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The Voice of the Students at Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Voice of the Students at Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The Voice of the Students at Colorado Mesa University

The Criterion

The 2019 Best Musical Tony Award winner Hadestown ran at The Asteria Theatre from May 1st-2nd. The musical tells the Greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice in a new way, through folk music and industrial aesthetics.

PLUCKING THE STRINGS OF CLASSIC MYTH

Marigold Nugent, News Editor May 29, 2026

Folk-opera sensation “Hadestown” dragged audiences way down under the ground for the tragic tale of Orpheus and Eurydice on May 1 and 2 at the Asteria Theatre. The show’s creator, Anaïs Mitchell,...

LIFE STORIES TAKE CENTER STAGE

LIFE STORIES TAKE CENTER STAGE

Marigold Nugent, News Editor April 27, 2026

Musical theatre seniors spent the past year preparing cabarets for Student Showcase on May 2. The theatre department asked students to explore their identities as artists and their time at CMU. Acting...

RECORD DAY AT TRIPLE PLAY

RECORD DAY AT TRIPLE PLAY

Alexis White, Staff Writer April 27, 2026

Record Store Day (RSD) was on April 18, and celebrated independent brick and mortar record stores around the world. The tradition itself first started on April 19, 2008. RSD brings people together to celebrate...

ZIKR STUNS

Dana Dial, Managing Editor April 27, 2026

Contemporary ballet company Zikr Dance Ensemble tours Colorado and Northern New Mexico as part of their Rural Colorado Community tour. The tour brings   professional dance to rural communities that have...

Sophomore anthropology major Lance Glauer and Ferguson participate in a flower arranging workshop. Ikebana is a specific style of arranging that focuses on assymetry and minimalism. (Courtesy of Zach McCay)

UNDERDOGS ON TOP

Julia Wildman, Editor-in-Chief April 27, 2026

Correction: Zach McKay was identified as a senior anthropology major in the last print edition of the Criterion but is actually a junior history major. Three teams represented CMU at this year’s Japan...

A JOYOUS SYMPHONY

Paul Dieterichs, Staff Writer April 27, 2026

The symphony orchestra has been hard at work preparing for the May 3 performance at The Asteria Theatre. The symphony is led by Dr. Brian Krinke. Over 50 student musicians currently play with the symphony....

THE BODY AS A PLAYGROUND

Marigold Nugent, News Editor April 27, 2026

Performers from the world of dance showcased their skills during “Spring Into Dance” on April 10 and 11 at the Moss Performing Arts Center (MPAC). Student choreographers and dancers brought enchanting...

WINE POURS AS MUSIC SOARS

John Leet, Accuracy Manager April 13, 2026

Thursday, March 12. The Department of Music’s Corks and Chords took to Asteria Theatre’s stage for a night of wine, hors d'oeuvres and classical music. The event is a fundraiser put on by CMU for the...

A student reading the information flyer hung to barbed wire for the 23rd Holocaust Awareness Series. The sign is in front of the Field of Flags which is built each year as a memorial to the lives lost during the Holocaust. Each flag represents 5,000 individual lives lost.

23rd Holocaust Awareness Series Starts Today

Julia Wildman, Editor-in-Chief April 13, 2026

The Holocaust Awareness Series kicked off today with a moment of silence in front of the Field of Flags next to the Plaza. Each flag represents 5,000 lives lost. Professor of History Dr. Vincent Patarino...

Jaqueline Mosqueda sings lead on one of the Mariachi Band’s pieces. “This is a really like fun group, and it’s for everybody who can join. So it doesn’t matter if you know the language or know the style, anyone’s welcome,” Mosqueda said about the ensemble.

MARIACHI DELIVERS CULTURE

Gabino Miramontes, Staff Writer April 13, 2026

La música es uno de los pocos medios capaces de capturar las emociones humanas y expresar pensamientos de cualquier cultura, transmitiendo con precisión lo que se siente incluso sin conocer el idioma....

Music performance major Albert Booth plays with The U.S. Army Jazz Band. They graced CMU stages and acted as musical ambassadors to a select few Mavericks.

ARMY JAZZ BAND GETS THE SPOTLIGHT

William Diaz, Staff Writer April 13, 2026

When the U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors performed at Colorado Mesa University’s Asteria Theatre on March 20, the free concert drew a crowd large enough to exceed expected seating. According to information...

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