Rochester Civic Theatre and Diversity Council cordially invite you to...
Diversity and Inclusivity
January 2011
Join us for one or more of the informative and entertaining events planned for the month of January in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and in celebration of diversity and inclusiveness in our community.
- All events take place at Rochester Civic Theatre unless noted.
- For more information or news coverage opportunity, please contact Gregory Stavrou at 507-282-8481 (Extension 23) or via e-mail.
Special thanks to our
community partners:
Charter House
Davies Printing Company
Mayo Clinic
Post-Bulletin
Think Mutual Bank
<Scheduled Events>
All events take place at Rochester Civic Theatre unless noted.
January 4 – February 6 at RCT Lobby Gallery
Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest
Deadline date for entries: Wednesday, January 5 at midnight
A new play written by Rob Frankel
Friday, January 7 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, January 8 at 2:00pm
Belly dancing performance by Julianna and the Blue Lotus Dancers
Saturday, January 15 at 4:00pm – 5:15pm
Diversity Council Annual Meeting
January 20 at 5:30pm
Place: Rochester Art Center (30 Civic Center Dr. SE)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Rochester Civic Theatre’s production
January 21, 22, 27-30, February 3-6
Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
Sunday, January 23 at 2:00pm
Celebrating Our Heritage with African America
Presented by Mixed Blood Theatre
Martin Luther King, Jr. Student POetry Contest Presentations
January 25 at 7:00pm
Civic Live: Americana Showcase
January 26 at 7:30pm
Mixed Blood Theatre production
Wednesday, February 9
Place: John Marshall High School
January 4 - February 6
RCT Lobby Gallery
The work on display is by artists who live with or have a history of living with mental illness. VSA Minnesota is sponsoring this exhibit to educate the general public on the mental illness stigma that many artists live with and help inform about the many faces of mental illness. One in Four will bring attention to the fact that one in four adults will be affected by mental illness in a given year. With a statistic this high and the stigma surrounding mental illness being so strong, it is essential to lessen the mystery and fear people have around this very prevalent issue in our communities.
VSA Minnesota is an affiliate of VSA – The International Organization on Arts and Disability, an international nonprofit organization developed to cultivate an arts culture for people with disabilities. Founded over thirty-five years ago by Ambassador Jean Kennedy Smith, VSA has been a pioneer in the field of arts and disability and has played a significant role in changing society’s attitudes toward people with disabilities.
One in Four is being presented in conjunction with Rochester Civic Theatre’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, adapted by Dale Wasserman – a drama portraying a man who serves a short sentence in a mental institution rather than in a prison.
Admission free.
Open for the general public, Monday – Friday, 11:00am – 5:00pm
Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest
Deadline date for entries: Wednesday, January 5 at midnight
Olmsted County students in grades 3-12 are invited to submit their original poems for our third annual poetry contest. The 2011 contest theme is the words of Martin Luther King, Jr.:
"In the end, we will remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends."
First, second, and third place winners in three age groups will receive Barnes & Noble gift cards and will be invited to read their works on the Rochester Civic Theatre stage prior to Mixed Blood Theatre’s African America performance on January 25.
Contest guidelines are available at Diversity Council website.
A new play written by Rob Frankel
Friday, January 7 at 7:00 pm, Saturday, January 8 at 2:00pm
Rochester Civic Theatre Main Stage
Join us for a new perspective on our diverse universe. Writer-director Rob Frankel delivers a fresh interpretation of “a story that is known from humankind all the way up to the most distant heavenly bodies” performed by a diverse cast of young people and adults who live and work in our community.
Commissioned by Rochester Civic Theatre with special funding byMayo Clinic, Some Country, One World is an original script developed in part as a result of interviews between playwright Rob Frankel and Rochester area students. What began as an attempt to give voice to those young people who may have come from challenging backgrounds and have stories and experiences to share, while also giving the larger Rochester audience an opportunity to learn about the rich diversity of its youth population, became an exploration of the similar experiences people encounter in the “evolution of a healthy society.” Mr. Frankel found a willing and eager group of students and teachers excited about his project and enjoyed the generosity of spirit he encountered.
This poignant and humorous one-act drama centered on one girl's experiences with building a new life in America is an experience not to be missed!
Tickets: $5.00
On sale now! Call RCT box office at 507-282-8481 or click HERE for tickets.
Belly dancing performance by Julianna and the Blue Lotus Dancers
Saturday, January 15 at 4:00pm – 5:15pm
Rochester Civic Theatre Lobby Stage
The Rochester Civic Theatre Lobby Stage will be transformed into a delightful cabaret
when Julianna and the Blue Lotus Dancers mesmerize audience members with the beauty and intrigue of Middle Eastern belly dancing. Wine and beer available.
Ticket: $10
On sale now! Contact Julianna at 507-358-3330 or email julianna@juliannabellydance.com for tickets.
Diversity Council Annual Meeting
January 20
Registration -5:30pm
Program - 6:00pm
Place: Rochester Art Center (30 Civic Center Dr. SE)
Originally formed to focus on the need to combat racism and discrimination in our schools, the Diversity Council has grown to include not only students but also the adults who are their guides to the future. The Diversity Council's mission has also expanded to address an inclusive understanding of diversity – including ethnicity, age, socio-economic class, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical and mental disabilities, and a myriad of other differences.
In keeping with the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest, the theme of the 2011 annual meeting is "Stop the Silence!" Please join us at the Rochester Art Center to make some noise with an evening of live music and inspiration.
Light hors d'ouevres will be provided, and a cash bar will be available.
