The Academy Center of the Arts‘ Community Through Theatre is hosting open auditions for ‘Ain’t Misbehavin’, our fall musical, running Nov 1-3 & 7-10. Send all questions to Joshua Carter at fatswallermusical2@gmail.com. Synopsis: The Harlem Renaissance of the 1920s and 1930s comes to life in the three-time Tony award-winning musical revue, Ain’t Misbehavin’. Join us on a journey through the timeless music of Thomas “Fats” Waller. You’ll be jumpin’ and jivin’ with memorable songs such as “Honeysuckle Rose”, “Ain’t Misbehavin’”, “Black and Blue”, “This Joint is Jumpin’ ” and “I’ve Got a Feeling I’m Falling.” One of the most popular, well-crafted revues of all time, the sometimes sassy, sometimes sultry, has moments of devastating beauty that is simply unforgettable. Audition Information: September 3, 4, 2019 5:30 PM 519 Commerce Street Lynchburg, Va 24502 Lippard Room (Please enter from rear of the building.) Please prepare 16-30 bars of a Blues, Gospel, or Jazz song. We will provide a pianist, so please bring sheet music in the key you desire to sing. The Director may request a sample of your improvisation skills. Audition Times: Please email Joshua Carter at fatswallermusical2@gmail.com requesting the 3rd or 4th audition dates. He […]
Academy Releases 19-20 Metropolitan Opera Season Broadcast Schedule
Contact: Brittany Griffith Director of Communications and Marketing (434) 528-3256 x131 bgriffith@academycenter.org For Immediate Release: 7/22/2019 ACADEMY RELEASES 19-20 METROPOLITAN OPERA SEASON BROADCAST SCHEDULE The Academy Center of the Arts has just released the full 19-20 schedule of Metropolitan Opera Broadcasts, to be shown in the Historic Academy Theatre, 524 Main St., beginning October 2019. These programs are presented in collaboration with sponsor Foster Fuels and partner Opera on the James. In addition to the broadcasts, audiences are invited to join staff, board members, and representatives of the Opera on the James for pre-screening talks, beginning one hour prior to the screening at 11:55am. Each pre-screening talk will focus on the presented opera of the day, as well as relevant topics. The 19-20 Metropolitan Opera Broadcast schedule at the Historic Academy Theatre is as follows: Turandot (Puccini)- Saturday, October 19, 2019 12:55 PM (Rebroadcast) Manon (Massenet)- Sunday, October 27, 2019 12:55 PM (Rebroadcast) Madama Butterfly (Puccini)- Saturday, November 9, 2019 12:55 PM (Live) Akhnaten (Glass)- Sunday, November 24, 2019 12:55 PM (Rebroadcast) Holiday Encore- Magic Flute (Mozart)- Saturday, December 21, 2019 12:55 PM (Rebroadcast) Wozzeck (Berg)- Sunday, January 19, 2020 12:55 PM (Rebroadcast) Porgy and […]
Academy to Hold Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s ‘Follies’
Contact: Brittany Griffith Director of Communications and Marketing (434) 528-3256 x131 bgriffith@academycenter.org For Immediate Release: 1/29/2019 ACADEMY TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR STEPHEN SONDHEIM’S FOLLIES The Academy Center of the Arts is excited to announce that the first Community Through Theatre production in its recently opened Historic Academy Theatre will be Stephen Sondheim’s groundbreaking musical, Follies. Scheduled to be performed in 2019 on May 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, and 19, the rarely-produced play is considered to be one of Sondheim’s greatest shows. The Academy has assembled an experienced creative team to lead this project. Former EC Glass Theatre teacher Jim Ackley will direct the show. Randall Speer, Music Department chair at Randolph College, will be Music Director. Stephen Sondheim’s Follies will be choreographed by Rena Lindevaldsen, and Tyler Herron, the Technical Director for the Academy, will be the Scenic and Lighting Designer. Auditions for Stephen Sondheim’s Follies will be held on Sunday, February 17, 2019 from 2:00pm – 6:00pm and Tuesday, February 19, 2019, from 6:00pm – 9:00pm in the Academy’s Warehouse Theatre, 519 Commerce St. Auditions will include singing, reading, and a dance combination. Auditions will be open to all actors of varying ages […]
Czech Violinist Ivan Zenaty to Perform at the Academy
