Department Archives: School of Performing Arts

The UCF family is saddened to hear of the passing of long-time faculty member Lani Harris. Professor Harris will be remembered for her contributions to Theatre UCF, the university and beyond.

Jeff Moore, dean of the UCF College of Arts and Humanities, was awarded the Yamaha Legacy Education Award at the 2018 Percussive Arts Society (PAS) International Convention, one of the largest drum and percussion events in the world. The award is given once a year by the Yamaha Corporation of America to individuals who are considered legendary in their service to and effect upon music education.

She started leading at Boone High School. Spielman served two years as a drum major at Boone, where her sister was also a drum major, before attending her musical family’s alma mater. “I had always wanted to come to UCF.”   The word “quit” isn’t in her dictionary. “I’ve auditioned for drum major every year I’ve been here. After each […]

John Steinbeck’s seminal classic, Of Mice and Men, depicts life in Depression-era California, but the themes and message of this story persist today. Dramaturg Bruce Costella explains that, “This kind of cultural ubiquity can be attributed to both the story’s shrewd prose and lasting heart.” Steinbeck initially conceived Of Mice and Men as a marriage […]

The UCF Women’s Chorus is performing with the Orlando Philharmonic Orchestra this Saturday as part of their concert series. “We’ve been asked to perform Gustav Holst’s masterpiece, The Planets, which involves a treble chorus,” says Kelly Miller, UCF’s Women’s Chorus Director. “It’s an absolute honor in every way, shape and form. We are just so excited.” […]

Congratulations to the Knights Saxophone Quartet for their 1st place finish in this weekend’s Florida MTNA Chamber Winds Competition. They advance to the southeast regional round where they will compete with other winners from Georgia, Alabama, Louisiana, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia. The MTNA National Student Competitions are the most successful and prestigious […]

The UCF Wind Ensemble has a new recording available featuring a piece inspired by Greek mythology. The “Zodiac Concerto” for solo horn, solo euphonium and wind ensemble by Anthony DiLorenzo brought together UCF students and faculty with professional musicians from around the country for this special collaboration. The 3-movement piece was performed by the UCF […]

The annual springtime tradition of prom is already a big deal – a crucial over-the-top social milestone for most high school students. Some students fuss over cummerbund choices, others fret about dinner plans – and some worry if their choice of a date will be met with acceptance, or conflict. The new musical The Prom […]

By Tanesha Bridenback “Swingin’. Cookin’. Ground Breaking.” Three words that Jeff Rupert, director of jazz studies, uses to describe Miles Davis’ album “The Birth of the Cool.” Originally produced in 1949, the album features a nine-piece band, that includes traditionally classical instruments like the French horn and tuba. However, what makes this piece truly “groundbreaking” […]

Theatre UCF’s production of Hot Mikado brings a unique design concept to the show and to the company: Japanese anime. Based on The Mikado, a comedic 1880s operetta which follows young lovers living in a fictional Japanese town where acts as small as flirting are a capital crime, Hot Mikado sets the original story and […]