U N I V E R S I T Y
O F
S O U T H E R N
C A L I F O R N I A
2019–2020
A Message from Elizabeth Graddy Dear Friends of USC, Welcome to the 2019–20 season of USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative, USC’s dynamic series of theatre and dance performances, artist and author talks, concerts, conversations, film screenings, and other special events presented for the USC and surrounding communities. Visions and Voices is an integral part of the Trojan experience and a hallmark of a USC education. USC recognizes the crucial role the arts and humanities play in addressing complex social issues, bringing communities together across differences, and imagining a better world. Developed in collaboration with USC’s world-class arts schools and distinguished faculty, the Visions and Voices programming provides unique opportunities to explore diverse perspectives and encourage understanding of experiences different from our own. Such engagement with the arts can make us more human, inspiring compassion, reflection, and connection. Offered free to students and open to the community, this season of events brings together artists and scholars whose work foregrounds the transformative power of the arts. New York City’s Dorrance Dance, San Francisco’s Sean Dorsey Dance, and New Zealand’s Black Grace will, respectively, upend the art of tap, expand our understanding of gender, and infuse modern dance with Maori and Pacific Islander influences—all while performing with extraordinary technique, style, and athleticism. We also look forward to the return of Live Artists Live. The third iteration of the performance-art biennial will welcome audiences to the Roski School’s new MFA Design Campus to experience performances and conversations with iconic artists from around the world. Other events you won’t want to miss include a partnership with LA Opera featuring Eurydice composer Matthew Aucoin and librettist Sarah Ruhl; acclaimed singer Perla Batalla celebrating Leonard Cohen on his birthday; an evening with internationally renowned artist Doug Aitken; and a three-day event paying tribute to the 50th anniversary of Sesame Street. We all could use more arts and inspiration in our lives, and Visions and Voices provides countless opportunities to experience the power of the arts. Enjoy reading the brochure, take note of events that you’re interested in, and consider attending events that are outside your comfort zone as well. I look forward to seeing you at the events! Sincerely,
Elizabeth Graddy Interim Provost
CONTENTS 2 About Visions and Voices 3 Events
3 SPARK! 14th Annual Visions and Voices Kickoff 4 10 Years of Blumhouse 5 EMPOWER: Students, Arts, and Activism 6 Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen 7 The Healing Arts: Music, Narrative, and the Power of Stories 8 Sarah Jones: Sell/Buy/Date 9 Alex Alpharaoh: WET: A DACAmented Journey 10 Racial Radical: Generating New “Woke” Words 11 Architectures of Light: The Drone Photography of Reuben Wu 12 An Evening with Doug Aitken 13 Emotionally Intelligent Robots: More Human than Human? 14 The Music and Art of World War I 15 Trojan Family Weekend 16 Merce Cunningham MinEvent 17 Behind Enemy Lines: Media, Testimony, and Documentation 18 Climate Change Theatre LA: At the Intersection 19 Black Grace 20 Hysteria or Misogyny? Women, Madness, and Mental Health 21 The Metropolitan Opera in HD 22 Shanghai Jazz: A Culture Mix 23 The Four Immigrants: From Manga to Musical 24 USC Thornton Opera: Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream 25 An Evening with Ali Stroker 26 Activated Chambers featuring yMusic and Nadia Sirota 27 Josette Bushell-Mingo: Nina—A Story about Me and Nina Simone 28 The Illustrious Blacks
29 Kimberly Drew: On Art, Activism, and Creative Careers 30 The Life and Afterlife of Eurydice (and Orpheus) in Opera 31 Urban African Cinema: Moly Kane 32 Through the Banks of the Red Cedar 33 Sean Dorsey Dance: BOYS IN TROUBLE 34 A Conversation with Pedro Reyes 35 Dancing the Archives 36 Contemporary Chinese Diasporic Fiction 37 Verona Quartet: The First and Last Quartets of Beethoven 38 Seamless, A Play 39 Ear Hustle: An Evening with Nigel Poor 40 Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Celebration 41 Dorrance Dance: SOUNDspace 42 Piatigorsky International Cello Festival: Opening Gala Concert 43 Sweet and Salty: Asian American Women Chefs 44 Paul Taylor Celebration 45 Live Artists Live III: Despair/Repair 46 Christopher Rivas: The Real James Bond…Was Dominican 47 Cartography of Poets: Maps, Archives, and Locating the Poetic 48 Conversations of the Talking Drums: West African Dance 49 Najee Omar: Even Death Will Not Stop Me 50 Delaying Decay: Technology, Health, and Humanity
51 54 56 59 60
Experience L.A.: Events around Los Angeles Arts in Action At a Glance: Events by Date Admission and Contact Info Visions and Voices: Who We Are
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About Visions and Voices USC Visions and Voices is a university-wide arts and humanities initiative that provides a transformative and provocative experience for all USC students, regardless of their major or year in school, and challenges them to expand their perspectives and become engaged citizens. Emphasizing the university’s commitment to interdisciplinary approaches, the initiative features a spectacular array of performances and presentations that are offered free for USC students, and most are free to the public. Each event invites audience members to engage with artists, scholars, special guests, and each other. These interactions encourage active exploration of USC’s core values, including freedom of inquiry, respect for diversity, commitment to service, entrepreneurial spirit, informed risk-taking, ethical conduct, and the search for truth. In 2018, Visions and Voices introduced Arts in Action, a public-facing series that plants seeds for positive social change by activating intensive arts projects between community partners, students, and faculty. Spanning a wide range of art forms, these projects give students opportunities to apply their own creativity towards addressing complex issues.
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Photo: Stephanie Berger
Exposure to and participation in the arts and humanities transforms lives. It makes every scientist a better scientist, every lawyer a better lawyer, every educator a better educator, every businessperson a better businessperson, and every artist a better artist. Visions and Voices exists to inspire us, connect us, make us more human, and contribute to a better society as a whole.
SPARK!
14TH ANNUAL VISIONS AND VOICES KICKOFF Featuring
Versa-Style Dance Company and
Javon Johnson Photo: George Simian
Thursday, August 22, at 8 p.m. Bovard Auditorium Kick off the 2019–20 academic year and the 14th season of Visions and Voices at SPARK! The evening will open with an electrifying spoken word performance by three-time National Poetry Slam champion Javon Johnson. Then, Versa-Style Dance Company will mash up the vintage sounds of R&B and Motown with exuberant hip hop dance to explore the roots of inequalities and hardships in today’s volatile social climate. A dance party and reception will follow featuring DJs Urban Assault (aka Faust and Shortee).
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10 Years of Blumhouse From Paranormal Activity to Get Out and Beyond Monday, August 26, through Sunday, December 8 The Hugh M. Hefner Exhibition Hall George Lucas Building Lobby USC School of Cinematic Arts Complex In 2009, Blumhouse Productions released Paranormal Activity, a micro-budget supernatural thriller that went on to achieve surprise success and spawn five sequels. Since then, Jason Blum’s multimedia company has scored hit after hit while balancing tightly controlled budgets with an unheard-of level of artistic freedom granted to filmmakers. In addition to introducing the Paranormal Activity, The Purge, and Insidious franchises, Blumhouse has produced award-winning features such as Whiplash, Get Out, and BlacKkKlansman. To celebrate Blumhouse’s tenth anniversary, the USC School of Cinematic Arts will exhibit a sensational collection of props, costumes, models, artwork, designs, merchandise, and ephemera, as well as present a special screening and discussion with filmmakers. Organized by the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
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EMPOWER: Students, Arts, and Activism AN ARTS IN ACTION EVENT
Photo (top left): David Tett
Friday, September 13, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall, Doheny Memorial Library 240 Featuring inspiring speakers from Black Lives Matter Los Angeles, Street Symphony, and Public Matters, this unique and dynamic event asks students to set the agenda. You’ll determine the issues to address, build a team, and pitch ideas for how to challenge injustice, fight oppression, and instigate change with art. Presented by USC Arts in Action.
