The Clark State College Performing Arts Center (PAC) is halfway through its 30th anniversary season, but there is still time to join the celebration.
Dan Hunt, general manager of the PAC, said as 2024 begins, the PAC will continue to feature a diverse and exciting line up of shows for anyone and everyone.
The 360 Allstars kick-off the second half of the anniversary season on February 4.
“The 360 All Stars will leave you wondering, ‘How did they do that?,’” said Hunt. “We also have a giant and an ogre coming to the Kuss Auditorium, with The Princess Bride and Shrek, the musical.”
The free Kuss Memorial Concert returns with a performance by the dancers of the Gary Geis Dance Company and the Clark State Theatre Arts' Program's production of SpongeBob the musical will perform in April.
Theresa Lauricella, professor of theater and Clark State Theatre Arts Program (TAP) program coordinator at Clark State, said TAP offers classes for two theater degree options inside the Performing Arts Center, meaning the theatre spaces become labs for students to learn and develop their skills in live entertainment.
This past fall, TAP presented The Crucible for high school audiences; thus, it seemed ideal to offer a title that appealed to audiences of all ages. Thus, The SpongeBob Musical was selected.
The show will also take place on the stage of the Kuss Auditorium, something that happens only every two years.
“Kuss shows are flashier - the stage itself is larger - so it allows us to include more characters, more set pieces, larger props, and more spectacle,” she said. “Also, by selecting a musical, we can offer performers and audiences the opportunity to experience a live orchestra - which this show will also have.”
Tickets for all PAC performances are available online at pac.clarkstate.edu/shows or by calling 937.328.3874. The PAC is located at 300 South Fountain Avenue in Springfield.
“Don't get down about the super cold weather, or the rain, get your tickets for any of these heart-warming shows,” said Hunt.
30th Anniversary Season Performances
360 ALLSTARS
Sunday, February 4 at 7 p.m.
BMX, basketball, breakdancing, acrobatics, drumming and more, the international smash hit returns! 360 ALLSTARS connects the street with the elite to deliver a supercharged urban circus. Add to this a stunning live soundtrack delivered by award winning musicians, coupled with spectacular video projections, 360 ALLSTARS is as aurally exciting as it is visually astounding. Boasting a stellar international cast of World Champion and World Record-holding athletes and artists, don’t miss this chance to witness the global smash hit!
The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes
Sunday, March 24 at 3 p.m.
Join Cary Elwes (Westley) for a behind-the-scenes look at life on and off the set of the classic film, The Princess Bride. After a screening of the iconic movie, Elwes will engage in a moderated discussion revealing never before shared secrets and tales of inconceivable antics! Don’t be a “Humperdinck”, make haste to see The Princess Bride: An Inconceivable Evening with Cary Elwes for a night you will always “tweasure”.A limited number of VIP packages are available and include the best seats in the house, a Meet and Greet with Cary Elwes, and a signed copy of Cary Elwes best-selling book, As You Wish: Inconceivable Tales from the Making of The Princess Bride.
The SpongeBob Musical
Presented by the Clark State Theatre Arts Program
Friday, April 5 at 8 p.m., Saturday, April 6 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, April 7 at 2 p.m.
Plunge into this stunning all-singing, all-dancing, dynamic stage show1 When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and friends must come together to save their undersea world. With lives hanging in the balance and all hope lost, a most unexpected hero rises up. The power of optimism really can save the world’ An exciting new musical featuring irresistible characters and magical music, this show is set to make a splash with audiences young and old. The future is bright, the future is bold, the future is The SpongeBob Musical.
Richard L. and Barbara D. Kuss Memorial Concert with the Gary Geis Dance Company
Saturday, May 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Free concert, however tickets are required.
This concert is made possible by the generous support of the Carleton F. and Ruth Davidson Trust.
Enjoy an evening of dance with Springfield’s own Gary Geis School of Dance and Gary Geis Dance Company (GGDC)! This performance will include ballet, jazz, modern, tap, student choreography and more by dancers of all ages.
Founded by the late Gary Geis, the school and company provide incredible performance and training opportunities for dancers from Springfield and the surrounding communities. GGDC also provides students with opportunities to learn from guest artists, explore leadership within the dance community, and promote the art of dance while preparing them for professional careers in dance and the arts. GGDC has partnered and collaborated with the Springfield Arts Council and Summer Arts Festival productions, and the Springfield Symphony Orchestra with Rodeo (2015) and Nutcracker Variations (2018).
Shrek The Musical
Wednesday, May 22 at 7:30 p.m.
Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek....” And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Yes, your favorite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle, SHREK – THE MUSICAL. This Tony Award®-winning musical brings all the beloved characters from the Oscar®-winning DreamWorks animated film to life.