Throughout the fall semester, there are many ways for students to enjoy the arts at Winthrop University. From plays to dance shows to art gallery exhibitions, Winthrop offers something for everyone. This semester has some great upcoming productions including student directed works as well as the unveiling of a new art gallery.
Kicking off this season is the theatre department’s production of “Luna Gale”. This modern play takes a realistic look at an inter-family dispute over baby Luna Gale.
The play will run from Wednesday, September 26 through Sunday, September 30. Performances from Wednesday through Saturday will begin at 8:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance will begin at 2:00 p.m. and performances will be in the Studio Theatre. Wednesday and Thursday tickets for this show are only $5 with a Winthrop ID.
A special memorial art exhibit will also be on display in September 2018. “Seeds to Sow” is an exhibition detailing the career of late Winthrop University Professor Paul Martyka (1950-2016). In conjunction with the exhibition, Martyka’s family has established a fundraiser to support the exhibition and educational programming at Winthrop. The exhibition will be on display in the Rutledge and Elizabeth Dunlap Patrick Galleries Sept. 17-Nov. 16 with a public reception Sept. 21 from 6:30-8 p.m.
Those who were fans of Charlie Brown as a kid will not want to miss the theatre department’s production, “Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage Blockhead”.
This unauthorized parody play takes place during the teenage years of CB and friends. This highly relative coming of age story pushes teen angst to its very limits. It brings to light the issues that are found in all high schools and showcases the struggles of growing up. Because of its strong themes, this play also contains strong language and mature content.
“Dog Sees God” plays in Johnson Theatre from Wednesday, October 3 to Sunday, October 7. Wednesday through Saturday performances begin at 8:00 p.m. and Sunday’s final performance begins at 2:00 p.m.
Just in time for Halloween, the Musical Theatre Workshop will present “Everyone Loves a Villain”. This show will feature advanced students performing songs by villains everyone loves to hate! Performances will run from Wednesday, October 31 to Sunday, November 4. Wednesday through Saturday shows begin at 8:00 p.m. and the Sunday performance begins at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for the Wednesday and Thursday performances are also only $5 with a Winthrop ID.
Towards the later half of the semester, the Winthrop Dance Theatre Concert will take the stage in Johnson Theatre. It is a full evening of dance performances choreographed by faculty and guest artists.
It will feature the best in modern, ballet, and aerial dance. The show runs from Thursday, November 8 to Sunday, November 11. Thursday through Saturday performances begin at 8:00 p.m. and there is a special outreach performance Friday at 10:00 a.m. The Sunday matinee performance begins at 2:00 p.m. Tickets for all performances are only $5 with a Winthrop ID.
Also, in November is the Student Directed Fall One-Act Festival. This festival is an entertaining mix of one-act plays directed by advanced theatre students. Performances begin on Friday, November 16 and run through Sunday, November 18. Friday will only have one performance at 8:00 p.m. Saturday will have performances at 2:00 p.m. and 8:00 p.m. Sunday matinee will begin at 2:00 p.m. All tickets are general admission and only $5 with a Winthrop ID.
Closing out the semester is the Student Choreography showcase, a mix of modern dance works choreographed by senior dance majors. The shows begin are Friday, November 29, Saturday, November 30 and Saturday, December 1 at 8:00 p.m. and the final performance is Sunday, December 2 at 2:00 p.m.
Alpha Psi Omega, or APO is Winthrop’s Theatre Honor Society. This student run organization is heavily involved in the arts and many of its members take on various roles in productions on stage and backstage. In seasons past, APO has hosted events such as carnations for audience members to send their friends and family as well as 24-hour play festivals.
Maddie Willard, the current president of APO states, “The theatre and dance department has a great season of shows coming up this year. APO will be participating in many campus wide events that will be announced on all our social media as it is arriving. We hope that our fellow students will come out and help support the arts at Winthrop!”
Arts at Winthrop has a lot to offer for the Fall 2018 semester. Tickets for all performances can be purchased at the box office inside Johnson Hall. Come out and support local artists and friends as some may be doing their first performance on one of Winthrop’s stages or making their directorial debut!