Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDOCHES, TEXS - While citizens across the United States may be experiencing difficulty obtaining passports, East Texans can easily pick up their "Passport to the Arts," the brochure publicizing the Stephen F. Austin State University College of Fine Arts' 2007-2008 season offerings, and purchase season tickets.

"Each year we name our season to reflect the events on our University Series," explained Sylvia Bierschenk, director of Arts Information. "Since this season features a variety of international artists and events, we've gone with the passport motif and invited our patrons to join us on an incredible journey through the world of arts."

The University Series consists of five national touring and four College of Fine Arts productions, plus four free art exhibitions.

The season will open Friday, Sept. 14, with "Voices in Cloth: Story Quilts by Faith Ringgold, Linda Freeman and Grace Matthews" in Griffith Gallery. The exhibition, which originated at The Southern Mississippi Museum of Art, celebrates quilt making as a dynamic and compelling form of visual and narrative expression, explained Shannon Bailey, SFA gallery director. It runs through Sunday, Nov. 4.

The first performance of the season, "Made in the USA," will be by the Orchestra of the Pines, a regional orchestra conducted by SFA's director of orchestral studies, Gene H. Moon. The concert on Saturday, Oct. 20, will feature music by American composers George Gershwin, Aaron Copland and Michael Torke. SFA's faculty flutist, Christina Guenther, will perform Christopher Rouse's flute concerto.

On Friday, Oct. 26, the International Sejong Soloists Orchestra will present a concert of string orchestral works and chamber music. Comprised of today's leading soloists from eight different nations, Sejong is known for its cohesiveness, beautiful sound and refreshing musical style, explained John W. Goodall, interim dean of the SFA College of Fine Arts.

The SFA School of Theatre will present William Shakespeare's "As You Like It" on Tuesday, Nov. 13, through Saturday, Nov. 17. Director Rick Jones calls the production "one of Shakespeare's most charming comedies" full of romances and the famous observation that "all the world is a stage."

"Russian Icons from the Collection of Mary Moody Northen" will open Friday, Nov. 16, in Griffith Gallery and run through Sunday, Feb. 10. The exhibition, on loan from the Moody Mansion Museum in Galveston, includes sacred Russian images from the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

Seven-time all-Ireland fiddle champion and star of the original "Riverdance," Eileen Ivers will present her Irish Christmas Show on Saturday, Dec. 1. The program features Irish songs, original tunes and holiday favorites arranged by Ivers and her band, Immigrant Soul.

"Refined: Abundance," a biannual juried metalwork and jewelry exhibition sponsored by the SFA School of Art, will open Friday, Jan. 25, at The Art Center @ The Old Opera House and run through Sunday, Feb. 10. Juror will be Charon Kransen, an art dealer specializing in contemporary jewelry and owner of Charon Kransen Arts in New York City.

On Thursday, Jan. 31, the Monterey Jazz Festival 50th Anniversary Tour will stop in Nacogdoches. Performers chosen by the longest continually-running jazz festival in the world include Terence Blanchard, trumpet; James Moody, saxophone; Benny Green, piano; Nnenna Freelon, special guest vocalist; Derrick Hodge, bass; and Kendrick Scott, drums.

The SFA School of Theatre will present "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" on Tuesday, Feb. 19, through Saturday, Feb. 23. Jay Presson Allen's adaptation of Muriel Spark's novel tells the story of the students of a conservative Edinbugh, Scotland, girls' school and their irrepressible teacher, Miss Brodie, who instills the value of art, passion and daring in the hearts and minds of her "gerls," explained director Allen Oster.

On Tuesday, March 4, the Borealis Wind Quintet and pianist Leon Bates will perform in concert. Nominated for a 2006 Grammy, the quintet has been acclaimed as one of America's preeminent chamber ensembles, and Bates is hailed as one of America's leading pianists, Goodall said.

"Roger Shimomura: An American Foreigner" will open Saturday, April 5, at The Art Center @ The Old Opera House and run through Sunday, May 18. The artist, who will also serve as the juror for the "Texas National" exhibition, layers images to create an aesthetic and political comparison between contemporary America and traditional Japan.

The SFA Schools of Music and Theatre will present one of the masterpieces of operatic literature, sung in English, Thursday, April 10, through Saturday, April 12. The title will be announced in the fall.

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company's performance on Saturday, April 26, will close the 2007-2008 University Series. The choreography of Taiwan-born Nai-Ni Chen combines the dynamic freedom of American modern dance with the grace and splendor of Asian art, Goodall explained.

All concerts and staged productions on the University Series will begin at 7:30 p.m. in W. M. Turner Auditorium, and all seats are reserved. The Art Center @ The Old Opera House and Griffith Gallery are open 12:30 to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday.

Season tickets for the University Series are now on sale through the Fine Arts Box Office. They range from $125 to $185, with discounts available for seniors, students, youth and SFA faculty and staff.

"These are fantastic prices for quality entertainment, " exclaimed Diane Flynn, Box Office manager. "Season tickets provide a 25-percent savings over single tickets, and patrons can have their same seat throughout the season."

"Plus, we offer two season ticket options," she said. "The classic package includes one ticket to each of the nine performances, and the TixMix package allows the patrons to create their own nine-ticket season. Just call or come by the Box Office, and we'll be glad to help!"

Single-event ticket orders for the University Series or any of the other performances presented through the College of Fine Arts will be filled beginning Monday, Sept. 17.

For more information on the 2007-2008 season, visit www.sfasu.edu/finearts, stop by the Box Office in Room 211B of the Griffith Fine Arts Building, or call (936) 468-6407 or (888) 240-ARTS.