The Theatre Program at the University of Illinois Springfield will hold open auditions for the first production of its 2009-2010 season – Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things – on Tuesday, September 8, and Wednesday, September 9, beginning at 7 p.m. both nights in the Studio Theatre, located on level one of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. Call-backs will be at 7 p.m. on Thursday, September 10.
Auditions are open to anyone, with or without experience. Auditions will consist of “cold readings” from the script, and prepared monologues and resumes are appreciated but are not required.
The Shape of Things is set in a liberal arts college, in a conservative Midwestern town. In the production, four characters struggle to find their voice in matters of love and art. After a chance meeting in a museum, Evelyn and Adam become embroiled in an intense affair. Before long, Evelyn steers Adam toward a new appearance and character. The final, shocking exhibition reveals Evelyn’s true intentions and challenges long-held ideas about art and love.
UIS Associate Professor of Theatre Eric Thibodeaux-Thompson will direct. Production dates are November 13-15 and 19-21. Beginning with this production, evening curtain times will be changed to 7:30 p.m., instead of 8 p.m. as in the past. Sunday performances remain at 2 p.m.
Those interested in working backstage (stage managers, props crew, sound research, costumes, dresser, running crew) are asked to attend one night of auditions to fill out an audition form and indicate area of interest. Thibodeaux-Thompson will meet with those interested in working backstage and discuss the area of interest.
For more information about auditions, the play, or helping behind the scenes, contact Thibodeaux-Thompson at 217/206-6613, or go to www.uis.edu/theatre.
Friday, August 28, 2009
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Visual Arts Gallery presents artwork by Arthur Danto
The UIS Visual Arts Gallery will be presenting a series of woodcut prints by world-renowned author, philosopher and artist Arthur C. Danto. The artwork, which was last exhibited in 1960, will be on display in the gallery from Thursday, August 27, through September 23.
Danto is the author of more than twenty books and is currently the Johnsonian Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University.
There will be a presentation by Danto on September 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library. The presentation will be followed by a reception, including food and refreshments, until 8 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery. The artist’s talk, reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.
The Visual Arts Gallery is located in room 201 of the Health and Sciences Building on the UIS campus. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For further information, go to www.uis.edu/visualarts/ or contact the gallery by phone at 217/206-6506 or by e-mail at gallery@uis.edu.
Danto is the author of more than twenty books and is currently the Johnsonian Professor Emeritus of Philosophy at Columbia University.
There will be a presentation by Danto on September 23 at 5:30 p.m. in Brookens Auditorium, located on the lower level of Brookens Library. The presentation will be followed by a reception, including food and refreshments, until 8 p.m. at the Visual Arts Gallery. The artist’s talk, reception and exhibit are free and open to the public.
The Visual Arts Gallery is located in room 201 of the Health and Sciences Building on the UIS campus. Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday. For further information, go to www.uis.edu/visualarts/ or contact the gallery by phone at 217/206-6506 or by e-mail at gallery@uis.edu.
Monday, August 24, 2009
Friday Night Star Parties resume for Fall 2009
The University of Illinois Springfield’s popular Star Parties will begin for the fall on Friday, September 11, and continue every Friday night through October 30, weather permitting. Star Parties are from 8 to 10 p.m. in the UIS observatory.
John Martin, assistant professor of Astronomy/Physics at UIS, will host the Star Parties. The observatory’s three telescopes will be used to view a number of celestial objects, including the giant planet Jupiter and its moons; the Ring Nebula in Lyrae, a star like the sun which has reached the end of its life; the globular cluster M13 in Hercules, which is a ball of one million stars roughly 13 billion years old; other star clusters and double stars; and the moon, when possible.
On October 2, a special Star Party will be held in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend at UIS that will occur regardless of the weather. If the weather is too cloudy for telescope observing, there will be a presentation at a location still to be determined.
