE EFFORT
“The Cultural Pass provides incredible, world-class arts opportunities for our community’s children that promote both summer learning and summer fun,” Boone says. “This year, families will have a wider variety of ways to participate than ever before with virtual and in-person experiences available.”
Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fischer, who is also a big supporter of the arts, was instrumental in the creation of the Cultural Pass through his program, Vision Louisville. He says the Cultural Pass fills the “experience gap” that some children may encounter, and adds that many families may not have the means to take their children to a science center or to an art museum. The Cultural Pass removes all financial barriers, making it possible for all children to have important cultural experiences. Through this program, the city is hoping to encourage the importance of well-rounded childhood education and lifelong learning.
She adds that the Cultural Pass is a great way to help children combat summer learning loss.
Mayor Fischer has designated three special Cultural Pass days, which allow families to explore the outdoors along the
Christen Boone, President and CEO of Fund for the Arts, says there are no other programs like the Cultural Pass in the United States that gives families free access to arts, culture, history, and heritage venues.
The Cultural Pass allows children free access to 51 local arts and cultural institutions. Photo courtesy of Fund for the Arts.
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The Cultural Pass provides incredible, world-class arts opportunities for our community’s children that promote both summer learning and summer fun. This year, families will have a wider variety of ways to participate than ever before with virtual and in-person experiences available. – Christen Boone
Ohio River while engaging with various cultural institutions. Locations for those events are: in June at Riverside, the FarnsleyMoremen Landing, in July at the Falls of the Ohio State Park, and in August at Waterfront Park. Barbara Lynne Jamison, General Director/CEO of Kentucky Opera and Chair of the Arts and Culture Alliance (ACA), says over 50 ACA partners, including arts, science, and heritage organizations, will be providing programming. “After spending many long months at home, we are excited to offer children and their families these admission-free opportunities to be creative, active, and engaged in the community again this summer,” she says. Andrea Diggs, with Sacred Heart School for the Arts, said that the Cultural Pass not only benefits families in the community but also arts organizations. Cultural centers are thrilled to be able to again open their doors to children. Events through the Cultural Pass will help Louisville feel alive by offering experiences with music, dance, drama, theater. “These opportunities and this access are not only going to spark the inspiration, but also the creativity and the minds, and we want to make sure that continues,” says Diggs.
PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS Highlights of this summer’s in-person events include a cruise on the Belle of Louisville or Mary M. Miller riverboats, feeding farm animals at Blackacre Homestead, Kentucky Shakespeare performances in Central Park, and tours of many historical sites. A complete list of in-person offerings can be found here. Highlights of 2021 virtual offerings include Wild Animals Yoga Class through 21c Museum Hotel, virtual tours of Historic Old Louisville and Farmington Plantation, flamenco 28
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Top: Cultural centers are thrilled to be able to again open their doors to children. Above: Louisville Metro Mayor Greg Fischer is a vocal supporter of the arts in Louisville, and was instrumental in the creation of the Cultural Pass. Both photos courtesy of Fund for the Arts.
fundamentals with Flamenco Louisville, and a variety of virtual music and theater performances. A complete list of all of the virtual offerings can be found here. The Cultural Pass Showcase returns this year as an in-person event on Saturday, June 5, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Northeast Regional Library in Lyndon. The event will be held outdoors on the library’s 13.5-acre campus, and COVID safety measures will be in place. The Showcase will feature free activities and performances for children and families. Details about this event can be found at www.LFPL.org/Kids. Fund for the Arts, in partnership with Louisville Metro Government, the Arts and Culture Alliance, and the Louisville Free Public Library, has designated three special Cultural Pass days from June 1 to Aug. 8, 2021. A U D I E N C E
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TRAVELIN' THE BLUEGRASS PODCAST & THE KENTUCKY TOURISM, ARTS & HERITAGE CABINET PRESENTS
THE AGRITOURISM EDITION HOSTED BY ALAN WATTS
WEDNESDAYS 6PM EST WWW.YOURAGEDGE.COM
TRAVELIN' THE BLUEGRASS - THE AGRITOURISM EDITION - YOUTUBE
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www.facebook.com/KyTAHC 29 www.facebook.com/travelinbluegrass
February 19 – August 22, 2021
This show-stopping exhibition features life-size, trompe l’œil paper costumes spanning nearly 500 years of fashion, replicating historical garments found in European masterworks and in collections from around the world.
Members see it all for free! Learn more at
speedmuseum.org
Advanced ticket purchase strongly encouraged and face masks required. This exhibition is organized by Dixon Gallery and Gardens, Memphis, in cooperation with Isabelle de Borchgrave Studio. This exhibition is supported by: W. L. Lyons Brown, Jr. Foundation (Cary Brown & Steven Epstein)
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Media sponsorship from:
Exhibition season sponsored by: Cary Brown and Steven E. Epstein Paul and Deborah Chellgren Debra and Ronald Murphy
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Images: Isabelle de Borchgrave (Belgian, b. 1946) Detail of Paysanne, 2009 Based on a costume design by Mikhail Larionov for the Ballet Russes Isabelle de Borchgrave (Belgian, b. 1946) Detail of Pallas, 2007 Inspired by a figure in Sandro Botticelli’s painting Pallas and the Centaur, dated 1482, in the collection of the Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence
TMixed O media, A U Dprimarily I E Nacrylic, C E ink, F R E E ! metallic powder, and adhesive on paper
