August marks the time we look forward to the beginning of school, ending our summer fun and anticipating what the new year has in store for the arts on campus.
The arrival of new faculty and staff, welcoming new and returning students, getting ready for new performances and finishing building renovations signal the start of an exciting year of performances and learning experiences.
Though quiet in the summer, the Department of Theatre is preparing for a busy fall. Production planning is underway during August, while classes start cranking up at the end of the month. Arthur Miller’s “All My Sons” and a residency by choreographer Rulan Tangen are this fall’s offerings.
“All My Sons” is a post-World War II story about the Kellers, a seemingly “All-American” family. Tangen, meanwhile, will work with students and community members on her new work, “SEED,” with performances Nov. 15-16 as part of the Department of Theatre department and the Community Concert Hall’s performance season.
The Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College prepares for the new school year by continuing the tradition of presenting Asleep at the Wheel. The undisputed “Kings of Western Swing” will return to Durango on Aug. 13.
On Aug. 23, comedian Paula Poundstone will perform at the Concert Hall. From NPR’s hit news quiz show “Wait Wait ... Don’t Tell Me,” Poundstone has earned awards from the Comedy Hall of Fame and tours throughout North America.
New faculty are joining Fort Lewis College’s Music Department. M. Brent Williams is our new assistant professor of violin and viola and will serve as concertmaster of the San Juan Symphony, as well as joining the Red Shoe Piano Trio. He received his doctorate from Florida State University.
Joining Williams as a new faculty member is John O’Neal, Department of Music Percussion Faculty. O’Neal also studied at Florida State University and is a candidate for the Doctor of Musical Arts degree from North Texas State University.
Both of our new faculty have extensive recording and touring careers and will continue with their performance work both on and off campus.
August also marks the end of much-needed renovations that have to take place during the summer – when departments take a break. New air handling and safety equipment renovations of the college’s Mainstage Theatre are wrapping up in preparation for the new school year. The Concert Hall, meanwhile, is replacing the long-used, analog main sound console with a new digital sound board, new on-stage audio monitors and new curtains.
Although audiences may not be aware of changes in the Concert Hall and Mainstage Theatre, we hope our renovations make all of our work more efficient and our audiences more comfortable.
Tickets for Concert Hall, Department of Theatre and Music Department performances can be purchased at the Community Concert Hall Ticket Office, located inside the Durango Welcome Center in downtown Durango at 802 Main Ave., online at www.durangoconcerts.com or by phone at (970) 247-7657.
Leslie_c@fortlewis.edu. Charles Leslie is the director of the Community Concert Hall at Fort Lewis College.
