UGA Presents’ new season will include Art Chats, a series of insightful conversations with some of today’s leading artists across musical genres, including Lea Salonga. (Photo by Raymund Isaac)
In a re-envisioned fall season, UGA Presents is offering a new way for performing arts lovers to enjoy music, theater and dance—from the comfort of their own homes. Studio HH, a new online venue named for Hodgson Hall, promises to bring the concert hall to the couch with a variety of shows, including conversations with artists, recorded performances and live performances. Many events will be free, and a few will have a small admission fee.
The University of Georgia Performing Arts Center will also host several live, in-person performances for those who wish to attend. The small events will be capped at 25 people and require attendees to use safety precautions such as social distancing, face coverings and hand sanitizer stations installed throughout the building.
“Not only has the world changed since we closed our doors in March, but the need to connect through shared experiences has become more important,” said Jeffrey Martin, director of the Performing Arts Center. “We look forward to bringing them back, even if it’s not quite how we initially imagined.”
Four types of programming are planned for September-December:
- Arts Chats will include a series of insightful conversations with some of today’s leading artists across musical genres, including Lea Salonga, Wynton Marsalis and others. The intimate, informal chats will focus on artists’ careers, inspirations and hopes for the future. Watch online at com/ugapresents.
- The Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center series will feature high-quality, curated performances by the venerated New York City group, including top classical music stars who have performed in the Hodgson Concert Hall over the years. Wu Han and David Finkel will hold Q&A sessions with the musicians after each performance, adding insight into the lives of artists who play great works from the chamber music canon. The performances will premiere online at 3 p.m. and remain free for five days, exclusively at uga.edu.
- LIVE! By Georgia will host small, intimate concerts with local musicians at Hodgson Concert Hall, reconnecting audiences with the expansive sound of the venue. Although in-person audiences will be limited for safety, viewers can also purchase tickets to watch performances at home. The details for each show will be updated online, which may change based on conditions in the community closer to the date of the event. Learn more at uga.edu.
- Up Close will offer a unique peek into the lives of artists, including Grammy Award winner Kathy Mattea, whose work provides comfort and hope during difficult times. Live or taped-delayed broadcasts will allow audiences to step into artists’ homes, hometowns and location-based settings for one-of-a-kind performances. The series will celebrate the power of performance and unity. Find the sessions online at uga.edu.
Highlights include LIVE! by Georgia performances by the Peachtree String Quartet on Sept. 25 and Revien, a contemporary chamber ensemble formed by three members of the Georgia Guitar Quartet, on Dec. 10 and 11.
As part of the Up Close series, Studio HH will offer a two-week run of The Rivalry, Norman Corwin’s dramatization of the history-making Lincoln-Douglas debates. Academy Award nominees Paul Giamatti and David Strathairn star as the powerhouse characters who tackle some of the most controversial issues of that time—slavery and the American concept of freedom.
“As we gather together, whether virtually or together in person, our joy and learning are heightened through inspired performances and an increased understanding of our shared humanity,” Martin said. “In those moments, we take comfort in fellowship, forget the cares of the world, and find peace and healing.”
Read more about the season and order tickets at pac.uga.edu or by calling 706-542-4400.