In a fierce display of Artistic Intensity, Jackson State University is hosting the 79th Annual National Association of Dramatic and Speech Arts (NADSA) Conference
The four-day event of competitions and workshops, facilitated by JSU’s Liberal Arts Department of Speech Communications & Theatre, begins Wednesday, March 25.
Numerous NADSA events are planned during a celebration of Artistic Intensity for the university’s Fine Arts Series 2015. These include:
Wednesday, March 25
- 7:30 p.m., Dr. Billie Jean Young in “This Little Light: The Fannie Lou Hamer Story”: The two-act play is a narrative of Hamer’s life as an American voting rights activist and civil rights leader. Young is internationally acclaimed for this drama and has performed it on four continents, including in almost every U.S. state, multiple times; Rose E. McCoy Auditorium. (Free Admission)
Thursday, March 26
- 7 p.m., “Faculty Recital”: JSU’s Department of Music presents “Beyond the Spiritual,” a lecture-recital featuring Phyllis Lewis-Hale, soprano, and Karen Laubengayer, piano. The lecture-recital will highlight selected art songs by four 20th-century African-American composers: Florence Price, Camille Nickerson, Leslie Adams and Betty Jackson King; F.D. Hall Music Center, Jimmie James Jr. Recital Hall.
Thursday-Friday, March 26-27
Master Classes. To sign up for the following, contact the Department of Speech Communications & Theatre, 601-979-2426.
- “Modern Dance Exploring”: the natural mechanics of the body and practicing movement pathway that will enhance the movement experience in performance
- “Jazz Dance Exploring”: technique directly influences the musical theater dance
- “Performance Exploring”: best dance performance practices for the stage on concert dance and musical theater
Saturday, March 28
- 7:30 p.m., “Jamie Thompson in “Colors”: A vibrant, uplifting artistic expression of dance, music and theater, “Colors” explores and celebrates the existence of cultural diversity. The piece investigates the evolution of people of color, identifying accomplishments, acknowledging the continuous struggles and illuminating a wealth of legacies, including those of African-Americans, Afro Caribbean and Hispanics; Rose E. McCoy Auditorium. (Free Admission)
In addition, JSU’s theater department has announced other upcoming arts events. These include:
- JSU Orchestra and String Ensemble: Under the direction of Rachel Jordan, the JSU Orchestra and String Ensemble and the University Orchestra (directed by Harlan Zackery Jr.) will present a joint concert at 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31, in the Jimmie James Recital Hall of the F.D. Hall Music Center
- Senior Exhibition: April 9-30, in the Dollye Robinson Liberal Arts Gallery
- Student Exhibition. “Animated World: African Art from the Anderson Collection at Jackson State University,” April 10-June 11 in Ayer Hall, Margaret Walker Center. The collective highlights three specific themes: “Cosmology in African Art,” “Images of Animals in African Art” and “Images of Ancestors in African Art.” An opening party will be at 1 p.m. April 10 in Ayer Hall.
- Public Lecture: “Transatlantic Souvenirs: A Dialogue of Slavery and Memory in Kongo-Inspired Relief Sculpture” by Nichole Bridges of the Saint Louis Art Museum, 10:30 a.m., Friday, April 24.
- “Jazz on the Plaza” Jazz Festival: “JSU Jazz Ensemble Class I & II,” “Vocal Jazz Ensemble” and “Jazz Combo,” 6 p.m. April 24.