Ashland University Spectrum Series Educates, Entertains and Inspires

For more than three decades, Ashland University’s premiere Spectrum Series has presented internationally recognized figures in the world of art and ideas to enhance cultural experiences for the University community and surrounding areas. The 2011-2012 season marks the beginning of countless more opportunities to educate, entertain and inspire!

The 2011-12 season will feature:

Called Canada's triple-threat combo of piano virtuosity, vocal ability and charisma, Michael Kaeshammer’s potent combination has earned him international critical acclaim and a loyal and growing fan base. Kaeshammer's performances are pure delight and his energy knows no bounds. He has piano technique to burn and to his audience's delight has an acrobatic way with a grand piano. When Kaeshammer performs, it's obvious he's having a ball, playing superlative boogie-woogie, blues, jazz and pop cross-over material, drawn mostly from an impressive list of standards and his catalogue of studio recordings. Kaeshammer and his band have the crowd eating out of the palm of their hands and never do they leave with anything short of a standing ovation. www.kaeshammer.com

 

Master class with Michael Kaeshammer and members of the Ashland University Jazz Orchestra

Friday, November 11 | 12-12:50 p.m. | Elizabeth Pastor Recital Hall

Free & open to public observation

 

Based on their third Christmas album “The Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” the male a cappella jazz group performs a collection of holiday favorites and classic Christmas standards. Take 6 is not only the heir to the rich tradition of the doo-wop and gospel groups of the 1950s, but also the leader in the second wave of jazz and pop vocal groups that emerged in the 1990s. With these noteworthy legacies at their foundation, these multiple GRAMMY winners continue to look and move in a forward direction as the first decade of the 21st century unfolds. www.take6.com

 

$5 | $2 Ashland University Student

Characters of depth, integrity and humanity are portrayed in a full evening unlike anything else in theater today. The performance is a series of scenes taken from everyday life and set to beautiful music by composers such as Beethoven, Vivaldi, Strauss and Copland. Through a combination of virtuoso manipulation, humor, pathos, classic music, and poetic insight, The Cashore Marionettes take the audience on a journey that celebrates the richness of life. www.cashoremarionettes.com

 

Tuesday, February 28 | 9:30-10:30 a.m. | Hugo Young Theatre

$2 per seat | Recommended for Grades 2-8

Master class with Joseph Cashore and Ashland University Department of Theatre students

Tuesday, February 28 | 10:50 a.m.-12:05 p.m. | Studio Theatre

Free & open to public observation

 

 

Presented by The Acting Company in association with The Guthrie Theater, The Comedy of Errors is one of Shakespeare’s earliest plays, his shortest plays and one of his most farcical – a major part of the humor derived from slapstick, puns and wordplay. The story of two sets of identical twins accidentally separated at birth involves a series of wild mishaps based on mistaken identities leading to wrongful attacks, a near-seduction, an arrest and accusations of infidelity, theft, madness and demonic possession. See for yourself what makes The Acting Company – winner of a TONY Award for Excellence in Theater the most respected and praised touring repertory theater in America. www.theactingcompany.com

 

Master class with The Acting Company and Ashland University Department of Theatre students

Wednesday, March 14 | 10:00-11:50 a.m. | Studio Theatre

Free & open to public observation

 

Those wanting tickets for these events can contact the Box Office at 419.289.5125 or www.ashland.edu/spectrum. The box office is located in the lobby of Hugo Young Theatre, Center for the Arts at the corner of College Avenue and Grant Street. Box office hours are noon to 6 p.m., Monday – Friday, and one hour prior to each performance.

Season passes are available and individuals will save up to 20 percent with these passes. They include one admission to each of the four performances and are Adult: $40; Ashland University faculty & staff, Senior citizen, non-Ashland University student: $32.

Ashland University (www.ashland.edu) is a mid-sized, private university conveniently located a short distance from Akron, Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio. Ashland University values the individual student and offers a unique educational experience that combines the challenge of strong, applied academic programs with a faculty and staff who build nurturing relationships with their students.