A theatre alumna returned to Meadows to helm an innovative stage production; a spring dance concert performed to the music of Pink Floyd; a grad student won a top prize for her thesis on the cigar box art of mid-19th century Havana; a Creative Computation professor launched an app that climbed the iTunes U chart. These are just a few of the milestones that took place in the 2014-2015 academic year, all parts of an inventive whole.
It was a day for stories to fuse. “Each one of these graduates has a different story. And today these stories come together,”Senior Associate Dean Kevin Hofeditz at the 2015 Spring Diploma Presentation. After the Brazen Brass 5 performed a majestic prelude in the Caruth Auditorium, and diplomas were passed to the class of 2015, SMU Meadows Theatre alum Katie Featherston (B.F.A. Theatre, 2005) addressed the newly-minted graduates.
On Saturday, March 14 at the Dallas City Performance Hall, award-winning SMU associate professor of music Xi Wang debuted an exciting new work. Voices of Change, Dallas’s renowned professional new music ensemble, featured two pieces commissioned from the composer: Echo. Poem. Image., composed in 2010, and the world premiere of Tibet Fantasia.
The Spring 2015 Diploma Presentation Ceremony took place in many rooms. The Brazen Brass 5 performed a majestic prelude in the Caruth Auditorium. Theatre alum Katie Featherston (B.F.A. Theatre, 2005) and star of the wildly successful film Paranormal Activity addressed the newly-minted graduates in the Bob Hope Theatre. Caps were thrown on the steps of the Bob Hope Lobby. Photographers Kim and David Leeson were on the stage and on the scene to capture the day, where new stories began for Meadows students. This was the scene.
There is no such thing as a quiet year at Meadows School of the Arts.
As we continue on to the next academic year and reflect on the inspiring events of 2014-15—including the launch of a new initiative, Fashion Week, bringing new stage productions to life, innovations in arts data, Meadows at the Meyerson and much, much more—we present a look at photos we love from the year at SMU Meadows School of the Arts. The indefatigable photographer Kim Leeson was on hand for many Meadows events. Here are just some of our favorites: