The Clark State Community College Performing Arts Center (PAC) kicks off the 2014-2015 season promising an even bigger year than the last with a new Community Arts Series, along with the Club Kuss Series, Country Artist Series and two student productions. All four programs offer great entertainment and culture right in your own backyard.
Community Arts Series
The 21st season begins with the new Community Arts Series in September and consists of six artists sponsored by Security National Bank and Kapp Construction.
The program brings together arts from around the world. From Three Dog Night to Rhythm of Dance to the Central State Choir, there is something for everyone to enjoy.
In their fourth decade of entertaining Three Dog Night invites you to sing and dance along on Friday, September 19, 2014, at 8 p.m. Enjoy hits like, “Mama Told Me (Not To Come),” “Joy to The World,” “Black and White,” “Shambala” and “Celebrate.”
Go back to the 1970s with Jim Witter’s multi-media rock musical, “The Piano Man II” on Saturday, September 27, 2014, at 8 p.m. The show features hits from legends Billy Joel and Elton John.
Leave the whole family spellbound with “Mindboggling,” a production filled with humor and unbelievable special effects created by Andy Gross, illusionist, ventriloquist and comedian on Saturday, October 25, 2014, at 3:30 p.m.
The dancers of Complexions Contemporary Ballet will take your breath away on Saturday, January 31, 2015, at 8 p.m. Enjoy a mix of classical, modern and contemporary dance that reflects the movement of our world from this award-winning group.
The highly acclaimed Central State University Choir takes the stage Friday, February 6, 2015, at 8 p.m. Under the direction of Jeremy Scott, these gifted vocalists are admired locally for their beautiful styles of African American spiritual, gospel and jazz. They have performed with legends like Stevie Wonder, toured in Europe and recorded with Bill Cosby and Arsenio Hall.
Journey to Ireland on Sunday, March 1, 2015, at 7 p.m. as the Community Arts Series ends with Rhythm of the Dance. With a live band, three handsome tenors and over 20 dancers - experience magical music, rich costume design and stunning scenery, all while celebrating the art of Irish dance.
Club Kuss Series
Clark State’s Club Kuss Series showcases artistic diversity and memorable performances of new artists that you may have never heard of, but are sure to love. The series is sponsored by Plato and Tina Pavlatos.
Run Boy Run, an all-acoustic band from Tucson blends bluegrass, folk and old-timey Americana with touches of classical and jazz, starts the series on Friday, October 10, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. With two fiddles, a mandolin, cello and bass, Run Boy Run will get your feet tapping while strong female vocals will have you begging for more.
Known as a ukulele wizard or the next Jimi Hendrix, Jake Shimabukuro has redefined the ukulele into a musical phenomenon after landing the spotlight in 2006 when his rendition of “While My Guitar Genly Weeps” went viral on YouTube. Come and experience this musical “hero” for yourself on Friday, November 21, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.
Entertaining audiences around the world, The Annie Moses Band hits Springfield on Saturday, December 13, 2014, at 8 p.m. The band’s distinctive mix of classical, jazz and good old-fashioned country, this music ensemble knows how to put on a show. All members studied at Julliard and have performed at Carnegie Hall and The Grand Old Opry.
Annie Sellick will put you at ease as she channels legends like Judy Garland and Anita O’Day. This Nashville native has made six Japan tours, performed in Germany and has dropped four albums on her own label, Chalic Music, Inc. Join Sellick on Friday, January 9, 2015, at 7:30 p.m.
The series concludes with Joshua Carswell on Friday, February 13, 2014, at 7:30 p.m. Carswell began singing at the age of three and brings a diverse collection of Duke Ellington jazz, Hank Williams classics and pop originals with European influences to the stage.
Jeff Wyler/Clark State Country Artists Series
Three country music legends are coming to the PAC to keep the country music tradition alive in the Country Artist Series sponsored by Jeff Wyler Chevrolet.
Wynonna Judd, along with her band, The Big Noise, will bring a Simpler Christmas to Springfield on December 3, 2014, at 7:30 p.m.
A surprise artist will hit the stage in January. Patrons are encouraged to check back with the PAC or follow their Facebook page to find out who the special artist will be after September 20, 2014, at 8 p.m.
Coming hot off his summer tour with Blake Shelton, catch Neal McCoy performing hits like, “No Doubt About It” and “Wink.” With three platinum albums and one gold album, McCoy will bring his big hits to the PAC on Saturday, March 14, 2015, at 8 p.m.
Clark State Theatre Arts Program
The season will also give students a chance to shine and make audiences laugh. The Clark State Theatre Arts Program presents two comedies, “The Foreigner” and “Wild Honey.”
The Foreigner by Larry Shue is set “in a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by "Froggy" LeSeuer, a British demolition expert. This time "Froggy" has brought along a friend, a pathologically shy young man named Charlie who is overcome with fear at the thought of making conversation with strangers. So "Froggy," before departing, tells all assembled that Charlie is from an exotic foreign country and speaks no English. Once alone the fun really begins, as Charlie overhears more than he should—the evil plans of a sinister, two-faced minister and his redneck associate; the fact that the minister's pretty fiancée is pregnant; and many other damaging revelations. Nonstop hilarity ensues and sets up the wildly funny climax in which things go uproariously awry for the "bad guys," and the "good guys" emerge triumphant.” – from Dramatists Play Service
Clark State’s presentation will be directed by Lisa Howard-Welch. Auditions are scheduled for September 9, 2014, at 7 p.m. Performances will be November 7, 8, 14, and 15 at 8 p.m. and November 9 and 16 at 3 p.m. in the Clark State Performing Arts Center Turner Studio Theatre.
Wild Honey is a comedy of lust and love in southern Russia where young widow, Anna Petrovna, meets Platonov, a brilliant irresistible young man that Anna, along with several other women, decide to pursue. As a married man, the misinterpretations make for an entertaining slew of events. Wild Honey was adapted by Michael Frayn from an original play by Anton Chekhov and will be directed by Theresa Lauricella. Auditions are scheduled for January 27, 2015, at 7 p.m., with callbacks on January 28, 2015, at 7 p.m. Performances will be held on April 10-12 and 17-19, 2015 and showtimes are at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. All shows will be presented in the Clark State Performing Arts Center Turner Studio Theatre.
For more information, including a full schedule, sponsor list and ticket sales, contact the Clark State Performing Arts Center at 937.328.3874 or at www.clarkstate.edu/about-clark-state/performing-arts-center.