Photo Courtesy of: Morgan Kilger/The Bona Venture
BY: ISABEL MARZULLO, FEATURES ASSIGNMENT EDITOR
On the campus of St. Bonaventure, New York, resides the Regina A. Quick Center for the Arts. It’s in this vast brick building, where productions come to perform on a small and intimate stage for the people.
This year, the Quick Center’s executive director, Rachel Harris, brought in eight productions. Ranging in talent from Pianist Jennifer Hayghe, to a one-man show of A Christmas Carol.
“[These productions are] very different than [past productions] used to be,” said Evelyn Penman, assistant director and senior curator. “We’re trying new things to try and increase our audience.”
One of the Quick Center’s new productions is “Firebird,” featuring the New York Theater Ballet.
“The New York Theater Ballet is a top-notch company and I’m excited to see that. They’re going to perform ‘Firebird,’ but they’re also going to do what we call master classes. It sounds like you have to be a ballerina to be in it but you don’t,” said Penman.
Masterclasses will take place on campus and go by skill level. One class will be for K-12 while another will be for whomever wishes to dance.
“We’re [also] starting an emerging artist series; they’re young artists who haven’t really made it in the field yet but have the stamina and talent to do so,” said Penman.
One emerging artist is cellist Luis B. Castro who’s originally from Caracas, Venezuela, and has traveled the world playing his music. Castro is set to perform in the Quick Center with violinist, Samuel Vargas, on Friday, Oct. 18.
“[Castro’s also] going to do some pop-up concerts, in the Hickey and here on campus, so I think that people will be interested in him,” said Penman.
Another production coming to the arts center is husband and wife, Calabria Foti and Bob McChesney. Their performance will take place during family weekend and is titled, “From Bebop to Broadway” and will include jazz and show tunes.
Bonaventure students who arrive at the arts center in advance for productions won’t need to purchase a ticket.
“If you come within a half hour before the start time you can get a free ticket,” said Penman “All you need to do is show your [student] ID. So you can come and try it and see if you like it.”
marzulig22@bonaventure.edu
