TO THE EISNER CENTER for the Performing Arts
Now in its sixth year, the Eisner Center for the Performing Arts is a hub of artistic activity on the Denison campus. As the home of the Departments of Dance, Music, and Theatre, the Eisner Center produces a diverse array of performances by students, faculty, and visiting artists each year. From the first day of classes through to the final curtain call in spring, our rehearsal studios and performance spaces are filled with the energy and excitement of creation and collaboration. Whether you are a student of the arts or not, the Eisner Center invites you to join us and become lifelong patrons of the arts. With over 100 performances each year, we know you’ll find something to be excited about.
We welcome campus and community audiences, and as you peruse the calendar of events, we hope you find something new and intriguing to attend.
All events are free and open to the public unless otherwise noted. Some events require tickets. Be sure to check denison.edu/eisnerevents to see the full event details and ticketing information, and bookmark artsatdenison.ludus.com as your one-stop shop for all ticketed events. Additional events will be added throughout the year.
TICKETS OR QUESTIONS?
Eisnercenter@denison.edu | 740-587-6220
Use the QR code to access tickets via the online box office. Check denison.edu/eisnerevents for full listing.
September
GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: WOLFGANG DAVID, VIOLIN, AND DAVID GOMPPER, PIANO
3 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
FACULTY RECITAL: ADAM SCHLENKER, GUITAR
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
Adam Schlenker, coordinator of American Roots music at Denison, reflects on 40 years of playing the guitar, showcasing his influences and the various styles and genres that have contributed to shaping him.
THE VAIL SERIES | VAIL + EVENT WITH ORGANIST NATHAN LAUBE
3 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
Celebrate the rededication of our recently renovated 1924 Austin Organ as we commemorate the centennial of the organ and Swasey Chapel with a concert by international organist, Nathan Laube.
GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: BRIANNA MATZKE, PIANO
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
DENISON MUSEUM: PORTRAYING IDENTITY | THE FUTURE IS NOT BINARY AUGUST 29-NOVEMBER 29 12. 15. 08. 16. 17. ON EXHIBIT
THE INNOCENTS BY JOHN LANE AND ALLEN OTTE
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
JOHN LANE AND ALLEN OTTE
The Innocents is a dramatic soundscape that explores various aspects of the issues surrounding wrongful imprisonment and exoneration in the American criminal justice system: mistaken identity, incarceration, psychology, politics, injustice, and resilience.
GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: CAMERON FUHRMAN, PIANO
7 PM | THORSEN DANCE STUDIO
Curated and produced by Department of Dance fellows, this event celebrates emerging student choreographers at Denison and provides a platform for diverse dance voices, adding inspiration to the colorful autumn season. 09. 10. THE VAIL SERIES | AMERICAN PATCHWORK QUARTET
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
American Patchwork Quartet, led by GRAMMY® award-winning guitarist/vocalist Clay Ross, binds timeless American folk songs with jazz sophistication, country twang, West African hypnotics, and East Asian ornamentation.
10.
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL 04. OPENING FALL DANCE FESTIVAL OF STUDENT CHOREOGRAPHERS
LOBBY HERO BY KENNETH
LONERGAN
| DIRECTED BY JAMES
DENNEN
OCTOBER 10, 14, 15, 16 • 7 PM, 12 • 8 PM, 13 • 2 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
Lobby Hero is a thought-provoking play set in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment building. It tells the story of Jeff, a young security guard who finds himself entangled in a moral dilemma involving his boss, a rookie cop, and her seasoned partner. With sharp dialogue and nuanced characters, the play explores themes of justice, loyalty, and personal integrity. The interactions between the characters are both tense and darkly humorous, making Lobby Hero a compelling narrative that raises important questions about ethics and humanity. It’s a powerful portrayal of the complexities of everyday moral choices.
OPENING
JAZZ GUITAR FESTIVAL
24-25 • 7:30 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
The Department of Music, with support from the Vail Series, presents the 28th annual Jazz Guitar Festival. Randy Napoleon, known as a forward-thinking musician with a passion for the jazz tradition, performs on Thursday, October 24. Peter Bernstein, part of the Jazz scene in New York and abroad since 1989, performs on Friday, October 25.
ORCHESTRA CONCERT
7:30 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
PHILIP RUDD, CONDUCTOR
Welcome to the opening concert of the 2024-25 Denison Symphony season. We are thrilled to present a special concert for the Board of Trustees weekend, featuring Denison piano professor Hana Chu, performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 on the spectacular Sharon Martin Steinway concert grand piano. Concert highlights include the Ohio premiere of Jasmine Barnes’ Before Dawn and the scintillating Finale movement of Shostakovich’s monumental Symphony No. 5.
