Pre-Performance Discussions


Sponsored by the Friends of the Center for the Arts.

Join us 45 minutes prior to the curtain for our Great Performances at Mason events, and enjoy our lively and popular Pre-Performance Discussions. These forums are led by local experts and, occasionally, by the artists themselves. Here, patrons are encouraged to ask questions and are able to gain a bit of insight and knowledge about our world-renowned guest artists. Held on the spacious and comfortable Grand Tier Lobby, these captivating exchanges provide a unique opportunity to go behind the scenes of a great performance!

Date Event Curtain Speaker
December 17, 2011Natalie MacMaster: Christmas in Cape Breton8:00 pmDr. Greg Robinson, Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology, School of Music, GMU
December 18, 2011Mariachi Los Camperos de Nati Cano: Fiesta Navidad4:00 pmJesus
January 14, 2012Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Presents Passion and Romance8:00 pmPre-Concert Lecture: 7:00 pm Free to Ticketed Patrons
January 27, 2012River North Dance Chicago8:00 pmFrank Chaves, Artistic Director, River North Dance Chicago
January 28, 2012Aquila Theatre: Macbeth8:00 pmMembers of the Company
February 3, 2012Chucho Valdés & The Afro-Cuban Messengers8:00 pmDr. Greg Robinson, Associate Professor of Ethnomusicology, School of Music, GMU
February 4, 2012Tschaikowski St. Petersburg State Orchestra: Roman Leontiev, conductor8:00 pmNicole Lacroix, WETA 90.9 FM
February 10, 2012Virginia Opera: Orphée by Philip Glass, Virginia Premiere8:00 pmCompany Member
February 11, 2012Arlo Guthrie: Boys' Night Out8:00 pmMary Sue Twohy, Sirius|XM Radio
February 12, 2012Virginia Opera: Orphée by Philip Glass, Virginia Premiere2:00 pmCompany Member
February 17, 2012Complexions Contemporary Ballet8:00 pmJae Man Joo, Associate Artistic Dir., & Michael Moore, Company Mgr., from Complexions
February 18, 2012The "All New" Original Tribute to The Blues Brothers™8:00 pmBrad Henshaw,
February 19, 2012Soweto Gospel Choir4:00 pmMary Sue Twohy, Sirius|XM Radio
February 25, 2012Metropolitan Jazz Orchestra presents Buddy, Woody, and Stan8:00 pmJim Carroll, Founder, Met Jazz Orchestra, Dir. of Jazz Studies, Mason School of Music
March 2, 2012Walnut Street Theatre: Proof8:00 pmKen Elston, Chair, Theater Department, George Mason University
March 3, 2012Ballet Folklórico De Antioquia, Colombia8:00 pmLina Botero, PR & Marketing Director, Former Dancer, Ballet Folklorico
March 4, 2012Nordwest Deutsche Philharmonic: Eugene Tzigane, conductor4:00 pmNicole Lacroix, WETA 90.9 FM
March 10, 2012Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet8:00 pmBenoit Swan, Cedar Lake Dance Company
March 11, 2012Vienna Boys Choir4:00 pmNatalia Dudnik, Associate Professor - German, GMU
March 17, 2012Fairfax Symphony Orchestra Presents Pianist Rick Rowley8:00 pmPre-Concert Lecture: 7:00 pm Free to Ticketed Patrons
March 18, 2012TAO: The Art of the Drum4:00 pmCompany Member
March 23, 2012Virginia Opera: The Mikado8:00 pmCompany Member
March 24, 2012Christopher O’Riley / Matt Haimovitz: Shuffle.Play.Listen.8:00 pmChristopher O'Riley & Matt Haimovitz
March 25, 2012Virginia Opera: The Mikado2:00 pmCompany Member
April 1, 2012The Acting Company: Julius Caesar7:00 pmAdriana Baer, Staff Repertory Director, The Acting Company
April 13, 2012Moscow Festival Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty8:00 pmMember(s) of the Company
April 14, 2012Moscow Festival Ballet: Cinderella4:00 pmMember(s) of the Company
May 12, 2012Fairfax Symphony Orchestra - La Mer & Enigma Variations8:00 pmPre-Concert Lecture: 7:00 pm Free to Ticketed Patrons


Join the Center for the Arts Mailing List