www.drexel.edu/westphal
Welcome
The Performing Arts department at Drexel offers large and small performance ensembles for students across the university’s 14 schools and colleges. It’s an accomplished and lively department where students perform alongside professional theatre companies, expert and award-winning choreographers and some of the highest caliber musicians in the region.
The Mandell Theater is a quality performance space that houses professional and university events. Students who would rather work behind the scenes can get involved in set construction, writing, directing, lighting and sound. Your involvement in the performing arts at Drexel is limited only by what you choose to do. You have the opportunity to create the performing arts experience you want at Drexel and you’ll be working with a dedicated and award-winning faculty to support you as you work toward graduation.
As you read through this brochure you’ll find more information about each of our ensembles, how to get involved and when we perform. We hope to see you on stage, behind the scenes or in the audience as we prepare for another exciting performing arts season at Drexel.
“Music at Drexel expands my education past the usual math and science borders. You get to work with an incredibly talented group of people to turn something black and white into flowing colors and tones. It is a truly great experience that I am glad to be part of.”
– Katie Leis, Electrical Engineering – 2014
Dr. Myron (Mike) Moss Program Director mdm79@drexel.edu
Music at Drexel offers students from all majors the chance to perform in outstanding ensembles, in a wide array of styles. Auditioned groups include University Chorus, Jazz Orchestra, the Drexel String Orchestra. In addition, we offer Rock Ensemble,
Ensembles, a Mediterranean Music Ensemble, Percussion Ensemble, All-College Choir, an outstanding opportunities. Whatever your musical interests are, and whatever performance level you’ve reached so far, there will be a group here that meets your needs and will foster your growth.
Audience members are invited to come and enjoy the musical variety of our performances, embracing music throughout history and from all over the world, ranging from personalized pieces to the great works of musical canon. Performance highlights for the coming year include a performance of the Mozart Requiem by the University Chorus, a Concert Band performance based on The Lord of the Rings th Anniversary
Do join us, for this and much more in 2011–2012.
“Getting involved in Drexel theatre was one of the best decisions of my college career. The program taught me more than I could have imagined and the people became my second family.”
– Emily Kleimo, Graphic Design – 2011
information about any of these groups, please contact: Nick Anselmo Program Director nick.anselmo@drexel.edu or visit www.drexelplayers.com
Drexel’s Theatre program is open to all Drexel students interested in acting and the technical and administrative aspects of stagecraft. Each year we produce three Mainstage shows at the Mandell Theater, generally a mixture of comedy, drama, musicals, and classics.
One of those productions is co-produced with a top professional theater company and students have the chance to act or work backstage alongside professionals. Past productions have been with Pig Iron Theatre Co., New Paradise
Laboratories, Commonwealth Classic Theatre Co., EgoPo Productions, 11th Hour Theatre Co., and Azuka Theatre, as part of the Mandell Professionals in Residence Project (MPiRP). Our MPiRP productions have garnered a Barrymore Award, Philly’s version of the TONYs, for Outstanding Sound Design, and six nominations over the past four years.
Off the mainstage, we present smaller, more intimate productions as part of our Director’s Lab series with students handling the direction
and all aspects of the production, which are frequently written by students. Every Thursday night, The Late Night Series (www.latenightseries.com), our open mic night, is a great venue for students to present their own music, poetry, comedy, and much more.
“Dance Ensemble is a chance to perform and be a part of a creative, passionate, and hardworking community. A place to be inspired and learn new things while being able to share a love of dance through performance.”
– Megan Knotts, Dance – 2014
information about any of these groups, please contact:
The Dance Program at Drexel provides many performance opportunities. The Drexel Dance Ensemble is a professional caliber dance company presenting two fully-produced concerts in the Mandell Theater each year. Entrance into this company is open to any dancers beyond their freshmen year by audition twice yearly. The dance program also sponsors FreshDance, the freshmen year dance company, which also performs twice yearly at the Mandell Theater. Both companies present the work of guest professionals, faculty, and selected student choreographers. If you are passionate about working with younger audiences, then you may want to participate
Dr. Miriam
Giguere
Program Director danceprogram@drexel.edu
in the Youth Performance Exchange, which sponsors a Touring Ensemble that performs assembly programs each week, at local elementary and middle schools.
SEASON PERFORMANCES
Fall
Dance Lecture-Demonstration:
Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dance Company
Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dance Company is the preeminent company reconstructing works of American modern dance pioneer, Isadora Duncan. This lecture demonstration will feature performances of Duncan repertory, information on Duncan’s place in dance history, and even some audience participation!
Oct. 6 | 7:00 p.m.
