College of Fine Arts and Production

Welcome Week 2017 promises to be another busy and festive time for students as they return to campus. But it’s extremely important, too. “The week says to all, ‘You belong here,’” said Charity Norman, manager of GCU’s Student and Family Program.

Dance students traveled from across the country to attend GCU’s Summer Dance Intensive this week, bringing enthusiasm and a joy of learning that reignites GCU Director of Dance Susannah Keita’s passion for teaching. The students appreciate the challenging yet supportive program.

GCU director and acting instructor Michael Kary is using his passion for theatre to fuel another passion – helping the needy. His new Samaritan Theatre, featuring College of Fine Arts and Production alumni and students, will donate all ticket sales from each production to a worthy cause. Its first performance, “The Servant and the Fool,” opens June 30 at Horizon High School in Scottsdale.

The 2017-2018 Ethington Theatre season features two ballets, two musicals and three plays, all of which are sure to amuse and delight the theatre and dance fan. ”You’re a Good Man Charlie Brown,” “Anything Goes” and “The Good Doctor” are among the College of Fine Arts and Production shows and there’s something on the menu for every taste.

Photos by Slaven Gujic GCU News Bureau Online students in the Colangelo College of Business, College of Education, College of Fine Arts and Production, and College of Theology received their diplomas Saturday in two separate ceremonies at Grand Canyon University Arena.   

Many of the Digital Design students graduating this week from the College of Fine Arts and Production already have jobs, including Olivia Garrett and Tanner Lueders, who are both working for DBSI, Inc. of Chandler. “GCU has a really nice, growing design program,” said another student, Justin Bartley, who has also lined up a graphic design job. The seniors displayed their projects at a Digital Design Senior Portfolio Review Showcase.

The end-of-year Digital Design Senior Portfolio Review Showcase has become an annual rite of passage for students graduating from the Grand Canyon University College of Fine Arts and Production. This year’s seniors, many of whom already have jobs, will display their creativity and marketability at a showcase from 6:30–8:30 p.m. in Building 6, rooms 139-140. “Please invite all your classes, friends, parents and people from industry to come join us for this awesome event,” said Sheila Schumacher, GCU’s Digital Design director. “The students have created a really wonderful reputation for GCU with their portfolios and their enthusiasm.”  The photos below are a sneak preview from the students’ April 12 showcase at Symphony Hall, the same night the GCU Music Department presented Brahms Requiem.      

More than 5,000 graduates and their 30,000 guests will be on the Grand Canyon University campus this week for spring commencement. There will be six ceremonies — two each, at 9 a.m. and 2 p.m., on Thursday through Saturday.

Ballet to Broadway, GCU’s Spring Dance Concert, features 14 pieces that range — as the title suggests — from classical ballet to foot-stomping Broadway. Most of the works are original dances choreographed by faculty and guest artists. Tickets are sold out for Friday night and selling fast for Saturday night.

This year’s Canyon Challenge, scheduled for Thursday afternoon at GCU Arena, features five mission-driven finalists competing for the $15,000 in prize money. Storage Together, which won an international competition in Barcelona last fall, is among the competitors.