SPRING 2018
WELCOME TO
As we find ourselves at the start of a new semester, we are committed more than ever to continuing the conversation beyond the classroom by presenting thought-provoking, timely, and universal programming. By connecting arts and culture with entrepreneurial thought, our students get new perspectives of the world brought to them by the unique voices and experiences of each artist’s work we present. Our theater-in-residence, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, offers works that capture the fleeting moments of civic and personal decision when a change of direction was still possible. Ariel Dorfman’s powerful political and psychological thriller, Death and the Maiden, kicks off the season followed by Wendy Wasserstein’s Old Money, a witty look at social classes and issues of wealth and privilege. With these plays, we hope to provoke deep thought about how we want to be remembered by history. We are also proud to present On the Wing: A Celebration of Birds in Music and Spoken Word, a piece that marries music, song, poetry, and expert commentary on birds. Two acclaimed artists will exhibit their works in Hollister Gallery. Coral Woodbury’s paintings in Another Word for Body celebrate the immortal force of human bonds through remembrance. Through texts, sound, images, and sculptures, A bird I do not know takes up the search for the lost Eskimo Curlew by artist Jane Marsching. An evening with renowned poet, novelist, and art journalist Eileen Myles and the award-winning film Wild Tales by Argentine director Damián Szifron rounds out our eclectic and exciting spring season.
This past fall marked the 20th anniversary of the naming of the Sorenson Center for the Arts, and we continue the celebration this spring. Without the generosity and foresight of Richard and Sandra Sorenson, who provided funding for the building, it would not be possible to bring engaging experiences to our students and the community around us. We are proud to uphold their vision and hopes for connecting the arts and entrepreneurship in meaningful ways for our students. Please take a few moments to see what BabsonARTS has to offer. We hope to see you soon at one of these exciting events! All the best, Steven Maler, Director Sandra Graham, Faculty Director Adam Sanders, Associate Director Danielle Krcmar, Associate Director, Visual Arts Richard W. Sorenson Center for the Arts Support for BabsonARTS programs has been made possible through the generosity of Richard W. Sorenson M ’68,P ’97,’00 and Sandra L. Sorenson P ’97, ’00; Estate of Norman Dorian ’48; and Lee J. Belitsky MBA ’93,P ’17 and Janice Belitsky P ’17.
All Events are FREE and open to the public unless otherwise noted.
On the cover: The New Dictionary by Coral Woodbury
BY ARIEL DORFMAN DIRECTED BY STEVEN MALER January 30–February 4 and February 8–11 Wednesday–Saturday evenings at 7:30 P.M. Sunday matinees at 3:00 P.M. Sorenson Black Box In this powerful political drama and psychological thriller, a former political prisoner finds herself face to face with the man she believes was her captor. Set in an unnamed country emerging from a totalitarian dictatorship, the play explores the aftereffects of repression on hearts and souls.
Tickets $40; Senior (65+) $36; Babson faculty/staff and non-Babson students $15; Babson students $5 Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company. Death and the Maiden is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
Another Word for Body: Paintings by Coral Woodbury ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION: Thursday, February 8, 5:00 P.M. EXHIBIT ON VIEW: February 8–March 16 Hollister Gallery Coral Woodbury’s paintings explore the ephemerality of both corporeality and memory, yet celebrate the immortal force of human bonds through remembrance.The artist uses the imagery of the palimpsest: an ancient parchment manuscript whose writing has been scraped away to make way for new writing yet still shows traces of the original, melding time and thought into a multilayered record. With pieces selected from across multiple bodies of work, this exhibition is constructed as an examination of how memory can preserve and heal. With pieces selected from across multiple bodies of work, this exhibition is constructed as an examination of how memory can preserve and heal.
Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Day:
Bree Newsome Wednesday, February 21, 5:00 P.M. Reception to follow at 6:30 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater The 15th annual Martin Luther King Legacy Day continues celebrating Dr. King’s vision of justice, equality, and peace, recognizing students and faculty through leadership and creativity awards. This year’s speaker is Bree Newsome, a contemporary civil rights activist who garnered national attention for a daring act of peaceful disobedience in June 2015. Following the brutal murder of nine black parishioners at a church in
Charleston, S.C., Newsome climbed the flagpole at the South Carolina statehouse and pulled down the Confederate battle flag as a protest against racist symbolism. As a recognized and celebrated voice on the topics of injustice and racial discrimination, Newsome brings to light the importance of leadership development in building and sustaining social movements.
Old Money BY WENDY WASSERSTEIN DIRECTED BY KAREN MACDONALD March 6–11 and March 15–18 Wednesday–Saturday evenings at 7:30 P.M. Sunday matinees at 3:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater A party in a fashionable home offers a rich and witty look at social classes and issues of wealth and privilege from the Gilded Age of the early 20th century to the present day. A wealthy robber baron and his family, their descendants, and assorted characters in their midst — an Irish maid, a Hollywood producer, a social-climbing publicist, confused teenagers, and eccentric artists — mingle in a contrast of old money and new. Tickets $60, $45, $25; Senior (65+) $56, $41, $25; Babson faculty/ staff and non-Babson students $15; Babson students $5 Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Old Money is presented by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.
