Illinois State Dance Theatre Fall Concerts Dec. 6, 7, 8

The Illinois State Dance Theatre will present its fall concert at 7:30 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, Dec. 6, 7 and 8, with a 2 p.m. matinee performance on Dec. 8 in the Center for the Performing Arts Theatre.  The annual concert will present original works of faculty and guest artists including the premieres of new works by Laurie Merriman, Greg Merriman, Sara Semonis and new dance faculty member Pam Walden.

Tickets are $12 for the general public, $10 for ISU faculty-staff, $9 for senior citizens and $8 for students and are available at the Center for the Performing Arts box office from noon to 5 p.m. weekdays or by calling (309) 438-2535.

The concert will open with “Carnival of the Animals,” a new ballet choreographed by Laurie Merriman, performed with members of the Illinois State Ballet Orchestra conducted by Glenn Block and narrated by Marc Lebovitz.  The concert will include six other choreographic works,

Prior to the matinee performance on Dec 8, children and their families can participate in the Children's Carnival Pre-Show Events held in the CPA lobby from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. to celebrate the music and dancing of “Carnival of the Animals.”  Festivities will include free admission for children with a paying adult, free plush zoo animals for the first 100 children, animal arts and crafts, puppets, face painting, balloon animals, masks, masks, animal dress-up, animal cakes and refreshments and meeting the performers.