Press release from Asheville School:
Each spring, the varied disciplines within the Asheville School Fine Arts Program band together to put on a production that combines dance, music, writing and visual art to create a performance that features original work by students.
This year, Fine Arts presents “Looking Out, Looking In,” a performance that seeks to explore and celebrate diversity, community and connection.
The performance will take place in multiple spaces: audience members will travel from building to building for site specific exhibitions across Asheville School’s campus.
“Looking Out, Looking In” will begin in the Walker Arts Center’s Graham Theater and travel to the William Spencer Boyd Chapel, Skinner Library, the porches of Mitchell Hall, and across campus pathways before audience members are guided back to the Graham Theater. Docents will guide the audience and keep the performance moving along in a traveling festival atmosphere, with some surprises along the way.
“All the work celebrates our diversity as a school community but also connects us to guests beyond our campus,” said Director of Fine Arts Kathy Leiner. Students have worked with a number of visiting artists who have helped them create the original work featured in the performance.
Aparna Keshaviah choreographed a piece inspired by Indian classical and folk dance; Anabella Lenzu choreographed a piece set to a piano duet of “Appalachian Spring;” local muralist Dustin Spagnola worked with students to create a mural that audience members will pass through, and Asheville dance instructor Shari Azar collaborated with Leiner to create choreography to Richard Blanco’s poem, “One Today.” Original work by both Asheville School students and the guest artists will be woven together to make up the pieces of the performance.
“The connections we have been building, both on and off campus, have enriched our students’ experiences,” Leiner said. “The performance serves as an invitation to look out to our community and look in to ourselves as we celebrate diversity on campus as well as the diversity shared with us through our connections to the larger community.”
“Looking Out, Looking In” is free and open to the public. Audience members will need to travel short distances and have the ability to climb up and down stairs. All performative works are in enclosed spaces, but an umbrella is recommended in case of inclement weather.
The performances will begin at 7:15 p.m. in the Walker Arts Center’s Graham Theater on May 8, 9 and 10.
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