Venue Summer Preview 2011

The Newsletter of the College of the Arts at California State University Stanislaus • SUMMER 2011 PREVIEW

DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE PRODUCTION “DEBRIS” PERFORMS AT THE KENNEDY CENTER, WASHINGTON, D.C. This past spring the California State University, Stanislaus Department of Theatre production of Dennis Kelly’s Debris, under the direction of Professor Jere O’Donnell, was selected to perform at the 2011 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF).

The prestigious honor was a first for the CSU Stanislaus College of the Arts—of 1,800 participating college and university theatre productions from across the country, only four were invited to perform at the April festival in Washington D.C.

Above: Mia Carrick (Michele) and Eric Braojos photographed in the CSU Stanislaus November 2010 production of Debris. Left: Carrick photographed with the poster announcing the productions at the KCACFT at the Kennedy Center inWashington, D.C. Right: Carrick and Braojos in rehearsal at the Kennedy Center.

“We are all extremely gratified and humbled at this opportunity to perform at the Kennedy Center,” said O’Donnell. “The students have worked hard and the entire Department of Theatre has come together in order to make this production come together.”

JULIE HEFFERNAN EXHIBITION: “HOLDING UP” AT UNIVERSITY ART GALLERY California State University, Stanislaus’, College of the Arts, Department of Art, University Art Gallery presented the solo exhibition of Julie Heffernan, “Holding Up,” April 4 through April 29, 2011.

This exhibition featured Julie Heffernan’s most recent works and was curated by the Founding Dean of the College of the Arts, Daryl J. Moore

who describes Heffernan’s recent works as, “… ripe as noted over a decade ago in an Art Forum review, where Ms. Heffernan began to unleash her densely realized fantastical world of her ‘other self’ in portraiture that continues to draw us close seductively as only the ripest of fruits can do. While we stare, suspended and perhaps lost in the exotic world dreamt only

by Heffernan, we marvel at her generosity and

capacity for picture making, lost perhaps in the gaze of her many personas. Personas slightly distant, a-drip with life’s pain and desires, faces in full bloom that inhabit the duality of the worlds she has created on these most current canvases. ” Above: Julie Heffernan presents an artist talk Below: Students and guests view Heffernan’s paintings.

Below Right: Heffernan talks with students from the Department of Art.

We’ve got your ticket... ...to excellence in the arts.

Plácido Domingo, Spanish

tenor and conductor, was the recipient of an Honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree presented in a ceremony at the university’s Bernell and Flora Snider Music Recital Hall this past November.

“Plácido Domingo’s many accomplishments both as a performer and a philanthropist make him most deserving of this honor,” said CSU Stanislaus President Hamid Shirvani. “We were delighted to host such a distinguished guest. It is an incredible privilege to have him among our honorary doctorates.”

After receiving the degree, Domingo surprised everyone with an impromptu performance.

During his acceptance speech, Domingo had said he regretted not being able to sing, but it was early in the day. President Shirvani announced the ceremony would not be complete without music, so professor Stephen Thomas took to the stage and began playing Franz Lehar’s “Dein ist mein ganzes Herz” for the audience of students and other campus community members. Before long, Domingo’s

PLACIDO DOMINGO IMPROMPTU PERFORMANCE IN SNIDER HALL voice filled the hall.

During his acceptance speech, Domingo advised students to use their time wisely.

“This is the shortest part of your life,” he said.

“These are the best years. So, think, dedicate, have passion, devotion for what you do.”

Domingo is widely regarded as the most famous opera singer in the world. In addition

to being the “King of Opera” according to Newsweek, Domingo has helped raise support for victims of devastating natural disasters and disease. He has won many awards and distinctions, including the U.S. Medal of Freedom and an honorary Knighthood of the British Empire.

Above: Domingo with CSU Stanislaus music faculty member Dr. Stephen Thomas.

