ARTS & LIVE PERFORMANCES
MICHELANGELO: THE GENESIS OF THE SISTINE
Muscarelle Museum of Art, Ongoing, $15, Tickets
Bringing 25 rarely-displayed masterpiece drawings by Michelangelo to the United States, Michelangelo: The Genesis of the Sistine will offer American viewers an unprecedented opportunity to experience first-hand the genius of the famed artist. Displaying Michelangelo’s initial studies and early drawings of the famous frescoes of the Sistine Chapel, the exhibition will explore the rich story of the origin of these works, arguably some of the most famous in the world.
The Muscarelle Museum of Art is located on the historic campus of William & Mary. The Museum’s permanent collection of nearly 8,000 objects is one of the oldest campus-based collections of art in the United States. The Museum serves as a working laboratory for the university, collaborating with faculty and staff in interdisciplinary ways and engaging students through internships, research and study. The Museum also serves as a dynamic resource for the wider community, hosting original and traveling exhibitions featuring artwork on loan and from the Museum’s own permanent collection.
IMPROVISTORY
Thursday, March 20, 7:30 PM, Music Arts Center Recital Hall, Free
ImproviStory™ is a one-man-band where multi-instrumentalist/sound artist Victor Haskins improvises immersive, cinematic, story-like soundscapes for the imagination. Audience members have their own personal, internal experience with what kind of story is suggested to them based on their perception of the conjured sound elements. Imagine a live band crossed with a DJ crossed with sounds from a mystical realm... all generated and performed by one person in real time without any pre-recorded elements. The performance concludes with a talkback to answer audience questions, discuss themes, and investigate artistic choices and processes.
Victor Haskins, a boundary-pushing multi-instrumentalist and composer, weaves immersive sonic tapestries that transport audiences to new realms of imagination. With influences from diverse cultures and a passion for storytelling, Haskins' performances are not just concerts but transformative experiences that engage the mind and soul, leaving a lasting impact on all who witness his musical wizardry.
MOMENTS IN OUR GRASP: PHYSICAL THEATRE AND DANCE BY AURA CURIATLAS AND HUMAN LANDSCAPE DANCE
Two Performances: March 21 & 22, 8:00 PM, PBK Hall Studio Theatre, $16, Tickets
During this performance, the artists of Aura CuriAtlas and Human Landscape Dance offer six works informed by our desire to create connections. Aura CuriAtlas will premiere Moment by Moment, a work inspired by Jill Bolte Taylor’s writing about her experience of recovering from a stroke. This trio brings to life Dr. Jill’s insight about our ability to choose how we want to be in the world. Human Landscape Dance will premiere Weight of Days, which captures the frantic energy of prolonged waiting through a fast-paced montage of anxious gestures. A talkback with the artists will immediately follow the performance.
Aura CuriAtlas is known for collaborative creation and inventive blending of dance, theatre, acrobatics, and video. They keep the qualities of lightness (Aura), strength (Atlas), and curiosity (Curi) at the center of their work. Founded in 2013, the company has created and shared performances and workshops in the U.S. and internationally.
Human Landscape Dance, a contemporary dance company, was founded in 2006, and has since brought contact choreography around the world. The work of Human Landscape Dance emphasizes relationships, the folding and unfolding of human bonds in movement.
Members of these dance companies will also facilitate an Industry Summit workshop, The Aura CuriAtlas Playground.
3 WHITE GUYS NAMED JOHN
Saturday, March 22, 3:00 PM, PBK Hall Studio Theatre, $16, Tickets
3 White Guys Named John is the story of how John Hughes, John Mayer and Jon Bon Jovi inspired Andrea, a southern Black woman, to go where she felt terrified to go thereby altering the course of her life. The music and movies of three white guys named John transcended race and lived experience to act as Divine messengers leading Andrea on the path of her destiny dropping lyrical and cinematic bread crumbs along the way. Without John, John and Jon she would not be where she is today.
Andrea Coleman (W&M ’00) is a Brooklyn-based writer, performer and attorney, practicing law for 17 years and trying 30 jury trials. She writes sketch comedy, stand-up comedy, screenplays and stage plays. Her work has been featured in The New York Times, TimeOut NY, NPR and aired on PBS. You can watch Andrea on Amazon Prime in Iconic Justice, Hot Haus or on YouTube in the critically acclaimed web-series All My Friends Are Married.
Andrea Coleman will also facilitate an Industry Summit workshop, How to Pursue Your Passion When It’s Not Paying You.
THE DOMA DIARIES
Sunday, March 23, 2:00 PM, PBK Hall Studio Theatre, Free
The DOMA Diaries is about the history of the (so-called) “Defense of Marriage Act” and its (negative) impact on the gay community. Spanning ten years and over thirty characters, The DOMA Diaries tells the story of three different LGBT couples and how they struggled and ultimately triumphed over DOMA. The DOMA Diaries captures the grand sweep of American history by depicting the lives of ordinary gay Americans.This performance will be a script-read of the play performed by WM student actors, followed by a discussion with the actors and playwright.
ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT
Kevin Michael West is a playwright and filmmaker. His LGBT play Top and Bottom enjoyed successful runs in New York City, Los Angeles, Provincetown and Washington DC. His web series The Creative Types screened at the 2024 Ampersand Festival. The DOMA Diaries was inspired in part by his own experiences as a part of a bi-national couple affected by DOMA. The play ran in Washington, DC in 2016. He teaches at W&M.