2023-24
The cast and crew from the Department of Drama's Spring 2023 production of RENT in the Claire Trevor Theatre
Photo: Paul R. Kennedy
Photo: Will Tee Yang
Dean’s Message
Dear friends,
As we embark upon the 2023-24 academic year, I am thrilled to share our upcoming performance and exhibition season at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts (CTSA). It is a privilege to lead such a vibrant and diverse community of artists, scholars and creative thinkers who collectively shape the heart and soul of our institution.
Our sense of an academic community is one of profound importance. It is a space where creativity flourishes, where boundaries are pushed, and where the power of research and collaboration intertwine to illuminate new horizons.
In alignment with our commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research and connections, we envision a future where collaboration extends beyond our own walls. Our collective expertise and distinctive perspectives have the potential to enrich the wider university community, transcending traditional boundaries and sparking innovative dialogues that reverberate far beyond our studios and theaters.
2023-24 is also significant as it marks the Chancellor's new "Year of Free Speech" initiative. This initiative, which I am honored and proud of co-chairing with Dean Austen Parrish from the UCI School of Law, is a testament to our dedication to open discourse and the exploration of diverse viewpoints. This universitywide series of programs and events, supported by the Office of the Chancellor and the UC National Center on Free Speech and Civic Engagement, helmed by Executive Director Michelle Deutchman, will delve into the profound values of free expression and academic freedom.
Under the umbrella of this initiative, CTSA will proudly present a number of thought-provoking events that will challenge our perceptions, ignite conversations, and stimulate creative responses. We firmly believe that the arts have a unique ability to foster dialogue and inspire introspection, making our involvement in the "Year of Free Speech" a natural extension of our mission.
As we prepare to unveil our performance and exhibition season, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to each of you for your generosity of spirit and unwavering dedication to the arts and our community. With great excitement, I anticipate the incredible works, collaborations, and discoveries awaiting in the upcoming months.
Together, let us continue to nurture an academic environment where innovation thrives, where artistic boundaries are redefined, and where the spirit of free expression reigns supreme. I am confident that the collective brilliance of the arts and the UCI community will illuminate our path forward.
Tiffany Ana López, Ph.D. Dean
Department Leadership
Kevin Appel, Chair Department of Art
Executive Director
University Art Galleries (UAG)
Associate Director
Jack and Shanaz Langson Institute and Museum of California Art (IMCA)
Professor of Visual Art art.arts.uci.edu
Dr. Kelli Sharp, Chair Department of Dance
Director, Center for Medical Humanities
Co-Director of iMove LabUCI’s Sue & Bill Gross
Stem Cell Research Center (SCRC)
Co-Vice Chair for Research for Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, UCI School of Medicine
Associate Professor of Dance Science dance.arts.uci.edu
Don Hill, Chair Department of Drama
Season Producer
Co-Head of Stage Management Professor of Teaching drama.arts.uci.edu
Michael Dessen, Interim Chair Department of Music
Co-Founder of Integrated Composition, Improvisation and Technology (ICIT)
Director of the Gassmann Electronic Music Studios
Jazz Program Coordinator Professor of Music music.arts.uci.edu
Associate Deans
Alan Terricciano Associate Dean for Academic Personnel and Undergraduate Affairs Professor of Dance
Daphne Lei Associate Dean for Graduate Affairs Director, UCI Illuminations Head of Doctoral Studies, Drama Professor of Doctoral Studies
Jesse Colin Jackson Associate Dean, Research and Innovation
Executive Director, Beall Center
Associate Professor of Art
Fall 2023
Sept. 30-Jan. 13*
Oct. 7-Dec. 16*
E.A.A.T. Experiments in Art, Access and Technology BEALL
Affective Resistance UAG, R
Oct. 7-Dec. 16* Think of it as Money!: A Solo Project by Adrià Julià CAC
Oct. 25*
Nov. 11-18
Nov. 15*
Nov. 21
Nov. 29*
Dec. 4*
Dec. 6*
Dec. 7*
Dec. 7-9
Dec. 8*
Dec. 11*
Winter 2024
Through Jan. 13*
Vocal Arts Concert: Melissa McCann WSH
Drama: Cabaret CTT
Small Jazz Groups WSH
UCI Symphony Orchestra IBT
UCI Jazz Orchestra WSH
Wind Ensemble WSH
Guitar Ensemble WSH
Tenth Thursday Undergraduate Student Exhibition AC
Dance: New Slate 2023 CTT
UCI Choral Concert TBD
Chamber Music Concert WSH
E.A.A.T. Experiments in Art, Access and Technology BEALL
Jan. 20-April 6* On the Passage of a Few People Through a Rather CAC
Brief Period of Time
Jan. 27-April 20*
Jan. 27
Feb. 2
Feb. 3-10
Feb. 9
Feb. 10-March 2*
Feb. 16*
Feb. 21*
Feb. 22-24
Feb. 28*
March 2
March 7
March 9-16
March 11*
March 13*
Katherine Behar: Ack! Knowledge! Work! BEALL
Music Faculty Artist Series: Hossein Omoumi WSH
Music Faculty Artist Series: Yuliya Minina, piano: WSH
Music She Composed
Drama: King Lear CTT
Music Faculty Artist Series: Mari Mikura, violin WSH
M.F.A. 2nd Year Exhibition UAG, R
Music: Zulal WSH
Small Jazz Groups WSH
Dance Visions 2024 IBT
UCI Jazz Orchestra WSH
