In This Story
“An evening like no other,” ARTS by George! returns on September 30 for an evening that raises support for student scholarships in visual arts, dance, music, theater, game design, film, arts management, as well as for the Mason Community Arts Academy, Green Machine Ensembles, and the Great Performance at Mason season at the Center for the Arts. Since its creation in 2006, ARTS by George! has raised more than $2 million for the arts at Mason.
Prior to the special performance of Renée Elise Goldsberry in Concert headlining the evening, College of Visual and Performing Arts students showcase their talents in visual arts, music, game design, dance, and more. Read on to learn more about some of the stellar performances and experiences you can partake in when visiting ARTS by George!
Mason School of Theater
Future performers of stage and screen from Mason School of Theater delight their audience with selections from two upcoming fall productions, The Originals! and 9 to 5, The Musical.
A one-act play entitled “So, Two Spies Walk Into a Restaurant” by School of Theater student Dyllan Hutchinson will be featured in The Originals! at ARTS by George! As one of six student-written and directed pieces, The Originals! offers Mason’s creative artists the chance to share their work in a variety of forms, whether it be a "bite-sized operetta” or the traditional ten-minute play.
Based on the hit 1980s movie starring Dolly Parton, 9 to 5, The Musical features three female coworkers pushed past their boiling point by workplace sexism. In this hilarious story of friendship and revenge, the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and even a little romantic. Mason School of Theater students will perform a preview of musical selections from this upcoming production, which will run October 20 through 29.
Dewberry School of Music
A collaboration between Dewberry School of Music and Mason School of Dance, Come Sunday features the composition of Omar Thomas, musical direction of Mason’s Dewberry School of Music assistant professor Dr. William Lake, Jr., and the choreography of Mason School of Dance associate professor Lawrence M. Jackson. Reuniting to bring this spectacular piece—originally performed in February 2023—to life, Come Sunday will be performed at ARTS by George! with Mason’s Dance and Music students.
The beloved Green Machine Ensembles will also appear with performances by Emerald Desire, Fife and Drum, and Green & Gold Soul. Catch a preview of the fan-favorite Green Machine below in a video from Mason Madness 2022.
In addition to performances from the students above, there will be a spectrum of other special experiences for visitors to partake in. At The Mix, students from Mason’s School of Art will demonstrate techniques in experimental letterpress and printmaking, inviting participants to create their own special works of art. Presented by Mason Computer Game Design and Mason Exhibitions, selections from the 2023 Progress@Play Competition will be available to play. The Progress@Play Competition seeks to raise public awareness of social issues through computer games or digital art to demonstrate their potential for serious and positive impacts.
Performances from additional groups within Mason’s School of Dance, Dewberry School of Music, and Film and Videos Studies program will be scattered throughout, providing an opportunity to the work that donations and sponsorships support.
It’s not too late to become a sponsor!
Your gift makes it possible for Mason to attract and retain talented arts students, for the Center for the Arts to bring first-class performances to our region, and to provide enriching arts education to our community. To learn more about becoming a sponsor and the benefits that it includes, please visit the ARTS by George! website.