Everything Nac

The Percussion Ensemble at Stephen F. Austin State University will perform works by Nathan Daughtrey, Francisco Perez, Rüdiger Pawassar and other noted composers in a virtual concert at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 6.

Directed by Dr. Brad Meyer, associate professor of percussion at SFA, the ensemble will perform Daughtrey’s “Shock Factor,” which is primarily driven by battery percussion. The piece features exciting vocal effects all derived from the word “shock.” A brief section in the middle of the piece takes a departure from the battery instruments by bringing prominence to the metallic keyboard percussion, such as bells, vibraphone and chimes. “Driving from beginning to end, ‘Shock Factor’ delivers,” according to Daughtrey.

Perez wrote “Nalu” as a marimba quartet for four players on two marimbas. In the Hawaiian language, the word “nalu” stands for wave, in reference to those in the waters surrounding the islands of Hawaii. “Through the use of counterpoint, syncopation, hocket and hints of minimalist techniques, ‘Nalu’ emulates the varying moods and textures of these ever-changing waves in the Pacific,” he writes.

The program also features “Study in 5/8” by Mitchell Peters, a former principal timpanist and percussionist with the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra.

Pawassar describes his “Sculpture 3” as “almost a classical-sounding work, but resembles many harmonic structures found in ’70’s and ’80’s jazz.” The composer comments that when writing this work, it resembled to him “the making of a wood sculpture where, in drafts, many parts were cut off, added again, shifted and intertwined with one another.”

The concert concludes with “Ojo” by Joe W. Moore III. The inspiration for the piece comes from Latin American folklore “mal de ojo,” which is looking or staring at someone with envy or praising them without touching them. The goal of the piece is to keep the audience engaged throughout the work with quick passages, rhythmic variety, timbre changes and movements transitioning between instruments, according to Moore.

To access the live concert free of charge, go to https://youtu.be/3F3eVf9x5Qw. For additional information, contact the School of Music at (936) 468-4602.

Angela Bacarisse had been looking forward to directing “The Fantasticks” as part of the Mainstage Series this fall for the School of the Theatre at Stephen F. Austin State University.

The theatre professor had eagerly anticipated the casting, costuming and scenic designs for the funny, romantic musical about the love between a boy and a girl amidst the meddling of their two fathers.

Then came COVID-19.

“I was really excited to do ‘The Fantasticks,’ but after looking at all the studies and talking to the music faculty, it was going to be really hard to work safely on music – teaching singing techniques to non-musicians wearing masks,” Bacarisse said, … not to mention trying to perfect the unique performance skills musicals require.

Bacarisse had the script for “Rideshare/Overshare” in her cache of potential scripts for the School of Theatre’s biennial trip to Scotland for the Festival Fringe. She thought it would be well-suited for her theatre students to tour at the festival “because it can be produced very simply,” she said.

There were a number of reason why “Rideshare/Overshare” was brought into the Mainstage Series to replace “The Fantasticks.” The College of Fine Arts and School of Theatre no longer had access to Turner Auditorium in Griffith Fine Arts Building because of a planned renovation/construction project that will take two years to complete. As a result, Kennedy Auditorium has become the main performance space for theatre students, and technical aspects need to be kept at a minimum because of facility limitations. Additionally, “Rideshare/Overshare” has the same number of cast members as “The Fantasticks,” so it just made sense to make the lineup switch.

By Ian McWethy and Carrie McCrossen, “Rideshare/Overshare” is a play about Mike and Elaine, a young couple heading to meet each other on a blind date. They each decide independently to take an UBER to get there, and then they find themselves paired with the weirdest drivers on the road.

“Their various experiences with drivers is what brings humor and pathos to the story,” Bacarisse said.

The ensemble for “Rideshare/Overshare” plays multiple characters, so students will need to create distinct differences in each of the roles they take on, Bacarisse said adding that creates a special challenge for her in “keeping track of who is on stage and what character they are currently playing!”

“It all takes place in cars, so there will be a need to keep the action interesting and the audience focused on what the characters are saying and experiencing,” she said.

Bacarisse said the play is for ages approximately 10 and up, “simply because younger kids probably won’t find it interesting.”

She further described “Rideshare/Overshare” as “just a nice story with some quirky folks inhabiting it.” The play will be presented at 7:30 nightly Tuesday through Saturday, Nov. 10 through 14, in Kennedy Auditorium on the SFA campus. It will also be livestreamed.

“I hope people get a chance to come out and enjoy some live theatre, or they can stay in and enjoy a live performance on YouTube,” she added.

Because of social distancing requirements, seating in Kennedy Auditorium will be limited for each performance. Patrons are required to wear face coverings. Actors on stage will wear masks during live performances.

General ticket prices are: adult, $15; senior (62+), $10; non-SFA student, $10; SFA faculty/staff, $7.50; youth, $7.50; SFA student, $5; virtual access, $15. Live virtual access is available for all performances. Purchase tickets/access at boxoffice.sfasu.edu or call (936) 468-6407. For questions about the play, contact the School of Theatre at (936) 468-4003.