Music Faculty Artist Series: Lorna Griffitt, piano WSH
UCI Symphony Orchestra IBT
Drama: The Bald Soprano RCT
Wind Ensemble WSH
Guitar Ensemble WSH
2023-24 Season-At-A-Glance
March 13
March 14*
March 14-23*
UCI Chamber Singers and Concert Choir: Faure & Gjeilo accompanied by the UCI Symphony Orchestra
Tenth Thursday Undergraduate Student Exhibition
19th Annual Guest Juried Undergraduate Exhibition
March 18* Chamber Music Concert
Spring 2024
Through Apr. 20*
April 5
April 12*
April 18-20
April 20-May 4*
April 22-23*
April 27-May 4
May 2-4
May 11-12
May 11-25*
May 15*
May 18-19*
May 19
May 22*
May 24*
May 31*
June 1-8
June 3*
June 5*
June 6*
Katherine Behar: Ack! Knowledge! Work! BEALL
Music Faculty Artist Series: Matt Hare, double bass WSH
Vocal Arts Concert: Nordic and Slavic Repertoire WSH
Dance Escape 2024 CTT
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, part 1 CAC, R, UAG
Music: Galan Trio WSH
Drama: The Brothers Paranormal xMPL
Dance: Physical Graffiti 2024 CTT
UCI Opera and UCI Symphony: The Turn of the Screw IBT
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibition, part 2
CAC, R, UAG
Small Jazz Groups WSH
Coup de Comedy Festival AC
Music Faculty Artist Series: Dennis Kim, violin WSH
UCI Jazz Orchestra WSH
Music: ICIT Showcase Concert WSH
UCI Choral Concert WSH
Drama: The Prom CTT
Wind Ensemble WSH
Guitar Ensemble WSH
Tenth Thursday Undergraduate Student Exhibition AC
June 6-15* Undergraduate Honors Thesis Exhibition CAC, R, UAG
June 7
June 10*
UCI Symphony Orchestra IBT
Chamber Music Concert WSH
Venues
AMP Arts Plaza Amphitheatre
AC Arts Campus
BC Beall Center for Art + Technology
CAC Contemporary Arts Center
CTT Claire Trevor Theatre
IBT△ Irvine Barclay Theatre
NS New Swan Theater
RCT Robert Cohen Theatre R Room Gallery
ONLINE Live or recorded event presented online
UAG University Art Gallery
WSH Winifred Smith Hall
xMPL Experimental Media Performance Lab
Check website for specifics.
△ Venue not on CTSA campus. Consult CTSA website maps: www.arts.uci.edu/directions
Dates, venues, titles are subject to change.
Please check our online events calendar (www.arts.uci.edu/calendar) for the most current information.
* indicates free event / indicates tentative shuttle availability.
1968
Department of Art
2007 1983 1971
2014
2023
The founding faculty and early student body of the UC Irvine Art Department reads like a who’s who of the 1960s Southern California art scene. The founder of the University Art Gallery and first chair was British curator, critic and photographer John Coplans, who had a long affiliation with Artforum magazine, eventually serving as Editor-in-Chief. Other instructors included abstract sculptor Tony DeLap, ceramist John Mason, painter Vija Celmins and Beverly O’Neill, who would go on to become Provost of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), as well as Craig Kauffman, Robert Morris, Robert Irwin and Ed Moses, among others. This powerhouse faculty attracted talent immediately, counting among its first students, iconic "Light and Space" artist, James Turrell, one of the primary initiators of the Institutional Critique movement, Michael Asher, and controversial performance artist Chris Burden. In one of his most famous pieces while at UC Irvine, Burden locked himself into a locker for five days with a bottle of water. This locker is still located upstairs by the black and white photo lab. Today, the faculty comprises prolific nationally and internationally recognized artists and scholars who focus on a multitude of dynamic paths to engage in art making, including painting, drawing, photography, sculpture, digital filmmaking, installation, performance, electronic art and design, art writing, critical theory, and curatorial studies. As a testament, UCI Art has 14 Guggenheim Fellows from various backgrounds and fields of study, including five current faculty.
Oct. 7-Dec. 9, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m.
Affective Resistance
Curated by Liz Glynn and Alberto Lule (M.F.A. ’24)
Affective Resistance brings together works by eight artists using performance art and materialist abstraction as modes of resistance to systemic racism and state power. Works explore the conflict between democratic liberty and carceral system subjugation. Site-specific interventions confront government-controlled locations, juxtaposed with experimental abstract political gestures. Featured artists include rafa esparza, Tarik Garrett, Pelagie Gbaguidi, donna kukama, Rodney McMillian, Alicia Piller, Nyugen Smith and Chanell Stone.
University Art Gallery
Room Gallery
Free admission
Generous support for Affective Resistance is provided by the Claire Trevor Society.
Image: Nyugen E. Smith and Dominique Duroseau, "Performing the Flag (A New Flag for the Caribbean/A Flag for the New Caribbean)," 2017. Photo courtesy of Nyugen E. Smith and Pascal Bernier.
Oct. 7-Dec. 16, 2023
Opening Reception: Saturday, Oct. 7, 2 p.m. Think of it as Money!
A Solo Project by Adrià Julià
Curated by Juli Carson
Making Money, Adrià Julià's mixed-media project, is a series of works that weave a dreamscape centered on the legacy of Hercule Florence, a 19th-century pioneer of photography who attempted to invent the Brazilian banknote. In Julià’s hands, the banknote is a focal point for the problematic shift towards digital wallets and the marginalization of cash.
