Smith Center Blog

Performances and Artists

From the Screen to the Stage, an Interview With Fraggle Rock’s John Tartaglia

Coming to The Smith Center’s Reynolds Hall on January 26, Jim Henson’s Fraggle Rock: Back to the Rock Live is everything a Fraggle fan could dream of –because the Fraggle Rock universe is literally in the good hands of a dedicated fan, Tony Award® -nominated puppeteer John Tartaglia. “It's literally the show that changed my life and got me into the business,” Tartaglia tells The Smith Center.

Performances and Artists

Joshua Bell and Larisa Martínez Bring Real Romance to the Stage

When Bell visits The Smith Center for the Performing Arts on March 28, local fans will see him as they never have before: with opera singer Larisa Martínez by his side. The married couple are touring together for the first time with their joint show, Voice and the Violin.

Performances and Artists

10 Things to Look Out for in Kodo’s “Warabe”

Upheld throughout Japan in various forms, Niwaka is a traditional folk performing art where people perform improvised skits filled with satire and wit. Kodo’s new piece Niwaka draws inspiration from that art form to create a banter-like performance between two men and two women, demonstrating a comical and nimble form of taiko expression. It’s a taiko piece and a theatrical interlude all rolled into one.

Supporting the Arts

A Generous Donation Funds New Assistive Tech

The Smith Center has always strived to make its events accessible to everyone in the community. That’s now more possible than ever, thanks to a generous donation by one of the performing arts center’s Member families.

Education and Outreach

Jazz Vegas Orchestra Teaches Students About an American Musical Art Form

Swing. The blues. Improvisation. We know what the terms mean individually, but did you know they’re considered the three fundamentals of jazz music? More than 2,000 students – from grades 5 through 12 at 30 area schools – learned that and much more about one of the foremost American musical art forms, on a recent visit to The Smith Center for the Performing Arts.