Twelfth Night
By William Shakespeare
Shakespeare’s comedy is full
along with loads of laughter and mayhem. Join us as Viola, thinking her twin brother has been lost at sea, disguises herself as a man only to fall in love with the original emo boy, Duke Orsino, while the beautiful widow Olivia falls for her. As the knot untangles three couples find love and happiness.
Nov. 17, 18, 19 | 8:00 p.m.
Nov. 18 | 10:00 a.m.
Nov. 20 | 2:00 p.m.
Rock Ensemble and Fusion Band
Ensemble present classical, pop, and jazz, with unique arrangements and student soloists.
Nov. 29 | 7:30 p.m.
Mediterranean and Guitar Ensembles
plays seasonal music in a variety of styles.
The Mediterranean Music Ensemble presents a program that features music from Arabic,
Nov. 30 | 7:30 p.m.
Tickets
To reserve tickets for a performance, please call 215.895.ARTS or visit our Box Office one hour prior to the show. Only cash and checks are accepted.
Jazz Orchestra
The Jazz Orchestra and Jazztet present music from the masters of Jazz: Armstrong, Ellington, Mingus, and others.
Dec. 1 | 8:00 p.m.
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble explores the vast array of percussion traditions.
Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m.
All-College Choir and Drexel String Orchestra
The Drexel All-College Choir and Drexel Orchestra perform music from the Classical and Romantic eras.
Dec. 2 | 7:30 p.m.
Naturally Sharp
Naturally Sharp (Drexel’s Vocal Jazz Ensemble) presents classic jazz songs in sophisticated ensemble arrangements.
Dec. 3 | 3:00 p.m.
Gospel Choir
This year’s fall concert features selections that tell biblical stories from the Old and New Testaments.
Dec. 3 | 7:30 p.m.
University Chorus and Chamber Singers
“Medieval to Modern,” seasonal music, madrigals, and more.
Dec. 4 | 3:00 p.m.
Concert Band
The Concert Band presents “Hot Blooded:” passionate music for band, including Valerie Coleman’s “Roma,” co-commissioned by the Drexel band.
Dec. 4 | 7:00 p.m.
Drexel Dance Ensemble Winter Dance Concert: Snapshots
Snapshots are glimpses into memorable moments in our lives. The Drexel Dance Ensemble winter concert will present dances that reflect these moments through movement. Along with adjudicated student dances there will be new
including ”Upon Us,” a work performed by the Dance Ensemble
International Night in July 2011.
Feb. 2, 3, 4 | 8:00 p.m.
FreshDance: Freshman Dance Company Winter Concert
The freshmen company will perform new works of faculty choreographers Mina Estrada and Lucinda Lea, alongside the remounting of two selected student works from Dance Ensemble Repertory.
Feb. 4 | 3:00 p.m.
Feb. 5 | 1:00 p.m.
An Evening of African-American Music
The annual Evening of AfricanAmerican Music features the concert will present spirituals, gospel music, blues, and jazz, including a tribute to the legacy of the late Rev. Milton Brunson, founder of the award-winning Thompson Community Singers
Feb. 12 | 5:00 p.m.
Twenty-Second
Annual Madrigal Dinner
Travel back in time with the Drexel Chamber Singers and guest performers for an evening of Madrigals, Chansons, Lute Songs and Lieds in the year 1612. Come see how the nobles spent their Saturday nights.
Feb. 24, 25 | 7:30 p.m.
Mandell Professionals in Residence Project (MPiRP) presents BAD BOY SHAKESPEARE: THE POET LAUREATE OF CAPITALISM
A workshop production by Adriano Shaplin created in collaboration by Drexel students with The Riot Group in residence.
A thrilling exploration into the dark side of William Shakespeare. Bad Boy Shakespeare will implode the romantic view of the most
famous dramatist in the western world, as presented in works like “Shakespeare in Love,” and offer up a radically alternate view: Shakespeare as cutthroat competitor, ruthless literary pirate, bisexual misogynist and lapdog for Elizabethan fascism.
MPiRP is made possible in part by a grant from the Samuel
Mar. 1, 2, 3 | 8:00 p.m.
Mar. 4 | 2:00 p.m.
Gospel Choir 34th
Anniversary Celebration
Mar. 3 | 7:30 p.m.
Concert Band
The Drexel Concert Band presents The Lord of the Rings, with music drawn from the many composers who have been inspired by Tolkien’s epic fantasy.
Mar. 11 | 7:00 p.m.
Rock Ensemble and Fusion Band
Mar. 13 | 7:30 p.m.