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery
Free admission
Image: Adrià Julià, "Little Bird that Eats Stone Knows its Ass (4306)," 2019. Mix media. 16.54x23.39 in.
Copyright © Adrià Julià.
Jan. 20-April 7, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, Jan. 20, 2 p.m.
On the Passage of a Few People Through a Rather Brief Period of Time
Curated by by Juli Carson
On the Passage of a Few People Through a Rather Brief Period of Time showcases "project-based" work by artists influenced by Mary Kelly, with her film WLM Demo Remix as its thesis. It explores historical moments of resistance, framed within an intergenerational and historically specific discourse. Inspired by Kelly's online conversation at Tate Modern in 2015, the exhibition delves into the transmission of collective desire and historical memory. The exhibition is organized in coordination with the release of Mary Kelly’s Concentric Pedagogy: Selected Writings, edited by Juli Carson and published by Bloomsbury Press.
Artists: Mary Kelly, Sharon Hayes, Every Ocean Hughes (b. Emily Roysdon), Damir Avdagic, Abigail Collins, Kerry Tribe, Latipa (b. Michele Dizon), Karl Haendel, Meleko Mokgosi
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery Free admission
Forthcoming Publication:
Mary Kelly’s Concentric Pedagogy: Selected Writings Bloomsbury Press
Editor: Juli Carson
New Encounters Series Editor: Griselda Pollock
January 2024
"Juli Carson has worked with the artist Mary Kelly to assemble documents, articles, teaching materials and artists’ portfolios along with the record of a historic participatory on-line event, all of which radically expands the interface of practice, thought, transmission and theoretical intervention. This unique volume is at once an archive of Mary Kelly’s pedagogy in studio practice at a historic moment of the interaction of feminism and postconceptual art making, and an intellectual portrait of one historic pedagogical undertaking in art education, Mary Kelly’s 'concentric pedagogy."'
—Griselda Pollock, art historian and cultural analyst of international, postcolonial feminist studies in visual arts and visual culture
Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 14, 2024, 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 6, 2024, 6:30 p.m.
Tenth Thursday Undergraduate Student Exhibitions
Organized by Liz Glynn and Deborah Oliver
Join us for Tenth Thursday, an evening of art exhibitions and projects by the Department of Art talented and creative undergraduates. Experience diverse works in painting, drawing, ceramics, photography, video, sculpture, performance, and installations. Interact with the artists and celebrate the culmination of their end-of-the-quarter class projects. Don't miss this inspiring cultural event!
Arts Campus
Free admission and Pascal Bernier.
Student Exhibitions
Feb. 10-March 2, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, Feb. 10, 2 p.m.
M.F.A. 2nd Year Exhibition
View an exhibition by emerging artists in the various galleries as M.F.A. students in the Department of Art exhibit works for their second year review. Featured artists to be announced.
University Art Gallery, Room Gallery Free admission
March 14-23, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, March 14, 6 p.m.
19th Annual Guest Juried
Undergraduate Exhibition
Join the Department of Art for the 19th interdisciplinary exhibition featuring students from across the art campus. The selected student’s works include painting, drawing, photography, installation, sculpture and experimental performance video.
University Art Galleries Free admission
April 20-May 4, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, April 20, 2 p.m.
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibitions, Part I
Exhibitions presented by M.F.A. candidates in the Department of Art. Featured artists to be announced.
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery, University Art Gallery, Room Gallery Free admission
May 11-25, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, May 11, 2 p.m.
M.F.A. Thesis Exhibitions, Part 2
Exhibitions presented by M.F.A. candidates in the Department of Art. Featured artists to be announced.
Contemporary Arts Center Gallery, University Art Gallery, Room Gallery Free admission
June 6-15, 2024
Opening Reception: Thursday, June 6, 6 p.m.
Undergraduate Honors
Thesis Exhibition
Thesis exhibitions presented by the cohort in the undergraduate honors program in the Department of Art. Featured artists to be announced.
University Art Gallery, Room Gallery Free admission
Department of Dance
1965 2005 1984 1973 2015
2023
Dean Clayton Garrison asked dance visionary Eugene Loring to join the UC Irvine faculty as founding Chair of the Department of Dance, and he remained a professor at the School until 1981. Loring had already had an illustrious professional career, which took off in the depths of the Great Depression when he was accepted into George Balanchine and Lincoln Kirstein’s newly formed School of American Ballet. Joining Loring on the faculty was legendary English dancer and choreographer Antony Tudor, and together, the two staged significant works at the School, including Loring’s iconic Aaron Copeland ballet, Billy the Kid. Current Dance Professor Molly Lynch was a student of both Loring’s and Tudor’s and remembers those years as being marked by professionalism and collaboration. “Within the conservatory model established by Clayton Garrison, the department was run like a company,” Lynch recalls. “Though obviously we were an academic community, everyone was at heart serious about the craft and dedicated to artistic excellence.” The Department continues in this spirit today. The Department has since expanded the curriculum to develop a strong foundation in various dance forms, including ballet, hip hop, modern, jazz and contemporary while fostering collaboration, cultivating connections and building bridges to the broader dance community. They believe in embracing diversity, promoting inclusion and striving for excellence for all dancers.
Dec.
7-9, 2023
New Slate
Lisa Naugle and Vitor Luiz, artistic directors
Experience an exciting showcase featuring original choreography by the talented M.F.A. candidates in the Department of Dance. Join us on an unforgettable journey through the captivating world of dance as we present a collection of unique and inspiring dances that reflect the immense talent of our choreographers and dancers at UCI.
Claire Trevor Theatre
Dec. 7, 8, 9 8 p.m.
