By Jeff Murphy,
October 22, 2019
![Tijan Dorwana](/news/university-news/posts/images/tijan-dorwana.jpg)
WARRENSBURG, MO 鈥 Featuring seven events, the 欧美视频 announces
the 2019-20 UCM OVATION Performance Series, a curated presentation of exceptional
musicians, actors, and dancers who will bring high-impact artistry to West Central
Missouri audiences.
The series commences with a play Oct. 23-26 by the winner of the UCM National Playwriting
Competition for Theater for Youth, Laura Shamas. 鈥淭op Secret Deer Daycare.鈥 To be
performed at the Black Box Theatre stage in Nickerson Hall, this is a play about the
relationship between two children who embark on a mission of environmental stewardship.
The theme of environmental stewardship continues Nov. 6, when Ghanaian master percussionist
Tijan Dorwana joins UCM faculty member Alex Smith for a multi-media performance that
includes live gyil performance, carving, film, and discussion on the impact of global
consumption on indigenous communities.
On Nov. 9, UCM welcomes to Hart Recital Hall Kyle Mullins, artistic director, and
the Cerca Trova Dance Company. Cerca Trova is a contemporary repertory company founded
by Mullins in 2018. Based in Kansas City, Cerca Trova鈥檚 mission is to present dance
works both new and historical by local, regional, and national choreographers. 鈥淐erca
trova鈥, meaning 鈥渟eek and find,鈥 defines Mullins鈥 approach to the creative process
- pose questions, search for answers, and move towards them. Collaboration and dialogue
are essential to their creative process. Cerca Trova is committed to bringing high
quality works of art to audiences in both traditional and non-traditional venues.
The performance will feature a dance piece created especially for the UCM visit.
Spring 2020 begins Feb. 8 with Scott Cox鈥檚 one-man show in the James L. Highlander
Theatre, 鈥淎nd God Did Shake the Pear: Shakespeare for Everyday Living.鈥 Cox, who is
founder and director of Living Shakespeare, a rehabilitative theatre program at Lansing
Correctional Facility in Kansas, believes that 鈥淭he Bard鈥 has answers to almost any
question one can pose on the subject of life. In this solo performance, he combines
the one-man-show he has been performing for over 12 years with inspirational and humorous
anecdotes from 鈥渋nside the walls.鈥 He suggests that 鈥渁udiences should prepare to be
entertained, educated, and enlightened. There may be puppets, and there will definitely
be pears.鈥
Boston Symphony violinist Catherine French and St. Louis Symphony pianist Nina Ferrigno
present a concert March 9 In Hart Recital Hall celebrating the 150th anniversary of
the birth of Ludwig van Beethoven. Lauded by Strad Magazine as 鈥渟uperbly lyric,鈥 French
garnered top prizes at all of Canada鈥檚 major music competitions and has been featured
with the Boston Pops and musician/composer John Williams, as well as in a debut at
Carnegie Hall. Ferrigno has appeared at major concert venues and festivals throughout
North America. In addition to her work with the St. Louis Symphony, she is a founding
member of the Boston Modern Orchestra Project.
UCM School of Visual and Performing Arts returns to the Kauffman Performing Arts Center
March 30 for the 鈥淧resident鈥檚 Gala 2020: The Arts are the Future.鈥 Performing alongside
UCM students and faculty, the featured artist will be UCM alumnus and 2006 American
Idol winner, David Cook.
The season concludes on April 4 with the internationally renowned Mesner Puppet Theater
in its first appearance at UCM, presenting 鈥淭he Cat Came Back.鈥 This family friendly
production in Hart Recital Hall will be followed by a special 鈥渂ehind-the-scenes鈥
presentation as well as a question and answer session with the puppeteer. This program
is co-sponsored by the UCM Community Music Program.
Tickets for 鈥淭op Secret Deer Daycare鈥 and CercaTrova are now available from the UCM
Theatre Online Ticketing system. No tickets are required for Tijan Dorwana, Scott
Cox, and Catherine French/Nina Ferrigno. Tickets for the UCM President鈥檚 Gala and
the Mesner Puppet Theater will be available in spring 2020.
For more information, including times for specific shows, go to ucmo.edu/ovation or contact Mia Hynes at hynes@ucmo.edu or 660-543-8900.