Blogs

May 10, 2013 - 11:11AM -
Megan Pagado

eighth blackbird

Photo by Luke Ratray
 

Contemporary chamber music rockstars eighth blackbird performed here at the Center in March and were even kind enough to compile a playlist of some of their favorite music!

Click here to listen to it, and keep reading for their comments on some of their selections.

May 9, 2013 - 12:12PM -
Missy McTamney

Your Brain on Dance

Photo by Janie Green
 

It was during a flamenco class at the University of Maryland that School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies professor Karen Kohn Bradley and Dr. Jose Contreras-Vidal realized they shared a common interest in movement analysis.  Curious about the effects that dancing has on the brain, the duo ultimately decided to take their mutual interest to the next step and conduct experiments into what changes happen in the brain when a person dances.

Their project, which Bradley calls “Your Brain on Dance: The neural symphony of expressive movement” explores ways the body expresses personality, emotions and beliefs through movement, and the ways in which movement changes the brain.  Bradley and Contreras-Vidal selected a number of skilled dancers to don an EEG brain cap. This enabled them to examine the effects that dancing has on the brain.

May 8, 2013 - 10:10AM -

La Boheme

La Bohème photo by C. Stanley
 

Bringing to life one of the most beloved (and most produced) operas in the history of the art form is a daunting task but, in the capable hands of the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies’ scenic designer and MFA candidate Jake Ewonus, La Bohème springs vividly to life. I sat down with Jake to ask about his experiences designing the show.

May 7, 2013 - 10:10AM -
Megan Pagado

The livestream of A Meeting of Two Oceans: Dialogue on Sufism and Buddhism will be viewable through this link on Tuesday, May 7, 2013 between 1:45PM and 3PM EST. Please note that Microsoft Silverlight must be installed

May 6, 2013 - 11:11AM -
Missy McTamney

2013 MFA Design Exhibition at Studio Theatre

Artwork provided by School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies
 

It’s been said “Everything is designed. Few things are designed well.” But well-designed things are a joy to experience, and that’s what you’ll find at the 2013 MFA Design Exhibition, which can be enjoyed in two different locations this year.

May 2, 2013 - 1:01PM -

Sidney Chen

Photo courtesy of Sidney Chen
 

Sidney Chen is a member of Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble, and will perform in her newest music-theatre work On Behalf of Nature here at the Center on May 4. He is a founding member of The M6, a vocal sextet dedicated to Monk's music, and also works as the Artistic Administrator for Kronos Quartet.

Sidney also took the time to compile a playlist of some of his favorite music. Click here to listen to it, and keep reading for his commentary on his selections.

May 1, 2013 - 5:05PM -

This post is by Lisa Driscoll, a Sophomore Vocal Performance and Broadcast Journalism double major. You can read more of her writing on her blog.

David Harrington of Kronos Quartet and Joel Pierson

David Harrington and Joel Pierson photo by Cara Fleck
 

Soaring string melodies and heavy-metal riffs collided in a showcase of virtuoso performers and student composers on Thursday, April 2. After rehearsing with the Grammy award-winning Kronos Quartet in San Francisco eight months earlier, graduate composition students Alexandra (Lexi) Bryant, Jonathan Graybill and Joel Pierson got to hear their pieces come together at the Clarice Smith Center.

April 24, 2013 - 4:04PM -
Missy McTamney

Linda Mabbs

Photo courtesy of the UMD Board of Regents
 

The press has called her “the elegant American soprano Linda Mabbs, acclaimed for the excellence and versatility of her performances”. Ms. Mabbs has performed with some of the world’s leading orchestras, collaborated with esteemed conductors and presented recitals in some of the finest venues throughout the world. But when she is in her role as professor of voice for the UMD School of Music, her attention is completely on her students and preparing them for their own careers.

April 22, 2013 - 3:03PM -
Missy McTamney

Jack Kay

Barbara Kay, Jack Kay and Shelley Mulitz photo by Mike Morgan
 

Jack Kay has been called a visionary for a number of reasons. He led the successful real estate management firm, Kay Management and developed thousands of homes in suburban Maryland communities like Kemp Mill Village after World War II. But perhaps his greatest pioneering work was done as a philanthropist, particularly in the performing arts.

April 22, 2013 - 2:02PM -

This post is by Kate Gibson, one of our Production Coordinators.

Kate in the scene shop

Photo courtesy of Kate Gibson
 

This was my first trip to the USITT conference, and I spent a good deal wishing I had even known about it as a student. I attended this conference coming from the perspective of someone who manages theatre. This could mean a variety of things: stage management, production management, theatre management. And, there is a definitive “Management” track that is a part of the conference. Much else is geared towards the actual technical aspects of the theatre and the educational perspective. So, while my colleagues were mingling with various vendors, former colleagues, and classmates, I spent a great deal of time getting back to my roots.

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