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Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen
A VISIONS AND VOICES SIGNATURE EVENT Saturday, September 21, at 7:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium Since the former Leonard Cohen back-up singer launched her solo career with Cohen’s encouragement, Perla Batalla has consistently earned critical acclaim for her unique voice and culture-merging compositions. Performed on her friend and mentor’s birthday, “Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen” will pay tribute to the legendary artist with selected songs and rare personal anecdotes. Don’t miss Batalla, who has also performed with Nick Cave and Julie Christensen, as she reveals the timelessness of Cohen’s art, music, and poetry. Co-sponsored by La CASA.
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The Healing Arts: Music, Narrative, and the Power of Stories The Medical Humanities, Arts, and Ethics Series Music and Medicine: Chopin and the Power of Resilience A Lecture by Richard Kogan Thursday, September 26, at 3:30 p.m. Mayer Auditorium, Health Sciences Campus Sharing insight into some of history’s most creative minds, psychiatrist and concert pianist Richard Kogan opens his audiences’ eyes to the symphony that is humanity, music, and medicine. This event will explore how Polish composer Frédéric Chopin grappled with disease and exile yet became one of the greatest composers in history. Kogan’s insights about the practice and cultivation of resilience will offer urgent lessons about the health and well-being of individuals and society.
To See the Suffering: Equipment for Healing A Lecture by Rita Charon
Photo (Rita Charon): Vincent Ricardel
Monday, March 30, at 12 p.m. Mayer Auditorium, Health Sciences Campus In an engaging lecture, Rita Charon, the originator of narrative medicine, will reflect on her pioneering work on the value of storytelling in the healing of physical, emotional, and social wounds. Her message and practice of narrative medicine will fascinate and inspire physicians, nurses, social workers, mental-health professionals, chaplains, academics, and anyone interested in how to improve the effectiveness of healthcare. Organized by Pamela Schaff (Family Medicine and Pediatrics), Alexander Capron (Law and Medicine), Ron BenAri (Internal Medicine), and Erika Wright (Medical Education and English). Co-sponsored by the Keck School of Medicine’s HEAL Program (Humanities, Ethics/Economics, Art, and the Law) and the Pacific Center for Health Policy and Ethics.
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Sell/Buy/Date A Performance by Sarah Jones Thursday, September 26, at 7 p.m. Bing Theatre In Sell/Buy/Date, Tony and Obie Award–winning playwright and performer Sarah Jones portrays a dazzling medley of characters inspired by the real-life experiences of people affected by the sex industry. Brimming with Jones’s masterful, multicultural characterizations, the exuberant show presents an honest, moving, and humorous look at a complex and fascinating subject—all while preserving the full humanity of voices seldom heard in the theatre. Organized by the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
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WET: A DACAmented Journey A Performance by Alex Alpharaoh Monday, October 7, at 7 p.m. Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall WET: A DACAmented Journey chronicles Anner Cividanis’s journey living his whole life in the United States as an undocumented American. The solo performance by Alex Alpharaoh captures the desperation that DREAMers feel when forced to navigate a broken U.S. immigration system with very limited options, and examines the mental, emotional, and psychological hardship one man has to endure in order to secure his livelihood in Los Angeles, the only home he has known.
Photo: ZLP Photography
Organized by Diane Winston (Communication and Journalism). Cosponsored by La CASA.
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Racial Radical: Generating New “Woke” Words Thursday, October 10, at 7 p.m. Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall
Organized by Andreas Kratky (Cinematic Arts), Anne Bray (Freewaves), and Sara Daleiden (MKE<–>LAX) in connection with the Designing Equity initiative. Co-sponsored by RAP (Race, Arts, and Placemaking).
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Original artwork: Mikal Floyd-Pruitt
Drawing from hip hop and the Black urban experience, Milwaukee-based visual and spoken word artists Fondé Bridges, Mikal Floyd-Pruitt, and Dasha Kelly will work with audience members to identify familiarbut-unnamed racial experiences and generate new language to describe them. Building on experiences working with USC students, the artists and attendees will brainstorm, sprout, and spread new vocabulary for a new era.
Architectures of Light: The Drone Photography of Reuben Wu Tuesday, October 15, at 7 p.m. Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall Artist Reuben Wu uses light-carrying drones to create otherworldly photographic landscapes. His work evokes conventions of Romantic painting and the wonder of planetary discovery in vintage sci-fi films and draws on his unique understanding of time and memory as a musician and co-founder of the British electronic band Ladytron. In conversation with author and BLDGBLOG creator Geoff Manaugh, Wu will present pieces from his photo series Lux Noctis and Aeroglyphs, as well as new artworks inspired by drawings and models in the USC Librariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; architectural collections and featuring landmarks of the USC campus.
Related Event: Drone Photography and 3D Modeling Workshop Tuesday, September 10, at 3 p.m. Ahmanson Lab, Leavey Library
Image: Reuben Wu, Lux Noctis
The USC Institute for Creative Technologies and the USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study will offer a hands-on workshop for students on drone photography and the creation of interactive 3D models of the USC campus. Organized by the USC Libraries in collaboration with the USC Institute for Creative Technologies and the USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study.
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An Evening with Doug Aitken Wednesday, October 23, at 7 p.m. Bovard Auditorium American artist Doug Aitken defies definitions of genre and explores every medium, from film and installations to architectural interventions. Challenging the boundaries between normally codified disciplines and art practices, his work also confronts many of the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s pressing issues, including climate change, nature/artifice, technology, and the mediation of culture through screens and the moving image. In a career-spanning, multimedia presentation, the Los Angelesâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;based artist and filmmaker will discuss art, architecture, public space, and the environment. Organized by Hadrian Predock (Architecture).
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Doug Aitken, Mirage, 2017, Acrylic mirrors, steel, plywood; Installation view at Desert X, Palm Springs; Courtesy of the Artist and Desert X; Photo by Ryan Houchin
Emotionally Intelligent Robots: More Human than Human? Thursday, October 24, at 3 p.m. Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall Doheny Memorial Library 240 Our fascination with robots and automata dates back to ancient Greek myths about artificial humans and animated statues coming to life. But as developments in artificial intelligence bring these once mythological creatures closer to reality, our perceptions of ourselves and our relationships with others are being fundamentally altered. Following an interactive showcase highlighting AI technologies, Jonathan Gratch, Rachel Severson, and Sidney D’Mello—experts in robotics, cognitive science, and psychology—will discuss our increasingly complex interactions and emotional bonds with machines. Organized by Danielle Mihram, Melissa Miller, and Curtis Fletcher (USC Libraries) and Emily Liu (USC Dornsife College).
