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Local Arts News Archive

Coterie Theatre announces 2012–13 season

Mon, May 14, 2012

Coterie Theatre announces 2012–13 season

Share the unexpected with the Coterie: A groundbreaking musical, fairy tale misfits, the Holocaust, even a bathtub crocodile. The 34th Season provides unique mix of popular literature, drama and musical theater.

Brownback creates new arts agency for Kansas

Fri, May 11, 2012

On May 10, Governor Brownback signed the Kansas Creative Arts Industries Commission into law.

newEar announces two awards

Wed, May 09, 2012

newEar announces two awards

newEar has selected the two winners of the Third Annual newEar Composers' Competition in student and professional categories.

The Lied Center of Kansas announces 2012–13 season

Tue, May 08, 2012

The Lied Center of Kansas announces 2012–13 season

The Lied Center of Kansas recently announced its 'Lied Center Presents' series of performances. Highlights include Ravi Shankar, the guiding spirit of the world music movement; John Lithgow’s one-man theatrical memoir, 'Stories by Heart;' Kansas City’s own QUIXOTIC; 'West Side Story,' the timeless love story with Tony Award-winning choreography and many other moving, entertaining and intriguing performances.

Lawrence Children's Choir wins national award

Fri, May 04, 2012

Lawrence Children's Choir wins national award

The Lawrence Children's Choir wins the 2012 Chorus America Education Outreach Award.

JCCC announces lineup for 2012–13 Performing Arts Series season

Mon, Apr 30, 2012

JCCC announces lineup for 2012–13 Performing Arts Series season

Singer Lyle Lovett, the musical “Shrek” and radio show host Garrison Keillor will be among the standout performances slated for the 2012–13 season of the Performing Arts Series at Johnson County Community College.

KCMO City Council approves 75K for the ArtsKC Fund

Tue, Apr 10, 2012

ArtsKC - Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City is happy to announce that the city of Kansas City, Missouri approved 75K for the ArtsKC Fund - Kansas City's regional united arts fund which provides financial assistance to arts organizations, arts programming, and artists in the metropolitan region.

American Heartland Theatre announces 2012–13 season

Fri, Apr 06, 2012

American Heartland Theatre has announced its 2012–13 season with five Kansas City premieres.

KC Rep announces 2012–13 season

Tue, Apr 03, 2012

The KC Rep’s 2012–13 season offers strong American stories, madcap comedy, musicals and original new work with an emphasis on local casting and national impact.

Movers, Shakers, Stalwarts: Harlan Brownlee

Mon, Mar 26, 2012

Movers, Shakers, Stalwarts: Harlan Brownlee

Harlan Brownlee is President and CEO of the Arts Council of Metropolitan Kansas City and a longtime advocate for arts education. This week, Karen Hauge spoke with Brownlee about the wide impact of the Arts Council, the necessity of art in our community and education, and how the vibrant artistic life of Kansas City is continuing to flourish and attract attention nationally.

Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre announces 2012–13 Season

Mon, Mar 19, 2012

The 2012–13 season at Metropolitan Ensemble Theatre paints a dynamic landscape of the American experience.

MO House Budget Committee doubles appropriation to the arts

Mon, Mar 12, 2012

Last Wednesday, the House Budget Committee voted to add $600,000 to the Missouri Arts Council's budget. The Governor had recommended $600,000, and with the House Budget Committee's increase, it brings the recommended amount to $1.2 million for MAC.

Kansas City Ballet announces new appointments

Wed, Mar 07, 2012

Kansas City Ballet announces new appointments

Kimberly Cowen has been appointed Principal & Associate Director of Kansas City Ballet School, and retiring company member Marcus Oatis will assume the position of Manager, Kansas City Ballet School at the Johnson County Campus

New concertmaster for the KC Symphony

Tue, Mar 06, 2012

New concertmaster for the KC Symphony

The Kansas City Symphony announced recently that Noah Geller has been selected as Concertmaster beginning with the 2012-13 season. As the leader of the string section, the concertmaster plays a crucial role as facilitator between conductor and musicians in guiding the orchestra toward its ideal sound.

