When the pandemic took the country by storm last March, the University of Connecticut’s Jorgensen Center of the Performing Arts had to adapt. No longer could they bring artists from around the globe to perform live and up close for the students of Storrs.
Director Rodney Rock explained that Jorgensen’s “pivot to a live streaming format” was a completely new approach to programming for the theater. The center opened with “Midsummer of Music” last summer and continued with the live video format through the 2020-2021 season.
Luckily for people who prefer in-person performances, the era of solely live streaming appears to be over.
While Director Rock stated that “we are most definitely not back to pre-pandemic times” in terms of programming, due to limited audience capacities and a reduced number of events, there is much to look forward to these next few months.
Starting tomorrow night, Jorgensen will be hosting an event titled “Exploring the Culture Showcase.” This event is led by the Intercultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, promising education on the 17 fraternities and sororities that exist on campus.
On Friday night, with doors opening at 7 p.m, the center is hosting the fall a cappella rush concert. At the concert, students can both enjoy fresh a cappella music and learn how to join one of the 10 groups on campus.
On Oct. 9, Jorgensen is co-hosting with the UConn Asian American Cultural Center to produce a UConn Family Weekend Comedy Special starring comedian Jimmy O. Yang. Yang is a world-renowned comedian, most well-known for his role in the HBO comedy series “Silicon Valley, ” as well as appearing in the movies “Patriots Day” and “Crazy Rich Asians.”
More a capella music will be coming to the Center on Friday, Oct. 15, with the arrival of the highly acclaimed British group VOCES8. If you are a music connoisseur of any kind, this event is just for you, as their program promises to blend the music from the time of the Renaissance to today.
On Thursday, Oct. 21, Jorgensen will be welcoming Complexions Contemporary Ballet. They will be performing their renowned two-act ballet “Stardust,” which pays homage to the music of Bach and David Bowie.
Closing out Jorgensen’s programming for the next two months is a chamber music event from Takács Quartet. Hailing from Hungary, this foursome promises fresh music that will enlighten your night with magical musical elements.
These next two months are packed with live programming from Jorgensen, giving audience-goers many prospective nights of entertainment.
“I am very excited about the fact that I was able to put together a reduced season while maintaining our commitment to artistic and cultural diversity in the programming,” Rock said. “I’m also excited that after many months of planning, we have been given permission to offer live performances in the safest manner possible. We have found a way to offer live performances in a fashion that reduces risk and keeps patrons, artists and staff as safe as possible.”
Jorgensen is finally back live and in-person; now it’s just time to enjoy the show.