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Paths of Glory, Visions of Horror: The Music and Art of World War I Tuesday, October 29, at 7:30 p.m. Newman Recital Hall A prelude to the Piatigorsky International Cello Festival, this event will commemorate the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Versailles and the formal conclusion of World War I. Visual art juxtaposed with performances of emotionally laden musical masterpieces featuring the cello will serve as a masterful, beautiful, and cautionary tapestry revealing the wide-ranging human and societal turmoil that arose from the brutal military conflict. The program will feature performances by some of the brilliant young artists of the USC Thornton School of Music. Organized by Ralph Kirshbaum (Music) and Elinor Accampo (History). Maurice Langaskens, The Grenadier AndrĂŠ Coulemans (The Cellist), 1917
John Singer Sargent, Gassed, 1919
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Trojan Family Weekend Thursday, October 31, through Sunday, November 3 University Park Campus Trojan Family Weekend is an annual celebration that gives USC families the opportunity to visit their student and experience life as a Trojan. The days will be packed with world-class lectures, exclusive campus tours, dynamic workshops, engaging social activities, and an exciting USC football game at the Coliseum. The programming will also include a special concert and conversation with a legendary artist presented by Visions and Voices.
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Merce Cunningham MinEvent Centennial Celebration Friday, November 1, at 2:30 p.m. Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center Groundbreaking dancer Merce Cunningham (1919â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2009) was one of the most influential choreographers of the twentieth century. To celebrate his 100th birthday and his legacy around the world, the USC Kaufman School of Dance will present an uninterrupted, site-specific sequence of excerpts of his works staged by Cunningham dancer and educator Silas Riener.
Photo: Anna Finke
Organized by the USC Kaufman School of Dance.
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Behind Enemy Lines: Visualizing Human Tragedy through Media, Testimony, and Documentation Monday, November 4, at 4 p.m. Wallis Annenberg Hall Forum In this multimedia conversation, journalist and author Souad Mekhennet, documentary filmmaker Kirsten Johnson, Pulitzer Prize–winning photographer Carol Guzy, and Emmy Award– winning journalist and filmmaker Andi Gitow will describe the challenges they face as women covering places of conflict, and share how visual media can be maximized to create change. After, the audience is invited to a reception and viewing of Facing Survival, featuring David Kassan’s paintings and drawings of more than a dozen Holocaust survivors, at the USC Fisher Museum of Art. Organized by the USC Shoah Foundation and the USC Fisher Museum of Art.
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Climate Change Theatre Action LA: At the Intersection Saturday, November 9, at 2 p.m. The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County Climate Change Theatre Action (CCTA) is a global action that takes place every two years to coincide with the UN’s International Conference on Climate Change. “At the Intersection” will use short plays, monologues, music, puppetry, and spoken word to start a conversation about the impact of climate change on Los Angeles neighborhoods, especially low-income communities of color that often don’t have the political clout or resources to fight back.
Related Event: How to Create Your Own Environmental Justice Event A Workshop with Chantal Bilodeau Friday, November 8, Time TBD Lewis Hall Chantal Bilodeau, a playwright and co-founder of Climate Change Theatre Action, will offer strategies and techniques for using theatre and other disciplines to create and inspire social change. Organized by Paula Cizmar (Dramatic Arts). Co-sponsored by the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, the Bedrosian Center at the USC Price School of Public Policy, the Institute for Theatre and Social Change, the Program for Environmental and Regional Equity, and the USC School of Dramatic Arts.
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Black Grace
A VISIONS AND VOICES SIGNATURE EVENT Monday, November 11, at 7:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium Artistic Director Neil Ieremia founded Black Grace in 1995, drawing from his Samoan roots to create innovative dance works that reach across social, cultural, and generational barriers. The choreography is highly physical, rich in the storytelling traditions of the South Pacific, and expressed with raw finesse, unique beauty, and power. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t miss this rare Los Angeles appearance by the award-winning New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;based company, which will include signature favorites as well as excerpts from their latest full-length works, including Crying Men (2018), a powerful new piece exploring masculinity through a Pacific lens.
Photo: John McDermott
Co-sponsored by the USC Kaufman School of Dance and Asian Pacific American Student Services.
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Hysteria or Misogyny? Women, Madness, and Mental Health Thursday, November 14, at 4 p.m. Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall Doheny Memorial Library 240 In conjunction with the USC Librariesâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; exhibition of rare items from Patton State Hospital and Rockhaven Sanitarium tracing the history of womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mental-health treatment, an extraordinary panel of artists and advocates will offer modern perspectives on healthcare for women and personal reflections on journeys toward wellness. The lively conversation will feature Imade Nibokun, founder of Depressed While Black; filmmaker Elyse Fox, founder of Sad Girls Club; community mental-health advocate, artist, and author Ellen Forney; and writer, photographer, and historian Sandi Hemmerlein.
Related Event: Rockhaven Sanitarium Tour Saturday, November 16, at 10 a.m. Rockhaven Sanitarium, Montrose Guided by local historian Joanna Linkchorst, USC students will tour the derelict grounds and patient rooms of the Rockhaven Sanitarium, a former mental-health institution that was run by and for women. Organized by Anne-Marie Maxwell, Alyssa Brissett, and Megan Rosenbloom (USC Libraries).
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The Metropolitan Opera in HD The USC School of Cinematic Arts will host a series of satellite broadcasts from the Metropolitan Opera presented in spectacular HD digital projection and 5.1 surround sound. Ken Cazan, chair of vocal arts and opera and resident stage director at the USC Thornton School of Music, will host discussions prior to the operas listed below.
Photo: Ken Howard/Metropolitan Opera
Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly Saturday, November 16 12 p.m.: Pre-Opera Discussion 1 p.m.: HD Opera Broadcast Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre Leading sopranos Hui He and Ana María Martínez share the heartbreaking title role of the doomed geisha, with tenors Piero Pretti and Andrea Carè as the American naval officer who abandons her. The great Plácido Domingo makes his role debut as Sharpless, alternating with Paulo Szot and Markus Brück. Pier Giorgio Morandi is on the podium for Anthony Minghella’s sweeping production, a perennial audience favorite.
George Frideric Handel’s Agrippina Saturday, March 7 12 p.m.: Pre-Opera Discussion 1 p.m.: HD Opera Broadcast Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre Handel’s tale of intrigue and impropriety in ancient Rome stars mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato as the controlling, power-hungry Agrippina with Harry Bicket conducting. The all-star cast features mezzo-soprano Kate Lindsey as Agrippina’s son and future emperor Nerone, soprano Brenda Rae as the seductive Poppea, countertenor Iestyn Davies as the ambitious officer Ottone, and bass Matthew Rose as the weary emperor Claudius. Organized by the USC School of Cinematic Arts in conjunction with the USC Thornton School of Music and the Metropolitan Opera.
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Shanghai Jazz: A Culture Mix Tuesday, November 19, at 7:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium In 1935, Los Angeles–based musician Buck Clayton formed a jazz band called Harlem Gentlemen to perform in Shanghai. Li Jinhui, considered the father of Chinese popular music, had been performing in the “Paris of the East” for years when Clayton and his colleagues arrived. Clayton and Li eventually worked together to form a new and unique blend of American jazz and Chinese traditional music. To celebrate the boundary-breaking collaboration, USC Thornton School of Music professor Ron McCurdy and alum Gary Shields have reimagined and orchestrated three suites of Li’s folk songs, which will be performed by the Ron McCurdy Quintet, Feng Bian on piano, and Min Xiao-Fen on pipa. Organized by Ron McCurdy (Music). Co-sponsored by the USC Black Alumni Association.
