Strategic Direction

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga

Laura Mertens — Wed, 28 Aug 2024 18:26:26 +0000

ARTS by George! 2024 Celebrates Mason Arts, Culminating in Concert by Tony Award Winner Lea Salonga Laura Mertens Wed, 08/28/2024 - 14:26

George Mason University's College of Visual and Performing Arts Presents ARTS by George!, an Evening Celebrating Mason Arts

ARTS by George! makes its return to George Mason University’s Fairfax Campus on September 28, 2024. Headlined by Tony and Olivier Award-winning singer and actress Lea Salonga, the annual benefit event raises funds for student scholarships at the College of Visual and Performing Arts (CVPA), as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performances at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Since its launch in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $4.1 million for Mason Arts.

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly,” notes Rick Davis, dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “From art and music to dance and theater, virtual reality to documentary film, the student showcases offer an unparalleled opportunity to experience the breadth and depth of what we do every day in Mason Arts. I learn something new every year and become an even prouder Dean.”

ARTS by George! begins at 5 p.m. by bringing hundreds of CVPA students and faculty together to showcase performances and exhibits, as well as to offer a behind-the-scenes look at their collaborative process. The seven CVPA academic units will be featured in showcases, which are a highlight of the annual event.

The School of Art will host an antique photobooth and give demonstrations of 3D art and letterpress printing, while Arts Management will host a display of the Free Little Art Gallery created by a graduate from the program. School of Dance will offer two presentations by faculty members—Christopher d’Amboise on dancing to the music of Stravinsky and Karen Reedy on Robert Battle’s “The Hunt”—which also include live dancing by students. Film and Video Studies will screen a selection of films by students, and Computer Game Design will offer a presentation titled “Unlocking the Future: Game Design with A.I. and Mixed Reality.” Students in the areas of jazz, opera, classical piano, and percussion will perform, representing the Dewberry School of Music; and students from the School of Theater will stage selections from 110 in the Shade, this fall’s musical, and student-written plays to be premiered in The Originals! 2024. In addition, two Mason Arts programs—the Green Machine Ensembles and Mason Community Arts Academy—will also offer performances throughout the event. These showcases will be held in the Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall. Guests will enjoy a buffet dinner and drinks over the course of the evening.

At 8 p.m., attendees will move into the Center for the Arts’ Concert Hall for a live Fund-a-Student appeal. The event culminates with a performance from Lea Salonga, starting at 8:30 p.m. Salonga will treat audience members to famous songs from her roles on Broadway and in animated films, and join them onstage for a champagne toast following the show. Beforehand, she will welcome George Mason students for an open soundcheck and Q&A.

ARTS by George! Chair and Mason Arts Board member Annie Bolger shared, “I’m thrilled to return as chair of this awe-inspiring event, which features George Mason’s impactful arts programs and highlights the talents of its amazing students. I invite our community to join us for what promises to be a very special evening, and to support us in raising critical funds for student scholarships and community arts programs so that the exploration and creativity continues for years to come.”

For high-resolution images, press tickets, and interview requests, please email kfranko@gmu.edu and pr@camillecdevlin.com.

**2024 ARTS by George! Schedule:**

5 p.m., Harris Theatre, de Laski Performing Arts Building, and Horizon Hall

Showcases by the talented students from George Mason’s College of Visual and Performing Arts, complemented by a buffet dinner and drink stations throughout the event.

8 p.m., Center for the Arts

Alumni performance and Fund-a-Student appeal.

8:30 p.m., Center for the Arts

An Evening with Lea Salonga, followed by an onstage champagne toast

Ticket and Sponsorship Information for 2024 ARTS by George!:

Individual benefit tickets are $350 per person and include entry to the student showcases, dinner, An Evening with Lea Salonga, champagne reception, and free garage parking. Each ticket includes a charitable donation portion directly supporting student scholarships and community arts programs.

Sponsorship packages begin at $2,000. To reserve tickets, become a sponsor, or for more information, please contact Susan Graziano at cvpagive@gmu.edu, 703-993-4188, or visit the ARTS by George! website.

Standalone tickets to only the 8:30 p.m. performance of An Evening with Lea Salonga are $50–$100 and are available for purchase through the Center for the Arts website.

The Premier Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Dominion Energy.

The Presenting Sponsor for ARTS by George! is Sandy Spring Bank.

Learn more about ARTS by George!

