UCF Celebrates the Arts is back with ballet, Broadway star
UCF Celebrates the Arts will be back at the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts beginning April 2 with a special community partner and participation by a homegrown Broadway star.
The partner is Orlando Ballet, whose “Peter Pan” will take over the arts center April 15-18.
The University of Central Florida shortened its usual two weeks in the center, which allowed the ballet company to present its show, choreographed by Jorden Morris, during that time.
“This collaboration between UCF and the Orlando Ballet is a great example of what organizations can accomplish when they work together,” said festival producer Michael Wainstein, director of UCF’s School of Performing Arts. “We are excited to include ‘Peter Pan’ as part of UCF Celebrates the Arts and are eager for our students — and the Central Florida community — to benefit from the partnership and the wonderful productions that will be given by both the Orlando Ballet and UCF.”
Another change this year: Some events will be available online, including
“Arts On! A Virtual Showcase of Creativity at UCF.” Alumnus Justin Sargent, who starred in such Broadway musicals as “Rock of Ages” and “Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark,” will host the two-hour virtual tour of creativity.
Those who attend events in person will find a convergence of festivals as multiple UCF offerings will be part of the Dr. Phillips Center’s outdoor Frontyard Festival.
Programs held in conjunction with the Frontyard Festival include “A Knight to Shine 2021: A Musical Theatre Showcase,” as well as concerts by the Flying Horse Big Band and the university choirs, percussion ensemble, bands and symphony orchestra.
One to take note of: “Through Unity We Shall Overcome,” at 7:30 p.m. April 3, will feature choir performances of music inspiring us to unite. The concert will also feature a new work celebrating the 100th anniversary of women gaining the right to vote.
UCF’s first performance will be a lunchtime concert April 2 featuring UCF’s flute ensemble and brass ensemble. That evening, students will present “A Knight of Opera: Carmenella and Opera Scenes” in the open-air 2,000-seat venue on the arts center’s lawn.
UCF Celebrates the Arts
will continue with lunchtime concerts throughout the festival, featuring groups such as the New Music Ensemble, Pegasus String Quartet, Chamber Choir and even a Trombone Choir.
One major indoor event: “A Knight of Dance,” which will take place in the Walt Disney Theater on April 8 with physically distanced seating to view the program by university dancers.
In a production for young audiences, “The Grumpiest Boy in the World” follows a 7-yearold who seeks giants or anything else that will help him stand out from the average kid. It will be presented at noon April 10.
The popular competitive speed-drawing event, Creative Clash, will be back for in-person audiences but the festival’s usual visual-art galleries will be presented digitally on the arts center’s large, outdoor screens. Fresh content will be screened daily — and then made available online.
Other events for home viewing include a screening of the documentary “The Druze: An Ethnic Minority in the Holy Land,” a happy hour with readings from the UCF creative-writing program, and a discussion with linguistic-justice expert April Baker-Bell.
Because of the various partnerships, the ticketing is slightly more complicated than usual. For in-person events, go to drphillipscenter.org/ events, where ticket prices range from free to $50
— with the exception of Orlando Ballet’s “Peter Pan,” for which tickets range from $24-$250.
For online events, which are free or pay-what-youwant to watch, go to arts. cah.ucf.edu/celebrates — where you also can find a complete schedule and more information about all of this year’s UCF Celebrates the Arts programs.