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The Four Immigrants: From Manga to Musical Wednesday, November 20 7 p.m.: Pre-Performance Discussion 7:30 p.m.: Performance Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall The Four Immigrants is an award-winning musical about the adventures of young Japanese immigrants in early-twentieth-century San Francisco based on a semiautobiographical series of comic strips written and drawn by Henry Yoshitaka Kiyama. This concert performance will be preceded by a discussion featuring author/composer Min Kahng, director Leslie Martinson, translator and manga historian Frederik L. Schodt, and moderator Julia Cho, co-founder and coproducing artistic leader of Artists at Play.
Photo: Kevin Byrne
Co-sponsored by Artists at Play and Asian Pacific American Student Services.
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USC Thornton Opera Presents Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream Friday, November 22 7 p.m.: Pre-Performance Discussion 8 p.m.: Opera Performance Bing Theatre Benjamin Britten’s modern opera, which premiered in 1960, is a fantasy about how myth affects the lives of mortal beings. In a production that is updated to current day, Shakespeare’s lovers and fairies roam the dark streets and hidden alleys of the Downtown Los Angeles Garment District. Britten’s masterful music weaves a dream-like atmosphere, heightening the fantastical elements of what is perhaps The Bard’s bawdiest play and one of the most successful adaptations of Shakespeare in the operatic canon. Organized by the USC Thornton School of Music.
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Turning Limitations into Opportunities An Evening with Ali Stroker
A VISIONS AND VOICES SIGNATURE EVENT Monday, December 2, at 7 p.m. Bing Theatre Broadway and television star Ali Stroker became the first wheelchair user to star in a Broadway production when she originated the role of Anna in Deaf Westâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s acclaimed 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. In 2019, she made history again by winning a Tony for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical for her portrayal of Ado Annie in the smash Broadway revival of Oklahoma! In an inspiring and intimate presentation, she will discuss her life and career and the importance of inclusion, representation, and ending ableism. Co-sponsored by the USC School of Dramatic Arts, Disability Services and Programs, and USC Speakers Committee.
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Activated Chambers: A Performance Journey Featuring yMusic and Nadia Sirota Wednesday, December 4, and Thursday, December 5, at 6 p.m. Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center Join us as the magnificent Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center is electrified by a flurry of music, dance, and video. In a three-part event, small groups will be guided through activated chambers of performance showcasing collaborations between USC choreographers, dancers, and composers and the internationally acclaimed chamber ensemble yMusic. The performances will culminate in a post-show discussion led by Nadia Sirota, yMusic violist and host of the Peabody Awardâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;winning podcast Meet the Composer, along with USC professors Jennifer McQuiston Lott, Dawn Stoppiello, and Rick Schmunk. Organized by Jennifer McQuiston Lott (Dance), Dawn Stoppiello (Dance), Andrew Norman (Music), and Rick Schmunk (Music).
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Nina—A Story about Me and Nina Simone A Performance by Josette Bushell-Mingo Wednesday, January 15, at 7:30 p.m. Bing Theatre Don’t miss the U.S. premiere of Josette Bushell-Mingo’s searing and soulful theatrical production inspired by the life and music of legendary artist and activist Nina Simone. With live musical accompaniment, Bushell-Mingo’s hardhitting, award-winning performance connects Simone’s political acts during the 1960s Civil Rights Movement with struggles in her own personal life and persisting inequalities in today’s society, questioning how far we’ve really come.
Related Events: From the Personal to the Political to the Stage A Panel Discussion Thursday, January 16, at 7 p.m. Location TBD Acclaimed theatre actress Josette Bushell-Mingo and USC artists and scholars will discuss the legacy of art, politics, and rage. Photo (Josette Bushell-Mingo): Andrew Ness
Performance, Politics, and Power A Workshop with Josette Bushell-Mingo Friday, January 17, at 10 a.m. Location TBD In this workshop led by Josette Bushell-Mingo, students will explore the art of channeling personal pain, vulnerability, understanding, and compassion to confront oppression. Organized by Brent Blair (Dramatic Arts), Anita Dashiell-Sparks (Dramatic Arts), and Suzanne Lacy (Art and Design).
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The Illustrious Blacks Thursday, January 23, at 7:30 p.m. Tommyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place Inspired by Prince, David Bowie, Grace Jones, Boy George, and George Clinton, The Illustrious Blacks, a performance duo featuring Monstah Black and Manchildblack, fuse queer Afrofuturistic funk, hypnotic house, and cosmic pop into pulsating positivity. Playing epic live shows and DJ sets that mash up music, dance, theatre, and fashion to expand minds and shake booties, The Illustrious Blacks serve an outrageous feast of aural and visual delights to save the world one beat at a time. Co-sponsored by ONE National Gay & Lesbian Archives at the USC Libraries.
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Kimberly Drew: On Contemporary Art, Activism, and Navigating Creative Careers Tuesday, January 28, at 7 p.m. Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall Doheny Memorial Library 240 There are few more qualified to explain the power of social media and its impact on museums than Kimberly Drew. Sharing her experiences as the social media manager at the Metropolitan Museum of Art and as a freelance curator and art influencer, Drew will recount her unique career path and efforts to grow her audience and impact beyond museum walls. A student-moderated Q&A will follow, touching on Drewâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s personal journey in the art world, her relationships with fashion and the Internet, the digital power wielded by museum attendees and community members, and more. Organized by Hector Reyes, Julienne Dawidoff, and JaBrea PattersonWest (Art History).
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Image: Courtesy of LA Opera
The Life and Afterlife of Eurydice (and Orpheus) in Opera A VISIONS AND VOICES SIGNATURE EVENT PRESENTED WITH LA OPERA Thursday, January 30, at 7:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium
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Photo: John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation
Photo: Steven Laxton
In anticipation of the world premiere of Eurydice at LA Opera, composer/conductor Matthew Aucoin and playwright Sarah Ruhl will be joined by UCLA professor Kenneth Reinhard and singers from LA Opera’s Young Artist Program for an evening of musical performance and conversation. The event will explore the original and ongoing role of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in the history of Western opera, and ask: Why do composers of opera continue to turn to the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice? And what does it mean to portray Eurydice—and not her husband—as the central consciousness of the story, as Aucoin and Ruhl do in their opera?
Urban African Cinema: Moly Kane Tuesday, February 4, at 7 p.m. The Ray Stark Family Theatre School of Cinematic Arts 108 Shot and produced in the outskirts of Dakar, Senegal, the short films of Moly Kane are part of a new generation of work coming out of the birthplace of African cinema. Don’t miss this rare chance to see Kane in person and view his three narrative shorts Moly, Muruna, and Goòm Bi, subtitled in English and in their entirety. Winners of multiple awards, including the Grand Prize at Amnesty International’s Human Rights Film Festival, the films will be followed by a Q&A with Kane. Organized by Julie Van Dam and Lydie Moudileno (French and Italian). Co-sponsored by the Center for Black Cultural and Student Affairs, the USC Levan Institute for Humanities and Ethics, and the Black Alumni Association.
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Through the Banks of the Red Cedar Thursday, February 6, at 7 p.m. Annenberg Auditorium Through the Banks of the Red Cedar is a powerful documentary about the first fully integrated college football team in America that unfolds through the eyes of filmmaker and USC alumna Maya Washington. The youngest daughter of Michigan State Athletics Hall of Famer and 50 Greatest Vikings honoree Gene Washington retraces her fatherâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps from the segregated South to Michigan State, and later the NFL, revealing how scholarships impacted the lives of players of color at the height of the Civil Rights Movement. Following the screening, the filmmaker, her father, his teammate Clinton Jones, and USC professors Ben Carrington and Daniel Durbin will discuss the themes and issues that the film explores, which remain relevant to this day. Organized by Julianna Kirschner and the USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Co-sponsored by the USC Annenberg Institute of Sports, Media, and Society.
