ALMA — Alma College's theater, music and dance departments are reimagining their programs for the 2024-25 academic year, with a series of performances planned at the Oscar E. Remick Heritage Center for the Performing Arts that are intended to inspire and excite.
The fun will kick off with the College’s annual Homecoming Choir Concert in Presbyterian Church Hall on Saturday, September 28th, at 7pm. As always, alumni are invited to perform with the current Alma Choir. For more information, including rehearsals, visit alma.edu/homecoming.
The University theatre schedule will begin on Thursday, Oct. 31, with a performance of “The Wolves,” a one-act play by Sara DeLappe, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2017. The first University dance concert of the year is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 15, at 7:30 p.m.
Musically, one of the big highlights this year is the Masterworks concert of Jake Runestad’s “The Lighthouse Keeper” and Morten Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna” at 3 p.m., April 6. Both pieces are short and contemporary, exploring themes of love, loss and hope, according to Nicole Mattfeld, assistant professor of music and choir director.
“'The Lighthouse Keeper' is actually making its Midwest premiere,” Mattfeld said. “It's a powerful, universal expression of a life shared in friendship, reminding us that, at the end of the day, all we really have is each other. 'Eternal Light' contains references to 'light' culled from various Latin scriptures. Lauridsen composed the piece in response to his mother's final illness, and uses light as a universal symbol of enlightenment on all levels: spiritual, artistic and intellectual.”
On the theater side, “Storytime Scotts” is one of the highlights this year, says Kelly Crump, assistant professor and theater director. The show, which will run from March 27-29 at 7:30 p.m. and March 30 at 2:30 p.m., is designed as a “TYA,” or “theater for young audiences,” and features a collection of Scottish folk tales and bedtime stories for local families to enjoy.
“We invite the community to come in their pajamas, relax and have a good time,” Crump said. “This will encourage audience members to use their imaginations more and learn something interesting as they explore in our sandbox of imagination. The students who perform in this will also be using their imaginations. Young people sometimes forget how to play. The joy and purpose that comes from playing will be a great lesson about theater and why we do it.”
In addition to new productions, Alma College's theater, music and dance department will also be adding new leadership. Mattfeld succeeds longtime choir director Will Nichols, who retired this summer after more than 40 years as choir director. Prior to coming to Alma, Mattfeld's roles included assistant professor of music at Bethel (Minn.) University and youth choir director for the Minnesota Chorus.
Crump will become director of Alma Theatre's theater program. Crump previously served as a visiting assistant professor at Oakland University (Michigan) and has worked with acclaimed professional theater organizations such as the Denver Performing Arts Center and the Magic Theatre in San Francisco. His film, television and stage credits include “Clyde's,” “Hairspray,” HBO's “Looking” and ABC's “When We Lies.” Crump succeeds Scott McKenzie, who retired from Alma Theatre this summer after eight years.
Kate McMaster is the new Director of Dance at Alma College. Her choreography has been performed nationally and internationally in venues including Arts on Site, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, and Dixon Place in New York City, Krannert Center for the Performing Arts in Champaign, Illinois, MARSH and The Space Station in St. Louis, Missouri, RADFest in Kalamazoo, Michigan, and Dagara Music and Arts Center in Medje, Ghana.
The complete schedule of Alma College performing arts events is below: Tickets are $15 for adults, $7 for seniors (62 and older), and free for Alma College staff, students and children ages 1 to 18. Tickets can be purchased at alma.universitytickets.com or at the box office.
For more information about performing arts at Alma College, visit alma.edu/arts
- Choir Homecoming Concert – Presbyterian Church Hall – September 28th, 7pm
- Chamber Music Concert – Presbyterian Church Hall – October 27th, 3pm
- Percussion Ensemble – Presbyterian Hall – Oct. 29, 4 p.m.
- The Wolves – Stroesacker Theatre – October 31st to November 2nd at 7:30pm, November 3rd at 2:30pm
- Quilty Marching Band Indoor Show – Presbyterian Hall – November 9th at 8pm and November 10th at 3pm.
- Dance Concert – Presbyterian Church Hall – November 15th at 7:30pm, November 16th at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
- Jazz Concert – Presbyterian Hall – November 19th, 8pm
- Dance and Drum Recital by the Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan – Strosacker Theatre – 6pm, November 21. Free event, no tickets required.
- Carol Festival – Presbyterian Church Hall – November 23rd at 7pm and November 24th at 3pm
- Student Choreography Concert – Presbyterian Hall – January 31 at 7:30pm, February 1 at 2:30pm and 7:30pm. Free event, no tickets required.
- Chamber Orchestra Concert – Presbyterian Hall – February 16th, 3pm
- Choral Concert – Presbyterian Church Hall – February 20th, 7pm
- Dance Concert – Presbyterian Church Hall – March 14th at 7:30pm, March 15th at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
- Highland Arts Concert – Presbyterian Hall – March 22, 8 p.m.
- Percussion Ensemble – Presbyterian Hall – March 25, 8 p.m.
- Storytime Scotts – Stroesacker Theatre – March 27-29, 7:30pm, March 30, 2:30pm
- Jazz Ensemble – Presbyterian Hall – March 31, 8 p.m.
- Masterworks Concert – Presbyterian Hall – April 6th, 3pm
- Concert Band – Presbyterian Church Hall – April 13, 3 p.m.