VSU Hosts Performing Arts Showcase April 4

VALDOSTA — Celebrating artistic innovation and the inauguration of Dr. William J. McKinney as Valdosta State University’s ninth president, the College of the Arts will host a Performing Arts Showcase at 8 p.m. on Thursday, April 4. The event is open to the public and will be held in Whitehead Auditorium.

The Performing Arts Showcase will open with music composed and performed by VSU Department of Music students and alumni, under the direction of Dr. Kenneth Kirk. It will continue with a performance by the university’s Repertory Dancers, as choreographed by Catherine A. Schaeffer; a selection of Mass Media Program works created by students studying narrative, documentary, and news video production; a performance by a string quartet, under the direction by Steven Taylor; a short play written, directed, and performed by Theatre Area students during a recent 24-hour 10-minute play festival; and an original drum solo by McKinney.

The second half of the Performing Arts Showcase will feature the Chamber Singers, under the direction of Dr. Paul Neal, singing three songs, including one written by a VSU senior. Dr. Dacia Charlesworth, the university’s first lady, will then share with the audience an original one-woman performance art piece that she wrote. The Jazz Ensemble, directed by David Springfield, will close out the evening with music by Duke Ellington and Slide Hampton.  

Dr. John C. Gaston, dean of the College of the Arts and professor of communication, will serve as master of ceremonies. He said, “We see this as an excellent opportunity to showcase the talents of our students and faculty for the campus and the Valdosta community. Having it all in one location on one night is a rare treat for the participants and the audience. I hope it will create more awareness and interest in each of the areas represented in the program.”

Whitehead Auditorium is located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building, at the intersection of Brookwood Drive and Oak Street. 

Visit http://www.valdosta.edu/administration/president/inauguration/inauguration-information.php#schedule to view a complete schedule of inauguration events.

Contact Dr. John C. Gaston at (229) 333-5832 or jgaston@valdosta.edu for more information.