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Sean Dorsey Dance: BOYS IN TROUBLE Saturday, February 8, at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center Sean Dorsey is a San Franciscoâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;based choreographer whose works fuse full-throttle dance, luscious partnering, intimate storytelling, and theatre. Recognized as the nationâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first transgender modern dance choreographer, Dorsey has been awarded five Isadora Duncan Dance Awards and the Goldie Award for Performance. BOYS IN TROUBLE powerfully unpacks masculinity with unflinching honesty from unapologetically trans and queer perspectives. Highly physical, accessible, and rooted in story, each timely and urgent piece is performed with precision, guts, and deep humanity.
Photo: Kegan Marling
Organized by the USC Kaufman School of Dance.
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A Conversation with Pedro Reyes Wednesday, February 12, at 6:30 p.m. Gin D. Wong Conference Center, Room 100 As a sculptor who studied architecture, Mexican artist Pedro Reyes creates interdisciplinary works, integrating elements of theatre, psychology, and activism. In a thoughtful and visually driven conversation with USC Architecture dean Milton S. F. Curry, Reyes will share how his installations have proposed playful solutions to political and social issues. He will also discuss Mi Cosa, Es Tu Cosa, an interactive installation that explores how design can activate the contemporary physical library, made in collaboration with students from USC Architecture and exhibited in the Architecture and Fine Arts Library from February 12 through May 1. Organized by the USC School of Architecture. Co-sponsored by the USC Libraries.
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Dancing the Archives: Emerging Choreographers and Living History Thursday, February 13 12 p.m.: Performances Alumni Park, EF Hutton Park, and McCarthy Quad 12:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall Doheny Memorial Library 240 1:30 p.m.: Reception, LiteraTea Courtyard Experience the immediacy of dancing bodies colliding with historical records in a vibrant event highlighting the past, present, and future of dance in Los Angeles. In celebration of the recently debuted USC Dance History Video Archive Project (DHVA), three emerging Los Angeles–based choreographers will explore materials housed in USC’s renowned cultural repositories (the DHVA, ONE Archives, the California Historical Society Collection, and the Los Angeles City Archives) to create simultaneous site-specific dance works to be enjoyed by roving audiences. After, an interactive discussion led by acclaimed choreographer Bebe Miller will explore the role of archives as storehouses of cultural memory rich with possibilities for future creativity. Organized by Patrick Corbin (Dance), Alison D’Amato (Dance), and Tim Stanton (USC Libraries).
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Contemporary Chinese Diasporic Fiction: Exploring and Exploding Identity Thursday, February 20, at 5 p.m. Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall Join us for a reading and conversation with Lisa Ko (The Leavers), Ed Lin (David Tung Canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t Have a Girlfriend Until He Gets into an Ivy League College), Mimi Lok (Last of Her Name), and Max Yeh (Stolen Oranges). These wide-ranging authors upend the notion of a monolithic Chinese identity and uncover a much more complicated story about Chinese diasporic experiences in America. Organized by Meiling Cheng (Dramatic Arts and American Studies and Ethnicity), Sunyoung Lee (Kaya Press), and Jonathan Wang (Asian Pacific American Student Services).
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Verona Quartet: The First and Last Quartets of Beethoven Friday, February 21, at 7:30 p.m. Newman Recital Hall The celebrated Verona Quartet will celebrate the 250th anniversary of Beethoven’s birth by performing the famed composer’s first and last quartets. The sixteen quartets of Beethoven span the iconic composer’s career, from the String Quartet No. 1 in F major, Op. 18, No. 1, published in 1801, to the String Quartet No. 16, published 25 years later. Hailed by The New York Times as an “outstanding ensemble,” the quartet includes violinists Jonathan Ong and Dorothy Ro, violist Abigail Rojansky, and USC Thornton alumni cellist Jonathan Dormand.
Photo: Kaupo Kikkas
Organized by the USC Thornton School of Music.
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Seamless, A Play: Japanese American Incarceration and the Afterlife of Historical Trauma Sunday, February 23, at 4 p.m. Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall
Seamless revisits the Japanese American incarceration and dissolution of the American Dream during World War II, exploring the ways the past haunts the present. Written by USC professor Dorinne Kondo and published in her most recent book, Worldmaking: Race, Performance, and the Work of Creativity, the play examines the afterlife of trauma, history, and memory. A staged reading will be followed by a conversation with Kondo and director Leslie Ishii, moderated by USC professor Beth Meyerowitz. Organized by Dorinne Kondo (American Studies and Ethnicity and Anthropology). Cosponsored by the USC Shinso Ito Center for Japanese Religions and Culture, USC Shoah Foundation, American Studies and Ethnicity, Anthropology, and Asian Pacific American Student Services.
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Photo (Nigel Poor): Earlonne Woods Illustration (top): Antwan Williams
Ear Hustle: An Evening with Nigel Poor Thursday, February 27, at 7 p.m. Wallis Annenberg Hall Forum Ear Hustle is a top-rated, award-winning podcast produced inside San Quentin that showcases stories about life behind bars. About to begin its fourth season, it has been featured in The Atlantic, Vogue, The New York Times, and The New Yorker. This event will feature Ear Hustle co-creator and co-producer Nigel Poor in a conversation about the behind-the-wall creation of the podcast, the challenges and rewards of recording from inside prison, the hard realities of mass incarceration, and the possibilities of restorative justice.
Related Event: Amplifying Voices: A Workshop with Nigel Poor Friday, February 28, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Doheny Memorial Library 121 Artist and podcast producer Nigel Poor will present a special workshop for students on developing creative media projects in partnership with underserved communities. Organized by Stephanie Bower (Writing Program), Willa Seidenberg (Communication and Journalism), and Heidi Rummel (Law, Post-Conviction Justice Project).
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Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Celebration Friday, February 28, through Sunday, March 1 Eileen Norris Cinema Theatre Sesame Street is the most successful television format in the history of the medium. For its 50th anniversary, the USC School of Cinematic Arts will celebrate the show in a series of three events covering its origins, its contributions to the art of television, and its global reach. Screenings will consist of early episodes, selected short films, and international versions, and will be accompanied by discussions with scholars and members of the showâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s production team. Panelists will chronicle and explore the origins of the Childrenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Television Workshop and the cutting-edge artistic achievements of the show, from Muppets to experimental animation, as well as the innovative narrative strategies the show has adopted in order to serve international audiences. Organized by the USC School of Cinematic Arts.
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Photo: Matthew Murphy
Dorrance Dance: SOUNDspace A VISIONS AND VOICES SIGNATURE EVENT Wednesday, March 4, at 7:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium Dorrance Dance is an award-winning New York–based company that honors tap dance’s beautiful history in a new, dynamic, and compelling context—not by stripping the form of its tradition but by pushing it rhythmically, technically, and conceptually. SOUNDspace was originally a site-specific work that explored the unique acoustics of New York City’s St. Mark’s Church through the myriad sounds and textures of the feet. Since then, the 2013 piece has been adapted and continues to expand the audience of this original American art form in a breathtaking mash-up of past traditions and contemporary techniques. Co-sponsored by the USC Kaufman School of Dance.
