ASU Herberger performing arts season tickets now available

Arizona State University's Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts presents a spectacular 2014-2015 season of dance, theater, guitar and opera performances, including a series of concerts by the world-famous Shanghai String Quartet.

“This inspired season is a snapshot of the excellence and passion that animates our studios, concert halls and stages everyday,” said Steven J. Tepper, the new dean of the Herberger Institute for Design and the Arts. “We are committed to presenting art to our community that is both timely and timeless.”

This year’s performing arts season offers more events and a greater variety than ever before. From Cole Porter’s bubbly “Anything Goes” to a presentation of Cherrie Moraga’s blistering topical play, “The Hungry Woman: A Mexican Medea,” there is a flavor to satisfy every taste.

Highlights include the return of the School of Music’s popular organ series; a concert by the h2 quartet; and the School of Film, Dance and Theatre’s “Dance Annual,” offering a fusion of forms rarely seen onstage together, with new work from Montreal-based Tentacle Tribe.

“The availability of this variety and caliber of live performing arts is an invaluable cultural resource for Valley residents," said Jacob Pinholster, director of ASU's School of Film, Dance and Theatre.

From jazz concerts to cutting-edge theater performances, audience members can create their own individualized season from a wide range of diverse options, and save money doing so.

The college is continuing the new single ticket discount program, to encourage local community members to experience the variety of top-tier artists performing on the ASU stages and concert halls by creating their own season. Patrons who create their own season by ordering tickets to three or more events by Sept. 15 receive a 25 percent discount on their total purchase.

This year, the Herberger Institute is pleased to announce a scholarship series that benefits students from the School of Film, Dance and Theatre. Dance presentations will feature original works created exclusively by students, highlighting a broad spectrum of styles, from urban movement to postmodern to contemporary ballet. Proceeds from ticket sales for this series go toward the School of Film, Dance and Theatre Scholarship Fund. Workshop productions and new works readings in theater will also benefit the scholarship fund directly. Your support of these presentations is especially important and appreciated.

Also new this year: The Sonoran Chamber Music Series is moving to the ASU Tempe campus. Chamber music series concerts will be held in the warm acoustical atmosphere provided by Katzin Concert Hall’s maple-paneled stage, multi-faceted walls and acoustically engineered billowed ceiling.

“Each year, the ASU School of Music offers more than 500 concerts and productions that showcase the amazing talent of our world-class students, faculty and guest artists,” said Heather Landes, director of ASU's School of Music. “Our students, faculty and guests look forward to connecting with our audiences through live performances that enrich our local community.”

For a complete listing of the Herberger Institute season, visit herbergerseason.asu.edu or contact the Herberger Institute box office at 480-965-6447.

In addition to the performances in the 2014-2015 performing arts season, the Herberger Institute offers numerous additional events on the ASU Tempe campus and throughout the community that are open to the public, many of which are free to attend.

Additional events include art and design exhibitions, film screenings, talks, lecture series, workshops, recitals, concerts and symposia each year. Among this year’s highlights are weekly, stunning and thought-provoking student and faculty art exhibitions in the five School of Art galleries; open studio nights, lecture series and InnovationSpace and design exhibitions from The Design School; interactive Digital Culture open houses from the School of Arts, Media and Engineering; the 10th Annual ASU Student Film Festival; and world-class contemporary art exhibitions and collections at the ASU Art Museum.

Box office hours are 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Wednesday through Friday, and 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, excluding holidays. Box office hours are subject to change, so please contact the box office at 480-965-6447 before visiting.