Trinity University Festival of the Arts To Return This Fall

Trinity University is proud to host the second annual Trinity University Festival of the Arts. From November 8-16, Trinity students, faculty, staff, and members of the public are invited to attend a series of events across Trinity’s campus that highlight the University’s deep connection to the arts across disciplines and forms of expression.

“The inaugural festival last year staged the creative life of the University at its best: bold, meaningful, interdisciplinary and interesting,” says Associate Provost Kyle Gillette ’01, Ph.D. “It underscored the arts in the liberal arts. We are thrilled to bring this year’s festival with the same synesthetic connection between images, sounds, and stories.”

Students, faculty, and guests at Trinity create richly meaningful work in all areas of the arts over the course of the academic year. The Trinity University Festival of the Arts combines many of these events into one dedicated week of programming.

Attendees can participate in an interactive tamale-making workshop and then stop at the Arts Festival Art Market to browse the many wares created by Trinity students. They can view the work of artist Bret Price in the Neidorff Art Gallery’s exhibition By Design: Celebrating 20 Years of Art from Janet and Jim Dicke II and stay for an evening of music inspired by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe at the Parker Chapel. They can listen to readings of faculty poetry and short stories in the Cafe Theater, then head to the Stieren Theater to watch Trinity Theatre’s production of Hamlet or the Ruth Taylor Recital Hall to watch guest artist Irma Herrera perform her one person play Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?

A liberal arts education is marked by richly interconnected ideas, images, stories and sounds that create meaning and community. The Trinity University Festival of the Arts expands these connections beyond the classroom. 

The Trinity University Festival of the Arts is free and open to the public. Mark your calendars for the following key events of the festival and visit gotu.us/tufa to explore the rest of the lineup.

Friday, November 8-Saturday, November 16 

By Design: Celebrating 20 Years of Art from Janet and Jim Dicke II | 1-7 p.m. | Neidorff Art Gallery

This exhibition consists of paintings and sculptures selected from 20 years of art donated by alumni Janet and James Dicke II.

Student Art Display | 1-7 p.m. | Dicke-Smith Foyer

Works of art submitted by Trinity students will be on display throughout the festival in the Dicke-Smith Foyer. 

Friday, November 8-Sunday, November 10 & Wednesday, November 13-Saturday, November 16

Hamlet | 7-10 p.m. | Stieren Theater

In this classic tale of treachery, murder, and succession, Hamlet begins with a prince’s vow to avenge his father and save Denmark from collapse and a looming war. With craft, caustic wit, and an “antic disposition,” Hamlet the Dane vies with dark forces for the soul of his kingdom, while his meditations on love, honor, and sacrifice make Hamlet Shakespeare’s most profound play, a moving exploration of grief and loss. 

Friday, November 8

Autumn Festival Art Market | 10 a.m. - 2p.m. | Magic Stones

Trinity Art Collective is kicking off TUFA with its student art market—bigger and better than ever before! Please stop by to browse the works of up to 50 student artists, artisans, and creators!

TUFA Opening Reception | 5:30-6:30 p.m. | Ruth Taylor Lobby

We invite Trinity students, faculty, and members of the public to help us kick off the second annual TUFA. There will be guest speakers and musical performances. Light refreshments will be served. 

Saturday, November 9

Fool's Brunch | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Attic Theater 

Fool’s Brunch is a performing arts troupe of various art backgrounds exploring the nature of identity through maximalism, surrealism, and opulent drag. Fool’s Brunch is an interactive variety show consisting of four performers set to a number of combined music and audio.

Add a Splash of Personal Touch: A CSI Makerspace Community Workshop | 1-2 p.m. | CSI MakerSpace (CSI 285)

The Center for the Sciences and Innovation (CSI) Makerspace community invites all to join us in our hands-on practice of creating personalized accessories. We’ll guide you through the crafts of laser cutting and engraving, 3D printing, and custom rug tufting. Curiosity required, experience not so much! Workshop limited to 20 participants.

Trinity Symphony Orchestra Concert | 7:30-9 p.m. | Ruth Taylor Recital Hall

The Trinity music department presents the Trinity Symphony Orchestra in their Fall 2024 concert under the direction of Joseph Kneer, D.M.A.

"A Goethe Evening" with Dr. Zachary Ridgway | 8:30-10 p.m. | Parker Chapel

TUFA and the Trinity music department present a musical celebration of the works of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe featuring pianist Zachary Ridgway, D.M.A.

Sunday, November 10

Fool's Brunch | 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Attic Theater

Fly-fishing with Leonardo DaVinci with David Ladensohn in conversation with Texas Monthly’s editor in chief, Dan Goodgame | 3 p.m. | Ruth Taylor Recital Hall 

Join Trinity University Press for an enlightening evening as we celebrate the launch of David Ladensohn's captivating new book, Fly-fishing with Leonardo da Vinci. This unique event brings together the worlds of art, history, and angling in an unforgettable conversation. The evening will include an in-depth discussion of Ladensohn’s book, a visual presentation featuring artwork and photographs from the book, a Q&A session with the audience, and a book signing opportunity with the author. 

Wednesday, November 13 

Trinity Faculty Reading | 5-6 p.m. | Cafe Theater

Please join us for a joint reading of poetry and prose by Trinity faculty authors. 

Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? | 6:30-8 p.m. | Ruth Taylor Recital Hall

Written and directed by Irma Herrera, Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name? weaves history and comedic insights into stories about names and sheds light and throws shade on societal prejudices and assumptions. Irma portrays 20+ characters, including herself at various ages, her parents, teachers—a parochial school nun and a University of Notre Dame Law School professor—as well as classmates, colleagues, opposing counsel, and others she has encountered throughout her career. Collectively, these characters show us how names can be minefields of misplaced notions, comical, sad, demeaning—that speak volumes about where we are as a diverse nation.

Friday, November 15

Cruz Ortiz Lecture | 6-7 p.m. | Dicke Hall 108

Cruz Ortiz is an American contemporary artist who uses multiple mediums to examine connections to nature, hope, healing, beauty, endurance, and the cosmos. He will discuss the latest addition to Trinity’s permanent art collection, Cuando Los Ancestors Carried the Sun and the Rivers.

Saturday, November 16

Loon-E Crew Show | 7-8 p.m. | Laurie Auditorium

Loon-E Crew's end-of-fall semester show featuring Top Naach, Prowlers, and Swing Bums. Completely student choreographed, led, and performed.

Jazz Ensemble Concert | 7:30-9 p.m. | Ruth Taylor Recital Hall 

The Trinity music department presents the Fall 2024 Jazz Ensemble Concert featuring the students of music professor Brian Christensen.