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Piatigorsky International Cello Festival: Opening Gala Concert at USC Friday, March 13, at 7:30 p.m. Bovard Auditorium The USC Thornton Symphony, led by Carl St.Clair, celebrates the 2020 Piatigorsky International Cello Festival with an opening night gala featuring celebrated cellist Mischa Maisky, together with violist and new USC Thornton faculty member Yura Lee, in a performance of Don Quixote, Op. 35, by Richard Strauss. Bringing together masters of the cello and young cellists from around the world, the 10-day, 42-event festival led by artistic director and USC Thornton strings chair Ralph Kirshbaum will present more than 30 renowned artists representing fifteen countries and four continents.
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Photo: Reinhold Mรถller
Presented by the USC Thornton School of Music and the Los Angeles Philharmonic.
Sweet and Salty: A Conversation with Asian American Women Chefs
Professional Los Angeles chefs Isa Fabro, Minh Phan, and Sonoko Sakai combine appreciation for their cultural backgrounds and traditions with creativity and innovation. In a discussion moderated by journalist Jean Trinh, they will reflect on the cross-cultural aspects of culinary culture and explore the impact of cooking on identity and memory. A reception will follow featuring tasting stations from each chef.
Photo: Rick Poon
Photo: Rick Poon
Organized by the USC Pacific Asia Museum. Co-sponsored by Asian Pacific American Student Services.
Photo: Hazelnut Photography
Photo: Rick Poon
Tuesday, March 24, at 7 p.m. USC Pacific Asia Museum 46 N. Los Robles Avenue, Pasadena
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Paul Taylor Celebration USC Kaufman and USC Thornton Perform Esplanade Wednesday, March 25, and Thursday, March 26, at 7:30 p.m. Glorya Kaufman International Dance Center
For two nights only, students from the USC Kaufman School of Dance and USC Thornton School of Music will unite to pay tribute to acclaimed choreographer Paul Taylor (1930â&#x20AC;&#x201C;2018). USC Kaufman dancers will perform Esplanade, a masterpiece choreographed by the last great modern dance giant. They will be accompanied by a chamber ensemble of USC Thornton students playing movements I to III from Johann Sebastian Bachâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Violin Concerto in E Major, BWV 1042, and movements II and III from Concerto in D Minor for Two Violins, BWV 1043.
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Photo: Rose Eichenbaum
Organized by the USC Kaufman School of Dance and the USC Thornton School of Music.
Photo: Timur Civan
Photo: Sheldan Collins
Live Artists Live III: Despair/Repair Friday, March 27, and Saturday, March 28 USC Roski MFA Design Campus 1262 Palmetto Street, Los Angeles Taking over the USC Roski School of Art and Design’s flagship MFA Design Campus, “Live Artists Live III: Despair/Repair” will showcase performance as a reflection of and rebuttal to the world’s challenges. Following a keynote and performance by Kareem Khubchandani and his drag alter ego, LaWhore Vagistan, this third iteration of the performance-art biennial will focus on themes of despair and repair with durational pieces by internationally acclaimed artists Linda Montano (Saugerties, New York) and Araya Rasdjarmrearnsook (Chiang Mai, Thailand). The festival will also feature dynamic performances by Danielle Abrams, Xavier Cha, Yan Xing, and Pavithra Prasad. Organized by Patty Chang, Andy Campbell, and the USC Roski School of Art and Design.
visionsandvoices.usc.edu Photo: Tim Correira
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The Real James Bond… Was Dominican A Performance by Christopher Rivas Tuesday, March 31, at 7 p.m. 24th Street Theatre 1117 W. 24th Street, Los Angeles What happens when a James Bond–obsessed Dominican boy in Queens finds out that the real James Bond was Dominican? In an engaging performance integrating live music and video, writer-actor Christopher Rivas tells the true story of Porfirio Rubirosa, author Ian Fleming’s inspiration for Agent 007. Set to a live percussion score and projections, The Real James Bond…Was Dominican is a young man’s guide to love, sex, color, codeswitching, white-washing, success, fake-ittill-you-make-it, and the roller coaster of finding one’s true self.
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Photo: Laura Bustillos Jáquez
Co-sponsored by La CASA.
Cartography of Poets: Maps, Archives, and Locating the Poetic Thursday, April 2, at 6 p.m. Friends of the USC Libraries Lecture Hall Doheny Memorial Library 240 The USC Libraries are home to archives of California poets who have influenced literary art around the globe. A performance/reading featuring the work of some of California’s most accomplished and influential poets will be followed by a conversation about how history and place—literal and figurative—shape the poetic experience. The event will also include a reading by one of California’s foremost poets (to be announced) and the unveiling of the poet’s new archive.
Related Event: Cartography of Poets Workshop Thursday, April 2, at 4 p.m. Ahmanson Lab at the USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study, Leavey Library Participants will use the digital- and physical-making technology of the Ahmanson Lab and the USC Libraries’ archival collections to explore the poetic landscape of California and the West. Organized by the USC Libraries in partnership with the USC School of Dramatic Arts and the USC Sidney Harman Academy for Polymathic Study.
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Conversations of the Talking Drums An Evening of West African Dance Join us for an unforgettable performance of West African dance, drumming, and singing led by one of the leading Ghanaian artists of his generation, Nani Agbeli. Works showcasing handmade traditional West African costumes and exploring the philosophical ideas of Sankofa in health, wellness, and community life will be followed by a conversation spanning West African cultural life, the traditions of the Ghanaian people, and the arts as therapeutic tools for personal and community wellness.
Related Events: Drumming and Dancing Wellness Workshops Thursday, April 9, at 12 p.m. Hahn Plaza, University Park Campus Thursday, April 9, at 5 p.m. Pappas Court, Health Sciences Campus Organized by the USC Libraries in collaboration with the Office of Religious Life, Office of Wellness at the Keck School of Medicine of USC, and Office for Health Promotion Strategy.
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Photo: Alonso Nichols/Tufts University
Saturday, April 4, at 6 p.m. Tommyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Place
Even Death Will Not Stop Me A Performance by Najee Omar Thursday, April 9, at 7:30 p.m. Tommy’s Place “Even Death Will Not Stop Me” is no typical poetry reading. From the mind of USC alum and awardwinning poet Najee Omar comes a spoken word and live music hybrid that blends, blurs, and bends the legacy of Black liberation with personal narratives. Performed by a full band and live DJ, Omar’s mashups include the sounds of Donald Byrd and The Notorious B.I.G., as well as text by Amiri Baraka, piecing together a complex collage of what it means to exist in Omar’s skin, in his body, and in this country, at this moment in time. On Tuesday, April 7, Omar will facilitate a writing and performance workshop for USC students. Organized by Daniel Dissinger, Alisa Sanchez, and Carlos Delgado (Writing Program). Co-sponsored by the Writing Program Diversity Committee and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. (Alpha Delta Chapter).
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Delaying Decay: The Intersection of Technology, Health, and Humanity Thursday, April 16, at 7 p.m. Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall
Modern medicine is entering a new golden age of repair, replacement, and regeneration, prolonging life and mobility and integrating technology into medicine at an ever-increasing pace. But what are the ethical implications and what are the next steps for humanity? Join Keck School of Medicine of USCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s David G. Armstrong, a world-renowned restorative neurosurgeon, and Charles Y. Liu, a pioneer of brain-computer interfaces, as they lead an interactive lecture and panel of experts, including neuroroboticist, Google scientist, and Nest cofounder Yoky Matsuoka; genetics and anti-aging expert David A. Sinclair of Harvard Medical School; and anthropologist, expert on human locomotion, and USC professor of biological sciences David Raichlen. Organized by David G. Armstrong and Charles Y. Liu (Medicine).