Two new administrative personnel to join KC Rep

Sun, Mar 04, 2012

Two new administrative personnel to join KC Rep

Kansas City Repertory Theatre’s Artistic Director Eric Rosen has announced two new appointments to the theatre’s administrative staff: Rob Knop is the new Senior Director of Marketing and Jennifer Ingraham is the new Senior Director for Advancement.

Deborah Sandler appointed General Director of the Lyric Opera

Sun, Mar 04, 2012

Deborah Sandler appointed General Director of the Lyric Opera

“Deborah was the standout choice,” notes Joyce G. Holland, chair of the search committee. “She has a deep understanding of how opera companies operate, and immediately will be able to guide the Company forward as it continues to produce work of the highest artistic caliber.

Aram Demirjian chosen as Symphony Assistant Conductor

Sun, Mar 04, 2012

Aram Demirjian chosen as Symphony Assistant Conductor

After an intensive audition process, Aram Demirjian has been selected as the Assistant Conductor for the Kansas City Symphony beginning with the 2012-13 season. Demirjian’s primary role will be conducting the Family and Pops Series concerts, as well as select Classical performances including the popular Symphony in the Flint Hills. He will succeed Steven Jarvi.

Starlight Theatre's Community Ticket program offers free tickets to area nonprofits

Sat, Mar 03, 2012

During the 2012 season, six Broadway shows and 32 performance nights are included in the program, making more than 11,000 free tickets are available for donation. To be considered to receive tickets, interested community and not-for-profit groups must complete and submit a Starlight Community Ticket Program application by mail by Friday, March 16.

Artist INC receives national foundation grant

Tue, Feb 28, 2012

The Emily Hall Tremaine Foundation awards $30,000 grant to local business training program for artists.

Movers, Shakers, Stalwarts: Ellen McDonald

Wed, Feb 22, 2012

Movers, Shakers, Stalwarts: Ellen McDonald

Since 1997, Ellen McDonald and business partner Tracey Mershon have carved out a niche by offering their PR, marketing, and “capacity-building” consulting services to Kansas City’s philanthropic sector—nonprofits and the foundations and corporations that serve and support them. From the beginning, performing-arts groups have been an integral segment of Mershon & McDonald’s client list, including the Kansas City Ballet, Lyric Opera, Kansas City Rep, Kansas City Actors Theatre, UMKC Theatre Department, and others. As such, McDonald has had an inside perspective (and significant influence) on the surging arts scene over the last decade and a half. This week, she sat down with Victor Wishna to talk about what she does, why she loves it, what she’s seen, and what she’s anticipating for the artists and arts patrons of Kansas City.

Lyric Opera announces 55th season

Tue, Feb 21, 2012

Ghost pirates, Japanese brides, gypsies, and Nanki-Poo are all coming to the stage for the Lyric Opera's 2012–13 season, its second at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts.

Summerfest announces 22nd season

Thu, Feb 16, 2012

Under the umbrella season title “An Invitation to the Dance,” Summerfest will present its four summer concerts in a new partnership with Country Club Christian Church.

KU composition student wins prestigious award

Wed, Feb 15, 2012

KU composition student wins prestigious award

University of Kansas composition student Jason Charney won the Allen Strange Award from the Society of Electro-acoustic Music in the United States (SEAMUS).

Panayiotis Kokoras wins SCCS competition

Wed, Feb 15, 2012

Panayiotis Kokoras wins SCCS competition

The Simon Carrington Chamber Singers selected Greek composer Panayiotis Kokoras' "Sonic Vertigo" as the winning piece of third choral composition competition. The work will receive its US premiere performances on June 1 and 2.

Call to action: Reinstate public funding for the ArtsKC Fund!

Tue, Feb 14, 2012

Call to action: Reinstate public funding for the ArtsKC Fund!

Contact your local Kansas City elected official through this simple system to help provide assistance to metro artists and ensembles by reinstating public funding for the ArtsKC Fund.

