MTD Professional Artist Series features OU faculty, alums

The Department of Music, Theatre and Dance Professional Artist Series continues in 2009 with three performances featuring Oakland University faculty and alumni.

In January, Doris and Paul Travis Professor of Theatre Karen Sheridan and Adjunct Professor Rick Carver will ask the timeless question, How Many Clowns Can You Fit in a Volkswagen? Sheridan and Carver combine their abilities for a delightful drive down havoc highway in what could be described as one wacky ride. The Detroit-based duo's variety show includes magic, music, escapology and dancing, but the spotlight is always on comedy. Performances will be held in the Varner Studio Theatre on Jan. 15, 16 and 17, 2009 at 8 p.m.; Jan. 16 at 10 a.m.; and Jan. 17 and 18 at 2 p.m.

Oakland University Associate Professor of Dance and Dance Program Director Gregory Patterson will team with OU alum and Dance program Special Lecturer Rodney Brown for one amazing evening of modern and jazz dance on Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009 at 8 p.m. in Varner Recital Hall. Patterson is founder and artistic director of Patterson Rhythm Pace, one the region's few contemporary jazz dance companies. Brown's company, The Brown Dance Project, explores the human condition and experience through dance.

Composers at Oakland rounds out the 2008-2009 Professional Artist Series, bringing together four Oakland University faculty members to perform original compositions. Lettie Alston, associate professor of Music; John Hall, guitar instructor; Terry Herald, sound technician and technology coordinator; and Danny Jordan, special instructor of Music, will perform in Varner Recital Hall on Sunday, March 15, 2009 at 3 p.m.

Tickets for Professional Artist Series performances are $16 for general admission, $8 for students and $6 for all 10 a.m. matinee seats. General and discounted tickets are available at the Varner Box Office, open one hour before performances and between 3 p.m. and 6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday. The box office will close Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. and re-open Jan. 6 at 3 p.m. General admission tickets are also available through Star Tickets Plus!, www.starticketsplus.com, or (800) 585-3737 (a service fee applies).

For box office information, call (248) 370-3013. Additional details about all these events is on-line; visit www.oakland.edu/mtd for the most current information about these and dozens of other performances offered by the Department of Music, Theatre and Dance.