South Dakota State University

South Dakota State University Theatre and Dance will bring a popular children's story to life with its production of "James and the Giant Peach." Performance dates and times are April 18-20 at 7:30 p.m. and April 21 at 2 p.m. at the Oscar Larson Theatre in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center on campus.

Eric Lohr, a senior majoring in music education, will present his senior recital at 4 p.m. Sunday, April 14, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the South Dakota State University campus.

Joseph Daly, a music education major at South Dakota State University, will present his senior recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 21, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the SDSU campus.

Connor Ilchuk, a music education major at South Dakota State University, will present his junior recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, March 18, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the SDSU campus.

Josh Howard, a senior majoring in music studies, will present his senior recital at 4 p.m. Sunday, March 3, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the South Dakota State University campus.

Los Angeles actor and playwright Deb Hiett is coming to South Dakota State University to celebrate the collegiate premiere of her new play, "The Escape Thingy." Performance dates are Feb. 22-24 at 7:30 p.m. and Feb. 25 at 2 p.m. at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Fishback Studio Theatre. A public dialogue with Hiett will immediately follow the Friday, Feb. 23, performance.

South Dakota State University juniors Katelyn Plucker and Brianna Renneker will present a joint recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the SDSU campus.

Four South Dakota State University seniors are presenting their Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis exhibition on campus this month. The exhibition, titled "Visual Voyages," is set for Feb. 12-23 and will include paintings, printmaking, ceramics and sculptures, which are the work of students Katelyn Engel, Jake Heunisch, Nicole Strande and Shane Waikel.

Arianna Rice, a music education major at South Dakota State University, will present her junior recital at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 2, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the SDSU campus.

South Dakota State University juniors Joseph Cassady, clarinet, and Avery Retzer, soprano, will present a recital at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 20, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the SDSU campus.

Andrew Ellis, a senior majoring in music education, will present his senior recital at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the South Dakota State University campus.

The South Dakota State University Concert Choir will present its Scandinavian Northern Lights-themed concert this weekend with a performance celebrating the group's upcoming trip to Sweden and Norway.

Nick Lange, a music education major at South Dakota State University, will present his junior recital at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the SDSU campus.

Haley Dahl, a senior majoring in music education, will present her senior recital at 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22, in the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center's Founders Recital Hall on the South Dakota State University campus.

Two South Dakota State University School of Design seniors will display their Bachelor of Fine Arts thesis exhibition in the Ritz Gallery on campus for the next two weeks. The public exhibit, "Tangibly False," features the work of Cassidy Hunt and Matthew Scott, including printmaking, drawing, sculpture and other works on canvas. These works explore themes of life and existence and are on display from Oct. 16-27.

The Friday, Sept. 22, presentation of Puccini's "La Boheme" brings an internationally-recognized opera troupe to South Dakota State University. Designed to demystify the art form and present accomplished musicians both on stage and in the pit orchestra, the show will provide opportunities for 30 Jackrabbit students to perform in the world's most frequently presented opera.

The South Dakota State University Concert Choir will embark on its fall tour, "All Creation Sings," with 11 total performances starting Sunday in Sioux Falls and culminating at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 with a home concert at the Oscar Larson Performing Arts Center. The choir, under the direction of Laura Diddle, will perform music that celebrates creation in all forms at venues across South Dakota and Iowa over the next week. The choir's first three performances are in Sioux Falls, starting with a 7:30 p.m. Sunday concert at St. Joseph Cathedral in Sioux Falls. "The Concert Choir is honored to have been invited to sing on the St. Joseph Cathedral Sacred Arts Series," said Diddle, the Paul E. and Doris J. Moriarty Endowed Professor of Choral Activities. To celebrate that space, the concert opens with a contemporary piece, "Hodie!" with pipe organ and accompanied by organist/pianist Angela Hertling. Other pieces include "A Soft Day," "Flower of Beauty," "The Lark in the Clear Air" featuring SDSU assistant professor Elizabeth Robinson on flute, "Shenandoah," "Unclouded Day," Giancarlo Aquilanti's "Ave Maria" and contemporary composer Elizabeth Siegel's "To Be Free." Monday starts with a morning performance at Lincoln High School and an afternoon performance at O'Gorman High School. Then the choir heads to Iowa for a 7:30 p.m. Monday concert at Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City. On Tuesday, the choir has morning performances at Sioux City's East High School and Maple Valley-Anthon Oto School in Mapleton, Iowa, followed by 7:30 p.m. concert at St. Bernard Catholic Church in Osceola, Iowa. Wednesday brings the choir to a morning performance at Clarke Community Schools in Osceola, Iowa, and an afternoon performance at Yankton High School. The singers' day ends with a 7 p.m. concert at Friedens Reformed Church in Tripp. Finally, the choir is back in Brookings for a concert at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Larson Memorial Concert Hall on the SDSU campus. No admission will be charged at any concert. "The Concert Choir takes a fall tour every year and looks forward to performing in major metropolitan areas and in small towns in the Midwest," Diddle said. "The singers in the choir come from South Dakota, Minnesota, Iowa, Nebraska and Wisconsin, and all have been singing since they were quite young. They look forward to representing SDSU across the North Central region." The 70-member Concert Choir serves as the ambassadorial choral ensemble of the Music Department at SDSU. Comprised of SDSU's most gifted and talented vocalists, membership in the choir is contingent upon excellence in musicianship, vocal artistry and dedication.