A MESSAGE FROM OUR EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
October has something for everyone. Disability arts ensemble Kinetic Light performs during a week-long residency in collaboration with Touchstone Theatre. Renowned autism advocate Temple Grandin joins us for a conversation. Music abounds with performances by Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, The Glenn Miller Orchestra, and Lehigh's Choral Arts' Great Day concert. The Department of Theatre presents Trouble in Mind. With gratitude, Mark Fitzgerald Wilson
DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE: TROUBLE IN MIND | OCT 4-12
Wiletta Mayer, an African American actress of a certain age, has spent her career playing stereotypes. The curtain rises on the first day of rehearsal for Chaos in Belleville, a Broadway-bound play that tackles the harsh truths of racism in America. But when those truths spill out of the play and into the rehearsal hall, will Wiletta's insistence on her dignity cost her the work she desperately needs? Kashi Johnson, director.
KINETIC LIGHT: DESCENT | SAT OCT 5 | MASKS REQUIRED
Kinetic Light, an innovative disability arts ensemble, is globally acclaimed for its immersive, accessible approach. Led by disabled artists, the ensemble creates, designs, and performs work that is a thrilling blend of movement, light and sound. We believe in access to the arts for all; click here to learn about our community ticket program.
TEMPLE GRANDIN: A CONVERSATION | SUN OCT 13
Topic: 'The Way I See It: A Personal Look at Autism and Asperger's.' The award-winning autism self-advocate shares her message about the disorder and "differently-abled" brains.
123 ANDRÉS: AROUND THE AMERICAS | THU OCT 17
Christina and Andrés are 123 Andrés, the Grammy and Latin Grammy-winning duo for kids and families known for their interactive, high-energy shows. 123 Andrés pack their show with positive vibes and energetic songs that get the whole family dancing and learning. This performance is part of the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital Family Series.
WXPN WELCOMES BÉLA FLECK & ABIGAIL WASHBURN | FRI OCT 18
Béla Fleck & Abigail Washburn, "the king and queen of the banjo" (Paste Magazine), have a musical partnership like no other. Whether at home, on stage, or on record, their deep bond, combined with the way their distinct musical personalities and banjo styles interact, makes theirs a picking partnership unlike any other on the planet.
THE GLENN MILLER ORCHESTRA | SUN OCT 20
Nobody put more Americans "In the Mood" for great swing music than Glenn Miller, leader of the most famous big band of all time. The Miller sound lives on through performances by the Glenn Miller Orchestra, performing classic 1930s and 40s tunes that made the Greatest Generation swing.
CHORAL ARTS: GREAT DAY | FRI OCT 25 & SAT OCT 26
Lehigh University Choral Arts presents songs of celebration, contemplation, and daily life, featuring Bach's Magnificat and Illuminare by Elaine Hagenberg. Guest singers from Quakertown Community High School, Erin Camburn, director. Sun Min Lee, guest conductor; Sarah Frook Gallo, director; Liz Olson, associate director.
NOTATIONS: CLINT SMITH | TUE OCT 29 | FREE!
Clint Smith is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of How the Word Is Passed: A Reckoning With the History of Slavery Across America, winner of the National Book Critics Circle Award for Nonfiction, the Hillman Prize for Book Journalism, the Stowe Prize, the Dayton Literary Peace Prize, and selected by The New York Times as one of the 10 Best Books of 2021.
ZOELLNER TEAM MEMBERS NAMED TO APAP E.L.I. CLASS OF 2025
Campus Engagement Manager Adam Ercolani and Artistic & Administrative Coordinator Isabel Barone were named to the Association of Performing Arts Professionals Emerging Leadership Institute Class of 2025. Congratulations!
IMPROVING ACCESS FOR OUR COMMUNITY
You may have noticed changes to the center recently. We believe in creating spaces that provide access to all. We've increased space for accessible seating in Baker Hall for Kinetic Light's performance, added an automatic door to the Packer Ave. entrance, and enhanced our assistive listening devices with the Listen EVERYWHERE app. The Community Ticket Program is available for the Kinetic Light and Plena Libre performances. The Community Ticket Program helps ensure that all people, regardless of economic ability, have access to the performing arts. Contact the box office for more information.
IN OUR COMMUNITY
After talking about his book Relentless to a packed Baker Hall, Luis Miranda, Jr. joined community leaders for lunch at the Puerto Rican Beneficial Society.
Executive Director Mark Wilson and Hispanic Center Lehigh Valley's Guillermo Lopez hosted a Hispanic Community Connections Breakfast with a focus on Hispanic Heritage shows this season.
Community & Campus Engagement Coordinator Dimitra Panagopoulos took the Lehigh Valley Reilly Children's Hospital Family Series on the road with storytimes at multiple community libraries.
Family Day drew hundreds of community members to enjoy activities, performances, and a birthday party for our Zoellner Zebra. Thanks to all who joined us!
The Community Engagement Team attended back-to-school events at Broughal Middle School & Raub Middle School, and Walk On Across America with Bright Horizons to connect with our community and share more information about our Family Series and school shows.