The normal Friday night Star Party on October 23 will be part of the “Galilean Nights” celebration as part of the International Year of Astronomy. That night, UIS will be celebrating the achievements of Galileo and the 400th anniversary of him using his first telescope.
Star Parties are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, and groups are encouraged to attend. The entrance to the campus observatory is located outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner.
Questions about whether the weather is suitable for viewing should be directed to 217/206-8342 at 7 p.m. on the evening of the Star Party. For more information about UIS’ Star Parties, contact John Martin at 217/206-8342 or go online to www.uis.edu/astronomy/about/starparties.html.
John Martin, assistant professor of Astronomy/Physics at UIS, will host the Star Parties. The observatory’s three telescopes will be used to view a number of celestial objects, including the giant planet Jupiter and its moons; the Ring Nebula in Lyrae, a star like the sun which has reached the end of its life; the globular cluster M13 in Hercules, which is a ball of one million stars roughly 13 billion years old; other star clusters and double stars; and the moon, when possible.
On October 2, a special Star Party will be held in conjunction with Homecoming Weekend at UIS that will occur regardless of the weather. If the weather is too cloudy for telescope observing, there will be a presentation at a location still to be determined.
The normal Friday night Star Party on October 23 will be part of the “Galilean Nights” celebration as part of the International Year of Astronomy. That night, UIS will be celebrating the achievements of Galileo and the 400th anniversary of him using his first telescope.
Star Parties are free and open to the public. Reservations are not required, and groups are encouraged to attend. The entrance to the campus observatory is located outside Brookens Library on the southeast corner.
Questions about whether the weather is suitable for viewing should be directed to 217/206-8342 at 7 p.m. on the evening of the Star Party. For more information about UIS’ Star Parties, contact John Martin at 217/206-8342 or go online to www.uis.edu/astronomy/about/starparties.html.
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
UIS Career Development Center hosts Foot in the Door Fair
The Career Development Center at the University of Illinois Springfield will sponsor the 2009 “Foot in the Door” Fair for UIS students interested in part-time jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities – both on- and off-campus – from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Thursday, August 27, in the lower level concourse area of the Public Affairs Center on the UIS campus. The event is free to all UIS students.
The “Foot in the Door” Fair is intended to bring students and local employers or organizations together to discuss career opportunities in a broad range of available positions.
A partial list of off-campus employers attending include State Farm Insurance, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum and the Illinois Policy Institute. On-campus employers attending include UIS Athletics, UIS Recreational Sports, Brookens Library and UIS’ Office of Graduate Intern Programs. The complete listing of employers and other event details can be found online at www.uis.edu/careerservices.
The Career Development Center will also have a table at the event where students can come to ask any questions they may have. Students are encouraged to bring their resumes and networking cards to the event and should be prepared to briefly outline their education, experience, goals and what types of positions they are interested in. A business casual dress code will be observed.
Additionally, the UIS Career Development Center will be holding walk-in hours on Monday, August 24, Tuesday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Student Affairs Building (SAB) 50, during which students can receive resume help and other suggestions to prepare for the event.
Students who cannot attend the event can go to the Career Development Center’s Web site and use UIS CareerConnect, a job and internship posting system, to find on- and off-campus jobs and internships, upload their resumes, as well as schedule an appointment with the Career Development Center.
For more information about the “Foot in the Door” Fair, go online to www.uis.edu/careerservices/foot_fair/foot_recruiter.html or call the Career Development Center at 217/206-6508. Individuals requesting disability related accommodations should also contact the UIS Career Development Center.
The “Foot in the Door” Fair is intended to bring students and local employers or organizations together to discuss career opportunities in a broad range of available positions.
A partial list of off-campus employers attending include State Farm Insurance, Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum and the Illinois Policy Institute. On-campus employers attending include UIS Athletics, UIS Recreational Sports, Brookens Library and UIS’ Office of Graduate Intern Programs. The complete listing of employers and other event details can be found online at www.uis.edu/careerservices.