Deborah Wilkerson named as incoming CEO of the GKCCF

Mon, Feb 13, 2012

Wilkerson will succeed Laura McKnight, who will step down as CEO on March 31, 2012

Missouri Citizens for the Arts appoints new Executive Director

Mon, Feb 13, 2012

Sarah Skaggs has been hired as Executive Director for the Missouri Citizens for the Arts on Wednesday, February 8.

JCCC seeks applications for Community Arts Partners

Wed, Feb 01, 2012

Johnson County Community College’s Performing Arts Series will accept applications between February 1 and March 15, 2012 for the college’s Community Arts Partners program. The partnerships help nonprofit community organizations present programming in the college’s performing arts spaces.

Kansas City Ballet announces 2012–13 season

Tue, Jan 31, 2012

A World Premiere from Karole Armitage and four Kansas City premieres highlight 55th Season Including Toni Pimble’s “Carmina Burana,” LynneTaylor-Corbett’s “Mercury,” and Margo Sappington’s “Common People” with music of Ben Folds and the voice of William Shatner

Governor Nixon recommends arts funding

Tue, Jan 24, 2012

The Missouri Citizens for the Arts has requested a $3 million recommendation for the Missouri Arts Council for Fiscal Year 2013 (July 1, 2012- June 30, 2013). Governor Nixon presented his State of the State Address last week, where he announced his budget recommendations.

Ruel Joyce announces spring 2012 season

Tue, Jan 24, 2012

The Ruel Joyce Recital Series at Johnson County Community College begins its 23rd year with free performances by some of Kansas City’s finest classical musicians.

Kansas City Symphony announces 2012–13 season

Sun, Jan 22, 2012

The Kansas City Symphony announced its 2012–13 concert season with fourteen Classical Series concerts and many more pops and family events for orchestral fans.

Missouri Citizens for the Arts Day at the Legislature

Wed, Jan 11, 2012

Citizens’ for the Arts Day at the Legislature, hosted by Missouri Citizens for the Arts (MCA), takes on February 8 at the Missouri State Capitol. Citizens Day is MCA’s signature event in the year-round efforts to advocate for continued public funding for Missouri’s arts industry. The day includes advocacy training, legislative visits, performances and the annual Missouri Arts Council’s annual Arts Awards ceremony.

Topeka Symphony announces Youth Talent Audition winners

Tue, Jan 10, 2012

The 59th annual Youth Talent Auditions, sponsored by the Topeka Symphony and Capitol Federal, were held December 17 in White Concert Hall at Washburn University. High school musicians from northeast Kansas competed for the opportunity to perform with the Topeka Symphony Orchestra and for scholarship awards.

Charlotte Street call for applications

Mon, Jan 09, 2012

The Charlotte Street Awards to Generative Performing Artists support artists living in the Greater Kansas City Metro Area. These awards recognize generative artists, meaning individuals actively creating original, new work in their fields- i.e. they are composers, playwrights, choreographers- in addition to very often being performers as well. All eligible artists are encouraged to apply. Applications are due by February 15.

From opera house to art house

Tue, Nov 29, 2011

From opera house to art house

Adding world-class opera and ballet broadcasts to his cinema’s offerings are just some of the changes Tivoli owner Jerry Harrington has in store.

Corigliano named Barr Institute Laureate

Wed, Oct 12, 2011

Corigliano named Barr Institute Laureate

The UMKC Conservatory of Music and Dance and the Patricia and Howard Barr Institute for American Composition Studies have announced John Corigliano as the Barr Institute Laureate for Fall 2012–Spring 2014.

Gary Holcombe, veteran actor, passes away

Wed, Oct 12, 2011

Gary Holcombe, veteran actor, passes away

Veteran actor of stage and screen, Gary Holcombe passed away on October 11, 2011 aged 66. Holcombe was a founding member of the Kansas City Actors Theatre and is fondly remembered for his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge at the then-Missouri Repertory Theatre.