City-wide Jazz Concert Features local High School and Junior High Jazz The first “Jazz Under the Stars” City-wide Jazz Concert featured performances by the CSU Stanislaus Jazz Ensemble, Stanislaus Youth Jazz Orchestra, Turlock Junior High School Jazz Ensemble, Turlock High School Jazz Ensemble, and Pitman High School Jazz Ensemble this past May in the university’s outdoor Amphitheatre.

Organized by Dr. Andy Nevala, Coordinator of Jazz Studies, the concert offered the opportunity for local High School and Junior High School Jazz Ensembles to perform in a large outdoor venue, as well as interact with ensemble members from CSU Stanislaus Jazz Ensemble and Combos.

Left: Students from Turlock Junior High School perform at the “Jazz Under the Stars” City-wide Jazz Concert held in the University Amphitheatre.

SHAKESPEARE UNDER THE STARS PERFORMANCE OF ROMEO & JULIET This year’s Shakespeare Under the Stars production of Romeo and Juliet took place in the University Amphitheatre May 3rd through 8th delighting some 6200 attendees. The event also raised over $3200 in scholarships for theatre students attending CSU Summer Arts.

Under the direction of special guest Daniel Gately, the production featured performances by Department of Theatre students, as well as special guest performers. Juliet was portrayed by Mia Carrick, recent recipient of the “Best of Festival” award at the 2011 KCACTF Region VIII Festival held in Los Angeles, for her performance as “Michelle” in the production of Debris, which was also honored with an invitation to participate in the KCACTF National Festival where Carrick performed at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., in April. The role of Romeo featured guest artist Nick Dargis, from the Illinois Shakespeare Festival. Guest artist David Gonzales, also from the Illinois Shakespeare Festival, was featured as Tybalt and also worked with students as the fight captain for the production.

THE COLLEGE OF THE ARTS One University Circle Turlock, CA 95382 (209) 667-3959 coa@csustan.edu Photos by Cary Edmonson, Kristina Stamper and Steve Kosko Photography

www.csustan.edu/COA

Romeo and Juliet was presented in collaboration between Townsend

Opera and the College of the Arts, Department of Music at CSU Stanislaus. This is the third collaboration between the two organizations, the prior collaborations include The Merry Widow in January 2010, and The Magic Flute in January 2009, the latter of which was selected as the #2 staged production in the region by the editorial staff of The Modesto Bee. In this production of Romeo and Juliet, vocal performance students from the Department of Music at CSU Stanislaus joined a cast of principles from around the country to perform secondary and chorus roles, providing a rare opportunity for students to gain professional experience while studying at the undergraduate level, and to learn vital lessons about the profession they are preparing to enter.

Students performing secondary roles included: Joshua Zanze, a bass-baritone, in the role of The Duke; Chris Withrow, a baritone, in the role of Paris; Guillermo Garcia, a baritone, in the role of Gregorio; and Ryan Fikejs, a tenor, in the role of Benvolio. Twelve additional students performed in the chorus.

ALUMNI SPOTLIGHT: MATTHEW BUCKMAN A 2005 CSU Stanislaus alumnus, Matthew Buckman was born and raised in Fresno, California, where he studied architecture and music in high school. He pursued music in college, finishing his studies in Instrumental Performance at CSU Stanislaus. While in college, he served in elected and administrative roles in student government, and also worked in recruitment for the Department of Music.

Mr. Buckman played soccer at the collegiate level for four years, and it continues to be his primary hobby.

Matthew Buckman became the first Executive Director of Townsend Opera on February 1, 2008 at the age of twenty-six, and has since led a major effort to make Townsend Opera a sustainable and thriving company.

DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN TOWNSEND OPERA’S “ROMEO AND JULIET”

Mr. Buckman has initiated and developed groundbreaking partnerships with the CSU Stanislaus Department of Music, Modesto Junior College, and San Francisco Opera that have led to new heights of artistic excellence. The education and outreach programs have been repositioned and expanded to better fill gaps in the public education system.