Everything Nac

A funny and entertaining musical tale for the entire family is this year’s opera selection to be presented by the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Music.

“The Pirates of Penzance” by W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan is “good, old-fashioned fun,” says Dr. Debbie Dalton, associate professor of music at SFA and the show’s stage director.

Although the opera is selected to fit the voices the School of Music has in each particular year, “The Pirates of Penzance” was chosen because it is “the most popular and beloved of all Gilbert and Sullivan operettas,” Dalton said.

“The music is beautiful and memorable,” Dalton said. “Audiences will recognize many of the tunes and say, ‘Oh, this is the show that song comes from!'”

Young Frederic has just finished his obligation as a pirate apprentice, Dalton said in describing the story. After 21 years at sea, he looks forward to new adventures on land. He meets and falls in love with Mabel, one of the many wards of Major-General Stanley, but, of course, there are many obstacles to overcome before they may marry.

At the heart of each year’s opera production are student performers and designers, guided by faculty members who direct the musical and visual components. Other music faculty production staff members include Musical Director/Conductor Dr. Pierre-Alain Chevalier, musical director of SFA’s Orchestra of the Pines; Chorus Master Dr. Todd Fish, associate director of choral activities at SFA; and Production Stage Manager and Assistant Director Nita Hudson, voice and opera instructor.

“This is a School of Music production,” Dalton said, “but we hire advanced and capable student designers from the School of Theatre to build the sets, coordinate and build costumes, and design and run the lighting.”

Costume coordinator is Marshall graduate student Jessica Tinker-Akers, who has “single-handedly taken the measurements from head to toe of all 47 in the cast,” Dalton said.

“Some costumes are rented, but most are pulled from stock and altered, if needed, or Jessica builds them,” she added.

Set designer Richard Rogers, junior theater major from Kerrville, is building particular set pieces to compliment the rented backdrops, Dalton said.

“I enjoy working with all of our wonderful students and watching them grow in confidence and ability in the rehearsal process,” Dalton said. “The real joy in this production is having so much fun watching the goofiness of the pirate crew and the policemen.

“After all, who doesn’t want to be a pirate?!”

“The Pirates of Penzance” will be presented at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, April 4 through 6, in W.M. Turner Auditorium, 2222 Alumni Drive, on the SFA campus.

Tickets are $15 for adults, $10 for seniors and $7.50 for students and youth. For tickets or more information, visit www.finearts.sfasu.edu or call the SFA Fine Arts Box Office at (936) 468-6407.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s fourth annual Darwin Day program has been rescheduled for noon to 1 p.m. Monday, March 25, in the Kennedy Auditorium with featured speaker Dr. Michael Zimmerman presenting “The Confluence of Religion and Science.”

An annual celebration of science, Darwin Day is held on or around evolutionary biologist Charles Darwin’s birthday to commemorate his contributions to the field of biology.

“Simply put, if we don’t make evolutionary theory the centerpiece of biological education, we end up teaching students biological information without any context,” said Zimmerman, professor of biology at Evergreen State College and founder and executive director of The Clergy Letter Project. “If we don’t explain why evolution is important, we fail to explain the very nature of science.”

During the presentation, Zimmerman will address the significance of evolution and discuss The Clergy Letter Project, speaking about the value of scientists and science educators working with clergy members to promote high-quality science education, he said.

“Having an understanding of where science and religion overlap, and where they do not, is extremely important,” said Dr. Stephen Mullin, professor and chair of the Department of Biology. “Hosting this presentation will help develop a correct understanding not only among students but also among members of the East Texas community.”

The event is free and open to the public.

For more information, contact Mullin at (936) 468-3601 or sjmullin@sfasu.edu.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist for Stephen F. Austin State University.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s planetarium in the Cole STEM Building will premiere two new shows Saturday, March 30, offering exciting, educational experiences for viewers of all ages.

The planetarium has public shows every Saturday with group shows available throughout the week upon reservation.

“Earth, Moon & Sun,” geared toward children ages 7 to 13 but open to all ages, will be presented at 3 p.m. Tickets are $3.

“This is a delightful, fast-paced and humorous full-dome show that tackles many of the most baffling concepts associated with the Earth-moon-sun system, including eclipses, lunar phases, the seasonal changing of constellations and the physical nature of the sun and moon,” said Ed Michaels, planetarium director.

“Supervolcanoes” will be presented at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. and examines past cataclysmic eruptions on Earth in addition to the volcanic activity on other planets and moons throughout the solar system.

Tickets are $6 for adults and $4 for children, students, and faculty and staff with ID and will be available for purchase at the box office 30 minutes before each show. The shows will be offered through May 11, closing April 18 through 20 for Easter.

For more information or to view the schedule or make a reservation, visit planetarium.sfasu.edu.

By Joanna Armstrong, marketing communications specialist for Stephen F. Austin State University.

Through a partnership with the Early Childhood Laboratory, Stephen F. Austin State University interior design students worked with 5- and 6-year-olds in prekindergarten and after-school care to design bedrooms.

SFA students were split into two groups, one worked with the prekindergarten students and the other with children in after-school care.

The children served as the clients, and each SFA student was paired with a child to design a bedroom for him or her. Dr. Mitzi Perritt, SFA professor of interior design, explained that this experience introduced the SFA students in the course HMS 208: Creative Design Studio to model building, as well as the stages of the design process.

The SFA students were tasked with interviewing the children, preparing sketches, designing floor plans and constructing 3D models.

Unlike other design projects, this one required students to study anthropometric data, which is the science of body measurements. Students measured key dimensions on the child’s body to ensure the furnishings would fit. Many of the bedroom models included natural lighting, accessible shelving, display areas for artwork and collections, private “hideaway” retreats, and accommodations for active play.

After the models were built, SFA students presented them to the children. Many students said interacting with the children and building the structures were their favorite parts of the project.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.

Stephen F. Austin State University’s dance program will showcase senior choreographic works during its production of “Danceworks: Labyrinth … the only way out is through” at 7 p.m. April 10 in the HPE Complex Dance Studio, Room 201, on the university’s campus.

Additional showings are scheduled for 7 p.m. April 11 and 12, and 3 p.m. April 13. A total of 12 works will be performed and will alternate with six works being showcased during the first performance and the remaining six the next, then repeating.

Admission is free for SFA students. Tickets cost $5 for non-SFA students and children; $8 for faculty, staff and senior citizens; and $10 for general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the door.

The production’s theme “labyrinth” plays with the idea of diversity and mystery.

“We thought labyrinth was a great way to showcase the diverse choreography because you don’t know what’s around the corner. It’s a surprise, and you have to guide your way through it and find your perception and understanding,” said Heather Samuelson, dance program co-coordinator and assistant professor in SFA’s Department of Kinesiology and Health Science.

Danceworks serves as the capstone course for dance seniors. Samuelson explained the production teaches students a variety of skills other than choreography. For example, students learn how to cast a show, promote a performance, design lighting, select costumes and edit music.

Modern and contemporary dance are the main styles that will be featured during this production, along with jazz/funk and hip-hop. One piece pays homage to the historical contributions of entertainer Josephine Baker.

Before and after the production, students will be selling Bundt cakes as a fundraiser for their summer trip to Scotland, where they will perform “Tales of Neverland” during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the largest art festival in the world.

By Kasi Dickerson, senior marketing communications specialist at Stephen F. Austin State University.