Fine Arts Student Opportunities

Theatre at Saint Francis University creates a unique avenue for students and area residents to come together as they learn and grow in their theatrical abilities. S.T.A.R. (Students Teachers Area Residents) Productions stages at least one show each semester. The theatre program has a 45 year history at the University under the careful guidance of Kenny and Bonnie Resinski who have taught thousands of proud SFU Theatre Alumni to grow as artists and individuals.

2012-2013 Season

The Princess Parade: A Disney Revue - Featuring the music of Hopes, Dreams and Happy Ever-Afters - Pocahontas, Ariel, Cinderella, Nala, Belle, Aurora, Tiana, Snow White, Jasmine, Rapunzel, Mulan, and Aida.

The Zoo Story - A disturbing encounter in Central Park between Jerry, the maverick outcast, and Peter, the executive conformist. Two men estranged from Society and each-other, who do make contact as co-creative participants in an unusual and provocative encounter: taut drama, both physical and psychological.

Rough Water - Suspense…surprises…sobs—some smiles. Adventure and romance—all in a lifeboat. A claustrophobic parable about the complexities of human behavior under extreme circumstances.

An urban-style club set down in the post-industrial atmosphere of the Universityʼs converted power plant, Café Voltaire is an alternative space for music performance, visual arts, dramatic readings and poetry. Traditionally staged four times each semester, the café presents top regional musicians and offers opportunities for student performance as well. With changing art exhibits and decor thatʼs redesigned for every performance, the café attracts large student audiences.

The World Drumming Ensemble is a performance group made up of students, faculty, staff and members of the local community. Our repertory includes traditional drumming music from all over the globe. The ensemble was designed to create opportunities for each member to learn, express, perform and, most of all, enjoy playing music. Unlike most university performing groups, we have no prerequisites or auditions — all you need is a willingness to learn. The World Drumming Ensemble prides itself on providing interactive, multi-cultural benefit concerts that support music programming in schools K through 12 throughout the region.

The Arts in the Mountains Summer Music and Arts Festival is a rejuvenating four days of music workshops, master classes, impromptu jam sessions, and energizing concerts on the pristine mountain campus of Saint Francis University.

• Summer Rhythm Renewal, a drumming and wellness retreat - Mark your calendars!  2013 Summer Rhythm Renewal Dates: Thurs-Sun July 11-14, 2013
• Universe of Song, a songwriting retreat for everyone, directed by Paul Berkobin
• Guitar and Bass Retreat, featuring programming for beginners and advanced guitar, bass and tap guitar players, directed by Bill Burke

We take pride in welcoming beginners and creating a safe and supportive space for everyone to learn and grow.

This organization is open to any Saint Francis University student, and sometimes includes members of the faculty or staff, or individuals from the surrounding communities. Our singers usually perform one concert each semester, occasionally in conjunction with a local church choir. Although SFU Singers is not an audition group, more advanced vocalists have opportunities to perform solos or small-ensemble numbers from time to time. Most semesters, the Womenʼs Select Ensemble prepares several numbers for performance.