OPERA ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE
4 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL 26. 24. 27.
INVINCIBLE SUMMER
WRITTEN AND DIRECTED BY CHERYL MCFARREN
NOVEMBER 1, 7, 8, 9 • 7 PM, NOVEMBER 2, 3,10 • 2 PM | HYLBERT FAMILY STUDIO THEATRE
01. 02.
In Invincible Summer Olive Ann Burns, author of the beloved Southern novel, Cold Sassy Tree, joins our 2024 celebration of her 100th birthday. We come to know the author, her characters, and our own deep need for connection to place, time, and each other. The piece brings together archival research and scenes from Burns’ novel for an evening of laughter and reflection on what matters.
CHORAL ALUMNI REUNION CONCERT: DENISON SINGERS AND DENISON CHAMBER SINGERS
4 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
UNHEARD-OF ENSEMBLE
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
04. 07. November OPENING
Unheard-of Ensemble is a New York-based contemporary chamber music ensemble dedicated to connecting communities through contemporary music. THE WAR IS OVER
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
The Denison Singers, led by Professor Emeritus William Osborne, perform alongside current students in the Denison Chamber Singers, conducted by Harris Ipock. This afternoon concert features choral music and is a part of the final celebration of Swasey’s 100th birthday.
FEATURING THE DU WIND ENSEMBLE JAROSŁAW IGNASZAK, GUEST CONDUCTOR | CHRIS DAVID WESTOVER-MUÑOZ, CONDUCTOR
The wind band has long been the soundtrack of war, but can it be a plea for peace? Join the DU Wind Ensemble in this examination of anti-war music that includes music by Karel Husa, Phil Ochs, Augusta Read Thomas, and John Prine.
12.
FACULTY AND GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: ALEX FRAGISKATOS AND JOSEPH VAN HASSEL, PERCUSSION
4:30 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
Celebrating 100 years of George Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, pianist Lara Downes reimagines this masterpiece with a new arrangement reflecting America’s multicultural sounds. This Billboard Charttopping artist, producer, curator, and arts activist will be joined on stage by the Denison Orchestra for an evening performance celebrating Gershwin. 12.
NOONTIME RECITAL
12 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
FALL DANCE CONCERT: TIMELESS/ETERNA
NOVEMBER 15-16 • 7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
Denison Dance Company performs timeless music, histories, and memories. Guest artists include alum Vaval Victor '20, and Columbus-based guest artist Brianna Rhodes.
DENISON CHAMBER SINGERS AND CONCERT CHOIR CONCERT
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
DIRECTED BY HARRIS IPOCK
FACULTY RECITAL: EVAN LYNCH, CLARINET
JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND JAZZ COMBO CONCERT
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
DIRECTED BY PETE MILLS
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL WITH HANA CHU, PIANO 14. 20. 21. 15. 16. 19. THE VAIL SERIES | LARA DOWNES WITH DENISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA
STUDENT COMPOSERS CONCERT WITH THIRD COAST PERCUSSION
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
12 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL 05.
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
MUSIC AND LYRICS BY STEPHEN SONDHEIM | BOOK BY HUGH WHEELER ORCHESTRATIONS BY JONATHAN TUNICK | SUGGESTED BY A FILM BY INGMAR BERGMAN ORIGINALLY PRODUCED AND DIRECTED ON BROADWAY BY HAROLD PRINCE | DIRECTED BY BRAD FRENETTE
DECEMBER 5-7 • 7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
DIRECTED BY TIMOTHY “REV” CARPENTER 06.
ORCHESTRA POPS CONCERT
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
PHILIP RUDD, CONDUCTOR
The Denison Symphony Orchestra is back for its beloved holiday pops concert, celebrating the sounds of the season! 05. 07. GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT
Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, adapted from Ingmar Bergman’s Smiles of a Summer Night, is a masterful and elegant musical that won four Tony Awards. Known for its witty and moving portrayal of love, the show features a sophisticated score and stunning orchestrations. Its most famous song, “Send in the Clowns,” remains a haunting and popular favorite.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES CONCERT
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
AMERICAN ROOTS ENSEMBLE CONCERT
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
DIRECTED BY ADAM SCHLENKER 11. 13. OPENING NOONTIME RECITAL
JANUARY 20-APRIL 20
30. ON EXHIBIT
DENISON MUSEUM: CAREY NEWMAN (HAYALTHKIN’GEME)
OHIO’S INDIGENOUS LEGACY | UNVEILING HISTORIES, CELEBRATING VOICES
CONTEMPORARY SOUNDS SERIES
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
DIRECTED BY ZACHERY S. MEIER
Denison’s annual Contemporary Sounds Concert Series features an immersive concert experience of eclectic music and visuals, curated to explore the storytelling and experiences of contemporary composers and performers.
