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It is with overwhelming enthusiasm that we finally flicker our lobby lights and invite you to take your seats once again. This fall, we cannot wait to safely welcome you back to witness artistic excellence in-person at the Center for the Arts.

The two opening eventsÌýof the Great Performances at Mason series are part ofÌýour , which began in the 2019/2020 Season. Each Artist-in-ResidenceÌýwill be on the ground in our community for a few days surrounding their performances, interacting with Mason students as well as the larger community in Northern Virginia through workshops, classroom visits, special lectures, and performance activities.

This season’s cohort of artists includes visionary writer-director Kaneza Schaal, co-creator of , a highly visual, dramatic, and all-too-timely theatrical work that follows five young refugees coursing a route to a new place to call home. Kaneza began her research residency in 2020, working with Mason’s Game Design Program and the Virginia Serious Game Institute to develop augmented reality tools for future performance projects. Following Schaal’s residency is the dynamic self-conducting chamber orchestra , which features the nation's top Black and Latinx classical musicians.Ìý

In the Spring, the Center hosts three more vibrant and in-demand artists, including , whose work is rooted in African American social dances; choreographer Caleb Teicher and Lindy Hop champions Evita Arce, LaTasha Barnes, and Nathan Bugh, creator and performers of the evening-length work ; and 2019 NEA Jazz Master conducting the Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra.

The at the Center for the Arts offers patrons a full complement of classical music, opera, contemporary dance, holiday performances, and so much more.

We recognize there are many questions about what to expect when returning to indoor performances. Therefore, the Center has created guidelines to ensure the health and safety of our patrons, students, faculty, staff, and visiting artists on campus. Please note, our current protocols will continue to evolve depending on CDC guidelines, recommendations, and university requirements. We appreciate your understanding as we work to bring back the arts safely for our entire community.

We are tremendously proud of our upcoming season, and can't wait to share it with you—our dedicated audience—very soon!

Adrienne Bryant Godwin,
Director of Programming