The spring semester never fails to present a challenge to students and faculty—the changing of the seasons, warm summer days just on the horizon, and of course, graduation—all of which seem to compress the time available to prepare for the rapidly approaching finals in May. It is not uncommon for stress among students and faculty to mount, even as anticipation of a break grows.
Along with therapy dogs and stress management seminars, on-campus organizations provide events aimed at promoting relaxation leading up to finals. Those offered by students and faculty in the Visual and Performing Arts Department (VPA) provide another avenue that can help ease the mind.
From April 18 through May 8, VPA hosts Extreme ART-ery, a collage of events celebrating student work from various music, art, and theater courses taught this semester.
Each event allows students to immerse themselves in artwork, live music, or a riveting theater show—giving the minds of seniors a break from studying, job searches, and graduation.
The various art shows, live music, and a theater performance take place on- and off-campus and are open to students, faculty, and the public. All but two of the events are free. VPA sells tickets for admission to “Intimate Apparel” by Lynn Nottage and Dvořák Mass in D Major, op. 86 by Antonin Dvořák. Purchase tickets at the door or get them ahead of time—theatre tickets at VPABoxOffice@worcester.edu [1] and Dvořák tickets at cnigro@worcester.edu [2].
“Intimate Apparel” is this year’s final theatre performance. It is a heartbreakingly real story about a black woman in 1905 New York overcoming monumental obstacles.
Dvořák Mass is performed by the combined voices of WSU’s Chorus, Chorale, and Alumni Singers.
Extreme ART-ery takes place each spring, but events vary year-to-year. Staple events include the Spring Mosaic, Spring Concert, the Student Art Exhibition, and a theatre show.
A common theme of VPA is that it is important to keep the arts and creativity alive on campus and within the classroom.
For a full list of events and details, visit the Extreme ART-ery web page [3] to plan a visit, take time to relax, support your friends and fellow students.
Written by Ciera Cutten, a VPA public relations and marketing intern