Dec. 9 2 p.m.
$ 25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
Also streaming Dec. 7, 8 p.m. | $15
Feb.
22-24, 2024
Dance Visions
Kelli Sharp and Cyrian Reed, artistic directors
Dance Visions 2024 is the premier annual production for the Department of Dance at UC Irvine’s Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Comprised of works by faculty choreographers, the concert presents a diverse program of genres. Each new performance draws upon the fusion of dance, music and theatrical elements and is the culmination of exploration in the creative space.
This year’s faculty choreographers include UCI Distinguished Professor Lar Lubovitch, Ariyan Johnson, Cyrian Reed, Vitor Luiz with music composed by Alan Terriccino. There will also be a special restaging of George Balanchine’s "Serenade" with Diane Diefenderfer serving as the repetiteur.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
Feb. 22, 23, 24 8 p.m.
Feb. 24 2 p.m.
$ 30 / 26 / 26 / 24 / 10
Also streaming Feb. 24, 2 p.m. | $15
2023-24
April 18-20, 2024
Dance Escape
Chad Michael Hall and S. Ama Wray, artistic directors
Join us for an unforgettable evening as M.F.A. choreographers present a dynamic program of original new works that celebrate the extraordinary talents of both graduate and undergraduate dancers. Get ready to be mesmerized as they transport you to a realm of movement and emotion, combining the synergy of innovation and tradition in a one-of-a-kind performance.
Claire Trevor Theatre
April 18, 19, 20 8 p.m.
April 20 2 p.m
$ 25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
May 2-4, 2024
Physical Graffiti 2024
Lindsay Gilmour and Molly Lynch, artistic directors
From graceful ballet to high-energy hip hop, and everything in between, our talented undergraduate choreographers will take you on an emotional journey like no other. Experience the power of movement as it transcends boundaries through this annual dance concert.
Claire Trevor Theatre
May 2, 3, 4 8 p.m.
May 4 2 p.m.
$ 25 / 22 / 20 / 21 / 10
2023-24
UCI dancers perform during the 2019 Dance Visions faculty choreography showcase for Lar Lubovitch’s “Dvorák Serenade (2007)” at the Irvine Barclay Theatre.
Photo: Rose Eichenbaum
1966
Department of Drama
2002 1985 1971 2014
2023
Since its inception, UC Irvine has never known life without the inestimable talents of Professor Emeritus of Drama Dr. Robert Cohen. Cohen is a longtime professional director, translator, playwright, essayist, theatre critic and the author of many texts which set the standard for theatre pedagogy. As the founding Chair of the Department of Drama, he chose as his directorial debut Tennessee Williams’ emotionally expansive The Night of the Iguana, which was joined that season by the light musical Little Mary Sunshine and the American premiere of avant-garde British work What a Lovely War. Cohen recalls that there were seven students in the Drama major that first year, and the Department did not yet have its own sound or lighting designer. As a result, the cast of Iguana included a mix of actors from the community and students from various departments; Dean Clayton Garrison also allowed Cohen to hire Broadway lighting designer Peter Hunt, giving the show a distinctly professional and striking look. “Those years held a tangible excitement,” recalls Cohen. Now, the Department can claim that for the past decade, non-stop, we have had one or more of our students or alumni on the Broadway stage and behind the scenes. This rich heritage of breadth, creative boldness and professional distinction continue to inform the Department.
A themed season of “Love and Identity”
Generous support for the Departmetn of Drama season is provided by the Robert and Lorna Cohen Endowment for Excellence in Drama, Theatre Guild, and Claire Trevor Society.
Nov. 11-18, 2023
Cabaret
Music by John Kander
Lyrics by Fred Ebb
Book by Joe Masteroff
Conducted by Sain Leyva
Music Direction by Benet Braun
Choreographer by Cyrian Reed
Directed by Angela Cruz
Set in a tumultuous post-World War I Berlin, during the rise of the Nazi Party, Cabaret tells the story of American writer Clifford "Cliff" Bradshaw who becomes romantically involved with cabaret performer Sally Bowles, whom he meets at the Kit Kat Club. As Nazi occupation in Germany mounts, Cliff's and Sally's relationship is similarly brought to bear in a series of increasingly dire and violent events.
Claire Trevor Theatre
Nov. 11, 16, 17, 18 8 p.m.
Nov. 12*, 18 2 p.m.
Nov. 15 7:30 p.m.
*Join us for a TalkBack with cast/crew after the matinee on Sunday, Nov. 12.
$25 / $22 / $20 / $21 / $10
Feb. 3-10, 2024
King Lear
Written by William Shakespeare
Directed by Lucas James Nelson
King Lear, written by William Shakespeare, tells the tragic tale of King Lear, the aging king of Britain, who intends to divide his kingdom among his daughters Goneril, Regan, and Cordelia. Goneril and Regan smother him with provocations of love; Cordelia, however, declines to flatter her father with superficial claims of devotion and is consequently disowned and banished by Lear. In true Shakespearian tradition, betrayal ensues and painful life lessons are learned, in the quest for love and identity.
Claire Trevor Theatre
Feb. 3, 8, 9, 10 8 p.m.
Feb. 4*, 10 2 p.m.
Feb. 7 7:30 p.m.
*Join us for a TalkBack with cast/crew after the matinee on Sunday, Feb. 4.