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EXPERIENCE L.A. USC Visions and Voices is proud to present a variety of stimulating opportunities for USC students to experience Los Angeles’s world-class cultural landscape. YOU MUST BE A USC STUDENT AND USE THE PROVIDED TRANSPORTATION TO PARTICIPATE. SPACE IS LIMITED AND ADVANCE REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED. For more information or to RSVP, please visit our website at visionsandvoices.usc.edu.
John Leguizamo: Latin History for Morons
Photo: Matthew Murphy
Wednesday, September 11 Depart USC at 6:30 p.m.; return at 10:15 p.m. Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles When his son gets a school assignment on heroes, Tony and Emmy Award winner John Leguizamo seizes the chance to teach him all about the great figures of the Latino world. But once he sets out on his irreverent crash course across three continents and 3,000 years of history—from conquistadores to cumbia, Montezuma to Menudo, and taking on all the characters in this one-man show—he uncovers provocative truths that shock even him.
Art Deco Walking Tour Friday, September 27 Depart USC at 10 a.m.; return at 1:30 p.m. Downtown Los Angeles The clean lines, geometric patterns, and Jazz Age elegance of Art Deco proved a perfect style for L.A. in the 1920s and ’30s, and an extraordinary collection of architectural masterpieces still stands in the heart of the city. Take a guided walking tour through one of the jazziest parts of town and marvel at the incredible detail of these structures, with their brilliant colors and lush materials.
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Los Angeles Philharmonic: Dudamel & Yuja Wang Thursday, November 7 Depart USC at 6:15 p.m.; return at 10:30 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles Join us for an evening of brilliant classical music as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, under artistic director Gustavo Dudamel, performs the bewitching new piano concerto by composer John Adams, written especially for “preternaturally gifted” pianist Yuja Wang (New York Times). The orchestra will incite further uproar with Rite of Spring, Stravinsky’s vision of pre-historic Russian rituals that sparked a riot at its 1913 Paris premiere.
Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake
Photo: Johan Persson
Tuesday, December 3 Depart USC at 6:15 p.m.; return at 10:30 p.m. Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles Retaining all the iconic elements of the classic production loved by millions around the world, British choreographer Matthew Bourne has reimagined Tchaikovsky’s beloved tale by replacing the female corps de ballet with a menacing male ensemble. Shattering conventions and turning tradition upside down, the thrilling, audacious, witty, and awardwinning production is a passionate, powerful, and contemporary ballet for our times.
Image: Courtesy of LA Opera
LA Opera: Eurydice
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Saturday, February 1 Depart USC at 6 p.m.; return at 10:15 p.m. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles In Greek mythology, Eurydice was a shadowy figure we barely knew. Composer and conductor Matthew Aucoin partners with playwright and fellow MacArthur “genius” Sarah Ruhl to reimagine Orpheus and Eurydice for the modern age. This time, the opera unfolds from the heroine’s point of view. Don’t miss the world premiere of this exceptional work commissioned by the Metropolitan Opera and LA Opera.
Power to the People! Herbie Hancock, Gustavo Dudamel, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic Thursday, March 5 Depart USC at 6:15 p.m.; return at 10:30 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles From subversive statements to songs of solidarity, music has always played a role in the movements that shift attitudes and shape nations. Join celebrated conductor Gustavo Dudamel, jazz icon Herbie Hancock, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic for a celebration of the music that moves mountains.
The Book of Mormon
Photo: Julieta Cervantes
Wednesday, March 11 Depart USC at 6:30 p.m.; return at 11:15 p.m. Ahmanson Theatre, Los Angeles The Book of Mormon is an outrageous musical comedy that follows the misadventures of a mismatched pair of missionaries, sent halfway across the world to spread the Good Word. Written by Trey Parker and Matt Stone (creators of South Park) and Robert Lopez (Coco and Frozen songwriter), the nine-time Tony Awardâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;winning Best Musical has truly become an international sensation.
Michelangelo: Mind of the Master Friday, April 3 Depart USC at 10 a.m.; return at 1:30 p.m. J. Paul Getty Museum, West Los Angeles Given that Michelangelo burned large quantities of his drawings, Michelangelo: Mind of the Master provides a rare and extraordinary opportunity to witness firsthand a key group of sketches from the artistâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Roman studio. Organized in conjunction with the Teylers Museum (Haarlem, the Netherlands), this exhibition will explore the range of his work as a painter, sculptor, and architect.
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ARTS IN ACTION: ARTISTS FOR SOCIAL CHANGE Photos: Gina Clyne
Arts in Action plants seeds for positive social change by activating arts projects between community partners, students, and faculty. This new program supports and creates work that addresses societyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most pressing issues, such as homelessness, mass incarceration, sustainability, educational inequity, arts access, healthcare, systemic oppression, and violence. USC faculty and students collaborate with community partners to develop projects spanning a wide range of artforms. The work is community-based and often participant-driven, challenging the separation between artists and audiences. All USC faculty and students are invited to submit proposals to develop socially engaged arts projects. Examples of projects include: The Skid Row Buskfest, a monthly street music station created by USC students and the Urban Voices Project, featuring the development and distribution of a Skid Row Arts Map; Warrior Bards, working with the Los Angeles Veterans Collaborative to process experiences of conflict through ancient Greek drama; Jails and Justice, teaming up USC students and faculty with performers from Black Lives Matter to address mass incarceration through public theatre; and I Too Am, with USC faculty providing youth with critical and creative tools to share their stories about identity and belonging in the face of displacement. Visit our website to find out more about these and other Arts in Action projects, as well as guidelines for submitting proposals.