RSVP to info@diversitycouncil.org by noon on Monday, January 17.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Rochester Civic Theatre’s production
January 21, 22, 27-30, February 3-6
Thursday at 7:30pm, Friday and Saturday at 8:00pm, Sunday at 2:00pm
Rochester Civic Theatre Main Stage
A charming rogue contrives to serve a short sentence in a mental institution rather than in a prison. He clashes with the head nurse, takes over the yard, leads others out of introversion, stages a revolt, and arranges a rollicking midnight party. But what are the consequences? This funny, powerful, and sometimes frightening Tony award-winner, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest shines with indomitable human spirit and explores the cost of individuality.
Although the story may appear on the surface to be an indictment of mental health care in the 50s and 60s – digging deeper, it proves to be a study of alienation and society’s fear of and inflexibility to deal with people who are different than the majority. It explores the question: How can a society nurture growth and understanding when it strives to encourage compliance and conformity, sometimes by extreme measures?
Tickets: Adult $18.50, Senior $15.50, Student $13.50
Tickets go on sale for the general public on Monday, January 10.
Call RCT box office at 507-282-8481 or click HERE for tickets.
No performance on January 23.
Best for ages 16 and up.
To see the cast information, click HERE.
Sunday, January 23 at 2:00pm
RCT Main Stage
American soprano Carla Thelen Hanson and international pianist Ainhoa Urkijo bring their celebrated talents to the Rochester Civic Theatre stage for an afternoon of classical music by notable Spanish composers, including the works of Enrique Granados, Alberto Ginastera, and Carlos Guastavino.
American soprano Carla Thelen Hanson is garnering attention for exciting and vocally thrilling performances of opera's leading heroines throughout the country. Of her New York City Opera debut as Puccini's Tosca, The New York Times noted, "Ms. Hanson made a strong debut as Tosca, by turns fiery and vulnerable, her voice agreeably dark in its middle range and sufficiently full on top" and The New Yorker exclaims "her dark-grained, strongly felt "Vissi d'arte" sailed right up to the uppermost balcony." Ms. Hanson is also a prolific recitalist creating a unique lecture/recital series which she performs across the United States.
A native of Bilbao, Spain, Ainhoa Urkijo has worked privately with international leaders in opera and art song and has performed in concert halls throughout Europe and the United States. She has been an accompanist at Westminster Choir College in Princeton and at the Academy of Vocal Arts in Philadelphia and has worked as a vocal coach at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia and the Center of Superior Musical Studies of the Basque Country MUSIKENE in San Sebastian, Spain. She is a faculty member of the Music Department at Rochester Community and Technical College and a vocal coach at the Italian Operatic Experience in Montecatini, Italy.
Tickets: Adult $12, Senior & Student $8
On sale now! Call RCT box office at 507-282-8481 or click HERE for tickets.
with
African America (Presented by Mixed Blood Theatre)
Prairie Island Grandshildren,
Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest Presentations
January 25 at 7:00pm
The unexpected appearance of a magical African man leads a modern interracial couple to a better understanding and appreciation of the experience of immigrants to Minnesota from Liberia, Ethiopia, and Somalia and helps the young pair consider how to connect with and celebrate one’s heritage. African America is directed by the multi-talented Warren C. Bowles, who wrote the play for Mixed Blood and has also toured since 1981 as Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Mixed Blood’s Dr. King’s Dream. African America is a timely and eye-opening story, graced with humor and the occasional Vikings reference! The production was warmly received by audiences during its debut tour last year.
This special evening will begin with the winning poems of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Student Poetry Contest being read by their authors. Then singers and dancers accompanied by drum proudly honor and share Native American traditions when Prairie Island Grandchildren perform on the Civic Theatre stage.
Tickets: Adult $12, Senior & Student $8
On sale now! Call RCT box office at 507-282-8481 or click HERE for tickets.
Civic Live: Americana Showcase
January 26 at 7:30pm
This popular series concert features poet-songwriter Pieta Brown with Dezi Wallace and Brandon Sampson and The Sudden Lovelys. Wine and beer bar opens at 6:30pm.
Red House Records describes the music of poet-songwriter Pieta Brown as “a blend of alt-country, folk, blues, and indie-rock (that) appeals to music fans around the world.” “Informed by her travels and the many places she has called home, Pieta writes story songs with beautiful landscapes and vibrant characters. And, coloring it all, (is) a deep abiding saturation in folk and blues that’s beyond her years, showing she is a songwriter to be reckoned with and a talent too good to ignore.” Ms. Brown has received rave reviews from the likes of the BBC and Boston Globe; has toured with such diverse artists as John Prine, Ani Difranco, Calexico, J.J. Cale, Mason Jennings, and Mark Knopfler; and has released four albums – Remember the Sun, In the Cool, Shimmer, and the recent One and All.
Rounding out the evening will be Wallace and Sampson of Six Mile Grove and the modern folk sound of The Sudden Lovelys.
Tickets: $17.50 in advance, $22 at the door
On sale now! Call RCT box office at 507-282-8481 or click HERE for tickets.
Mixed Blood Theatre production
Wednesday, February 9
Place: John Marshall High School
Not for sale to the general public
This exuberant, music-driven celebration of African-American women’s triumphs and accomplishments features a striking collection of profiles from slave ship survivors to stars of the silver screen. The production – vividly commemorating the pride, determination, and courage of both the famous and the forgotten – will be presented to Rochester ninth-grade students as part of “Celebrating Diversity & Inclusivity” and Black History Month.
Ticket: Not on sale for the public.