$25 / $22 / $20 / $21 / $10 2023-24
March 9-16, 2024
The Bald Soprano
Written by Eugène Ionesco
Directed by Mihai Maniutiu
The Bald Soprano is written by Romanian-French avant-garde playwright Eugène Ionesco and directed by Mihai Maniutiu. Considered an absurdist "anti-play," The Bald Soprano introduces the Smiths, a traditional, middle-class English couple who have invited the Martins—a similar couple— over for a visit. The two couples exchange rote, elliptical, nonsensical dialogue and are occasionally joined by Mary, the Smiths' housemaid, and the Fire Chief—Mary's former lover. Director Maniutiu explores the relationship between humor and absurdist theatre in this exciting new production.
Robert Cohen Theatre
March 9, 14, 15, 16 8 p.m.
March 10*, 16 2 p.m.
March 13 7:30 p.m
*Join us for a TalkBack with cast/crew after the matinee on Sunday, March 10.
$25 / $22 / $20 / $21 / $10
April 27-May 4, 2024
The Brothers Paranormal
Written by Prince Gomolvilas
Guest directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera
The Brothers Paranormal is written by Prince Gomolvilas and guest directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera. Two Thai American brothers set out to launch a ghost-hunting business after a nationwide rise in sightings of "Asian-looking ghosts." The two are soon called on to investigate the home of a couple who've been displaced by Hurricane Katrina—all of whom experience the haunting of a particularly malevolent spirit.
Experimental Media Performance Lab (xMPL)
April 27, May 2, 3, 4 8 p.m.
April 28*, May 4 2 p.m.
May 1 7:30 p.m.
*Join us for a TalkBack with cast/crew after the matinee on Sunday, April 28.
$25 / $22 / $20 / $21 / $10
Special Student-Led Event
June 1-8, 2024
The Prom
Music by Matthew Sklar
Lyrics by Chad Beguelin
Book by Bob Martin and Chad Beguelin
Music Direction by Trevor Bourland
Choreography by Nikki Snelson
Co-Directed by Don Hill and Daniel Keeling
The Prom follows four Broadway actors who journey to the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana, after learning that the town's local high school has banned Emma Nolan—a lesbian student—from bringing her girlfriend to the dance. Drama Desk Award winner for Best Musical and six Tony Award nominations, Variety magazine states: "The Prom is so full of happiness that your heart is about to burst."
Claire Trevor Theatre
June 1, 6, 7, 8 8 p.m.
June 2*, 8 2 p.m.
June 5 7:30 p.m.
*Join us for a TalkBack with cast/crew after the matinee on Sunday, June 2.
$25 / $22 / $20 / $21 / $10
May
18-19, 2024
Coup de Comedy Festival
Organized by Joel Veenstra
Hosted by Improv Revolution
A free four-day comedy festival featuring panels, workshops, and performances available to the community at UCI and with some online offerings.
Arts Campus
Free admission
For more information, visit drama.arts.uci.edu
Department of Music
1965 2008 1983 1971 2014
2023
Founding Chair H. Colin Slim was at first the School’s only full-time faculty member in the Department of Music. This required him to teach nine courses each year initially but also allowed him to widen his musical experience, as he was recruited to provide accompaniment for Little Mary Sunshine, one of the School’s first big shows. “I didn’t know a thing about musical theatre,” he recalled, “but I jumped in and learned it and had a great time. That’s what we did in those early years. There was a lot of professional respect for each other as artists, and a definite spirit of collaboration.” Maurice Allard, Mehli Mehta and Roger Wagner rounded out the music faculty. Much has changed in the years since, and today the Department couples strengths in more traditional vocal and orchestral music with innovative programs designed around new approaches to musical creation and performance. Our graduate Ph.D. program in Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology stands out for its exploration of the role of computers in audio processing, sound spatialization, networked performance, interactivity and alternative computer-mediated instruments. Currently, the Department offers two Ph.D.s, M.F.A.s in six specializations and a Bachelor's in Music.
Faculty Artist Series
Saturday, Jan. 27, 2024, 8 p.m.
Hossein Omoumi
Innovations in Pedagogy and Instruments Design
Special performance with UCSD Music Professor Shahrokh Yadegari
In celebration of the internationally renowned musician Hossein Omoumi and his extraordinary achievements in music education, performance, and instrument design innovations, several renowned artists and scholars will share their music and thoughts with the audience. This event will include music performances by selected UCI and non-UCI students of Hossein Omoumi, as well as a special performance by Hossein Omoumi and UCSD Music Professor Shahrokh Yadegari.
There will be a light reception with Persian delights open to all attendees after the performance.
Winifred Smith Hall
$ 20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 7
This event is co-sponsored by the Music Department at UC Irvine and UCI Jordan Center for Persian Studies and Culture. Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Friday, Feb. 2, 2024, 8 p.m.
Yuliya Minina, piano: Music She Composed
Yevgeniya Kobylyanska, cello Frances Bennett, soprano
UCI pianist Yuliya Minina will be joined by her friends and colleagues Yevgeniya Kobylyanska (cello) and Frances Bennett (soprano) in a recital featuring music of female composers, including Dora Pejačević, Víteszlava Kaprálová, and Poldowski.
Winifred Smith Hall
$ 20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 7
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Friday, Feb. 9, 2024, 8 p.m.
Mari Kimura, violin
Guest performer, Suejin Jung, piano
Violinist and composer Mari Kimura will give a solo recital including classical, contemporary, and original compositions.
Winifred Smith Hall
$ 20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 7
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Saturday, March 2, 2024, 8 p.m.