The woods that sing and buzz

Fri, Oct 07, 2011

The woods that sing and buzz

Hispanic Heritage Month runs from Sept 15th to October 15th. Libby Hanssen spoke with John Currey, leader and founding member of Marimba Sol de Chiapas, who are celebrating their 20th year in Kansas City. She encountered this type of ensemble while a student at UMKC’s Conservatory of Music and Dance. The ensemble is different than any other in Kansas City and the instrument produces such a distinct timbre she was curious to find out more.

Press treated to a promise of things to come

Wed, Sep 21, 2011

Press treated to a promise of things to come

A result of collaborative artistic endeavor is often exciting. Rarely is the product as heart pounding as the one that costs $413 million to realize. The Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is a crowning achievement that will take Kansas City to the top of the world's performance art scenes.

KCRep Theatre’s “Venice” nominated for 11 Ovation Awards

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

KCRep Theatre’s “Venice” nominated for 11 Ovation Awards

"Venice," a co-production by Kansas City Repertory Theatre and Center Theatre Group (CTG) of Los Angeles, has received eleven Los Angeles Ovation Award nominations, including Best Musical and a Best Director nod for the Rep’s Artistic Director Eric Rosen.

Glenwood Arts to host Manhattan Short Film Festival

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

Glenwood Arts to host Manhattan Short Film Festival

With past finalists achieving the ultimate in recognition by being nominated and even winning the Oscar in the short film category, the Manhattan Short Film Festival has become known as a breeding ground for the next big thing. Glenwood Arts is hosting a viewing/voting session for local audiences on September 29.

Glitz, glamour, and grooves rule grand opening gala

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

Glitz, glamour, and grooves rule grand opening gala

The second night of the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts’ Grand Opening christened Helzberg Hall, the new home of the Kansas City Symphony with performances by the Symphony, Itzhak Perlman, Bobby Watson, Diana Krall, Kevin Mahogany, the Kansas City Symphony Chorus, and the American Jazz Museum All-Star Orchestra.

Earliest efforts meet latest visions

Tue, Sep 20, 2011

Earliest efforts meet latest visions

Independent Filmmakers Coalition of Kansas City in collaboration with CinemaKC present the inaugural First & Last Film Festival revealing the artistic progress of area movie-makers.

Long lines and Julia Irene Kauffman greet KCPA guests

Mon, Sep 19, 2011

Long lines and Julia Irene Kauffman greet KCPA guests

KCMetropolis contributor Don Dagenais braved the weather and long lines to attend the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts public open house on Sunday afternoon. Once inside, he managed to catch five local acts in Helzberg Hall.

Kauffman Center Open House: A photo essay

Mon, Sep 19, 2011

Kauffman Center Open House: A photo essay

Classical editor Topher Levin snapped some shots of Sunday's open house at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts. With over 50,000 in attendance, the event drew 2.5 times more eager citizens then originally anticipated despite the rainy weather.

Impressions of a new landmark

Mon, Sep 19, 2011

Impressions of a new landmark

Dance contributor Laura Vernaci explored the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday. From the parking garage to entry space to the two striking halls, she hailed the KCPA as a "world-class venue."

Lasting impressions from an extravagant evening

Sat, Sep 17, 2011

Lasting impressions from an extravagant evening

The biggest musical event in the United States is happening this weekend in Kansas City. Anyone with an interest in music, theater, dance and opera has watched closely over the last decade and a half as the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts has taken shape on the Kansas City skyline. All that planning comes to fruition the weekend of September 16–18 with an extravagant grand opening bash. Here is Libby Hanssen's take on Friday's festivities which included the inauguration of the Muriel Kauffman Theatre.

Little tank, big fish

Wed, Sep 14, 2011

Little tank, big fish

The Fishtank Performance Studio, the small, eclectic theater tucked away in the Crossroads neighborhood, continues to nurture artists and mount inventive productions this fall.

Lyric Opera Guild presents series of opera history lectures

Tue, Sep 13, 2011

Lyric Opera Guild presents series of opera history lectures

To celebrate the opening of the new Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts, the Lyric Opera Guild is bringing back its popular course on the history of opera. The series, "When the Fat Lady Sings: A History of Opera," runs September 22nd through October 20th.