Upcoming Events From the Seton Hall Arts Council

The Seton Hall Arts Council would like to invite all university community members to attend their upcoming spring shows. The spring season kicks off with Seton Hall Theatre’s production of the musical Bright Star at the South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC). In the rehearsal room, Director and Professor Peter Reader shared that "student performers are putting on their Southern twang to sing and dance to a great musical score." According to Professor Reader, "Bright Star is a sentimental story of love torn apart and surprisingly put back together, with a Bluegrass musical score. It is a story of love, hope and faith that perseveres through the darkness and into the light." Bright Star is set in the American South in the 1920s and 1940s and follows literary writer Alice Murphy as she meets a young soldier just home from World War II who awakens her longing for the child she once lost. Haunted by their unique connection, Alice sets out on a journey to understand her past and what she finds has the power to transform both of their lives. Performances will be held at 8 p.m., on April 18, 19 and 20, and at 2 p.m., on April 21, at SOPAC. 

Next, the Arts Council will present the latest event in the Jazz ‘n the Hall Concert Series, which features the Faculty Jazz Ensemble for the tenth time. The Seton Hall Faculty Jazz Ensemble is highly acclaimed by the university and the general community. According to Program Director Gloria Thurmond, D. Min., "For nearly twenty years, Jazz ‘n the Hall audiences have come to expect exciting, entertaining and educational programs from the Seton Hall University Faculty Jazz Ensemble with its guest artists. With a special focus on developing new audiences – particularly among students – Jazz ‘n the Hall programming seeks to educate, as well as to entertain, while also transforming the mood, mind and spirit of each listener." The concert will be held at 7:30 p.m., on April 23, at SOPAC. 

After Jazz ‘n the Hall, the Theatre Council will be back at the University Center Theatre to present the first of two student created and directed cabarets: A Dream Role Cabaret. A Dream Role Cabaret, directed by Callie Christofferson, features a collection of numbers and songs from 20 musicals. Each number features cast members in a role that they have always dreamed of playing. Performances will be held at 8 p.m. on April 26 and 27. 

On May 2, at 7:30 p.m, the Seton Hall University Chorus, Chamber Choir and Orchestra will present their annual spring concert at SOPAC. In this year's concert, talented student musicians, under the direction of Jason Tramm, DMA, will perform works of Schubert, Mendelssohn, Hagenberg, Beethoven and many more. Additionally, acclaimed violin soloist, Byung Kook Kwak, will join the orchestra for a special performance of Saint-Saen’s Havanaise.

Finally, on May 3 and 4, the Seton Hall Theatre Council will present its second student created and directed cabaret of the season, Everybody’s Coming Together,  directed by Abby Walker. It is a cabaret of songs that all focus on themes of friendship and platonic love. This production features Seton Hall theatre students sharing stories of camaraderie from musicals new and old. Performances will be held at 8 p.m., on May 3, in the University Center Theatre.

For all performances held at SOPAC, tickets are free at the door or can be reserved for $5 in advance on SOPAC’s website. Admission is free for all events in the University Center Theatre.  

If you are interested in getting involved with Arts Council organizations, like the Seton Hall Theatre Council, please contact Chris Aurilio for more information.   

Categories: Arts and Culture, Campus Life