Lorna Griffitt,
piano
Professor and pianist Lorna Griffitt's solo recital features Bach's Toccata in E Minor, a work with four imaginative, highly contrasting and seamlessly performed movements for solo keyboard. She will continue with Beethoven's Sonata in A Major, Op. 101, short works by Musgrave, Chopin, Clara Schumann, and Robert Schumann, concluding with Rachmaninoff's sumptuous transcription of Fritz Kreisler's Liebesleid.
Winifred Smith Hall
$ 20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 7
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Friday, April 5, 2024, 8 p.m.
Matt Hare, double bass
Matt Hare is a prolific musician championing the technical possibilities of the double bass in solo and chamber settings. In honor of the 150th anniversary of Serge Koussevitzky’s birth, this program will include works either composed by or for Koussevitzky or commissioned by the Koussevitzky Foundation. Hare will perform on Koussevitzky’s personal instrument on special loan from the International Society of Double Bassists. Guest soprano Courtney Taylor of the LA Opera and LA Master Chorale will join for George Crumb’s Madrigals, Book I. The evening’s premiere of Rob Voisey/Vox Novus’ FifteenMinutes-of-Fame, a conglomeration of fifteen one-minute works chosen from worldwide submissions, celebrates Koussevitzky’s efforts to cultivate new works.
Winifred Smith Hall
$ 20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 7
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Sunday, May 19, 2024, 5 p.m.
Dennis Kim, violin
A citizen of the world, Dennis Kim was born in Korea, raised in Canada and educated in the United States. He has spent over a decade leading orchestras in the United States, Europe and Asia. Also a dedicated teacher, Kim is the Assistant Professor of Violin at the Claire Trevor School of the Arts. Join us for a concert like no other.
Winifred Smith Hall
$ 20 / 17 / 17 / 15 / 7
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund. 2023-24
Music Ensembles
Exploring Musical Pathways: UCI's Department of Music Ensembles
The Department of Music in the UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts provides the opportunity for all students to unleash their musical passion. Open to ALL UCI students, auditions during Welcome Week unlock a world of ensemble possibilities. Dive into the rhythm of Jazz Ensembles, from the premier big band UCI Jazz Orchestra to intimate Small Groups. Vocal Arts offers intensive vocal music study for both undergraduates and graduates, nurturing future vocal stars. Students, faculty and staff may join the ranks of the prestigious UCI Symphony Orchestra, where music majors, non-majors, and community members create symphonic magic. Alternatively, the UCI Wind Ensemble focuses on wind and percussion compositions, a playground for instrumentalists. And if you are a student and love to sing, UCI's choirs welcome all levels of vocalists! UCI Music transcends boundaries and creates a diverse ensemble community of musicians across musicians across the campus.
Generous support for all of the ensemble performances is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund
Tuesday, Nov. 21, 2023, 8 p.m.
Thursday, March 7, 2024, 8 p.m.
Friday, June 7, 2024, 8 p.m.
UCI Symphony Orchestra
Dr. Geoffrey Pope, conductor
Join the UCI Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of conductor Dr. Geoffrey Pope, for the first concert of the season! Celebrating the kick-off to the holiday season, join the maestro and students for an evening of orchestral music by renowned composers.
The UCI Symphony Orchestra is one of the premier large performance ensembles in Orange County, representing the Department of Music. The orchestra has existed since 1966 and offers music majors, non-majors, faculty and other community members the opportunity to study and perform symphonic music of the ages.
Join Maestro Geoffrey Pope for a Pre-Concert Conversation at 7 p.m.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
$ 21 / 18 / 18 / 16 / 8
Generous support is provided by Charlie and Ling Zhang, UCI Friends of the Symphony, and the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2024, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 15, 2024, 8 p.m.
UCI Small Jazz Groups
Organized by Michael Dessen
Please join us for an evening of exciting music and improvisation as the UCI Undergraduate Jazz Program quarterly concert showcases the Small Group student ensembles. There will be three groups performing under the direction of the jazz faculty.
Winifred Smith Hall Free admission
Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2023, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 28, 2024, 8 p.m.
Wednesday, May 22, 2024, 8 p.m.
UCI Jazz Orchestra
Michael Dessen, director
Join the UCI Jazz Orchestra for an evening of warm and exciting large-ensemble jazz music, from big band era classics to diverse modern sounds.
Winifred Smith Hall Free admission
Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 11, 2024, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 3, 2024, 8 p.m.
UCI Wind Ensemble
Kevin McKeown, conductor
The UCI Wind Ensemble, under the direction of Kevin McKeown, performs traditional and contemporary works written specifically for the wind band genre.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
UCI Choirs
Dr. Irene Messoloras, ensembles conductor and director of choral activities
Friday, Dec. 8, 2023, 8 p.m.
Sounds of the Season with the UC Irvine Chamber Singers, Concert Choir, and Voces Chamber Ensemble
The choirs perform a broad holiday repertoire featuring traditional classics and modern holiday themed music and carol arrangements. A great holiday concert for the whole family.
For location and updates, visit music.arts.uci.edu
Free admission
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 8 p.m.
UCI Chamber Singers and Concert
Choir: Faure & Gjeilo accompanied by the UCI Symphony Orchestra
Experience the captivating beauty of Fauré's Requiem and Ola Gjeilo's Norway-inspired works sung by the UCI Chamber Singers and Concert Choir.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
$ 21 / 18 / 18 / 16 / 8
Friday, May 31, 2024, 8 p.m.
UCI Choral Concert
The UC Irvine Chamber Singers and Voces Chamber Ensemble will present a delightful evening of inspirational song.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Generous support for the UCI Choirs productions are provided by friends of Choral Activities, the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund and Professor Emeritus Joseph Huszti.
Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2023, 12 p.m.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024, 12 p.m.
Wednesday, June 5, 2024, 12 p.m.
UCI Guitar Ensemble
Organized by Alexander Dunn
Discover the enchanting melodies of UCI guitar students as they harmonize the world's timeless compositions. From solo to quartet, witness six centuries of global repertoire, blending guitars and instruments in a mesmerizing performance.
Winifred Smith Hall Free admission
Monday, Dec. 11, 2023, 8 p.m.
Monday, March 18, 2024, 8 p.m.
Monday, June 10, 2024, 8 p.m.
UCI Chamber Music Concert
Organized by Sarah Koo Freeman
A program featuring talented students from UCI’s Department of Music performing chamber music masterworks.
Winifred Smith Hall Free admission
Harmonizing Across the Emerald Isle
In June 2023, Dr. Irene Messoloras, professor and director of choral activities in the Department of Music, orchestrated a remarkable trip for the UCI Claire Trevor School of the Arts Chamber Singers. The premier ensemble spent a week in Ireland touring and performing as part of the American Songbook Choral Festival. The festival focused on the folk-inspired music of composer and songwriter Shawn Kirchner, set against the backdrop of Ireland, a land known for its traditional music. Throughout the trip, students explored numerous local and national attractions, including the Antrim Coast, Giants Causeway and Cliffs of Moher. The ensemble performed concerts and recitals at Kylemore Abbey, Dublin City University All Hallows campus, and completed a recording session at Maynooth University. They were also granted the privilege of performing in several historically significant locations across the country, including Derry, Dublin and Galway. The accompanying image captures the chamber singer's performance in the Chapel at Dublin City University in Dublin.
Photo: Courtesy of Dr. Irene Messoloras
Special Events
Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2023, 8 p.m.
Vocal Arts Concert: Melissa McCann
Accompanied by Junko Nojima, piano
Organized by Darryl Taylor
Professional soprano and educator, Dr. Melissa McCann, UCI M.F.A. ’14, is returning to her alma mater to deliver a soul-stirring recital. McCann has been hailed for her "great sense of line and legato" and is recognized as a rising young talent in opera. She has graced the stages of institutions such as the Highlands Opera Studio, Pittsburgh Festival Opera, Pacific Opera Theatre, and Opera San José, among others. Accompanied by Junko Nojima on the piano, McCann will also conduct a public masterclass before her performance.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Friday, Feb. 16, 2024, 8 p.m.
Zulal
An a cappella trio of Armenian-American women
Teni Apelian, Anaïs Alexandra Tekerian, Yeraz Markarian Organized the Center for Armenian Studies
Zulal, which means “clear water”, is an a cappella trio that transforms Armenia’s village folk melodies into arrangements that pay tribute to the music’s ancient roots while allowing it new possibilities. Zulal celebrates the trials and joys of old Armenian life, from the echoes of loss to the enduring vibrations of dance and celebration. The trio has performed in such esteemed venues as the Getty Museum, the MET, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the Berklee College of Music, and the Kennedy Center. Zulal has four critically acclaimed albums to its credit.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Co-sponsored by UCI Illuminations, School of Humanities, Department of History, Department of Music, Global Middle East Studies, Jordan Center for Persian Studies, OC Armenian Festival, and OC Armenian Professional Society with generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
April 2024
Honors Concert
Organized by Lorna Griffitt, Sarah Koo and Nina Scolnik
The annual Honors Concert showcases outstanding music students in solo and ensemble performances from classical to jazz and beyond. Don’t miss this special opportunity to hear exceptionally talented musicians from all disciplines from the department of music.
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Check back for dates and additional information at music.arts.uci.edu
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Friday, April 12, 2024, 8 p.m.
Vocal Arts Concert:
Nordic and Slavic Repertoire
Organized by Darryl Taylor, Frances Bennett and Yuliya Minina
UCI students showcase a unique concert performing fervent Scandinavian melodies by Sibelius, Grieg, Stenhammar, and more, in Swedish and Norwegian. Additionally, they'll present Ukrainian art songs, delving into lesser-known works of Lyatoshinsky, Kosenko, and Lysenko
Winifred Smith Hall
Free admission
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Ph.D. Program
May 11-12, 2024
UCI Opera and UCI Symphony Present: The Turn of the Screw
Benjamin Britten, composer Myfanwy Piper, libretto
Adapted from the novel by Henry James Darryl Taylor, artistic director Geoffrey Pope, conductor Yuliya Minina, assistant music director
Experience the chilling suspense of The Turn of the Screw, a haunting two-act opera based on Henry James' classic novella. Opera at UCI’s production follows the enigmatic Governess as she confronts malevolent spirits in a grand estate, navigating a world where reality and the supernatural intertwine. Prepare for a captivating, unforgettable journey into psychological terror.
Irvine Barclay Theatre
May 11 8 p.m.
May 12 2 p.m.
$ 21 / 18 / 18 / 16 / 8
Generous support is provided by the Opera Guild and Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund
Friday, May 24, 2024, 8 p.m.
ICIT Showcase Concert
Organized by Kojiro Umezaki
This annual concert presents original new works by Ph.D. students in Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology (ICIT) in the UCI Music Department.
Winifred Smith Hall Free admission
Generous support is provided by the Marjorie & Rawlins Endowed Fund.
