Throughout history, Ohio Northern University has always promised to deliver valuable entertainment performances for its close-knit community of students, faculty, and the surrounding Ada and Lima residents. Traveling dance shows waltzed across the Biggs Theatre stage of the Freed Center for the Performing Arts. Music shows transported audience members to different sceneries in their minds inside the Snyder Recital Hall of the university’s Presser Hall. Finally, Ohio Northern’s experienced faculty and staff trained theatre students to perfect their theatrical arts. These skills were seen in popular shows, including Thoroughly Modern Millie, Hamlet, Oklahoma!, Footloose, The Importance of Being Earnest, and the ONU Holiday Spectacular.
The 2015-16 academic school year will continue to provide the excitement of live entertainment for the Ohio Northern University community.
The Freed Center’s Performing Art Series offers unique shows, including a production schedule consisting of the following: “The Not So Newlywed Game with Bob Eubanks,” “Second City with the ONU Improv Group,” “Taylor 2 with the ONU Dance Company,” “Dracula,” “Svet: A Networking Event,” “Kingsmen Quartet,” “Jason Bishop,” “Comedy of Jon Reep and Elta May,” and “Peter Gros of Multual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom.”
Ohio Northern’s Department of Theatre Arts welcomes students to witness the excitement of live theatre with its season of shows, including Edges, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, ONU Holiday Spectacular, Ballets with a Twist, Picnic, How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying, and theStudent Directed One-Act Plays.
The department seeks helpful hands in preparation for the season’s shows. Auditions to be involved in cast ensembles are open to all students. Information is posted on the call board of the Freed Center’s backstage wings.
Contact Kathe DeVault, Freed Center’s production manager and resident lighting director, to be involved in the backstage crews. Areas needing assistance include costuming, set design, light crew, sound, and props.
In addition, Ohio Northern’s Department of Music offers music concerts throughout the school year. The talented Wind Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, and choral ensembles perform musical pieces, with themed concerts to coordinate with the changing seasons in Ada, Ohio.
The Men and Women Choruses, Brass Ensemble, Marching Band, New Music Ensemble, Pep Band, Percussion Ensemble, Steel Drum Band, Symphonic Band, and Woodwind Ensemble invite students to inquire about future participation.
The Wind Orchestra, Symphony Orchestra, Jazz Band, University Singers, Opera Workshop, Chamber Singers, and Pit Orchestra accept students through an individual audition with the ensemble director. All Ohio Northern students are welcome to audition.
While students explore creative arts on a performance stage, Ohio Northern’s Department of Art & Design offers art galleries and exhibits to the campus community and Ada residents. Showcasing student work and guest art, the department’s Elzay Gallery always features art exhibitions highlighting themes, including political movements, historical eras, and the freedom of creative expression.
Ohio Northern’s Department of English offers literary readings and discussions during the school year, with each event focusing on a particular genre of writing and school of literary thought. Published writers visit Ohio Northern’s campus as part of the department’s Reading Series, and many offer one-on-one workshops with budding writers.
Ohio Northern University prepares students for success in the work fields after their undergraduate studies. By offering entertainment events, the university allows for students to enjoy a good show with their friends, or discover a new favorite hobby by their involvement in the performances, in all aspects from the backstage to the star of the show. No matter what one’s interest may be, Ohio Northern University is the place to explore that curiosity.