February January
GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: MEREDITH BLECHA-WELLS, PIANO
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
05. OPENING
03. THE VAIL SERIES | LORELEI ENSEMBLE
FEBRUARY 5-6 • 7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
Lorelei Ensemble, recognized across the globe for its bold and inventive programs that champion the extraordinary flexibility and virtuosity of the human voice, collaborates with acclaimed dance company Pilobolus to bring the world premiere of Love Fail, a program with music by renowned composer David Lang.
21. OPENING
BLUEGRASS FESTIVAL
FEBRUARY 21-22 • 7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
Denison University’s annual Bluegrass Festival showcases renowned performers, workshops, and rehearsal experiences to highlight the best of bluegrass.
March
ARTS REMIX
MARCH 5-8
Arts ReMix is a marquee campus event, where alums from a multitude of art-related industries, majors, and backgrounds come back to campus to reconnect, reimagine, and refuel. Featuring interactive workshops, panels, and keynotes, this experience brings together alums to share their experiences, peel back the curtain on their careers, and offer an inside scoop on their successes and lessons learned.
JIM SNIDERO TRIO
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL
With Peter Washington, bass and Joe Farnsworth, drums. 05. 05.
06.
THE VAIL SERIES | RITA MORENO
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
In collaboration with Alumni and Family Engagement’s Arts ReMix, we welcome legendary Hollywood and Broadway actress, singer, dancer, and EGOT winner Rita Moreno to campus. Moreno has been honored and recognized for her acclaimed performances during her more than 80 year career. Join us on stage for this captivating speaking engagement.
TARTUFFE
BY MOLIÈRE | TRANSLATED BY RANJIT BOLT | DIRECTED BY AVIVA NEFF
MARCH 6-8 • 7 PM, MARCH 9 • 2 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
Tartuffe tells the tale of a sanctimonious swindler who has worked his way into the heart and home of Orgon and his family. Get ready for an oldie and a goodie. This 15th century comedy, brought to life in Ranjit Bolt’s contemporary adaptation, will have you laughing, gasping, and praying for more! 06. OPENING
12.
BEYOND THIS POINT
7 PM | HYLBERT FAMILY STUDIO THEATRE
What does a musician become without their instrument? Can they use their skills in other ways and still make music? Chicago-based collective ensemble Beyond This Point explores these questions in a concert that both breaks and expands what it means to be a musician and a performer.
CHAMBER SINGERS CONCERT
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
DIRECTED BY HARRIS IPOCK
13.
DENISON SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA FEATURING CONCERTO-ARIA WINNERS
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL DIRECTED BY PHILIP RUDD
In an annual showcase of Denison’s most highly accomplished student soloists, this concert features the vocalists or instrumentalists who won the the Concerto- Aria Competition, alongside other featured works for the Orchestra.
11. 26.
GUEST ARTIST RECITAL: MATTHEW LAU, PERCUSSIONIST
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
28. OPENING
SENIOR RESEARCH DANCE CONCERT
MARCH 28-29 • 7 PM | THORSEN DANCE STUDIO
This performance event illuminates dance research carried out by seniors. The projects feature artistic investigations and interdisciplinary projects.
THE VAIL SERIES | MERZ TRIO
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
Hailed as “entrancing” and “artists in the deepest sense,” Merz Trio passionately reshapes classical music with dynamic programming and interdisciplinary collaboration. Their style combines classical standards, new music, and unique arrangements of familiar and forgotten works. 02.
9
TO 5 THE MUSICAL MUSIC AND LYRICS BY DOLLY PARTON | BOOK BY PATRICIA RESNICK
BASED ON THE SEMINAL 1980 HIT MOVIE
DIRECTED BY BRAD FRENETTE
APRIL 10, 11, 12 • 7 PM, APRIL 13 • 2 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
9 to 5 The Musical, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton and book by Patricia Resnick, is based on the seminal 1980 hit movie. Set in the late 1970s. This hilarious story of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic.
