Today@Sam Article
Coming Up In CAM This Month
April 1, 2022
SHSU Media Contact: Wes Hamilton
The College of Arts & Media (CAM) at Sam Houston State University is featuring many showcase events for Bearkat students this month. Coming up in CAM in April includes performances from the Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre, Department of Dance, The School of Music and several art exhibits on display. For a complete list of CAM events, visit the calendar page here.
Directors’ Debut Series: “Endgame” and “The Swan”
Sam Houston State University’s Department of Theatre and Musical Theatre is especially proud to produce a series of student directed shows as part of our main season. The Directors’ Debut Series will be presented in repertory live in the Showcase Theatre Apr. 5-9, 2022 with 7:30 p.m. showings each evening as well as a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee option.
This barebones approach to theatre allows each student to hone their directing skills by telling the story as set down by the playwright through analysis and character creation with actors. Though minimally supported in the area of technical theatre and design, these productions are beautiful, imaginative and powerful. “The Directors’ Debut series gives students with strong potential as directors the opportunity to find their voice and build their aesthetic as artists,” said Patrick Pearson, Assistant Professor and student director faculty advisor.
Endgame — directed by senior theatre major Zach Marullo
Apr. 5 & 7 at 7:30 p.m. | Apr. 9 at 2 p.m.
It’s an understatement to say family relationships are dysfunctional in Samuel Beckett’s 1957 absurdist play, “Endgame.” Inside an empty house on the edge of the apocalypse, we find Hamm — a paralyzed man seated in a stained armchair who has trapped his parents inside dustbins. A pinnacle of Beckett's characteristic raw minimalism, “Endgame” is a pure and devastating summation of the human experience in the face of approaching death. In true Beckett form, hardly anything happens, yet there is so much going on. The entire action takes place in a blank interior where Hamm, a blind man unable to stand, and his servant Clov go through their daily routine as they await the end of time.
The Swan — directed by senior theatre major Robert Bunn
Apr. 6, 8, & 9 at 7:30 p.m.
Dora Hand lives isolated on the Nebraska prairie. Having lost three husbands, she seems destined to loneliness — until a swan crashes into her living room window, setting Dora on a harrowing journey. She names the swan Bill, and to all outward appearances, Bill is a charismatic, child-like companion. Dora, the swan and her married boyfriend, Kevin, form a bizarre triangle. At first, Dora treats Bill like a pet she can train. But when Bill quickly learns the ropes of being human: speech, dressing, checkers, beer ... and love for Dora, a passionate tug of war between the two men for Dora's affection is resolved with a rip-roaring, extraterrestrial encounter. All at once, Dora finds herself dangerously entangled with the swan, whose animal devotion to her threatens her already neglected lover and ultimately, her sense of self.
Tickets for both shows are available on the Box Office website for $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. SHSU faculty and staff can get one free ticket when booking online. SHSU students can obtain one free ticket the week of the show when booking online. For ticket information, please contact the Box Office at tickets@shsu.edu or call 936.294.2339.
The Showcase Theatre is located in the University Theatre Center at 1740 Bobby K. Marks Drive and 17th street between the Newton Gresham Library and the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center.
Dance Senior Studio: “Emergence”
Sam Houston State University’s Department of Dance is thrilled to present “Emergence,” an accumulation of choreographic works created by 15 dance artists of the 2022 senior class. Performances will take place from Apr. 7-9, 2022 and program order will vary nightly, giving the community multiple opportunities to be submerged into diverse creations ranging from cultural dance works to picturesque storytelling, to going against societal normality.
Program A — presented on Apr. 7
“La Cultura es Rica” by Graciela Montes is a folklorico dance work celebrating the strengths of Mexican culture by preserving the intimate and spiritual connection of tradition while also incorporating spoken word to shift said tradition.
“Women of Worth” by Triniti Orr explores women’s sense of self-worth and ability to determine their own choices, drawing parallels between Orr’s own personal values while acknowledging humanity.
