UNC-Wilmington will open the doors of Kenan Auditorium to young theater-goers during the summer break.
The university’s Office of the Arts has announced its new performance series, Seahawk Fam, a family-friendly lineup of weekday and weekend matinees running between June 29 and July 27.
Geared toward children and youth, Seahawk Fam includes live music, dance, puppets and storytelling. Five shows will be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesdays. Tickets to all shows are just $5.
The season kicks off on June 29 with a concert from the John Brown Jazz Quartet. Brown is a professor and the director of the jazz program at Duke University.
Then, a week later on July 6, Kenan will play host to a preview for the annual experimental SARUS arts festival with an appearance by Karola Lüttringhaus of Alban Elved Dance Company. The German choreographer and scenic designer will present a sampling of her work in dance, theatre, animation and other creations.
The public will be invited to sit in on a rehearsal on July 13 as part of the long-running UNCW Summer Jazz Workshop. For two decades, the workshop has been the go-to enrichment course for budding musicians across the state. The open rehearsal will feature UNCW faculty and workshop alumni, directed by workshop head Frank Bongiorno, who also chairs the university’s music department.
Globally focused and culturally inclusive musician and storyteller Madafo comes to UNCW on July 20, and the classic “Peter and the Wolf” gets new life in a youth adaptation, featuring puppets and masks, on July 27.
After the first bell of the new school year rings, UNCW will offer two more Seahawk Fam shows, both set for 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Puppetry extravaganza “Mariko’s Magical Mix” will hit the stage on October 22, followed on February 25 by Theatrework USA’s production of the zany musical, “Seussical,” featuring a host of Dr. Seuss’ most iconic storybook characters. The Saturday performances will have reserved seating, with ticket prices ranging from $5-$20.
Tickets for Seahawk Fam productions are on sale now through the Kenan Box Office, (910) 962-3500 and online. Click here for more information.