On The Wing: A Celebration of Birds in Music and Spoken Word Tuesday, March 27, 7:00 P.M Carling-Sorenson Theater Inspired by his love of nature, composer and Berklee College of Music Professor Andrew List has created a uniquely collaborative performance piece that marries music, song, poetry, and expert commentary on birds. On the Wing will showcase 12 original songs by List and features pianist George Lopez, Artist-inResidence at Bowdoin College, and mezzo-soprano
Krista River. Interspersed through the song cycle will be poems written and recited by poet and Babson College English Professor Mary Pinard (who also wrote lyrics to the music) and commentary by Wayne Petersen, Mass Audubon’s Director of Important Bird Areas and an expert guide. Presented with support by the Division of Arts & Humanities
A bird I do not know: Art Installation by Jane Marsching
ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION: Thursday, March 29, 5:00 P.M. EXHIBIT ON VIEW: March 29–May 4 Hollister Gallery The Eskimo Curlew is a ghost species of bird, with only a few unconfirmed sightings, no sound recordings, and a handful of blurry photographs. It was once so numerous that the sky was darkened for much of an hour as a flock flew overhead. It migrated farther than any other bird, from the boreal forests of Canada to the tip of South America. It was officially last seen decades ago. What does it mean to have lost an entire species? Does it matter? Can we feel the loss of something we have never seen? Through texts, sound, images, and sculptures, A bird I do not know takes up the search for the lost Eskimo Curlew.
Eileen Myles: Poetry Reading Tuesday, April 3, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater “Eileen Myles is that rare creature, a rock star of poetry” Boston Globe. Widely renowned as a poet, novelist, performer, and art journalist, Eileen Myles is a trailblazer whose decades of literary and artistic work “set a bar for openness, frankness, and variability few lives could ever match” New York Review of Books. Myles is the author of more than twenty books, including Afterglow (a dog memoir), Chelsea Girls, and I Must Be Living Twice: New & Selected Poems 1974-2014. Their many honors include four Lambda Literary Awards, the Clark Prize for Excellence in Arts Writing, the Shelley Memorial Award from the Poetry Society of America, Creative Capital’s Literature Award, the Andy Warhol Foundation Arts Writers Grant, and a Foundation for Contemporary Arts grant. Presented by the Charles D. and Marjorie J. Thompson Visiting Poet Series
Photo: Peggy O’Brian
Wild Tales DIRECTED BY DAMIĂ N SZIFRON Monday, April 9, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater The award-winning film Wild Tales is a darkly funny look at the frustrations of contemporary life. This collection of six short stories from Argentine director DamiĂĄn Szifron is united by the universal themes of revenge, loss of control, the dehumanization and inequities of modern existence, and, ultimately, the need for human connection. Alternately hilarious, absurd, shocking, and touching, Wild Tales takes audiences on a rollicking ride through the landscape of human desire and interaction. Presented by the Global Film Series
Gary Dunning: Executive Director, Celebrity Series Boston ARTS & BUSINESS CONVERSATION Wednesday, April 11, 12:30–1:30 P.M. Sorenson Upper Lobby Gary Dunning is a veteran of performing arts administration who began his career at American Ballet Theatre before becoming Executive Director of Houston Ballet in 1986. He returned to ABT as Executive Director in 1992. In 1996, he joined the Big Apple Circus as Executive Director. Gary was appointed the President and Executive Director of Celebrity Series of Boston in 2011, the fourth
President in its 79-year history. He has served on and chaired numerous panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, the Texas Arts Council, and the New York State Council on the Arts. He currently serves on the Board of ArtsBoston and co-chaired Boston Mayor Marty Walsh’s transition team for arts and culture in 2014.
Shakespeare and Leadership
Thursday, April 26, 6:30 P.M. New England Conservatory, Boston MA Shakespeare and Leadership is a presentation of selected scenes from across Shakespeare’s works, performed by Boston’s best actors. The scenes act as springboards for CEOs and business leaders to discuss topics important to current issues in leadership and society. This year we will explore how leaders respond to the shifting questions around gender and power. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Babson Music Collective Spring Concert Monday, April 30, 7:00 P.M. Sorenson Black Box
The Babson Music Collective is a group of talented students using improvisation, creation and collaboration under the direction of professional trombonist Clayton DeWalt to create a repertoire of eclectic selections. Join them for a night of jazz, blues and more in their final concert of the season.
