The 2018-19 Acts, Arts, Academia Performance & Lecture Series at Tusculum University begins with a presentation by Jeff Havens, Wednesday, Aug. 29.

2018-19 Acts, Arts, Academia series at Tusculum University to feature a variety of stage and musical performances

GREENEVILLE, Tenn.: The Acts, Arts, Academia performance and lecture series is a program of Tusculum University Arts Outreach and supported by the late Dr. Sam Miller in memory of Agnes Ault Miller, Hearts for the Arts, the Tennessee Arts Commission, Arts Outreach and generous donors and volunteers.

The 2018-19 series begins with a special custom event for campus and community, “Uncrapify Your Life with Jeff Havens” Wednesday, Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. at the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium, Jeff Havens, a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Vanderbilt University, has quickly become one of the most in-demand presenters in North America. His ability to deliver education and motivation in an entertaining way has earned him accolades nationally. Havens has found audiences in government, academia, small businesses and several Fortune 50 companies, all while still being one of the youngest members of the professional speaking circuit.

The Acts, Arts, Academia series continues Tuesday, Sept. 11, with the first person in the modern world to walk the Cherokee Trail of Tears, author Jerry Ellis, presenting “Walking the Trail - One Man's Journey Along the Cherokee Trail of Tears,” at 7 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre, as part of the Cicero Lecture Series.

On Tuesday, Oct. 16 at 7 p.m., Tusculum’s own Frank Mengel presents “WW II Alaska,” in the Behan Arena Theatre, as part of the Cicero Lecture Series.

Theatre-at-Tusculum brings “Tarzan: The Stage Musical,” based on the Disney film, to the stage in November. Directed by Marilyn duBrisk and featuring music by rock legend, Phil Collins, and book by Tony Award-winning playwright, David Henry Hwang. Performance dates are Nov. 2, 3, 8, 9, 10 at 7 p.m. and Nov. 4 and 11 at 2 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

Christmas is celebrated in performances by the Tusculum University Community Chorus Christmas Concert, directed by Kathryn May, on Monday, Dec. 3 at 7:30 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

The Tusculum University Band Christmas Concert, directed by David Price, takes place Thursday, Dec. 6 at 7 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

The first performance in 2019 is Central Ballet Theatre’s presentation of “Boaz and Ruth: A Love Story,” taken from the Book of Ruth. Performances occur Jan. 25 at 7 p.m., Jan. 26 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Jan. 27 at 2 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

On Tuesday, Feb. 5 at 7 p.m., the Nick Black Band in Concert takes place in Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. Vents Magazine praises the Nick Black Band by noting, “Modern soul and R&B doesn’t get any better than this.”

The Tusculum University Band Winter Concert is scheduled Thursday, Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

Theatre-at-Tusculum brings “Little Shop of Horrors,” as directed by Brian Ricker, to the stage in March. “Little Shop of Horrors” has been acclaimed as, “a deviously delicious Broadway and Hollywood sci-fi smash musical.” Performances take place March 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. and March 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre.

Acts, Arts, Academia’s series continues Thursday, March 21 at 7 p.m. with "Chamber Music with Some Friends," an interactive chamber music experience with the Des Amis Chamber Ensemble featuring works of Douglas, Gershwin & Beethoven, located in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

Special student performances, “5x10 Plays,” are presented in April. The performance consists of five, 10-minute student written plays, produced in collaboration with Theatre-at-Tusculum, Tusculum University English Department and The Old Oak Festival. Performances take place April 11, 12 and 13 at 7 p.m. and April 13 and 14 at 2 p.m. in the Behan Arena Theatre.

The series concludes with spring concerts by the Tusculum University Community Chorus and the Tusculum University Band. The Tusculum University Community Chorus Spring Concert takes place Monday, April 29 at 7:30 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium. The Tusculum University Band Spring Concert occurs Thursday, May 2 at 7 p.m. in the Annie Hogan Byrd auditorium.

Admission to the events is $15 for adults, $12 for seniors above the age of 60 and $5 for children 12 years of age and under, except for the Central Ballet Theatre performance, which is $10 for adults and $5 for students and seniors, the Cicero Lecture Series, which is $7 general admission, and the “5 x 10 Plays,” which is $10 general admission. Admission is free for the Tusculum University Community Chorus and the Tusculum University Community Band concerts.

For more information on any of these events, call Tusculum University Arts Outreach at 423-798-1620 or email jhollowell@tusculum.edu.