Purchase tickets for culminating concert, An Evening with Lea Salonga

“‘Something for everyone’ might be an overworked phrase, but it fits ARTS by George! perfectly.”

~ Rick Davis

Topics

New School of Dance Partnership Connects Students and Faculty Across the Pond

Emily Schneider — Fri, 16 Aug 2024 01:22:09 +0000

New School of Dance Partnership Connects Students and Faculty Across the Pond Emily Schneider Thu, 08/15/2024 - 21:22

In This Story

Shaun Boyle D'Arcy

Dance artist Shaun D’Arcy knows firsthand the impact of sharing new ideas in the world of contemporary dance. With the inauguration of a brand-new partnership between George Mason University’s School of Dance and England’s Northern School of Contemporary Dance (NSCD), students from both prestigious institutions will have the chance to learn, explore, and build together.

D’Arcy leading a dance class at NSCD in January 2024. Photo by Amelia Perry-Falvey

"This partnership with NSCD aligns perfectly with our mission to foster innovation and excellence in the arts," said D’Arcy, an assistant professor in the School of Dance. "We look forward to the many opportunities this collaboration will bring for our students and faculty."

The partnership, beginning in Fall 2024, represents a shared interest from both institutions to foster creativity and academic excellence and marks a significant step forward in bridging the worlds of contemporary dance and higher education. Both institutions are renowned for their dedication to dance training and academic research at the highest level.

In addition, both schools’ strategic visions encourage collaboration with business, alumni, and community partners. This common goal provides opportunities for joint research initiatives, which will benefit students and faculty while cultivating a deeper understanding of different cultural and educational perspectives.

"We are thrilled to embark on this collaborative journey with George Mason University. This partnership will not only enhance the educational experiences of our students and faculty but also contribute significantly to the discourse in contemporary dance and academic research," said Matthew Slater, interim head of undergraduate studies at NSCD.

A performer caught mid-movement at NSCD. Photo by Elly Welford

NSCD is a leading center for contemporary dance in the United Kingdom and is currently the only institution to offer conservatory-level professional dance training in England outside London. Founded in 1985 by pioneering dance educationist Nadine Senior MBE (1939-2016), NSCD offers undergraduate and post-graduate degrees and has since gone on to produce some of the leading names in the world of contemporary dance today. Alumni include the internationally celebrated Akram Khan (1998), independent choreographer Gary Clarke (2001), and Tamsin Fitzgerald (1998), founder and artistic director of 2Faced Dance Company.

While living in England for three years, D’Arcy completed a master's degree, taught dance, performed, and presented her own original works of choreography. During this time, she noted similarities and contrasts between contemporary dance practices in the United Kingdom and United States. After returning to the United States in 2012, D’Arcy remained determined to maintain those connections and open international doors for her students. A promising pilot program at the University of Utah in 2014 gave D’Arcy the chance to test the idea of a dance exchange with NSCD. Now, as a professor in George Mason’s School of Dance, she has brought this exceptional opportunity to dance students and faculty here in Virginia.

Innovation is at the core of the partnership with a central component being the robust exchange of knowledge, ideas, and cultures. In this early stage, the partnership is intentionally designed to allow organic evolution and growth, aiming to make way for potential exchange programs (both remote and in-person), joint research ventures, and artistic collaborations.

George Mason students striking a pose during a promotional photo shoot. Photo Credit: Tim Coburn

At George Mason this fall, D’Arcy will teach a special topics course that will support this initial phase of the partnership. Students in the class will explore the work of UK-based contemporary dance companies and choreographers, as well as take part in dialogues with NSCD faculty and students who will attend some sessions via Zoom. The course will allow for introspection, reflection, and discussion among George Mason students as they draw connections between contemporary dance practices in the United States and the UK.

Beyond the class structure, D’Arcy plans to pair students from both schools to encourage one-on-one relationship-building and conversations about their future plans and personal experiences as emerging professionals in their field. Similarly, as faculty from both institutions get to know one another and their areas of research, the open and evolving nature of this partnership allows for ongoing growth and change as new ideas emerge.

Looking ahead, both NSCD and Mason’s School of Dance are hoping for the chance to arrange in-person opportunities for students and faculty alike, but are also eager to explore the all together different possibilities and pathways that unfold in the coming months as this partnership blossoms.

Follow along with George Mason's School of Dance on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, and with NSCD on Instagram and X (formerly Twitter) as well as on their website.

Topics

Dance

dance education

dance faculty

College of Visual and Performing Arts School of Dance

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