The West Virginia University School of Theatre and Dance will present “Dance Now!” Feb. 28 - March 2 in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre at the Creative Arts Center.

“Dance Now!” is an annual dance concert choreographed by students, faculty and guest artists. The performance gives WVU students the opportunity to hone their performance abilities in a professional environment while learning about collaboration between performer, choreographer and designer. 

Education has shaped the lives of West Virginia University alumni Ken and Annie Mrozinski. It is what brought the couple together, and for Annie, education became a lifelong career. Their love for education is what inspired the couple to make a monumental planned gift to support scholarships in WVU’s School of Theatre & Dance.

A WVU education was practically written in Annie’s DNA. A native of Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, she was the 10th member of her family to attend WVU. Annie decided to study theatre, which at the time was still a major within the speech department. Ken attended WVU to study communications after receiving his undergraduate degree at Kent State University. The couple met in a speech class, and spent years as friends before falling in love. 

Dr. Charles “Chuck” Neel, professor emeritus at West Virginia University’s School of Theatre and Dance, passed away Jan. 14.

Dr. Neel was an influential member of the School of Theatre & Dance faculty, helping to start the careers of hundreds of alumni including Chris Sarandon, academy award nominee, and Morgantown-native David Selby. His influence also impacted Jim Fagan, former WVU football player and professional voice-over and on-camera talent with hundreds of national commercials on his resume.

Night Queens and bird catchers and flutes? Oh My! Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart wrote an opera with all three, and WVU’s College of Creative Arts is bringing that experience to you! “The Magic Flute” runs January 31- February 3 in the Lyell B. Clay Concert Theatre.

“The Magic Flute” was Mozart’s last dramatic composition and became an immediate and lasting success; the Queen of the Night’s Aria, “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen” was even included on the first disk of the Voyager Golden Record launched in 1977. In 1780, Mozart met Emanuel Schikaneder, an actor and singer. Years later the two used an existing story that revolved around a good fairy whose daughter needs rescuing from the clutches of a wicked magician. The hero has a magic flute as a weapon. They mimicked the structure of this story through act one but then decided to take a different approach in act two. It is unclear whether they feared competition from another existing piece or if they wanted to create a piece that glorified Freemasonry.

Major and Minor: Dance Major, Art History and Theatre Minor