The Career Development Center will also have a table at the event where students can come to ask any questions they may have. Students are encouraged to bring their resumes and networking cards to the event and should be prepared to briefly outline their education, experience, goals and what types of positions they are interested in. A business casual dress code will be observed.
Additionally, the UIS Career Development Center will be holding walk-in hours on Monday, August 24, Tuesday, August 25, and Wednesday, August 26, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in Student Affairs Building (SAB) 50, during which students can receive resume help and other suggestions to prepare for the event.
Students who cannot attend the event can go to the Career Development Center’s Web site and use UIS CareerConnect, a job and internship posting system, to find on- and off-campus jobs and internships, upload their resumes, as well as schedule an appointment with the Career Development Center.
For more information about the “Foot in the Door” Fair, go online to www.uis.edu/careerservices/foot_fair/foot_recruiter.html or call the Career Development Center at 217/206-6508. Individuals requesting disability related accommodations should also contact the UIS Career Development Center.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
UIS Emiquon Field Station display and more at the Illinois State Fair
WHAT: The UIS Emiquon Field Station will have a display at the Governor’s Innovation Tent
WHEN: August 14th through August 23rd from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
(Illinois County Fair Queen Morgan Metz, Governor Pat Quinn, and Emiquon advisory board member Michael Purnell - photo by Jeremy Wilburn)
WHERE: The Governor’s Innovation Tent is located near the intersection of Main Street and Brian Raney Avenue. (Come in Gate One, go straight, and the tent is on the right just pass Ethnic Village. There is a Governor’s Tent and a Governor’s Innovation Tent.)
ADDITIONAL INFO: The UIS display will contain information on the Emiquon Field Station and The Nature Conservancy. There will be a BioBingo game for kids, erosion/wetland demonstration, computer presentations and more. For additional information, contact Keith Miller at 217-206-7327 or kmill2@uis.edu. To learn more about Emiquon, visit
http://www.uis.edu/emiquon/
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Ashikaga Institute of Technology President to speak on green energy and wind energy
WHO: Izumi Ushiyma, President of AIT, noted expert on green energy and wind energy technology
WHAT: Public lecture on alternative energy
WHEN: Wednesday, August 19th, at 7pm
WHERE: UIS Public Affairs Center – Conference Room G
ADDITIONAL INFO: This will be the 9th student delegation from the AIT to visit UIS. There is always a need for home stays for the students. The home stays begin on Sunday, August 30th and run through the morning of Wednesday, September 9th. For additional information on the lecture or on the home stays, please contact Jonathan GoldbergBelle, Director of International Programs, at 217-206-8319 or jgold1@uis.edu
Monday, August 10, 2009
"Central Illinois: Patchwork of Creative Minds" to begin this fall
“Central Illinois: Patchwork of Creative Minds,” a three-session educational series about the heartland of Illinois, will begin in September at the University of Illinois Springfield. The series is sponsored by the UIS Alumni SAGE Society and the Illinois State Historical Society.
Each session will include presentations by two experts. UIS professor emeritus Dr. Larry Shiner and UIS alumnus William Furry, director of the Illinois State Historical Society, will moderate the series. The presentations take place from 12 to 1:30 p.m., and a hot buffet luncheon is available at 11:30 a.m. There is a charge for lunch, but the presentations are free and open to the public. The luncheon and presentations will be held in the UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Rooms C/D, located on the lower level.
The series will begin on Wednesday, September 16, with the topic “Through the Lens - Images of Nature and Humanity.” Featured speakers will include Judith Lloyd Klauba, associate curator of Fine Arts for the Illinois State Museum in Chicago. Her presentation, “Photographic Visions: The Frank Sardorus Collection”, will feature an Illinois farmer's innovative photographs of the people and landscapes he knew intimately (from 1880 to the 1930s). Dr. Michael Jeffords, entomologist and photographer and public relations/educator for the Illinois Natural History Survey, will provide a whirlwind tour of the arthropod/insect fauna in a presentation titled, “A Close Look at the Insects of Central Illinois.”
