Arts and Culture

Northern Michigan University students, a faculty member and an alumna recently completed a 10-day immersive experience in Puerto Rico. The trip complements a course that explores community resilience in the face of adversity and the intricate interplay of human needs, services and communications systems.

NMU resumed its faculty-led study abroad program to Spain this summer after a four-year interruption due to the pandemic. Twenty students participated in the four-week session, studying at the prestigious University of Salamanca, founded in 1218. 

Lake Superior and Marquette factor prominently in a newly published poetry collection, Inland Sea, by Northern Michigan University English Professor Lynn Domina. The title not only reflects content about the natural environment that has provided ample creative inspiration since she moved to the area eight years ago. It is also a metaphorical reference to humans' spiritual and psychological inland seas. 

The 2023-2024 Siril Concert Series at Northern Michigan University will open with “An Evening at the Opera,” featuring soprano Tara Jamshidian and tenor Adam Lowe. The performance will take place at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 8, in Reynolds Recital Hall.

Northern Michigan University Theater & Dance has released the lineup of eight productions that will be featured during the 2023-2024 season. The kick-off event is the "Wildcat Theatre Follies," a showcase of students performing scenes, songs, monologues and dance pieces.

Northern Michigan University is hosting the North Coast Dance Festival, an annual event where dancers from across the country come to the Forest Roberts Theatre to perform a professional ballet routine alongside NMU's CO/LAB company. The performances take place at 7:30 p.m. July 27-28.

Marquette native and former Northern Michigan University student Leah Hocking has appeared in 10 Broadway shows, including Billy Elliot, Mama Mia, The Wild Party and Hairspray. She will return to her hometown to present Out of the Window, an evening of songs and remembrances about her life and career. The show is scheduled at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 28 through Friday, June 30, at NMU's Forest Roberts Theatre.

Northern Michigan University Theatre & Dance will present Rock of Ages, a gritty and glamorous jukebox musical about the tail end of the classic ‘80s rock & roll era in Hollywood. The production is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. June 14-17 and 21-24 in Forest Roberts Theatre. It marks the directorial debut of NMU adjunct assistant professor Kristen Beth Williams, who is also choreographing the show. Beyond her educator role, she is a professional actor/singer/dancer with an extensive career spanning Broadway, national tours and regional theaters across the country. 

One of Germany's most successful vocal groups, Calmus, will showcase its wide range of tonal colors and sound culture in a performance at Northern Michigan University on Friday, April 21. This Siril Concert Series event begins at 7:30 p.m. in Reynolds Recital Hall. 

Six Northern Michigan University music majors will perform vocally and on instruments to vie for scholarships during the annual Music Performance Competition at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in Reynolds Recital Hall. Admission is free.