COLLEGE OF ARTS, HUMANITIES, AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
ARTISTS in RESIDENCE
SPRING 2025 SCHEDULE
EXHIBITS | MASTER CLASSES | PERFORMANCES | READINGS | WORKSHOPS
2024-25 marks the 25th anniversary season of UCA’s Artists in Residence (AiR)program, coordinated by the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Funded by the Fine and Performing Arts Fee, paid by all students, the program—as stated in the founding February 18, 2000 Board of Trustees minutes— “expands artistic opportunities and supplements and enhances university life and academic programs.” Since then, AiR has brought more than four hundred actors, choreographers, composers, creative writers, dancers, designers, filmmakers, musicians, visual artists, and others from around the world to our campus to give thousands of public exhibits, master classes, performances, readings, screenings, workshops, and various kinds of student-focused learning activities. Residencies have become a vibrant and vital part of the curriculum for all students at UCA.
Throughout the 2024-25 academic year, we are celebrating the anniversary with special events, giveaways, and, of course, an exciting roster of artists. Join us for this milestone year!
Residencies are funded by the UCA Arts Fee with additional support from Engage Management and Pyramid Art, Books, and Custom Framing. All events are located on the campus of the University of Central Arkansas, 201 Donaghey Ave., Conway, AR 72035, unless otherwise specified. All events are free to UCA students and open to the public (no ticket required unless specified). For general information, contact Dr. Gayle Seymour, Associate Dean, College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, 501-450-3293, gayles@uca.edu.
LAUREN GUNDERSON, PLAYWRITING
FEBRUARY
10
11
Lauren Gunderson has been one of the most produced playwrights in America since 2015, topping the list thrice including 2022/23. She is a two-time winner of the Steinberg/ATCA New Play Award for I and You and The Book of Will, the winner of the Lanford Wilson Award, and a finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize and L. Arthur Weissberger Award. She is a playwright, screenwriter, musical book writer and children’s author who lives in San Francisco. She graduated from NYU Tisch as a Reynolds Fellow in Social Entrepreneurship. For more information, contact Dr. Paige Reynolds, School of Language and Literature, preynolds@uca.edu.
7 p.m.
Public Event: An Evening with Playwright Lauren Gunderson
Art Lecture Hall, McCastlain 143
10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Student Event: Master Class in Playwriting
Fireplace Room, McCastlain Hall
1:40-2:30 p.m.
Student Event: Discussion and Q & A, “Revolutionary Women”: Women and Science in the Works of Lauren Gunderson,” comoderated by Dr. Taine Duncan (Philosophy) and Dr. Kristin
Dooley (Chemistry)
Art Lecture Hall, McCastlain 143
FEBRUARY 10-11,
SUE SCHROEDER, INSTALLATION ART
FEBRUARY
18
Sue Schroeder, in a career spanning 44 years, has created more than 110 original dance works. She holds an MFA in Theater Arts with a dance concentration from the University of Arizona at Tucson. Schroeder is known for her immersive creations for Berlin’s Martin Gropius Bau Museum, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art, Varmlands Museum, Karlstad, and more. Schroeder is recognized as a leading arts activist, and the founding artistic director of Core Dance. As a contemporary artist and dance maker, Schroeder focuses on the creative process, movement research/exploration, and dance-making as a catalyst for social change.
Jay Stailey is an author, storyteller, and certified labyrinth builder and facilitator. He has collaborated with artists and organizations to create numerous labyrinths in the greater Houston Area and other temporary and permanent installations in nine countries, across four continents. He has been both a featured teller and the artistic director of the Texas Storytelling Festival, and has led Sacred Spaces Tours to Ireland, Italy, France, Peru, and Ecuador. For more information, contact Dr. Gayle Seymour, gayles@uca.edu.
6 - 8 p.m.
On View: Labyrinth Experience with Sue Schroeder and Jay Stailey
Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
19-20
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
On View: Labyrinth Experience
Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
19
20
3 - 5:30 p.m.
Labyrinth Workshop with Sue Schroeder and Jay Stailey
Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
10:20 - 11:35 a.m.
Labyrinth Workshop with Sue Schoeder and Jay Stailey
Baum Gallery, McCastlain Hall
JEFFREY OAKLEY, LIGHTING AND DESIGN
JESSICA REDDIG , STAGE MANAGING
FEBRUARY
17
9 - 10:15 a.m.
