On Monday, January 22 more than 450 people attended the second annual NIU College of Visual and Performing Arts Convocation in Boutell Memorial Concert Hall. They saw performances students from NIU’s School of Music, and School of Theatre and Dance and heard presentations from students in the School of Art and Design. The 90 minute program was highlighted by Dana Arnett, BFA ’83, School of Art and Design receiving an award for Excellence in the Arts.
The convocation can be seen here in its entirety:
Show Order
School of Music
Steelband Ensemble, Yuko Asada, Director
Conscious Chutney – Ras Shorty | (Garfield Blackman), arr. Liam Teague
Welcome and Introductions
Paul Kassel, Dean, College of Visual and Performing Arts
School of Art and Design
Gwendolyn Brooks Project exhibit: Paul Zollinger and Kinga Wojciaczyk
Reverse Glass Painting: Markie Stiegel
Back Space Gallery: Ari Norris and Ping
Young Professional in Art Education Award: Matthew Etherington
School of Theatre and Dance
Scene from The (curious case of the) Watson Intelligence – Madeline George
Eliza: Emily Vitrano
Watson: Joe Metcalfe
Directed by: Patricia Skarbinski
“Very Soft Shoes” from Once Upon a Mattress
Choreography: Paula Frasz
Composers: Marshall Barer and Mary Rodgers
Costume Design: Jeremy Floyd and Elizabeth Galba
Dancer: Matthew Skorupski
Student Advisory Committee Introductions
Interdisciplinary Student Project in Artistry and Research recipient recognition – Leah Harvey
Announcement of 2019 award winner(s)
School of Music
“Die Holle Rache” from The Magic Flute
Brittany Anderson, soprano
Aleksandra Hsiao, piano
School of Art and Design
Mobile Gallery: Lauren Iacoponi, Shane Bowers
(Video store, foreclosure) Narrative: Rebecca Griffith and Elyse Sawka
International: Yamin Xu
Non-traditional: John Linquist and Terrance Gray (black experience, PTSD)
School of Theatre and Dance
Scene from Blue Stockings
Tess: Jessie Roark
Celia: Madison Bishop
Ralph: Bryant Hayes
Directed by: Kendra Holton
“Steam Heat” from The Pajama Game
Restaged: Judith Chitwood
Composers: Richard Adler and Jerry Ross
Costume Design: Melanie Parks
Dancers: Aiyana Cervantez, Renae Frank, Abriana Willis
Excellence in the Arts presentation
Dana Arnett, BFA, School of Art and Design, ’83
Founding Partner and Vice Chairman, VSA Partners
