Organizing all the events at WSU Performing Arts can be an art in and of itself, said Director Gail Siegel.
“(Scheduling) involves juggling calendars, budgets and technical requirements, at the same time soliciting and responding to suggestions, researching talent and identifying opportunities to participate in routed bookings,"said Siegel."All of these factors and many more go into creating a successful performance schedule."
The performing arts program, which offers live performances by professional musicians, actors and artists, is a university-level unit introduced in 2011 after the Department of Theatre and Dance was cut. The new program is striving to be self-sufficient through ticket sales, sponsorships, grants, “Friends of Daggy” memberships and facility rentals, Siegel said.
The performances this semester are selected for the Main Stage, Concert Stage and Family Stage series to present wide range of offerings to appeal to diverse audiences and bring exceptional and affordable performances to Pullman and the Palouse.
The Main Stage Series, “The Art of Storytelling,” will celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month on Sept. 26 with a musical theatre production “Los Valientes – The Courageous One ” by Core Ensemble.
Sponsorships by the Department of Foreign Languages and Culture and the Department of Critical Culture, Gender and Race Studies made these performances free for WSU students. For non-students, tickets cost $18 for adults, $15 for seniors and $8 for youth.
“One actor and three musicians tell the stories of three heroic Latinos: Mexican artist Diego Rivera, humanitarian Salvadoran Archbishop Oscar Romero and Mexican-American outlaw Joaquin Murrieta, whose life it is believed the Zorro character is based upon,” Siegel said.
Later in the season, the program will present “Saddlebag Stories: An Evening with Baxter” Oct. 26 and 27.
On Nov. 9, The Acting Company will perform “Of Mice and Men,” the classic American story of two drifters written by Nobel and Pulitzer prize-winner John Steinbeck.
Tickets for the performance cost $10 for WSU students, $20 for adults, $16 for seniors and $12 for youth.
Mary Trotter, clinical assistant professor of music, said getting the word out about the new program is a prominent aspect of the group.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing the Pullman and WSU communities come to Daggy Hall to share in the arts,” she said. “We really have something for everyone.”
All performances will be held in the Jones Theatre at Daggy Hall and will begin at 7:30 p.m.
BREAK OUT BOX:
Buy tickets for WSU Performing Arts performances:
- Available through TicketsWest outlets, such as the Beasley Coliseum ticket office
- Online at ticketswest.com
- By phone at (800)325-SEAT (7328)
- At Daggy Hall theatre box office two hours before each show