The Academy Center of the Arts and Forte Chamber Music are proud to announce that Ivan Zenaty, “the most important Czech violinist of this time,” will take the Academy Center of the Arts’ Historic Academy Theatre stage, 524 Main St., in performance on Saturday, January 12, 2019, at 7:30pm. The program includes works from Vivaldi and Beethoven. Ivan Zenaty reaches a broad public without abandoning the world of classical music for even a moment. Besides the technical perfection one would expect, he is also appreciated for his taste, style and a captivatingly beautiful tone. With his exceptional wealth of repertoire including more than 50 violin concertos, he is a favored guest artist with many international orchestras. Known for his versatility, his engagements also include solo recitals and chamber music collaborations. The springboard to his international career came as a result of being a prize winner in the Tchaikovsky International Violin Competition followed immediately by debut engagements with the Moscow and Czech Philharmonic. Other successes include First Prize at the Prague Spring Competition, as well as being a chosen laureate of the UNESCO International Rostrum of Young Performers. In the subsequent years following his victories, Zenaty made his orchestral […]
Over 600 Lynchburg Area Music Students Gain Access to Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Contact: Brittany Griffith Director of Communications and Marketing (434) 528-3256 x131 bgriffith@academycenter.org OVER 600 LYNCHBURG AREA MUSIC STUDENTS GAIN ACCESS TO THE JAZZ AT LINCOLN CENTER ORCHESTRA The Academy Center of the Arts’ staff and board are proud to share that over 600 local middle and high school music students will travel to the newly restored Historic Academy of Music Theatre on Thursday, December 13, 2018, to experience the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra’s Big Band Holidays sound check with Wynton Marsalis. The sound check event will begin at 4:30pm in the Historic Theatre prior to the 7:30pm performance that evening. A question and answer portion will also be held between the students and musicians on stage prior to the concluding the event. “Youth outreach is really important to Wynton Marsalis,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts. “When arranging their visit, it was the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra who offered up this opportunity and it was something we jumped at. We loved the notion that not only would adult audiences benefit from this world-class artist but also area youth.” The Academy Center of the Arts is dedicated to […]
Mavis Staples Headlines Historic Academy of Music Theatre’s First Public Event
The Academy Center of the Arts has announced Mavis Staples, Grammy award-winning R&B-gospel singer and civil rights activist, as the headlining artist the first event of the Historic Academy of Music Theatre’s Opening Week Activities on Thursday, December 6, 2018, at 7:30pm. “The evening will celebrate the integration of the Historic Academy of Music theatre, a space that was previously segregated when it closed in 1958,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts. “We chose Mavis Staples as our headlining artist for this event because of her significant accomplishments as a civil rights activist and her continuing efforts to serve as a positive force for social equity”. Mavis Staples began singing with her family, The Staple Singers, in Chicago in the 1940s, later performing in Montgomery, Alabama for none other than Martin Luther King, Jr. Lauded as one of the greatest gospel singers of all time, her powerful voice has underscored some of the United States most pivotal and dramatic periods of social change, weaving herself into the very fabric of gospel, soul, folk, pop, R&B, blues, rock, and hip hop over the last 60 years. Mavis Staples is both a Rock […]
Announcing Historic Academy of Music Theatre Opening Week Events
After 60 years in the making, the Academy Center of the Arts Board of Directors and staff are proud to announce that the Historic Academy of Music Theatre, built in 1905 and closed in 1958, will have completed its renovation and will open its doors to the public in December 2018 with two weeks of Opening events and performances. “The long-awaited opening of this community treasure deserves a week of activity and not just one night,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director of the Academy Center of the Arts. “We want as many people in our community as possible to share in the excitement of opening this theatre after so many years. With a wide range of programs and price points, we hope everyone will celebrate with us in December.” The Historic Academy of Music Theatre’s Opening Week will begin on December 6th, 2018, with a night celebrating the integration of the theatre, a space that was previously segregated when last closed. This night will feature a concert event with Devon Gilfillian and a legendary musical act to be announced on October 15, 2018, emceed by Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut and community member. Three community arts and culture awards will also […]
