At Texas Performing Arts we make sure connection with the arts extends beyond the stage, both here on campus and in the community. Each year, thousands of students and members of the Central Texas community take part in TPA’s education and engagement activities, which include pre- and post-show discussions, workshops, masterclasses, and youth performances. By providing opportunities to interact with and learn from our many visiting artists, we strive to inspire arts lovers of all ages and strengthen the impact of the performing arts in Austin.
As we look forward to TPA’s new 24/25 season, here are a few highlights of our campus and community activities from the past year.
The Women Drummers of Rwanda and playwright Kiki Katese joined community members at the Carver Museum for a special performance and discussion in conjunction with the Texas premiere of her acclaimed new play The Book of Life.
Members of celebrated contemporary dance company MOMIX led a workshop for ballet students in UT’s Theatre & Dance Department during the national tour of new dance work Alice.
Grammy Award-winning jazz composer Terence Blanchard accompanied the UT Jazz Orchestra and Ensemble for their final concert of the semester—part of his week-long residency with TPA and the Butler School of Music. Photo by Manoo Sirivelu
Jazz students from Huston Tillotson University were invited to participate in a special soundcheck with Grammy-award winning jazz vocalist Samara Joy before her Bass Concert Hall debut performance.
Audience members filled the 6th floor of Bass for a pre-show talk to learn about the inspiring 50-year history of Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo with Trocks Ballet Master Raffaele Morra.
More than 1600 area students visited Bass Concert Hall for a special school day performance with the legendary company Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
Community members gathered together to learn movements from Alvin Ailey’s Revelations, the world’s most popular work of modern dance, led by former Ailey company member Nasha Thomas.
Students from Elgin High School enjoyed a special performance of the smash hit Wicked as part of our Broadway Experience for Youth program.
Award-winning choreographer Abby Zbikowski led a masterclass with UT dance students ahead of Radioactive Practice, named the 'Best Dance Performance of 2022' by The New York Times.