The second program will be on Wednesday, October 21, and the topic will be “Springfield Public Garden Design: Historic and Modern.” Terri Cameron, master gardener, historic preservation advocate and retired webmaster of SIU School of Medicine, will make a presentation titled “Springfield's Early Park Design and Its Impact,” which will examine Springfield’s early parks through archival photos, publications and Springfield Park District minutes. Diane Mathis, director of marketing and development for the Springfield Park District, will speak on “Innovative Park Design.” She will preview Southwind Park, Springfield’s new universally-accessible and environmentally-friendly park.
The last session of the series on Wednesday, November 18 will focus on “Creative Images: Canvas and Glass.” Local architect and stained glass restoration expert, Ralls Melotte, principal of Melotte Morse Leonatti Parker Ltd., will make a presentation on the history and evolution of stained glass in Central Illinois. “Painters from the Heart of Lincolnland" is the topic to be addressed by Robert Sill, curator and assistant director of Art for the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Selected paintings from regional artists will be displayed and discussed.
Paid reservations are required for the luncheon at least one week before each session. The cost is $20 per person for lunch and the presentations or $50 per person for three lunches and the presentations if paid reservations are received by September 9. Pre-registration is also requested from those not purchasing the lunch who wish to attend the presentations. To register or for more information, visit www.uiaa.org/uis, or contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or alumni @uis.edu.
Each session will include presentations by two experts. UIS professor emeritus Dr. Larry Shiner and UIS alumnus William Furry, director of the Illinois State Historical Society, will moderate the series. The presentations take place from 12 to 1:30 p.m., and a hot buffet luncheon is available at 11:30 a.m. There is a charge for lunch, but the presentations are free and open to the public. The luncheon and presentations will be held in the UIS Public Affairs Center (PAC) Conference Rooms C/D, located on the lower level.
The series will begin on Wednesday, September 16, with the topic “Through the Lens - Images of Nature and Humanity.” Featured speakers will include Judith Lloyd Klauba, associate curator of Fine Arts for the Illinois State Museum in Chicago. Her presentation, “Photographic Visions: The Frank Sardorus Collection”, will feature an Illinois farmer's innovative photographs of the people and landscapes he knew intimately (from 1880 to the 1930s). Dr. Michael Jeffords, entomologist and photographer and public relations/educator for the Illinois Natural History Survey, will provide a whirlwind tour of the arthropod/insect fauna in a presentation titled, “A Close Look at the Insects of Central Illinois.”
The second program will be on Wednesday, October 21, and the topic will be “Springfield Public Garden Design: Historic and Modern.” Terri Cameron, master gardener, historic preservation advocate and retired webmaster of SIU School of Medicine, will make a presentation titled “Springfield's Early Park Design and Its Impact,” which will examine Springfield’s early parks through archival photos, publications and Springfield Park District minutes. Diane Mathis, director of marketing and development for the Springfield Park District, will speak on “Innovative Park Design.” She will preview Southwind Park, Springfield’s new universally-accessible and environmentally-friendly park.
The last session of the series on Wednesday, November 18 will focus on “Creative Images: Canvas and Glass.” Local architect and stained glass restoration expert, Ralls Melotte, principal of Melotte Morse Leonatti Parker Ltd., will make a presentation on the history and evolution of stained glass in Central Illinois. “Painters from the Heart of Lincolnland" is the topic to be addressed by Robert Sill, curator and assistant director of Art for the Illinois State Museum in Springfield. Selected paintings from regional artists will be displayed and discussed.
Paid reservations are required for the luncheon at least one week before each session. The cost is $20 per person for lunch and the presentations or $50 per person for three lunches and the presentations if paid reservations are received by September 9. Pre-registration is also requested from those not purchasing the lunch who wish to attend the presentations. To register or for more information, visit www.uiaa.org/uis, or contact the Office of UIS Alumni Relations at 217/206-7395 or alumni @uis.edu.