Summer at the Center
Join us for Summer at the Center this June 鈥� a vibrant celebration of the arts with live performances, workshops and classes.
2024 heralded the revival of summer arts celebrations at the College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) for the first time in nearly 20 years with the debut of the Summer at the Center festival.
Summer at the Center isn鈥檛 just a celebration of, but a tribute to, Baltimore's vibrant artistic tapestry and COFAC's long history as a part of it. Set against the backdrop of the Center for the Arts鈥� theaters, concert halls, classrooms and dance studios, the festival showcases performances from both Towson University departments/student groups and the wider Baltimore professional arts community.
Summer at the Center 2024 Events
Performances, Concerts, & More!
Cabaret Series: Sunrize "With A Z" Off-Off...OFF Broadway
A satirical tribute to musical theatre artists created by TU MFA Alum Joseph W. Ritsch ('11) combining their work as both a drag artist and musical theatre performer. This satire of contemporary musical theatre divas combines unique song stylings with reflections, sage advice and insightful backstage stories on the 鈥渂usiness we call show鈥�.
Art Exhibition: Awaken
The senses are neurological phenomena, shaping our perception of self and our surroundings. The artists in this exhibition bridge the gap between personal sensation and the tangible world, transcending the conventional boundaries of consciousness and evoking feelings of nostalgia, playfulness, and wonder. Gallery Hours: Tuesday 鈥� Saturday 10AM 鈥� 4PM
ImprompTU In-Person
Enjoy an evening of spontaneous fun with ImprompTU, Towson University鈥檚 Student Comedy Improv Group. Spontaneous, joyful, and creative, this performance will include a wide variety of games and exercises sure to bring giggles and guffaws.鈥� Beyond that we can鈥檛 tell you because it will all be made up on the spot!鈥�
Community Dance Day
A day of classes and workshops for all ages and abilities 鈥� Parent & Me, creative movement, ballet, jazz, hip hop, Polynesian and improvisation. An adult with Parkinson鈥檚 Disease movement workshop is also offered.鈥�
The Sondheim Woman
Created, written, directed and performed by Carolyn Black-Sotir, this multi-media theatrical concert combines music, stunning images, and a dramatic narrative based on extensive research and personal interviews with Stephen Sondheim. This concert will also feature accomplished guest artist (and audience favorite!) Shannon Wollman '91, as well as Dr. Timothy McReynolds (piano), Tom Baldwin (bass).
Awaken Hands-On Art Workshop
Rachel Stein is a Baltimore-based artist and educator who utilizes a sustainability framework, juxtaposing the body, the landscape, and plastic. Join her for a free workshop inspired by the themes of the Awaken Exhibition. Light refreshments will be served.
Cabaret Series: What's the pointe, by Stillpointe Theatre Cabaret
Founded by TU Alum Ryan Haase 鈥�09, Stillpointe Theatre is one of Baltimore鈥檚 most vibrant and innovative professional musical theater companies. Join us for a cabaret performance of their repertoire showcasing many TU alumni and other popular local artists for songs you鈥檝e always loved and those destined to be new favorites.鈥�
Cinema at the Center
The Department of Electronic Media & Film鈥檚 curated screening of student work from the Film/Video/Digital Media Production Concentration. A brief Q&A with student media makers will follow the screening. May contain material recommended for mature audiences.
Hysteria: A Play Reading
A concert reading of Hysteria, by TU Alum Eddie Stockman ('23). This ridiculous murder-mystery romp casts five actors playing 30+ roles. In the idyllic community of Far-Flung Acres, an HOA board goes missing which ignites a chain of events that sends this suburb to the brink of war with lies, podcasts and pool boys. Directed by TU Faculty Sache (Steven) J. Satta (they/he).
Summer Pops Concert, with the TU Alumni Wind Symphony: Broadway Concert & Ice Cream Social
Summer at the Center concludes in grand fashion with a full concert by Towson University鈥檚 magnificent Alumni Wind Symphony. Conducted by TU faculty member Phillip Collister-Murray, this concert will include beloved Broadway show tunes and concludes with rousing patriotic favorites. Works include selections from Rodgers and Hammerstein, Leonard Bernstein, Jules Styne, George Gershwin and John Philip Sousa. Join us for ice cream on the patio afterward!鈥�
Camps & Workshops
Summer Art at TU
TU's Community Art Center provides the best art camps for kids in our area. These affordable one- and two-week session half-day camps for students in grades K--9 culminate with a community art celebration for the whole family on July 26.
Functional Awareness Training for Dance Teachers
Functional Awareness庐: Anatomy in Action explores the relationship between the skeletal and the muscle structures and myofascial tissue to sustain a dynamic elasticity and promote efficiency of movement. It provides strategies to ease tension in daily movements, as well as improve one's practice in movement skills such as dance, yoga, running and other physical training.
Maryland Arts Festival History: 1981鈥�2006
COFAC has a long and distinguished legacy in presenting performances, exhibits and cultural events for both the campus and the Baltimore metropolitan region.
While much of this presenting work is focused on student capstone experiences, the Center for the Arts is fully equipped to work with professional presenters within its state-of-the-art facilities.
From 1981鈥�2006, COFAC was home to the Maryland Arts Festival, a multidisciplinary summer arts festival producing or presenting professional theatre, musicals, chamber music, dance and film. The Maryland Arts Festival showcased performances like "Gypsy," "Ragtime: The Musical," "Cabaret" and "Forever Plaid."
Summer at the Center is supported by:
