Thursday, August 04, 2011

The University of North Carolina Wilmington Office of Cultural Arts announces its 2011/12 season, which includes a schedule of internationally-acclaimed artists, encompassing a wide range of styles and genres, with performances by luminaries in classical and jazz music, dance and drama.

Highlighting this season’s Masters Series is the Feb. 20-28 residency featuring musicians and teaching artists from Jazz at Lincoln Center. The residency includes master classes, public school workshops and concerts for families and youth, and will culminate with a performance by the legendary Wynton Marsalis.

“We were able to bring Wynton and Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra here three years ago,” said cultural arts director Norman Bemelmans, “and the excitement generated throughout our campus and community was phenomenal. We are very fortunate to have these extraordinary musicians back this season for another evening of Marsalis’ irresistible energy, creativity and unparalleled artistry.”

Other Masters Series highlights include Pilobolus, the renowned dance ensemble whose unique blend of imaginative and athletic movement have thrilled and inspired audiences for more than four decades; and Liszt200, a bicentennial celebration of composer Franz Liszt. The yearlong series continues with solo recitals and orchestral performances of Liszt’s virtuosic and passionate music.

“We are very pleased to partner with the Wilmington Symphony Orchestra on the bicentennial’s concluding concert Oct. 22, which features four solo pianists in an evening of Liszt’s music for piano and orchestra,” said Bemelmans. “It promises to be an evening of truly spectacular musical fireworks.”

Additionally, the Office of Cultural Arts continues and expands its Artist in Residence program with in-school residencies, community engagement and performances featuring teaching artists from both the Kennedy Center and Jazz at Lincoln Center.

“We are also pleased to announce a multi-year residency with the producers of the World Premiere Stage Adaptation of Ralph Ellison’s American masterpiece, Invisible Man,” said cultural arts assistant director Courtney Reilly.

During the first week of November, Oscar-nominated writer Oren Jacoby and director Christopher McElroen will work in residence to complete the new stage adaptation in advance of the January 2012 premiere at Chicago’s Court Theatre. While in residence, the artists will conduct master classes and workshops, as well as work with a cast of local actors to rehearse and present a staged reading of the final script on Nov. 5, 2011. The full stage production will return to Wilmington during the 2012/13 season.

“This is an extraordinary opportunity for our students and faculty, as well as the community at large, to work closely with renowned artists and to join cultural institutions around the country in developing a new work of international significance,” Reilly added.

Tickets and information about these and other initiatives of the Office of Cultural Arts are available at uncw.edu/arts or the Kenan Auditorium Box Office, 800.732.3643.

Media contact:
Courtney Reilly, Office of Cultural Arts, 910.962.2082 or reillyce@uncw.edu