Jeffrey Oakley (they/he) is a recent M.F.A. Graduate from the University of Iowa, and a UCA Theatre Alum. Professionally they have worked with Barrington Stage Company, Cortland Repertory Theatre, Utah Shakespeare Theatre, TEXAS! the Outdoor Musical, and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre. Their previous design works include SideShow, For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide, Men On Boats, Little Shop Of Horrors, and many other exciting productions.
Jessica Reddig (she/her) is a freelance stage manager born and raised in Arkansas. She received her BA in Theatre from University of Central Arkansas and MFA in Stage Management from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She has spent her past summers working regionally at Opera Saratoga (Don Pasquale, Cosi Fan Tutte), TEXAS! Outdoor Musical, and Arkansas Shakespeare Theatre (Macbeth and Comedy of Errors). For more information, contact Professor Shauna Meador, Department of Film, Theatre, and Creative Writing, smeador@uca.edu.
Class Visit: Professional Issues in Theatre (Jessica Reddig and Jeffrey Oakley) Snow Fine Arts 217
10:30-11:45 a.m.
Class Visit: Stage Management (Jessica Reddig)
Snow Fine Arts 217
time TBD
Student Event: Lighting Design Master Class (Jeffrey Oakley) venue TBD
18
9:25 - 10:40 a.m.
Class Visit: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design (Jeffrey Oakley) Snow Fine Arts 217
10:50 a.m. - 12:05 p.m.
Class Visit: Fundamentals of Theatrical Design (Jeffrey Oakley) Snow Fine Arts 217
1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
Public Event: Life in Art: Looking into Stage Management (Jessica Reddig) venue TBD
time TBD
Student Event: Stage Management Master Class (Jessica Reddig) venue TBD
6 - 8 p.m.
Artists in Residence 25th Anniversary Gala Experience, Lighting Design by Jeffrey Oakley McCastlain Hall (multiple rooms)
1718 & MAY 25 -
Rehearsals for UCA Summer Theatre
Bridges Larson Theatre, Snow Fine Arts and Black Box Theatre, Windgate 25-13
7 p.m.
Opening night performance Black Box Theatre, Windgate 20
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE 25TH ANNIVERSARY ARTS EXPERIENCE
FEBRUARY 18
6 - 8 P.M.
MCCASTLAIN HALL BALLROOM
Free and open to the public. No ticket required.
6:00 p.m.
Charcuterie & Drinks begin
6:15 p.m.
Immersive Experience begins (please arrive promptly): Walk the interactive labyrinth, be the first to view film scenes from Road Trip to Totality, see a theatrical lighting installation, experience a 3-D mapping video with live original music, & more!
7:30 p.m.
Dessert and Dancing featuring the UCA Jazz Ensemble
CRYSTAL WAGNER, INSTALLATION ART
Crystal Wagner holds an MFA from the University of Tennessee. In 2013 she was awarded the highly coveted Pollock-Krasner Grant. Wagner’s interest in combining 2-dimensional and 3-dimensional forms, alternative use of materials, and massive sitespecific installations, have led to her artwork being exhibited globally. Commissions include installations for NIKE’s KOBE X Blackout Experience, Bombay Sapphire, TOYOTA, and Warner Brothers, “Get Animated Invasion,” at LA’s Grammy Museum. Her two works for Viacom, including a 117 ft piece at their headquarters in Times Square, was featured by the New York Times and VH1ʼs Top 20 Countdown. For more information, contact Professor Leslie Macklin, Department of Art and Design, lmacklin@uca.edu
MARCH
6 - 7 p.m.
Public Event: Artist Talk by Crystal Wagner
Windgate Center 167
1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
Workshop with Students: Tubemaking and Armature Building Windgate Center, south entrance
Public Event: Unveiling Ceremony
MELVIN CHEN, VIOLIN AND PIANO
MARCH
04
6 , 2025
Dr. Melvin Chen earned a doctorate in chemistry from Harvard University and holds a double master’s degree from The Juilliard School in piano and violin. Chen’s performances have been featured on radio and television stations around the world, including KBS television and radio in Korea, NHK television in Japan, and NPR in the United States. As a professor, Chen teaches a studio of graduate and undergraduate piano students. In addition, he serves as Director of the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival/Yale Summer School of Music. Chen’s notable solo recordings include Beethoven’s “Diabelli” Variations and piano music by Joan Tower, among others. For more information, contact Dr. Linda Hsu, Department of Music, lindah@uca.edu.
