Fall 2013 Arts at Montclair State

The fall arts season is just around the corner at Montclair State University and once again, an impressive lineup of exciting performances and exhibitions is scheduled for the enjoyment of arts enthusiasts. From internationally renowned visiting performance and visual artists to professional-caliber student productions, the season promises to bring the best of the arts to Montclair State.

Peak Performances
Entering its tenth year of programming, Montclair State University’s Peak Performances series will present an ambitious selection of theater, music and dance productions. During the fall, Peak Performances will present six world and American premiere productions, four of which were commissioned by the University’s Office of Arts and Cultural Programming. The exclusive premieres include cutting-edge dance programs from Liz Gerring of the New York City-based Liz Gerring Dance Company, Gallim Dance Company artistic director and choreographer Andrea Miller, and Charlotte Vincent of the UK’s celebrated Vincent Dance Theatre.

Noted jazz pianist, composer, electronic musician and producer Vijay Iyer’s Open City, a large ensemble jazz project featuring author Teju Cole and Queens-based rap artist Himanshu Suri will have its world premiere this season.

In November, Belgian multidisciplinary artist, playwright, stage director, choreographer and designer Jan Fabre will take a fresh – and disturbing – look at the work of composer Richard Wagner.

On October 6, The Shanghai Quartet, Montclair State’s Quartet-in-Residence, will join forces with the Miró Quartet to present a program of octets, and a solstice concert from East of the River, the world music super group, will round out the fall Peak Performances season.

John J. Cali School of Music
On October 11 and 12, the John J. Cali School of Music starts off its season with Kaleidoscope, a program featuring performances by talented students and faculty in a range of musical styles. The Montclair State University Symphony Orchestra will perform at the annual Beatrice Crawford Memorial Concert, while concerts by the University’s Symphonic Band, Singers, Wind Symphony, Chorale, Opera and Jazz Ensemble are also on tap.

Theatre and Dance
The Department of Theatre and Dance has scheduled exciting productions of the musicals Take Flight and Falsettos, which is coproduced by the Cali School. It also is offering an ambitious new take on Tennessee Williams’ classic drama, A Streetcar Named Desire.

In December, Montclair State dance majors will present Works-A-Foot 2013, a program of works set by dance faculty and guest choreographers.

George Segal Gallery
From September 21 through December 15, the George Segal Gallery presents “Triumph of Philippine Art,” an exhibition of groundbreaking developments in contemporary Philippine art that were inspired by the country’s socio-economic and political struggles during the Martial Law period (1972 – 1986) leading up to the historic People Power of 1986.