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Photos: Gina Clyne
Photo: DJ Johnson
Artists Addressing Homelessness, in partnership with Urban Voices Project
I Too Am, in partnership with LAUSD high schools
Kaufman Connections, in partnership with 32nd Street Elementary School
Jails and Justice, in partnership with Black Lives Matter Los Angeles
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At a Glance: Events by Date
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AUGUST 8/22 SPARK! 14th Annual Visions and Voices Kickoff, p. 3 8/26–12/8 10 Years of Blumhouse: From Paranormal Activity to Get Out and Beyond, p. 4
2019
9/10 9/11 9/13 9/21 9/26 9/26 9/27
10/7 10/10 10/15 10/23 10/24 10/29 10/31–11/3
11/1 11/4 11/7 11/8 11/9
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SEPTEMBER Drone Photography and 3D Modeling Workshop, p. 11 John Leguizamo: Latin History for Morons, p. 51 EMPOWER: Students, Arts, and Activism, p. 5 Perla Batalla in the House of Cohen, p. 6 Chopin and the Power of Resilience: A Lecture by Richard Kogan, p. 7 Sell/Buy/Date by Sarah Jones, p. 8 Art Deco Walking Tour, Downtown Los Angeles, p. 51
OCTOBER WET: A DACAmented Journey by Alex Alpharaoh, p. 9 Racial Radical: Generating New “Woke” Words, p. 10 Architectures of Light: The Drone Photography of Reuben Wu, p. 11 An Evening with Doug Aitken, p. 12 Emotionally Intelligent Robots: More Human Than Human?, p. 13 Paths of Glory, Visions of Horror: The Music and Art of World War I, p. 14 Trojan Family Weekend, p. 15
NOVEMBER Merce Cunningham MinEvent, p. 16 Behind Enemy Lines: Visualizing Human Tragedy through Media, Testimony, and Documentation, p. 17 Dudamel & Yuja Wang, Walt Disney Concert Hall, p. 52 How To Create Your Own Environmental Justice Event, p. 18 Climate Change Theatre Action LA: At the Intersection, p. 18
11/11 11/14 11/16 11/16 11/19 11/20 11/22
12/2 12/3 12/4–12/5
2020
1/15 1/16 1/17 1/23 1/28 1/30
2/1 2/4 2/6 2/8 2/12–5/1 2/12
Black Grace, p. 19 Hysteria or Misogyny? Women, Madness, and Mental Health, p. 20 Rockhaven Sanitarium Tour, p. 20 The Met in HD: Giacomo Puccini’s Madama Butterfly, p. 21 Shanghai Jazz: A Culture Mix, p. 22 The Four Immigrants: From Manga to Musical, p. 23 USC Thornton Opera Presents Benjamin Britten’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, p. 24
DECEMBER An Evening with Ali Stroker, p. 25 Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake, Ahmanson Theatre, p. 52 Activated Chambers: A Performance Journey Featuring yMusic and Nadia Sirota, p. 26
JANUARY Nina—A Story about Me and Nina Simone by Josette Bushell-Mingo, p. 27 From the Personal to the Political to the Stage, p. 27 Performance, Politics, and Power: A Workshop with Josette Bushell-Mingo, p. 27 The Illustrious Blacks, p. 28 Kimberly Drew: On Contemporary Art, Activism, and Navigating Creative Careers, p. 29 The Life and Afterlife of Eurydice (and Orpheus) in Opera, p. 30
FEBRUARY LA Opera: Eurydice, Walt Disney Concert Hall, p. 52 Urban African Cinema: Moly Kane, p. 31 Through the Banks of the Red Cedar, p. 32 Sean Dorsey Dance: BOYS IN TROUBLE, p. 33 Mi Cosa, Es Tu Cosa: An Installation by Pedro Reyes, p. 34 A Conversation with Pedro Reyes, p. 34
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2/13 2/20 2/21 2/23 2/27 2/28 2/28–3/1
3/4 3/5 3/7 3/11 3/13 3/24 3/25–3/26 3/27–3/28 3/30 3/31
4/2 4/2 4/3 4/4 4/7 4/9 4/9 4/16
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Dancing the Archives: Emerging Choreographers and Living History, p. 35 Contemporary Chinese Diasporic Fiction: Exploring and Exploding Identity, p. 36 Verona Quartet: The First and Last Quartets of Beethoven, p. 37 Seamless, A Play: Japanese American Incarceration and the Afterlife of Historical Trauma, p. 38 Ear Hustle: An Evening with Nigel Poor, p. 39 Amplifying Voices: A Workshop with Nigel Poor, p. 39 Sesame Street 50th Anniversary Celebration, p. 40
MARCH Dorrance Dance: SOUNDspace, p. 41 Power to the People! Herbie Hancock, Gustavo Dudamel, and the Los Angeles Philharmonic, Walt Disney Concert Hall, p. 53 The Met in HD: George Frideric Handel’s Agrippina, p. 21 The Book of Mormon, Ahmanson Theatre, p. 53 Piatigorsky International Cello Festival: Opening Gala Concert at USC, p. 42 Sweet and Salty: A Conversation with Asian American Women Chefs, USC Pacific Asia Museum, p. 43 Paul Taylor Celebration: USC Kaufman and USC Thornton perform Esplanade, p. 44 Live Artists Live III: Despair/Repair, p. 45 To See the Suffering: A Lecture by Rita Charon, p. 7 The Real James Bond…Was Dominican by Christopher Rivas, p. 46
APRIL A Cartography of Poets Workshop, p. 47 A Cartography of Poets: Maps, Archives, and Locating the Poetic, p. 47 Michelangelo: Mind of the Master, J. Paul Getty Museum, p. 53 Conversations of the Talking Drums: An Evening of West African Dance, p. 48 A Writing Workshop with Najee Omar, p. 49 West African Drumming and Dancing Workshops, p. 48 Even Death Will Not Stop Me: A Performance by Najee Omar, p. 49 Delaying Decay: The Intersection of Technology, Health, and Humanity, p. 50
Photo: Angel Origgi
Admission, Reservations, and Tickets Most Visions and Voices events are open to the public. However, attendance at some events is limited to USC students or the USC community only. All events are FREE for USC students. Admission prices vary for non-USC students. Reservations are accepted online at visionsandvoices.usc.edu.
Visions and Voices E-Mail List Visit our website to sign up for the e-mail list and receive updated event information, RSVP reminders, and other special announcements.
Contact Information USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative visionsandvoices@usc.edu (213) 740-0483 837 Downey Way Stonier Hall, Suite 203 Los Angeles, CA 90089-1142
#visionsandvoices
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60 Photo: Julieta Cervantes
VISIONS AND VOICES Photo: John McDermott
Photo: Andrew Ness
Visions and Voices: Who We Are
Leadership
Robin Romans, Associate Vice Provost Daria Yudacufski, Executive Director, Visions and Voices Robert Cutietta, Chair, Visions and Voices Deans’ Council Tara McPherson, Chair, Visions and Voices Faculty Committee
Deans’ Council
Chaired by Robert Cutietta, Dean, USC Thornton School of Music and USC Kaufman School of Dance Willow Bay, Dean, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism David Bridel, Dean, USC School of Dramatic Arts Milton S. F. Curry, Dean, USC School of Architecture Elizabeth M. Daley, Dean, USC School of Cinematic Arts Selma Holo, Director, USC Fisher Museum of Art Haven Lin-Kirk, Dean, USC Roski School of Art and Design Bethany Montagano, Director, USC Pacific Asia Museum Erica Muhl, Dean, USC Iovine and Young Academy for Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation Catherine Quinlan, Dean, USC Libraries Ex-Officio: Adam Rosen, Associate Vice President, Cultural Relations and University Events
Faculty Committee
Chaired by Tara McPherson, Cinematic Arts Sasha Anawalt, Communication and Journalism Paula Cizmar, Dramatic Arts Eliot “Eli” Dunn, Graduate Student Representative
Kenneth Foster, Arts Leadership Alice Gambrell, English Brenda Goodman, Cinematic Arts d. Sabela grimes, Dance Dana Johnson, Creative Writing Cyrus Khandalavala, Undergraduate Student Representative Annette M. Kim, Public Policy Josh Kun, Communication and American Studies and Ethnicity Pamela Schaff, Family Medicine and Pediatrics Jody Agius Vallejo, Sociology Jennifer West, Art and Design Diane Winston, Communication and Journalism Ex-Officio: Adam Rosen, Associate Vice President, Cultural Relations and University Events
Staff
Hector M. Catalan, Graphic Designer Katherine Guo, Student Coordinator Lois Kim, Student Coordinator Madeline Lim, Student Coordinator Steve Lin, Web and Systems Administrator Mary Megowan, Production and Marketing Specialist Eve NaRanong, Art Director Marie-Reine Velez, Production and Marketing Specialist William Warrener, Lead Producer, Arts in Action Martin Wong, Marketing Administrator
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USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative 837 Downey Way Stonier Hall, Suite 203 Los Angeles, CA 90089-1142
visionsandvoices.usc.edu