Trailblazing Music
Celebrate innovation and creativity with the Department of Music at the University of California, Irvine, as they mark the 15th anniversary of the graduate program in Integrated Composition, Improvisation, and Technology (ICIT). This unique program transcends musical boundaries, blending classical composition, computer music, improvisation and jazz under the guidance of a dedicated core faculty. With an emphasis on fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, students receive personalized mentorship to craft cutting-edge projects that redefine contemporary music. Stay tuned for more information about an anniversary concert.
2023-24
DEPARTMENT OF MUSIC
Photo: Will Tee Yang
In 1998, the Claire Trevor School of the Arts was awarded a significant gift from the Rockwell International Corporation, supporting the foundation and infrastructure for the Donald R. and Joan F. Beall Center for Art + Technology. Since its opening in 2000, the Beall has exhibited works by over 350 professional artists. Its curatorial focus presents diverse artists working with experimental and interactive media. The approach is not to exclusively emphasize the technological aspects of works but to present experimental media projects that are equally strong aesthetically, conceptually and technically as they explore responsiveness, interactivity and generative transformations. The Beall’s public programs expanded over the years to include college and high school tours, an undergraduate docent program, film screenings, artist lectures and robotics camps. Through these programs, they introduced new audiences and expanded the conceptions of established audiences to the potential of technology in the arts. As the Beall continues to innovate in the ever-emerging realm of art and technology, they will present in 2024 Future Tense: Art, Complexity, and Predictability through the Getty Museum’s Pacific Standard Time initiative, PST ART: Art & Science Collide, marking the beginning of their twenty-fifth-anniversary celebrations. Beall exhibitions and programming are generously supported by The Beall Family Foundation. 2000 2011 2007 2005
Sept. 30, 2023-Jan. 13, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, Sept. 30, 2-5 p.m.
E.A.A.T. Experiments in Art, Access and Technology
Organized by Leonardo/ISAST
Curated by Vanessa Chang and Lindsey D. Felt
Program curated by Claudia Alick
Experiments in Art, Access and Technology, or E.A.A.T. chronicles the emergence of access as an animating principle of art, science, and technology. Meesh Fradkin, Carmen Papalia, Josephine Sales, Andy Slater, and Olivia Ting premiere new work developed in Leonardo CripTech Incubator, an art and technology fellowship for disability innovation.
Beall Center for Art + Technology Gallery Hours | Tuesday-Saturday | Noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
For more information, visit beall.arts.uci.edu
Image: Olivia Ting, “Song Without Words," 2023. Image courtesy of the artist.
Jan. 27-April 20, 2024
Opening Reception: Saturday, Jan. 27, 2 p.m.
Katherine Behar: Ack! Knowledge! Work!
Curated by Jesse Colin Jackson
Katherine Behar's interactive installations, videos, performances, and writings explore gender and labor in digital culture. Her work appears regularly throughout North America and Europe, and received a comprehensive survey at Pera Museum, Istanbul, in 2016. Based in Brooklyn, she is Associate Professor of New Media Arts at Baruch College, CUNY.
Beall Center for Art + Technology
Gallery Hours | Tuesday-Saturday | Noon-6 p.m.
Free admission
For more information, visit beall.arts.uci.edu
2023-24 Box Office Information
Hours
Wednesday & Thursday, 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
1 hour before performances at venue box office with seasonal/intermittent closures; check www.arts.uci.edu/boxoffice
Contact
(949) 824-2787 | artstix@uci.edu
Tickets
www.arts.uci.edu/tickets (24/7) | Phone | CTSA Box Office Window
Ways to Save
Ticket Packages
www.arts.uci.edu/package
FAStER Arts Pass for UCI Faculty, Alumni, Staff, Emeriti & Retirees
www.arts.uci.edu/faster
Group Sales
Discounts for 10+ tickets are available for most of our shows, including online.
Contact the box office for more specific info.
Scan the QR code to visit the box office website with additional maps and more information about your visit to CTSA.
To coordinate your discounted group sales and class promotional codes, please contact our Assistant Box Office Manager, Robin Darling at (949) 824-2787.
ADA Access
CTSA strives to maintain compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) policies.
www.arts.uci.edu/ada
Complimentary Shuttle Service Service is available for our guests with disabilities or those with mobility issues, for select events throughout the season.
www.arts.uci.edu/shuttle
General and Disabled Parking
Parking is available in the Student Center Parking Structure (SCPS) for the Irvine Barclay Theatre and the New Swan Theater; and Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) for all other venues.
www.arts.uci.edu/directions
Map and Directions
Venues
AMP Arts Plaza Amphitheatre
AC Arts Campus
BC Beall Center for Art + Technology
CAC Contemporary Arts Center & Gallery
CTT Claire Trevor Theatre
IBTp Irvine Barclay Theatre
LTp Little Theatre/Humanities Hall
RCT Robert Cohen Theatre
R Room Gallery
UAG University Art Gallery
WSH Winifred Smith Hall
WG William J. Gillespie Performance Studios
xMPL Experimental Media Performance Lab
pVenue not on CTSA campus www.arts.uci.edu/venues
UAG
University Art Gallery (949) 824-9854 gallery@uci.edu uag.arts.uci.edu
Maps www.arts.uci.edu/directions
Patrons
Please use the pedestrian bridge to get to CTSA galleries and theatres. Take elevator or stairs to Level 3 of Mesa Parking Structure (MPS) to access bridge, which is to your left as you exit elevator or stairs.
UCI Parking
$13+ www.parking.uci.edu
Check for parking discounts at www.arts. uci.edu/parking
University of California, Irvine
Claire Trevor School of the Arts
200 Mesa Arts Building
Irvine, CA 92697-2775
