Review: Faith, ideals, humanity themes of 'The Runner Stumbles'

Although the UIS Theatre's production of "The Runner Stumbles" is set a full century ago, when Catholic Church rituals and practices were much more structured and Catholics were struggling to gain acceptance in America's predominantly Protestant culture, its themes and plot elements remain timely.

On one level, "Runner", which plays today, Sunday, and April 29-May 1 at the University of Illinois Springfield Studio Theatre, appears to present familiar, almost stereotyped, images of a tradition-bound, repressive Catholic Church and backward, suspicious small-town residents, blended with a traditional murder mystery. But on a deeper level it is about the eternal struggle to reconcile faith, reason, and emotion and aspire to high ideals without losing touch with one's humanity.

Directed by Missy Thibodeaux-Thompson, the two-act drama by Milan Stitt -- based on an actual court case -- takes place in a Michigan logging town in 1911, where the former Catholic parish pastor, Father Rivard (Dug Hall) is on trial for the murder of a young nun, Sister Rita (Ellyn Thorson) four years earlier.

The review was published in a April 24, 2010, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20100424-SJR-Review-The-Runner-Stumbles.pdf

Sustain exhibition opens at UIS Visual Arts Gallery

The Visual Arts Gallery at the University of Illinois Springfield presents an internationally juried exhibition of fine art titled Sustain. It features selections from 13 artists, whose work addresses three issues of sustainability: resource conservation, social justice and economic equity. The exhibit can be viewed weekdays Monday through Thursday. A closing reception is planned as part of the campus’ celebration of Earth Day on April 22 from 5:30-8 p.m. in the gallery. Pictured is “The Bitter Pill” by Minneanpolis artist Bart Vargas.

Sustain
Through Thursday, Apr 22
Mon-Thu, 11am-6pm
UIS Visual Arts Gallery
Health and Sciences Building, Room 201
206-6506

The exhibit was featured in a April 1, 2010, article in the Illinois Times.

Download a PDF of the article:
20100401-ILTimes-National-show-sustain.pdf

Music Notes: UIS Chorus

The University of Illinois Springfield Chorus will perform at 2 p.m. Saturday in the Vachel Lindsay Home State Historic Site, 603 S. Fifth St.

Part of the “Let Us Be Bold With Our Songs” series, the array of pieces includes “Ahe Lau Makani (There is a Breath)” by Queen Liliuokalani, the last reigning monarch of Hawaii; “Fire, Fire,” a polyphonic English madrigal by Thomas Morley; “The Erie Canal,” an American folk song accompanied by piano and fiddle; “Oleana,” an American folk song accompanied by violin; and “Blackbird,” by the Beatles.

Director Sharon Graf will lead a brief discussion of the songs.

The performance was featured in a March 25, 2010, article in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20100325-SJR-Music-Notes-UIS-Chorus.pdf

'Curious' collection: Springfield artist goes own way in UIS exhibit

One week before she is to open a solo exhibition at the University of Illinois Springfield, Felicia Olin is sitting in the living room of her Springfield home, surrounded by her work.

Some paintings are stacked against the fireplace mantel. Others are lined up beneath the television in the corner. More are on the landing of the stairs.

Liz Murphy Thomas, the director of the visual arts gallery and an assistant professor of art and digital media at UIS, said she tries to program a diverse array of exhibits each academic year at the gallery. That diversity includes local and national artists and both two- and three-dimensional work.

The article was published in a February 18, 2010, edition of the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20100218-SJR-Curious-collection-UIS-exhibit.pdf

UIS hosts alumni exhibition in VAG

A reception for the 2010 Biennial Alumni Art Exhibition at the University of Illinois Springfield begins at 5:30 p.m. today at the Visual Arts Gallery, Room 201 of the Health and Sciences Building. The biennial exhibit features the work at 10 UIS graduates and runs through Feb. 10.

The exhibition was featured in the January 21, 2010, State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article:
20100121-SJR-alumniexhibition.pdf

UIS Theatre production noted as one of 2009 top performances

The UIS Theatre production of "As You Like It" was featured in a 2009 review of the top performances in the area for the year.

The State Journal-Register commented that Aasne Vigesaa, playing the leading role of Rosalind, gave the best performance by an actor the reviewer has seen in Springfield and also noted that the rest of the cast gave stellar performances as well.

Download a PDF of the article
20091224-SJR-A%26E.pdf

Local film premieres at UIS' Brookens Auditorium

On World Aids Day, Kimberly D. Conner’s short film "This Life Ain’t Pretty," premiered at UIS’ Brookens Auditorium. The auditorium was more than full of cast, crew, friends and supporters for her film.

The film's premiere was featured in a December 10, 2009, article in the Illinois Times.

Download a PDF of the article
20091210-IT-moviepremiere.pdf

Vintage Brass Band created by employees of UIS

The Vintage Brass Band will be presenting "A Vintage Brass Christmas" at the First Presbyterian Church on Saturday, December 12. The band was created by husband and wife musician team of UIS staff members R. Todd Cranson and Rose Schweikhart Cranson in 2009.

The band was the subject of a feature in the December 10, 2009, Illinois Times.

Download a PDF of the article
20091210-IT-brassband.pdf

UIS presents Fall Music Showcase

The University of Illinois Springfield Chorus, Choir and Band will present the Fall Showcase Concert at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Studio Theatre at the Public Affairs Center on campus.

Information about the fall showcase was published in the December 3, 2009, State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20091203-SJR-musicshowcase.pdf

UIS staff is part of Springfield Choral Society

Janette Kirkham, employee at UIS, has been a part of the Springfield Choral Society since 1985.

This weekend, the Choral Society will present “Peace in All the Earth,” a concert of 22 songs from 12 different countries, in eight different languages. The chorus will dedicate its program to men and women serving in the military.

A December 3, 2009, article featuring the Choral Society and comments from Kirkham was published in the State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article
20091203-IllTimes-JanKirkham.pdf

"Avenue Q" comes to Sangamon Auditorium

“Avenue Q” recently embarked on its first national tour of smaller cities, which brings the grown-up puppet musical to Springfield for the first time Saturday night at Sangamon Auditorium on the UIS campus.

An article about Avenue Q was featured in the December 3, 2009, State Journal-Register.

Download a PDF of the article

20091203-SJR-AvenueQ.pdf