Performing Arts News

Hesston College Theatre Receives Prestigious Honors from KCACTF

Hesston College Theatre Receives Prestigious Honors from KCACTF

Hesston College Theatre is celebrating a landmark achievement as the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) selected a scene from their fall production of “Antigone” to perform at the Region V Festival in Des Moines, Iowa, this January. With roughly 30 scenes in consideration from hundreds of productions in the region, Hesston’s is one […]
Hymn Festival to celebrate Anabaptism at five hundred

Hymn Festival to celebrate Anabaptism at five hundred

The Hesston College Music Department invites the public to join in a historic celebration of faith, music and heritage at Anabaptism at Five Hundred: Hymn Festival on Sunday, January 19, at 3 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church. The Hymn Festival will feature a historical narrative by Ken Rodgers, music professor, tracing the evolution of hymns […]
Experience the Magic of “’Twas the Night After Christmas”

Experience the Magic of “’Twas the Night After Christmas”

Last year’s collaboration between music and theatre brought “A Christmas Carol” to stage with music by Bel Canto Singers and Josh Fleming as Scrooge. Hesston College Performing Arts invites the community to a unique music and theater experience, “’Twas the Night After Christmas,” on December 8, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church. Admission is […]
Usher in the holidays with “Te Deum: A Concert of Thanksgiving”

Usher in the holidays with “Te Deum: A Concert of Thanksgiving”

Join Hesston College for a memorable evening of music to usher in the holiday season at its annual Masterworks concert. “Te Deum: A Concert of Thanksgiving” will be held Saturday, November 23, at 7 p.m. at Hesston Mennonite Church. The concert features a selection of works by renowned composers Johann Sebastian Bach and Joseph Haydn. […]
Hesston College theatre bringing “Antigone” to the stage

Hesston College theatre bringing “Antigone” to the stage

Caption: Actors Caroline Miller as Antigone, Chloe Robinson as Ismene and Desirae Rodriguez as Nurse prepare to impress audiences during a rehearsal this week. “Antigone” will take the stage in Keim Center’s Black Box Theater September 26 through 28 at 7 p.m. and September 29 at 2 p.m. Hesston College Theatre Department is set to […]
Annual theatre camp to present “Mean Girls”

Annual theatre camp to present “Mean Girls”

Student actors ages 11 to 18 are invited to stage a live theatre performance at Hesston College’s annual summer theatre camp June 16 to 22. The weeklong theatre immersion will culminate in a public performance of the musical “Mean Girls” at 2 p.m., Saturday, June 22, in the Hesston Mennonite Church sanctuary on the Hesston […]
Hesston College chorale set to tour Europe over the summer

Hesston College chorale set to tour Europe over the summer

The melodious sounds of the Hesston College Chorale will travel to Europe for their biennial international tour from May 14 to June 4. Under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian and Ken Rodgers, the chorale will present a program titled “Veni, Sancte Spiritus” at churches in the Netherlands, Germany and Switzerland. The tour will kick […]
Local playwriting festival takes the stage

Local playwriting festival takes the stage

For the first time since 2019, Hesston College will present their local playwriting showcase, Pen to Paper to Performance, on April 26 and 27 at 7 p.m. in the Keim Center Black Box Theater. Nine ten-minute plays were chosen from dozens of submissions to be produced and performed by the Hesston College Theatre Department. “I […]
Bel Canto Singers travel east on Common Ground spring tour

Bel Canto Singers travel east on Common Ground spring tour

Hesston College Bel Canto Singers will travel east for a spring break tour March 8 to 19 with performances in Virginia, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois and Kansas. The 19-voice mixed chamber choir, under the direction of Dr. Russell Adrian and accompanied by Ken Rodgers, will present a program titled “Common Ground.” The program is inspired […]
“Little Shop of Horrors” performance highlights romance and tragedy

“Little Shop of Horrors” performance highlights romance and tragedy

Hesston College Theatre will demonstrate why you should be careful what you wish for with their spring musical production of “Little Shop of Horrors” from Feb. 28 through March 3. The show is suggested for ages 10 and up. Performances will be held in the Keim Center Black Box Theater at 7 p.m. Thursday through […]
Now accepting submissions for Hesston College’s playwriting festival

Now accepting submissions for Hesston College’s playwriting festival

It’s back! After a four-year hiatus, it’s time again for south central Kansas playwrights – both amateur and experienced – to exercise their creativity and storytelling abilities with submissions to Hesston College Theatre’s “Pen to Paper to Performance” playwriting festival. Submissions for the 10-minute play festival will be accepted through March 8. Eight winning submissions […]

Music and theatre programs will continue at Hesston College

The office of academics announced this week that the music and theatre academic programs will continue beyond the current academic year. While activities within performing arts, such as choirs, private lessons and theatre productions have always been a part of the college’s long-term plans, the music and theatre academic programs were initially included in the […]
Performance will take new approach on a classic holiday tale

Performance will take new approach on a classic holiday tale

Hesston College Performing Arts will ring in the holiday season with a performance of “A Christmas Carol” on Saturday, December 2. The one act production gives a fresh, new perspective to the well-known story. The performance will be held in the Hesston Mennonite Church at 7 p.m. Admission is free to the public. “A Christmas […]
Masterworks remembers Tony Brown with a tribute concert

Masterworks remembers Tony Brown with a tribute concert

This year’s Masterworks concert presented by the Hesston College music department has a personal significance to the Hesston community. The memory of Hesston College alumnus and former employee Tony Brown will be honored with a concert titled Peacing it Together: A Tribute to Tony Brown. The performance takes place November 11 at 7:30 p.m. at […]
Steel Magnolias performance emphasizes the importance of strong relationships

Steel Magnolias performance emphasizes the importance of strong relationships

Hesston College Theatre will highlight the resilience of strong relationships in their fall play production of “Steel Magnolias” from Sept. 28 through Oct. 1. With lessons about patience, understanding and love, it is a show that audience members will find emotionally engaging. Please note: While this show is full of laughter and love, it deals […]