Students Against Gravity Friday, February 2, March 2, April 13, 9:00 P.M. Grille Room SAG (Students Against Gravity) bring zaniness and unpredictability to their monthly performances. Audience participation welcome! Presented by The Empty Space Theater (TEST)
Macbeth BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY DAVID R. GAMMONS Friday, June 1, 7:00 P.M Carling-Sorenson Theater Shakespeare’s classic tragedy dramatizes the damaging effects of political ambition on those who seek power for its own sake.
performance, CSC is offering six weekday matinee performances May 24–June 1 for students from area middle and high schools.
This production is part of CSC’s “Stage 2” series for young audiences, and features the CSC2 roster of early-career actors. In addition to this public
Tickets $20; Babson faculty/staff and non-Babson students $15; Babson students $5
Richard III BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY STEVEN MALER July–August Babson Night TBA Boston Common
Shakespeare’s searing drama chronicles the ruthless ascension of a king and the devastation he leaves in his wake as he gains power over the realm. Babson College’s theater-in-residence, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company (CSC), has been performing free Shakespeare on Boston Common every summer since 1996. This year, the Babson community and alumni are invited to attend a special “Babson Night” performance, with a premium reserved seating section. CSC is dedicated to artistic excellence, accessibility, and education, presenting plays of the highest artistic caliber that celebrate ideas and language to create dialogue around compelling issues of our time. Founded by Steven Maler in 1996, the company also presents additional events throughout the year, such as Theater-in-the-Rough staged readings and Shakespeare and Leadership, and conducts training and apprenticeship programs for pre-professional and early-career actors. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Workshops
BabsonARTS workshops give participants the opportunity to explore their own creativity and build important visual and communication skills. Visit babsonarts.org for more information on these and other workshops. Workshops are open ONLY to Babson, Olin, Wellesley students and Babson faculty and staff of all levels of experience.
MUSIC AS MUSE: DRAWING WITH THE BABSON MUSIC COLLECTIVE Monday, February 12, 7:00 P.M. Roger’s Pub The Babson Music Collective will be the source of inspiration for a sketching night in the pub. Workshop participants will begin by making quick gesture drawings to describe the basic forms of what they see. They will also experiment with mark-making on paper to represent the percussion, rhythm and melody that they are hearing. All materials will be provided.
DIY CEMENT PLANTERS Thursday, March 1, 5:00 P.M. Trim Hall 215 Learn about sculpture and plant care by making your own cement planter using cardboard and other recycled materials — and get a plant to go in it! All materials will be provided.
Sorenson Scholars This year’s Sorenson Scholars are Anneliese Glaubitz, Alexa Forgione, Lauren Nohelty, Maria Blanco, and Joseph Nash. Not pictured is Madison Adler. The Sorenson Scholars scholarship program gives students with exceptional artistic talent and potential a chance to develop their abilities through their four years at Babson. The program is centered on peer feedback and staff-guided mentorship that pushes student-artists to develop not just as producers of art, but also as thinkers and audience members.
Student Performances Babson students have many other opportunities to participate in the performing arts! These are just a few of the student-led groups that perform on campus:
AMAN: SOUTH ASIAN STUDENT ASSOCIATION April 6, 8:00 P.M. BAPSA: BABSON ASIA PACIFIC STUDENT ASSOCIATION April 12, 8:00 P.M. Babson Players and F.W. Olin Players April 19–21, 7:00 P.M. BDE: BABSON DANCE ENSEMBLE April 26–28, 8:00 P.M. ROCKET PITCHES A CAPPELLA GROUP TBA For additional information on how to get involved with these activities, visit babsonarts.org.
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The Babson Campus
BabsonARTS events take place on the picturesque F campus of Babson College, an independent college located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Babson is a recognized national and international leader in E entrepreneurship education, blending innovative, integrated, and applied business and liberal arts programs with curricular and co-curricular learning WWW.BABSON.EDU/SORENSON experiences. 17
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Lower Fields
The Sorenson Center for the Arts is located at 19 Babson College Drive. Free parking is available in the Trim Parking Lot, a short walk from the theater.
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Join Us The Sorenson Center is celebrating 20 years of exciting, engaging, and entertaining programming. Our work would not be possible without the generosity and vision of Richard and Sandra Sorenson, who provided funding for an arts space at Babson and continue to champion our efforts. Here’s to another 20 years and beyond!
Celebrate the Sorenson on Monday, February 26! The Sorenson Center for the Arts celebrates its 20th Anniversary with a showcase of performances from our many student groups including Babson Music Collective, Babson Dance Ensemble and more, plus
an art exhibit in the lobby and a post-show reception. Join us for a night toasting the arts at Babson! For more information visit, babsonarts.org.
BABSONARTS.ORG 781.239.5880
EVENTS ARE FREE UNLESS NOTED
SORENSON CENTER FOR THE ARTS BABSON COLLEGE 231 FOREST STREET BABSON PARK, MA 02457
BABSONARTS NONPROFIT ORG. U.S.POSTAGE PAID PERMIT 9894 BOSTON, MA