Mediterranean and Guitar Ensembles
varied program of Classical, Jazz, and Rock music.
The Mediterranean Music Ensemble features dance music and traditional songs from the diverse Mediterranean cultures.
Mar. 14 | 7:30 p.m.
Jazz Extravaganza XIII
The Drexel Jazz Orchestra hosts the nationally-renowned Spelman College Jazz Ensemble, directed by Joseph Jennings. It’s an evening dedicated to the greats of jazz as our Jazz Orchestra performs alongside the Spelman Ensemble, which has shared the stage with Wynton Marsalis, Consuela Lee, Nancy Wilson, and many other jazz legends.
Mar. 15 | 7:00 p.m.
Percussion Ensemble
The Percussion Ensemble explores the vast array of percussion traditions.
Mar. 16 | 7:30 p.m.
All-College Choir and Drexel String Orchestra
The Drexel All-College Choir and Drexel Orchestra perform music from the Classical and Romantic eras.
Mar. 16 | 7:30 p.m.
University Chorus performing The Mozart Requiem
The Winter concert, with chorus and full professional symphony orchestra, is an annual highlight of the concert season. Mozart’s legendary last piece is timeless in its beauty and expressive power.
Mar. 18 | 3:00 p.m.
SPRING
Performance
Charrette Weekend
What happens when you combine digital media, dance, choreography and electrical engineering?
Spontaneity and limitations will be explored as interdisciplinary teams work together to discover a creative performance solution. Students will have 48 hours to solve a performance “problem” that involves digital media and dance, culminating in a public performance on April 8 at 5:00 p.m.
Apr. 6, 7, 8 | 5:00 p.m.
Coffee and Jazz
With Naturally Sharp, the Vocal Jazz Ensemble. City View Room, MacAlister Hall 6th
Apr. 27, 28 | 8:20 p.m.
Urinetown, The Musical
Music by Mark Hollmann
Lyrics by Mark Hollmann and Greg Kotis
Book by Greg Kotis
A hilarious tale of greed, corruption, love, and revolution in a time when water is worth its weight in gold due to a 20-year drought, which has led to a government-enforced ban on private toilets. Everyone must pay for one of humanity’s most basic needs. URINETOWN is an irreverently humorous satire in which no one is safe from scrutiny.
May 4, 5,10, 11, 12 | 8:00 p.m.
May 6, 13 | 2:00 p.m.
Drexel Dance
Ensemble Spring Concert
The Drexel Dance Ensemble will present a concert of selected student works and the choreography of guest artists Clyde Evans (hip-hop) and 2011
Bronwen MacArthur. The dances presented will represent a variety of dance genres and artistic voices.
May 31, Jun. 1, 2 | 8:00 p.m.
FreshDance: Freshman Dance
Company Spring Concert
The freshmen company will perform new and reconstructed works of faculty choreographers
and Stephen Welsh, alongside the remounting of two selected student works from Dance Ensemble Repertory. Dances from the annual performance charrette will also be remounted for this concert.
Jun. 2 | 3:00 p.m.
Jun. 3 | 1:00 p.m.
Gospel Choir Annual Night of Ministries
performances, with music, dance and spoken word.
Jun. 2 | 7:30 p.m.
Mediterranean Music Ensemble
The Mediterranean Ensemble presents a program that features music from Arabic,
Jazz Orchestra
seniors as soloists. Jun. 7 | 8:00 p.m.
Outdoor Music Festival Percussion Ensembles.
Jun. 8 | 12:30 – 5:00 p.m.
All-College Choir and Drexel String Orchestra
The Drexel All-College Choir and Drexel Orchestra perform music from the Classical and Romantic eras.
Jun. 8 | 7:30 p.m.
University Chorus and Chamber Singers for multiple choirs in the cathedral-like acoustics
Jun. 10 | 3:00 p.m. Concert Band
Jun. 10 | 7:00 p.m.
Jun. 6 | 7:00 p.m.
Tickets
To reserve tickets for a performance, please call 215.895.ARTS or visit our Box Office one hour prior to the show. Only cash and checks are accepted.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2011-2012
Concerts listed here are subject to change, please check with the Mandell Theater Box Office at 215-895-ARTS to ensure accuracy.
