The Colorado Mesa University Theatre Arts department has announced its theme for the 2018-2019 performance season: “Ends and Means: The Pursuit of Happiness.” This theme centers around political conversations and will be communicated through many performance styles, including dance and musical theatre.
The dance department will present its fall performance, “Ends,” on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1. The spring performance, “Means,” will follow the next semester on April 26-27. Audience members will be able to find information on the theme in the performance program, where directors and choreographers will write their perspectives.
Meredith Lyons, Assistant Professor of Dance at CMU, says the theme will emphasize the variety in the performances.
“There’s going to be a variety of different works… there’s more of a choreographic undertone. You’ll see a lot of different styles of dance,” Lyons said.
The theatre arts department performers are both majors and minors in the program, as well as students from other fields on campus, as the program and auditions are open to anyone. The theme was decided in the Season Selection Committee, which meets frequently throughout the year.
“There are a lot of different ideas that get thrown out there,” Lyons said. “From there, we decide, ‘What are we trying to say as a department and how can we say it collectively, together, in a variety of different works?’”
Although each performance is unique in its own way, they will all tie into the theme together.
“We wanted to make sure we were aligned throughout the season, and the themes and messages being showcased, so that we can be a cohesive unit as a department,” Lyons said. “The entire department is coming together under this theme. Aside from productions, it’s also coming into our classroom curriculum.”
Each performer and faculty member puts tremendous work into their performance. Many programs have auditions before the academic year begins, and rehearsals start on the first day of class. Some rehearsals take place every evening for many hours leading up to the performance, not including individual practice time.
“Once we get into tech week, which is usually the week before the production goes up, those are pretty long evenings in the theatre to get everything ready,” Lyons said.
Tech week is also the time for stage crew to practice their role in the performance, such as lights, sound, music and costume.
Once performances begin, Lyons encourages CMU students to attend.
“I believe in students supporting students,” Lyons said. “There are so many great things that happen on this campus. Step outside your comfort zone. Sometimes we learn more about ourselves when we step outside our comfort zone. When you go see these productions… there’s magic that happens in the theatre that you can bring back to your everyday. It’s another way to think about the world around us.”
Moss Performing Arts Center will break out its performance season with “Assassins” premiering Sept. 13, with a diverse array of performances and concerts following throughout the academic year.