2018 National Juried Art Exhibition Announces Winners
The Annual National Juried Art Exhibition at the Academy Center of the Arts opened on Friday, April 6, 2018, and includes 82 artists from 17 states. The exhibition encompassed a wide variety, including oil paintings, clay, mixed media paintings and sculpture, wood, fiber, woodcuts, and collage. Over $3000 in cash awards was presented to ten artists. The winners are listed below. Best in Show: $1,000 Bryan Rayner (Charlottesville, VA) Body of Work Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts 2nd Place Award: $700 Teresa Harris (St. Joseph, Missouri) Body of Work Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts 3rd Place Award: $500 Isabelle Martire (Laurel, Maryland) “Power” Sponsored by Cary and Robert Roberts Juror’s Choice Award: $300 Shaun Whiteside (Radford, VA) “Elegy to the Us Republic” Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $200 Megan Burak (Berlin, Maryland) Body of Work Sponsored by the Academy Center of the Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $125 Glen Kessler (North Potomac, MD) “Save Spend” Sponsored by Royal County Arts Juror’s Choice Award: $100 Jill Jensen (Lynchburg, VA) “Lady M” Sponsored by Lynn Shapiro @ JSW Realtors, Inc. Juror’s Choice Award: […]
A New Record for Empty Bowls
The Academy Center of the Arts, Centra, Framatome, and the Bank of the James are proud to announce the success of the tenth annual Empty Bowls event, which raised over $9,000 to benefit the Lynchburg Daily Bread and the community members they serve. Empty Bowls was held on Saturday, March 24, 2018, with a record number of 496 attendees. During Empty Bowls, attendees selected their own beautiful, handmade ceramic bowl, donated by local potters, and enjoyed delicious soup tastings with bread, dessert, and beverages, all donated by local restaurants and individual donors. Over 50 businesses, community organizations and individual donors contributed to the event. In 2017, proceeds from Empty Bowls totaled $7,931.49. This year, we are thrilled to announce that the event raised $9,318.49! “Empty Bowls has become an event that the community looks forward to supporting every year,” said Geoffrey Kershner, Executive Director. “We’re very proud to be able to present this check to the Daily Bread, and to support our community members in need.” The donated funds will directly impact the Lynchburg Daily Bread, allowing them to continue to serve meals in our community. “We are so thankful for the tremendous community support of Empty Bowls, led by […]
Annie, Kids Spring Break Camp Takes the Stage with 41 Campers
The Academy Center of the Arts is proud to present the Academy Children’s Theatre spring break production, Annie, Kids on Saturday, April 7, 2018, in the Joy & Lynch Christian Warehouse Theatre, 519 Commerce St., at 4:00pm and 7:00pm. Based on the popular comic strip and adapted from the Tony Award-winning Best Musical, Annie, Kids features everyone’s favorite little redhead in her very first adventure. With equal measures of pluck and positivity, little orphan Annie charms everyone’s hearts despite a next-to-nothing start in 1930s New York City. Annie is determined to find the parents who abandoned her years ago on the doorstep of an orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie eventually foils Miss Hannigan’s evil machinations, finding a new home and family in billionaire, Oliver Warbucks, his personal secretary, Grace Farrell, and a lovable mutt named Sandy. The cast of Annie, Kids is made up of 41 cast members, ages 8 to 14, from the Greater Lynchburg area. These talented actors are directed by Lauren Barnes, with assistance from Logan Troyer and Brooke Spencer. Tickets for the family-friendly production of Annie, Kids are $9.00, and are on sale at academycenter.org or in-person […]
