Hatfield Hall Marks 10 Years of Performing Arts Excellence

NEWS: On Campus

September 7, 2012

Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology's Hatfield Hall is celebrating 10 years of bringing innovative and talented acts to the Wabash Valley with its 2012-2013 Performing Arts Series. Offerings as diverse as bluegrass, ballet, Broadway favorites, and family-friendly educational programs employ acrobats and actors, musicians and vocalists, science, and sleuthing to round out a season which includes something for everyone.


	Birdhouse Factory

New this year, the Al Schmidt Concert at the White Chapel will feature the Baroque chamber group Ensemble Voltaire on Sunday, September 30. The group is widely known for its unique performances of Baroque chamber music, featuring period instruments. Its musicians masterfully create a time-bridging performance of early music for a contemporary audience.

The Hatfield Hall's Mainstage Series will feature the following shows:

Cameron Carpenter, October 9 -- This Grammy-nominated organist will make you forget what you know about the instrument. Carpenter is smashing the stereotypes of organists and organ music alike. His flamboyant performances, combined with a repertoire including classical and original compositions, as well and jazz and pop collaborations, have garnered both acclaim and controversy.

Cirque Mechanics' Birdhouse Factory, October 14-15 -- This inspirational show might result if engineers ran away and joined the circus. Inspired by modern circus, Cirque Mechanics finds its roots in the mechanical and its heart in the stories of American ingenuity. Storytelling in three dimensions are created through the show's visual display of acrobatics, music, and comic interpretation.

Jake Shimabukuro, November 9 -- He's earned comparisons to the likes of Jimi Hendrix and Miles Davis, and has performed for Conan O'Brien and the Queen of England-on the ukulele! With offerings like Leonard Cohen's "Hallelujah" and Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody", alongside Bach and Hawaiian folk tunes, Jake's performance will shatter your paradigm of ukulele music.

Broadway Holiday, November 30 -- Kick off the holiday season with this special Neil Berg production that's direct from New York. Berg and a three-piece band will take the audience on a journey through Broadway with hits from classic shows such as "My Fair Lady" and "South Pacific" to current blockbusters like "Jersey Boys" and "Wicked" right into the holidays with all your favorite holiday classics.

The Russian National Ballet's "Giselle," January 9 -- One of the oldest ballets still performed today, "Giselle" is the tragic romance of the beautiful young peasant who falls for the flirtations of the deceitful Duke Albrecht. The Russian National Ballet incorporates lavish sets, beautiful costumes and tremendously gifted dancers to bring this classic ballet to life.

Mountain Heart, January 19 -- Since forming in 1999, Mountain Heart has fearlessly revolutionized the way acoustic music is performed and presented. The band has garnered dozens of honors and nominations including Grammy, ACM, CMA, and IBMA recognitions, and made more than 125 appearances at the Grand Old Opry.

Susan Werner, February 2 - One of the most intriguing singer-songwriters today, Werner was once dubbed "the empress of the unexpected" on National Public Radio. The Iowa native has forged a fanatical following during her personal musical evolution, beginning with her traditional folk-singing roots and melding with jazz, blues, and pop genres.

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StepCrew	.

The Knights with Wu Man, February 14 -- One of the most exciting new groups to emerge in recent years, the 40-member chamber orchestra known as The Knights has taken the world of classical music by storm. Joining them will be Grammy-nominee Man, whose adventurous musical spirit has led to her becoming a respected expert on the history and preservation of Chinese musical traditions.

StepCrew, March 22 -- These six dynamic performers will delight patrons with its blend of Irish Stepdancing, Ottawa Valley Stepdancing, and modern tap. The performers excel in their respective traditional forms of dance and create brand new, modern fusions of all three styles. Backed by a five-piece band, Celtic vocals, and three champion fiddle players, StepCrew leaves Irish hearts and happy faces smiling.

Nathan Gunn, May 2 - Bringing sexy back to opera is one of the most exciting and in-demand opera baritones of the day. Gunn is dubbed one of People Magazine's Sexiest Men Alive in 2008, has appeared in internationally-renowned opera houses, such as the Metropolitan Opera, and his distinguished repertoire includes title roles in "Billy Budd," "The Barber of Seville", and "Hamlet." He also regularly ventures outside classical music with appearances in cabaret shows and musical theater, and his solo album, Just Before Sunrise, features works by contemporary songwriters, including Tom Waits, Sting, Gene Scheer, and Ben Moore.

Family Series Showcases Science and Art for All Ages


	Jack Hanna

Hatfield Hall's Family Series brings the best in edutainment to audiences of all ages. The list of shows features:

"The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs," November 8 -- Based on the popular children's book by Jon Sciezka and Lane Smith, the play begins where a classic tale left off-the aftermath of the Big Bad Wolf's crime spree.

Doktor Kaboom, January 22 -- Doktor Kaboom returns with his new interactive one-man science variety show. It's brainy fun for the whole family.

Jack Hanna: Into The Wild LIVE, March 9 -- America's favorite zookeeper, whose infectious energy and hands-on approach to wildlife conservation have won widespread acclaim, will present two shows, 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.

Lightwire Theater - The Ugly Duckling & The Tortoise and the Hare, March 13 -- Cutting edge technology and moving sculpture bring new life to a pair of classic tales.

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Ticket Information

Specific show information is available by calling the Hatfield Hall ticket desk at 812-877-8544 or visiting www.hatfieldhall.com. The ticket desk is available weekdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturdays from noon to 5 p.m. p.m., and two hours before each event.

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Rose-Hulman Performing Arts Series

Sept. 30 - Ensemble Voltaire, 7:30 p.m.*

Oct. 9 - Cameron Carpenter, 7:30 p.m.

Oct. 14 - Cirque Mechanics' Birdhouse Factory, 7 p.m.

Oct. 15 - Cirque Mechanics' Birdhouse Factory, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 9 - Jake Shimabukuro, 7:30 p.m.

Nov. 30 - Broadway Holiday, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 9 - The Russian National Ballet's "Giselle," 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 - Mountain Heart, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 2 - Susan Werner, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 14 - The Knights with Wu Man, 7:30 p.m.

March 22 - StepCrew, 7:30 p.m.

May 2 - Nathan Gunn, 7:30 p.m.

* Al Schmidt Concert in White Chapel