SPRING DANCE CONCERT: FISH SING/PEZ CANTA
APRIL 17 • 12 PM, APRIL 18,-19 • 7 PM | THORSEN DANCE STUDIO
Spring’s arrival inspires Denison Dance Company to revive repertoire and set new work that invigorates, inspires, and regenerates.
10. 19. 17. OPENING
EL PUEBLO UNIDO...
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
FEATURING THE DU WIND ENSEMBLE RICARDO ÁLAVAREZ BULACIO, GUEST COMPOSER & SAXOPHONIST
CHRIS DAVID WESTOVER-MUÑOZ, CONDUCTOR
The DU Wind Ensemble presents an exciting program of Chilean music curated by guest composer and saxophonist Ricardo Álvarez from the Music Institute at the Catholic University of Valparaíso (Chile). The program features music from the vibrant street band tradition in Chile and includes selections from the Nueva Canción movement of the 1960s and 1970s as well as music from the recent Estallido Social.
JAZZ ENSEMBLE AND JAZZ COMBO CONCERT
7 PM | SHARON MARTIN HALL
DIRECTED BY RYAN HAMILTON 23.
NOONTIME RECITAL
12 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL 24.
AMERICAN ROOTS ENSEMBLE CONCERT
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
DIRECTED BY ADAM SCHLENKER
2025 SENIOR VISUAL ART EXHIBIT
APRIL 25-MAY 16 | DENISON MUSEUM
Denison celebrates the annual exhibition of senior visual art majors at the museum. 25. 25.
CHAMBER ENSEMBLES CONCERT
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL 30. OPENING
01.
STUDENT COMPOSERS CONCERT WITH ETHEL
7 PM | BURKE RECITAL HALL
01.
HERE US
MAY 1-3 • 7 PM | HYLBERT FAMILY STUDIO THEATRE
In 1916, celebrated Harlem Renaissance poet and playwright, Angelina Weld Grimké, described one of her characters who shines despite the violent prejudice and turbulence of her time as “loving, young, joyous, and vital.” In the Fall of 2020, the Denison theatre department presented HERE US, a virtual performance platform for students of color, amidst the violent prejudice and turbulence of a double pandemic, to release some of Denison’s love, youth, joy, and vitality. Now in its fifth year, HERE US has become an annual live performance event.
03.
ORCHESTRA AND CHOIR CONCERT
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
HARRIS IPOCK, CONDUCTOR
The Denison Orchestra, Chamber Singers, and Concert Choir are pleased to present this year’s iteration of our choral and orchestral collaborative concerts! Recent seasons have included Handel’s Messiah, Beethoven’s Mass in C, and Mozart’s Requiem in D Minor. Don’t miss this spectacular and much-anticipated annual tradition!
GOSPEL CHOIR CONCERT
7 PM | SWASEY CHAPEL
DIRECTED BY TIMOTHY “REV” CARPENTER 04. OPENING
At Denison, students from all majors engage with professional visiting artists in the classroom and have opportunities to take part in rehearsals, performances, and workshops. Groups and ensembles formed of talented students, faculty, and guest artists explore a multitude of collaborative opportunities and genres, including jazz, bluegrass and American roots, musical theatre, classical, contemporary, and digital music technology.
The Department of Theatre engages students across campus in collaborative and generative theatremaking. Our courses and productions integrate the challenges, tactics, and artistry of theatre-making through experiences in acting, design, directing, playwriting, and other areas, preparing students for careers in the contemporary arts as well as forming the basis of a dynamic liberal arts education. Participation is open to any student from any discipline.
DANCE THEATRE
The Department of Dance’s mission supports the development of student artists who are interested in dance performance, arts leadership, and scholarship. We believe dance training is life training. Students get experiential knowledge into the worlds of choreographers, performers, and researchers that help them become informed citizens of positive change in the world and confident future professionals. Exposing students to a wide breadth of cutting-edge dance practices and global perspectives is embedded in our curriculum. All students are welcomed, regardless of previous experience in dance.
MUSIC MUSEUM
As a teaching museum, the Denison Museum engages in and supports learning and inquiry in the liberal arts through its collection and exhibitions. The museum serves all divisions of the college by integrating object-based learning into the curriculum, internships, and world-class exhibitions.
HOURS: M–F: 9 a.m.—3 p.m. and by appointment. Free and open to the public. Closed university holidays and breaks.
