UNCSA Presents: April performance highlights
UNCSA 2024–25 performance season, “UNCSA Presents,” continues this April with highlights including the two-act drama “Les Belles-Soeurs,” presented by the School of Drama; the contemporary opera “Ballymore,” presented by the A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute; and Spring Dance, a presentation of new works and reenvisioned classics from the School of Dance.
Performance tickets are $25 per event for adults and $20 for non-UNCSA students with a valid ID and tickets can be purchased online or by calling the box office at 336-721-1945.
A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute: “Ballymore,” an Opera in Two Parts / Photo by: Shuyang Zhou
Les Belles-Soeurs – April 3-6
The School of Drama presents Michel Tremblay’s inspiring play, “Les Belles-Soeurs,” directed by alumna Acadia Barrengos and performed in English. A landmark of Canadian theater, “Les Belles-Soeurs” captures the lives of 15 working-class women in 1965 Montreal as they navigate shifting social dynamics, personal ambition and collective frustration. When Germaine Lauzon wins a fortune in trading stamps, she invites her friends and neighbors to celebrate, but the gathering soon unravels into an evening of biting humor, jealousy and raw emotion. Through its sharp wit and poignant storytelling, “Les Belles-Soeurs” explores themes of power, struggle and community in a rapidly changing world.
The production features an intricately designed costume collection that highlights the nuances of class and privilege within the narrative. According to the costume designer, Design and Production student Bee Gable, a majority of the costumes are authentic vintage pieces from UNCSA’s extensive collection, carefully restored and altered by a student-led team. Select garments have been newly constructed by UNCSA’s costume department and treated to seamlessly blend with the period aesthetic. The costume design emphasizes character distinctions through silhouette and color palette, reflecting social status, financial circumstances and generational differences. Middle-aged and older characters are dressed in classic ’60s styles, while younger characters incorporate early ’70s fashion trends, creating a visual contrast that mirrors the evolving societal landscape. A controlled, faded color palette connects the overall design to the set, ensuring a cohesive aesthetic that enhances the storytelling.
A celebrated work of contemporary theater, “Les Belles-Soeurs” remains as relevant today as it was at its premiere, offering an honest portrayal of women’s lives and their complex relationships with each other and society.
Performances will take place Thursday through Saturday, April 3-5, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, April 6, at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the Catawba Theatre in Freedman Theatre on the UNCSA campus, 1533 South Main St.
"Ballymore," an Opera in Two Parts – April 23-27
A.J. Fletcher Opera Institute Fletcher Fellows will perform “Ballymore,” an Opera in Two Parts, a contemporary opera composed by Richard Wargo and based on Brian Friel’s stage play “Lovers.” The production explores the joys and struggles of two couples, the “Winners and Losers,” navigating love and societal expectations in 1960s Northern Ireland. Under the direction of guest director Stephen Wrentmore and conducted by Fletcher Opera Music Director James Allbritten, “Ballymore” brings to life Friel’s richly drawn characters and emotionally layered storytelling.
The opera is structured in two parts, each telling a distinct yet thematically connected story. “Winners” follows teenage lovers Mag and Joe as they prepare for their exams while dealing with the judgment of their community after Mag’s unexpected pregnancy. Seeking solace, they escape to the middle of a nearby lake, where their fate takes an unexpected turn. “Losers” shifts focus to middle-aged couple Andy and Hanna, whose relationship is stifled by the constant interference of an overbearing mother and disapproving neighbors. Though they eventually marry, the constraints of their environment cast uncertainty on their future happiness.
The production features immersive set designs by Design and Production student Shuyang Zhou, which create a striking contrast between the expansive, open landscapes of the “Winners” and the confined, oppressive interiors of the “Losers.” Each setting plays a crucial role in reinforcing the opera’s themes, from the seemingly boundless possibilities of youth to the suffocating weight of societal expectation.
The performances will take place Wednesday, April 23, and Friday, April 25, at 7:30 p.m., and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. at Agnes de Mille Theatre on the UNCSA campus, 1533 South Main St.
Spring Dance – April 24–27
The School of Dance presents an unforgettable evening for dance enthusiasts and those new to dance with a program of new works and reimagined classics. Dean Endalyn T. Outlaw joins faculty members Ilya Kozadayev and Brenda Daniels in presenting innovative creations. Outlaw’s piece, “It’s the Thing with Feathers,” was developed collaboratively with students from the contemporary program, with every dancer — including understudies and rehearsal assistants — playing a key role in shaping the work. Set to music by Nils Frahm and inspired by Emily Dickinson’s poem “Hope is the Thing with Feathers,” the piece explores the power and vulnerability of hope, building a sense of community among the performers. Dance Costume Shop Director Marissa McCullough designed the costumes to reflect the piece’s themes, emphasizing the dancers’ humanity and the emotional depth of the work.
Daniels’ contemporary piece, set to Bach’s Cello Suite No. 4, will feature a live performance by School of Music graduate student Bruno Coz Núñez on classical guitar. Kozadayev is staging his original ballet “Echoes,” which was created for the Houston Ballet Academy last spring. The contemporary ballet will feature 12 dancers to the music of composer Johan Ullén.
Expanding the program’s dynamic lineup, guest artist Cherylyn Lavagnino and faculty member Phillip Broomhead will present signature works that highlight their artistic expertise. Lavagnino’s “RU” offers a refined and compelling interpretation, set to composer Scott Killian’s atmospheric composition “Shadowy Landscapes.” Broomhead, drawing from his extensive classical ballet background, will restage the renowned “Paquita Suite,” originally choreographed by Marius Petipa. This celebrated ballet showcases technical brilliance, vibrant energy and timeless elegance.
The performances will take place Thursday through Saturday, April 24-26, at 7:30 p.m.; and Saturday, April 26, and Sunday, April 27, at 2 p.m. All performances will take place in the Freedman Theatre on the UNCSA campus, 1533 South Main St.
Tickets and information about additional “UNCSA Presents” performances can be found at uncsa.edu/performances.
March 25, 2025