Something\nspecial happened at Fort Hays State University last month: the return of our\nEncore Series. On Dec. 2, the Beach\/Schmidt Performing Arts Center in Sheridan\nHall was filled with patrons and Christmas joy as our community gathered to\nwatch Christmas in Killarney \u2013 the first Encore show since 2020. It was a\nfabulous evening of Christmas carols and Irish traditions witnessed by an\naudience of more than 500 people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According\nto Edie McCracken, director of the Memorial Union and overseer of the series,\nthe Encore committee decided to schedule six shows for this first season back\nafter the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cAt\nthe time we started booking shows for 2021-22, we just were not sure what the\nfall would look like and did not want to risk having to cancel shows,\u201d Edie\nsaid. \u201c There are no Broadway musicals this season, because those shows are\njust now getting back to full touring capacities. But we are planning on a\nreturn of musicals for the 2022-23 season, which we are already in the midst of\nplanning. We are at full capacity for the theater. Masks and sanitizing\nstations are being provided at each show for our patron\u2019s safety and comfort.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In\nthe spring, we will begin with The Flying Karamazov Brothers on Monday, Feb.\n14. Some of our long-term audience members may remember the Brothers from their\nprevious Encore performance in the 1990s. This time, they are back with their\noff-Broadway comedy juggling show, 4Play. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Next up is the Roy Orbison & Buddy Holly Rock \u2019N Roll Hologram Dream Tour on March 2. This show will feature a live band fronted by hologram performances by the two rock and roll legends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
On\nMarch 26, the Encore Series will present Cross That River. This musical drama\nis based on historical recounts of a runaway slave who escapes to the\nAmerican West to find a new life as a cowboy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\nwill wrap up the season with two shows in April. The first is The Queen\u2019s\nCartoonists on April 21. This talented music ensemble performs jazz and\nclassical pieces as scores to both classic and contemporary cartoons. Their\nmission is to instill a love and appreciation of these music genres in\naudiences of all ages. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The\nfinal performance, Canada\u2019s Ballet Jorgen presents Anne of Green Gables the\nBallet, is rescheduled from the abbreviated 2019-20 season, This is a newly\ncommissioned work based on beloved book series. We are excited to bring the\nfirst-ever production of this ballet to Hays!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Edie\nalso shared that she is closely monitoring any changes to tours or schedules\nthat might occur due to the pandemic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe\nhave had one small change to the 2021-22 season already. The Golden Dragon\nAcrobats, who were scheduled to perform on Feb. 14, 2022, have had to postpone\ntheir tour for one year due to travel restrictions in and out of China. We will\nbring the show to Hays in February 2023 as a result. Fortunately, the agency we\nworked with was able to help us find a substitute, so we will still have a full\nseason.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We\nused the past year to make a few upgrades to the Beach\/Schmidt Performing Arts\nCenter, including an improved projection system and additional audio and\nlighting capabilities. What might be most noticeable to our patrons is we have\na new and improved accessible seating area on the lower level of the theater.\nThis allows us to accommodate more patrons with accessibility needs in a more\ncomfortable location in the theater. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Patrons\npurchasing tickets for a single show also now have the option of printing\ntickets at home or using their phones as a digital ticket.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cOne\nof the great things about living in a \u2018college town\u2019 is the opportunity to take\npart in the activities that go along with a university. FHSU\u2019s Encore series\nhas brought in quality entertainment that I would never have the chance to see\notherwise. The Broadway musicals are always top-notch, but the series also\nbrings in unique experiences from the world of music, dance, and theater,\u201d\nshared Mary Ann Thompson, a community member who serves on the Encore Series\nselection committee.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Along\nwith Edie, the committee, and the entire university community, and with a full\nheart, I thank our season ticket holders, show sponsors, and advertisers who\nmake the Encore season possible. The Bob and Pat Schmidt Foundation generously\nsponsors the series. Show sponsors this year include Larry and Lyn Fenwick,\nTodd and Andrea Sandoval, Chartwells, and eyeSmile. And everyone who attends a\nshow contributes to the success and sustainability of the Encore Series.<\/p>\n\n\n\n