Blogs

May 14, 2015 - 1:01PM -

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Photo courtesy of Leigh Wilson Smiley

Leigh Smiley, director of the University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies, wears many hats as a teacher, administrator and working professional. This spring, she worked as the vocal coach for Marley, a musical about the legendary musician and activist that opens May 13 at Center Stage in Baltimore.

“I feel extremely proud to work on this piece, because I think the message is right. I think the heart in the project and humility in the project is really what we need right now in this region and in the nation.”

May 13, 2015 - 11:11AM -

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Part of the value of a performing arts degree is that it teaches important skills that are transferable to any career. As a sales engineer for Cisco one of the largest companies in internet working technology, School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies alumnus Chris Martin (Ph.D. in Performance Studies ’10), draws on the interpersonal skills and work ethic that he developed through his training in the humanities to better serve customers.

Martin hasn’t completely abandoned theatre – quite the opposite. He said his position at Cisco has given him the financial freedom to continue pursuing the arts in other ways. “I’m able to do things like volunteer at a high school,” he said.

May 4, 2015 - 2:02PM -
Megan Pagado

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

SHARP

Photo by Robert DiLutis
 

Once a week, University of Maryland School of Music students visit William Wirt Middle School in Riverdale. But these visits aren’t required for class.

“Students become better students when they’re involved in the arts, and that’s been proven time and time again.”

April 23, 2015 - 12:12PM -
Megan Pagado

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Taylor Mac

Taylor Mac photo by Xanthe Elbrick
 

Taylor Mac strutted on stage in sparkly heels, clad in a shimmery gold tunic with a tulle bustle, an asymmetrical military-style jacket, a rainbow boa and a headdress reminiscent of the Statue of Liberty.

It wasn’t long before Mac singled out audience members to join in onstage. “There’s no forcing, just missed opportunities,” Mac said with a wink, although nobody said no to the invitation.

With each song, judy “let go” of a 20th century value or principle that judy felt was no longer serving us – from the patriarchy to the “oppressive nature of fantasy” to commercialization.

April 20, 2015 - 10:10AM -
Megan Pagado

This blog post is by Lauren Burns, a junior journalism and history double major.

Tia Fuller

Tia Fuller photo by Keith Major
 

Tia Fuller’s performance at The Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center on April 9 had a specific focus: the Angelic Warrior. At the performance’s start, a recording described the term. Angels are “peaceful, humble insightful and remain connected to the all mightyful,” while warriors are “always maintaining strength, [they] move in faith and not fear.” At the end of the intro recording, Fuller entered the Kogod Theatre playing her saxophone and joined the rest of her band.

Fuller ended the concert with the title track from her latest album, Angelic Warrior. She urged the audience to maintain balance between the angel and warrior within and to thank those who helped get them there.

April 17, 2015 - 11:11AM -
Megan Pagado

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

B-FLY BACKSTAGE

Clockwise from left: Caroline Clay, Paige Hernandez, Jjana Valentiner and Anu Yadav; Photos by Kris Funn
 

Three University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies alumnae – Paige Hernandez (BA Theatre Performance ’02), Anu Yadav (MFA Theatre Performance ’13) and Caroline Clay (MFA Theatre Performance ’13) will perform excerpts from their solo shows at B-FLY BACKSTAGE: Diverse Solo Shows for Women this Saturday, April 18 at Atlas Performing Arts Center.

“I think that putting our work out there and showing what we think…how we do what we do is really taking a stance for all women and girls to be able to show their mind as well.”

April 9, 2015 - 12:12PM -

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Sisi Reid photo by Olivia Brann

Senior theatre performance major Sisi Reid recently represented the University of Maryland School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at the a2ru Emerging Creatives Student Summit in January. She says her experience at the University of Maryland has laid a firm foundation for collaboration in the arts.

I want to expand how much I know as an artist and what I know about different fields.

April 8, 2015 - 12:12PM -

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Flying V Theatre

April 2, 2015 - 2:02PM -
Megan Pagado

This blog post is by Emily Schweich, junior broadcast journalism major.

Deb Sivigny

Deb Sivigny photo by Daniel Corey
 

UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies alumna Deb Sivigny (MFA Costume Design ’04) gave a gallery talk at the Luce Foundation Center for American Art at the Smithsonian American Art Museum on March 21. Her talk, part of the Luce Local Artists Series, highlighted the link between costume design and the fine arts.

“The simple act of putting together an outfit is a very deliberate task, just as putting together these collages is a very deliberate task on these jars.”

March 27, 2015 - 3:03PM -
Megan Pagado

Keith Hamilton Cobb

Keith Hamilton Cobb
 

American Moor

A play written and performed by Keith Hamilton Cobb

Presented by the Office of Diversity and Inclusion, in partnership with The Clarice

Tuesday, April 7, 2015 . 5PM
[Multi-purpose Room at Nyumburu Cultural Center

American Moor is a 90-minute solo play written and performed by Keith Hamilton Cobb. The play examines the experience and perspective of black men in America through the metaphor of William Shakespeare’s character, Othello. American Moor is not an “angry black man play,” but rather a play that addresses race in America, the nature of unadulterated love, privilege and American theatre.

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