Faculty of the Visual and Performing Arts Department are joining performing artists across the Greater Worcester community—and beyond—in making attendance at concerts and performances possible during this unprecedented holiday season. Through virtual production and socially distant screenings, audience members have several opportunities to watch professors of Worcester State University continue time-honored traditions and present new, exciting works.
“In addition to supporting Worcester State students as they turn to their arts for expression through these unprecedented times, our faculty members are continuing to turn to their arts as well,” says Visual and Performing Arts Chair and Professor of Theater Adam Zahler, M.F.A. “I feel very proud of the innovative, thoughtful, and hard work of all of our faculty’s efforts—from facilitating exceptional visual and performing arts by our students through any distance to delivering these wonderful and exciting off-campus performances.”
Dates and viewing information are as follows:
“A Christmas Carol Reimagined,” available now through Jan. 15
Adjunct Music Professor Steve Gagliastro plays the role of Ebenezer Scrooge in “A Christmas Carol Reimagined,” a Video on Demand production by the Hanover Theatre and Conservatory for the Performing Arts, which is also offering some socially distant screenings this holiday season. Professor Gagliastro’s role of Scrooge follows a decade of performances as Mr. Fezziwig, Scrooge’s mentor. Tickets are available here: https://thehanovertheatre.org/accreimagined. [1]
“Brahms Viola Trio,” available now through Jan. 15
Adjunct Music Professor Peter Sulski joins the Worcester Chamber Music Society for the Brahms Viola Trio at Mechanics Hall. The performance is available via Video on Demand. Tickets are available here: https://worcesterchambermusic.secure.force.com/ticket/#/events/a0S4M000007YDXgUAO [2]
“Beyond a Winter’s Day,” available live at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 17
Adjunct Theater Professor Rachel Wiese and Music Assistant Professor Carlos Odria will be featured in “Beyond a Winter’s Day,” a virtual presentation by the Boston theater group Liars and Believers. Odria will perform original composition live on guitar, and Wiese will play the role of Isabel in the presentation that Liars and Believers describes as “a gently interactive family-friendly experience of hope and warmth for this moment” through a “live online performance of story and music, mask and puppet, shadow and light.” To register for the free presentation, visit: https://www.liarsandbelievers.com/show/beyondawintersday/?fbclid=IwAR2u-aAOBGRZXjqF-XP3EGzEegh0BCtQYOVrnrrjTfCnTS-cK6qc2ylNsWM [3]
“A New Year’s Eve Special,” available live at 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 31
Music Assistant Professor Carlos Odria will perform live with his band, the Carlos Odria Trio, in a New Year’s Eve Special that will be live streamed from Mechanic’s Hall. The event is free through Youtube Live and Facebook Live. For more information, visit: https://www.mechanicshall.org/concertsplus/ [4]
“El Rio” by the Carlos Odria Trio, available live at 3 p.m. on Jan. 9
Chelmsford Center for Arts will feature Music Assistant Professor Carlos Odria and his band, the Carlos Odria Trio, in a live performance of “El Rio,” the group’s most recent album, which has been described as “gorgeous…stunningly, jaw-droppingly, trying-not-to-weep-at-work beautiful” by the Worcester Telegram & Gazette. To register for a code for the live stream, visit https://chelmsfordarts.org/jan-9-carlos-odria-trio-live-stream/. [5]
The faculty performances complement several online presentations this semester by Worcester State VPA students, including the Theater Program’s online production of “Oedipus, the King,” the Music Program’s virtual presentation of “Mosaic of Music” and several presentations of visual art collections by students.
On Tuesday, Dec. 15, the Worcester State Chorale and Chorus will present a virtual performance of “Winter’s Spirit: A Celebration in Song” at 7 p.m. on the Worcester State Alumni Facebook page.
For more information on all of the VPA performances and exhibits, follow @WSUVPA on social media, contact VPA@worcester.edu or visit the website at www.worcester.edu/visual-and-performing-arts.