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Arts

Center for the Arts

The Center for the Arts, under the umbrella of the College of Visual and Performing Arts, embodies the university’s commitment to cultural enrichment for Northern Virginia through the performing and fine arts. Opened in 1990, the center is now considered the cultural home of Northern Virginia. The center is a state-of-the-art, multitheater complex that includes the Concert Hall, TheaterSpace, Harris Theater, and Dance Performance Studio. For center news and up-to-the-minute information, call 703-993-8888.

Web: www.gmu.edu/cfa

Concert Hall

The Center for the Arts main stage, the Concert Hall, hosts outstanding artists from around the world in solo, ensemble, symphony, opera, jazz, and dance performances. Artists have included the Miami City Ballet, the Mark Morris Dance Group, the Drummers of West Africa, the National Acrobats of China, the Virginia Opera, and many more. Performance discussions with artists, faculty members, and other area personalities often precede performances and are free to ticket holders.

Faculty and Student Companies and Ensemble

Faculty and student companies and ensembles from the College of Visual and Performing Arts bring the community a wide assortment of fine and performing arts events and opportunities to audition for some productions. Call the box office at 703-993-8888 or the numbers listed below.

• The George Mason University Dance Company gives concerts that feature guest choreographers and holds informal choreography showcases, lectures, and demonstrations. For tickets, call 703-218-6500; for performance information, 703-993-1376.
• The George Mason University Players stage plays and musicals throughout the academic year. For tickets, call 703-218-6500; for performance information, 703-993-1120.
• Mason’s Department of Music performance groups are the Symphonic Chorus, University Chorale, Chamber Singers, Anointed Voices of Unity Gospel Choir, Symphony Orchestra, Concert Band, Wind Ensemble, Jazz Ensemble, and Soundcheque. For tickets, call 888-945-2468. Community residents are invited to audition for membership in some of these groups. For information, call 703-993-1380.

Friends of the Center for the Arts

See Volunteers

The Gray Ghost Theatre Company (Prince William Campus)

The Gray Ghost Theatre Company, whose mission is to support education and historic preservation by exploring history through theater, has offices on the Prince William Campus. Community members are invited to participate in original theater that brings history to life. Audition or submit portfolios to be part of the professional company, or volunteer in production, curricula, marketing, and development to support this nonprofit organization. Call 703-993-8482.

Web: www.grayghosttheatre.com

Theater of the First Amendment

The Theater of the First Amendment (TFA), Mason’s award-winning professional theater company, offers thought-provoking plays with an emphasis on new works, presented in the intimate and flexible TheaterSpace. TFA serves as a springboard for playwrights’ contributions to the American theater scene.

Web: www.gmu.edu/cfa/tfa.html

University Galleries

The university galleries frequently present exhibitions of painting, drawing, photography, printmaking, video art, computer imaging, and animation by students, faculty, and guest artists in the Fine Arts Building Gallery (B104) and the Center Arts Gallery in the Johnson Center on the Fairfax Campus. The exhibits in the Mason Hall Atrium present faculty work. Call 703-993-8823. The Professional Center Gallery on the Arlington Campus offers professional shows, as well. Call 703-993-8823.

Program Board and Johnson Center Cinema

The Program Board is the major programming body in the Student Activities Office.The board comprises five committees: Concerts, Every Freakin’ Friday, Film, Homecoming, and Special Events. This student-run organization is responsible for bringing a variety of programs and services to the Mason community, such as Patriot’s Day, Homecoming, Mason Day, and the student film festival, Uber. The Film Committee brings recently released movie favorites to the 300-seat Johnson Center Cinema theater with DVD and 35-mm projection and Dolby stereo sound. Show times are Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 6 and 9 p.m. Admission is $3 for the general public, $1 for Mason faculty and staff, and free to students with a current Mason student ID card. On the first Friday of every month, there is a midnight screening that is free to all. For more information, call 703-993-2925.

Web: pb.gmu.edu