The Clark State Performing Arts Center will feature more than a dozen performances during the 2015-16 season, which kicks off with The Illusionists on September 11.
“Adele Adkins has designed a season that appeals to the diversity of audiences and tastes in our region,” said Clark State President Dr. Jo Alice Blondin. “She really took the time to listen to the community and identify their interests in the Clark State Performing Arts Center.”
Adkins, executive director of the Performing Arts Center, said the 2015-16 season of performances strives to reach a broader-scope audience.
“I am a collaborator to my core, and this season the Performing Arts Center is partnering with the Springfield Arts Council on all of the Broadway shows,” she said. “We are also hiring the Springfield Symphony Orchestra to perform with the mega popular show Celtic Woman.”
As part of a college, Adkins said the Performing Arts Center has a dual mission: to be a resource to the students and their educational experience, and an equally important mission to serve the community.
“The Aquila Theatre Company of London offers some of the most extensive outreach in this country, and I have worked with them many times,” said Adkins. “They will be in the community for three days presenting workshops and lectures to all of the Clark State campuses.”
The Aquila Theatre Company will bring The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes to the Clark State Performing Arts Center on October 15.
Adkins is working on including additional country performers to the upcoming season, as well.
In addition to a diverse 2015-16 season, a new website will launch on July 6. Patrons will be able to purchase tickets online for all events held at the Clark State Performing Arts Center through the newly designed website.
“All ticketed events that happen at the Clark State Performing Arts Center, whether something from our season, the Springfield Symphony Orchestra or a renter, will be listed in chronological order on our website,” said Adkins. “In other words, it will be one-stop shopping for patrons. If it is happening at the Performing Arts Center, you’ll find it on our new website.”
2015 -2016 Clark State Performing Arts Center Season
- Friday, September 11 and Saturday, September 12 at 8 p.m.: The Illusionists
Direct from Broadway, the world’s best-selling magic show is coming to town. This mind-blowing spectacular showcases the jaw dropping talents of the most incredible illusionists on earth. - Sunday, September 27, 3 p.m.: Cashore Marionettes – Life In Motion
Unmatched in artistry, grace and refinement of movement, the internationally acclaimed Cashore Marionettes redefine the art of puppetry. - Thursday, October 15, 7:30 p.m.: Aquila Theatre Company of London – The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
The legendary sleuth Sherlock Holmes takes the stage in this witty, fast-paced production by the acclaimed Aquila Theatre. - Friday, October 16, 8 p.m.: Arlo Guthrie – Alice’s Restaurant 50th Anniversary Tour
Featuring Abe Guthrie, Terry A La Berry, Bobby Sweet and Darren Todd
Folk icon Arlo Guthrie brings to the stage, for the first time in a decade, The Alice’s Restaurant Massacree in its entirety. - Sunday, October 18, 3 p.m.: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat – National Broadway Tour (Co-Presented with the Springfield Arts Council)One of the most enduring shows of all time, Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat is the irresistible family musical about the trials and triumphs of Joseph, Israel’s favorite son.
- Friday, November 20, 7:30 p.m.: Turtle Island Quartet – The Birth Of Cool
In addition to employing their signature groove-based rhythmic techniques to transform classic selections from the recording of Birth of the Cool such as Israel, Venus De Milo and Jeru into jazz string quartet masterpieces, the two-time GRAMMY® winning Turtle Island Quartet will take a wide swath through the many other avenues traversed by these intrepid explorers of cool. - Saturday, December 12, 8 p.m.: Celtic Woman Home for Christmas Symphony Tour
(Performing with the Springfield Symphony Orchestra)
Celebrate this holiday season with the celestial voices of multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman as they present “Home for Christmas” – The Symphony Tour. - Friday, January 8, 7:30 p.m.: Wyatt McCubbin
Wyatt McCubbin is an up-and-coming country music singer and songwriter with a deep and mature voice that doesn’t seem to match his 20 years of age. With a song on a collaborative tribute album to Waylon Jennings and a growing arsenal of songs he has written, Wyatt is certainly on the right path. Opening for Wyatt will be another Springfield native Gretchen Mitchell. - Wednesday, February 10, 7:30 p.m.: Annie – Broadway National Tour
(Co-Presented with the Springfield Arts Council)
The world’s best-loved musical returns in time-honored form. Directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, this production of Annie will be a brand new incarnation of the iconic original. - Friday, February 12, 7:30 p.m.: Vocalosity
The all-new live concert event from the creative mind of artistic producer Deke Sharon (Pitch Perfect, The Sing-Off) that takes a cappella to a whole new level! This fast-paced production features 12 dynamic voices singing some of today’s chart-topping hits in brand-new arrangements too incredible to miss. - Wednesday, March 9, 7 p.m.: Ailey II
Ailey II merges the spirit and energy of the country’s best young dance talent with the passion and creative vision of today’s most outstanding emerging choreographers. - Monday, March 14, 7:30 p.m.: Mamma Mia – National Broadway Tour
(Co-Presented with the Springfield Arts Council)
The story-telling magic of ABBA’s timeless songs propels this enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship, and every night everyone’s having the time of their lives! - Friday, March 18, 7:30 p.m.: Rani Arbo & Daisy Mayhem – American Spiritual
In American Spiritual, Rani Arbo and Daisy Mayhem lead concert audiences in a bona fide revival. American Spiritual draws from 200 years of roots music to find songs that uplift and connect.