“Facade” by Sierra Canales illustrates four individuals who have hit a breaking point, showing how people appear to have everything figured out, when in reality, they’re reaching peak exhaustion.
“(i)nner Harmony” by Kayla Parker dives into the journey of finding inner peace from different points of view, entailing movements of serenity and self-discovery.
“RUSH” by Naja Williams takes the audience on a stimulating ride through the mental capacity of a working human brain, showcasing multiple cultural backgrounds and the rush that comes with them.
Program B — presented on Apr. 8
“Revolving Perturbation” by Mya Bryant dives into the feeling of internal chaos. Using her own personal struggle as inspiration, Bryant’s dynamic choreography portrays the constant battle within oneself and maintaining composure while fighting for a normal state of mind.
“Aftersome” by Madelynn Moreno reveals layers of growth and intends to shed light on PTSD. Through the use of blindfolds, Moreno portrays how an individual can build up walls as a result of trauma and how one can come to peace through introspection and self-awareness.
“Cognitive Heuristics” by Kris Schramm urges the audience to embrace the irrelevance of passing time through the unorthodox while simultaneously finding the joy in creating and performing, as Schramm believes movement can exist in a world without fear of the past or future.
“Oblivion” by J Obregon looks at how corruption inside a collective can lead to its downfall. Does one singular truth exist within a collective of perspectives? Tension among the members creates conflict and leads to miscommunication.
“Video Phone” by Sydney Felton displays the sensual and powerful energy of the female essence through the interpretation of pop culture, jazz, and hip-hop.
Program C — presented on Apr. 9
“Es lo que hay” by Carolina Escamilla celebrates the advantages of hard work one born and raised in Mexico experiences. In a chaotic environment, multiple opportunities arise to succeed from the ground up as the dancers reach toward their aspirations.
“KALM” by Sheena Kapila in collaboration with dancers, is inspired by the personification of a well-oiled machine. Each dancer represents a vital part of proper function as everything is connected.
“No. 36” by Allie Rodriguez leads the audience through a puzzle solver’s journey. Evolving through the letters and lines of this puzzle, solving acrostics has never been so complex. How will she decode the pattern?
“Unshielded” by Justice Jackson is inspired by the famous painting “The Raft of Medusa.” When it seems like all hope is lost, will there be any signs of life? Someone has to live to tell the story.
“New Company Policy” by Reilly Elise Wiggins challenges what it means to “play it safe” by going against the odds of typical societal structures. Using an office-inspired setting, this piece speaks with an unapologetic voice and encourages others to do the same.
Tickets for each night are available on the Box Office website for $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. SHSU faculty and staff can get one free ticket when booking online. SHSU students can obtain one free ticket the week of the show when booking online. For ticket information, please contact the Box Office at tickets@shsu.edu or call 936.294.2339.
The Dance Theater is located in the James and Nancy Gaertner Performing Arts Center at 815 17th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340.
The School of Music also has performances lined up in the coming weeks. These events will take place at 7:30 pm in the Gaertner Performing Arts Center.
Opera Unlimited – Apr. 7–9
Wind Ensemble Concert – Apr. 21
Spring All-Choirs Concert – Apr. 22
Tickets are available on the Box Office website for $12 in advance and $15 on the day of the event. SHSU faculty and staff can get one free ticket when booking online. SHSU students can obtain one free ticket the week of the show when booking online. For ticket information, please contact the Box Office at tickets@shsu.edu or call 936.294.2339.
Art Exhibition Spotlight:
The following events are free and require no ticket reservation. For gallery locations and viewing hours, please visit the respective links or reach out to the Department of Art at 936.294.4311.
University Gallery
22nd Annual Juried Student Exhibition — Mar. 28 – April 9
Graphic Design Senior Exhibition — Apr. 18 – 23
Satellite Gallery
BFA Senior Exhibition — Apr. 7 – 9
BFA Senior Exhibition — Apr. 14 – 16
Student Art Association Art Auction — Apr. 21 – 23
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