7:30-9:30 pm
Piano Master Class
Windgate Concert Hall
4 - 6 p.m.
Violin Master Class
Windgate Concert Hall
6 - 7:15 p.m.
Dinner with Students
Windgate Concert Hall 05
Helen Christian Cafeteria
7:30 - 9 p.m.
Chamber Music Master Class
1:40 - 2:30 p.m.
Lecture Presentation
Windgate Concert Hall 06
Snow Fine Arts Recital Hall
7:30 p.m.
Public Performance
VALERIE NARANJO, PERCUSSION
MARCH
10
Valerie Naranjo holds degrees in vocal and instrumental music education (University of Oklahoma) and Percussion Performance (Ithaca College). In 1988 her playing of the gyil’s traditional repertoire in Ghana’s Kobine Festival of Traditional Music led to the declaration of a chiefly decree in the Dagara nation that women be allowed to play the instrument for the first time. She plays percussion for NBC’s Saturday Night Live Band, and has recorded and performed with Broadway’s The Lion King, The Philip Glass Ensemble, David Byrne, MEGADRUMS, and more. Her recent film score recordings include Final Fantasy - The Dream Within and Frida. For more information, contact Dr. Blake Tyson, Department of Music, btyson@uca.edu.
11
times TBD
Percussion Lessons with Students
Percussion Suite 154, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
times TBD
Percussion Lessons with Students
Percussion Suite 154, Windgate Center
1:40-2:30 pm
Student Event: Percussion Clinic Workshop with Valerie Naranjo
Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
7:30 pm
Public Event: Valerie Naranjo in Concert
Concert Hall, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts
KERI MIKI-LANI SCHROEDER, BOOK ARTS
MARCH
31
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder is a book artist based in San Antonio, Texas. She holds an MFA in Book Art & Creative Writing from Mills College. Schroeder produces limitededition artist’s books and teaches, in addition to producing the Books in the Wild Podcast, and co-owning and designing enamel pins under the pseudonym The Paper Carnival. Her works incorporate sculptural book structures and found objects, combining traditional and contemporary bookbinding and fine letterpress printing techniques. Reoccurring themes include ecology and environmental concerns, memory and mourning, relics and artifacts, and the anomalous and paranormal. Her books are held in prominent collections including those at Bainbridge Island Art Museum, The British Library, and UCLA. For more information, contact Professor Jennie Case, Department of Film, Theater, and Creative Writing, jcase@uca.edu.
Student Event: Bookbinding Workshop Windgate Center 105
APRIL
01
1820 , 2025
3:30 p.m.
Student Event: Interview with Arkana Editors Win Thompson Hall 331
4 - 5 p.m.
Student Event: Master Class with MFA Creative Writing Students Win Thompson Hall 331
7 p.m.
Public Event: Artist Talk with Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder Windgate 167
3 - 4:30 p.m.
Student Event: Book Boxes Workshop Windgate Center 105 02
6 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Creative Institute of Central Arkansas, 1100 Oak Street, Conway, AR 72034 04
Public Event: Artist Talk and Pop-Up Exhibit by Keri Miki-Lani Schroeder, First Friday Conway Art Walk
TROY ROBERTS, SAXOPHONE
APRIL
15
2:40 – 3:55 p.m.
Troy Roberts is a three-time GRAMMYnominated saxophonist. As a go-to first-call musician, his name adorns several essential recordings those by Joey DeFrancesco, Van Morrison, Jeff “Tain” Watts, Orrin Evans Captain Black Big Band, Kurt Elling, Veronica Swift, and numerous other jazz veterans, and newcomers considered taste-makers of their generation. Roberts – an Australianborn, now long-time New York resident – is also a prolific leader with fifteen releases to his name, including NU-JIVE: LIVE at the Perth International Jazz Festival. For more information, contact Dr. Matt Taylor.
Student Event: Master Class with UCA Jazz Combo
Adcock Seminar Room, Snow Fine Arts
11 – 11:50 a.m.
Recital Hall, Snow Fine Arts 16
Student Event: Master Class with UCA Jazz and Saxophone Students
1:40 – 2:30 p.m.
Keystone Steps, Windgate Center for Fine and Performing Arts 17
Public Event: Keystone Conversation, “Creativity, Improvisation, & Making It Happen: A Chat with Troy Roberts”
7:30 p.m.
Concert Hall, Windgate Center 18
Public Event: TROY: UCA Jazz Ensembles featuring Saxophonist Troy Roberts