Fall
Every Thurs. Sept. 22 – Dec. 1
Oct. 6
Nov. 17, 18, 19
Nov. 20
Nov. 20
Nov. 29
Dec. 1
Dec. 2
Dec. 2
Dec. 4
Dec. 4
7:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m. 10:00 a.m. 2:00 p.m
Late night Series
Dance Lecture-Demonstration: Lori Belilove and the Isadora Duncan Dance Company
Creese Student Center
Mandell Theater
Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare Mandell Theater $5-$15
Rock Ensemble amd Fusion Band Concert
Mediterranean and Guitar Ensembles
8:00 p.m. Jazz Orchestra Concert
Percussion Ensemble Concert
All College Choir and Drexel String Orchestra Concert
Naturally Sharp
Gospel Choir
University Chorus and Chamber Singers
7:00 p.m. Concert Band
Winter
Every Thurs. Jan. 12 – Apr. 15
Late night Series
8:00 p.m. Concert Band
8:00 p.m.
1:00 p.m.
Dance Ensemble Winter Concert: Snapshots
FreshDance: Freshman Dance Company Winter Concert
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Main Auditorium
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Main Auditorium
Mandell Theater
Creese Student Center
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
$10 Adults, $5 Students
$10 Adults, $5 Students
12 5:00 p.m. An Evening of African American Music Mandell Theater Twenty-Second Annual Madrigal Dinner $21.95
Mar. 4 8:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
Bad Boy Shakespeare: The Poet Laureate of Capitalism
Gospel Choir 34th Annniversary Celebration
Mandell Theater
TBA
$5-$15
Mar. 11 7:00 p.m. Concert Band
Rock Ensemble and Fusion Band Concert
Mar. 14
Mediterranean and Guitar Ensembles
Mar. 15 7:00 p.m. Jazz Extravaganza XIII
Mar. 16
Mar. 16
Mar. 18
spring
Every Thurs.
Apr. 5 – Jun. 7
Apr. 6, 7, 8
Percussion Ensemble
All College Choir and Drexel String Orchestra
University Chorus performing The Mozart Requiem
Late night Series
5:00 p.m. Performance Charrette Weekend
Apr. 26, 27 8:20 p.m. Coffee and Jazz
May 4,5,10,11,12 8:00 p.m. 2:00 p.m.
8:00 p.m.
Jun. 1, 2
Jun. 2 1:00 p.m.
Jun. 2
Urinetown, the Musical
Dance Ensemble Spring Concert
FreshDance: Freshman Dance Company Spring Concert
Gospel Choir Night of Ministries
Jun. 6 7:00 p.m. Mediterranean Music Ensemble
Jun. 7 8:00 p.m. Jazz Orchestra
Jun. 8
5:00 p.m.
Jun. 8
Jun. 10
Outdoor Music Festival featuring the Fusion Band and the Guitar, Rock, and Percussion Ensembles
All-College Choir and Drexel String Orchestra Concert
University Chorus Great Court Concert
Jun. 10 7:00 p.m. Concert Band
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Main Auditorium
Main Auditorium
$8 Adults,
Creese Student Center
Mandell Theater
MacAlister Hall, 6th $7
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Stein Auditorium
Mandell Theater
Mandell Theater
Drexel Park
Main Auditorium
$5-$15
$10 Adults, $5 Students
$10 Adults, $5 Students
Mandell Theater
Important Info
Accommodations & Services
Mandell Theater is wheelchair accessible and offers Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs) for those with hearing impairments. Requests for accommodations and services due to a disability should be made to the Office of Disability Services (ODS). The ODS can be reached at 215.895.1401 (V), 215.895.2299 (TTY), or disability@drexel.edu.
The ALDs are available for checkout at the Mandell Theater Box Office.
Parking
Metered parking is available on many of the surrounding streets. There are several fee-based parking lots nearby: th & Ludlow Streets st & st & Market Streets
Discounts
Student and group discounts are available. All students are eligible
information regarding group discounts, please call 215.895.1275. Drexel University’s Cultural Passports are honored at most events, subject to availability.
Tickets
To reserve tickets for a performance, please call 215.895.ARTS or visit our Box Office one hour prior to the show. Only cash and checks are accepted.
Locations
Mandell Theater is located rd & Chestnut Streets.
are located in the Main Building at nd & Chestnut Streets.
Creese Center is located nd & Chestnut Streets.
City View Room is on the sixth floor of MacAlister Hall, rd & Chestnut Streets.
Stein Auditorium, Nesbitt Hall, rd & Market Streets
Brochure Credits
Photography
Dance:
Jacques-Jean Tiziou www.jjtiziou.net
Theatre: Noises Off
Julie Mercik, Noises Off
Justin Perri, Rent
Evan Rosen, Our Town and Reefer Madness
Design
Dounia Tamri-Loeper www.DouniaDesign.com
Department of Performing Arts
Drexel University
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Box Office
215.895.AR TS
Philadelphia, PA Permit # 144