MASTER CLASSES AND WORKSHOPS
STG invites community artists and students to fully engage with STG performances by receiving instruction from world-renowned international, national and regional artists. Past artists have included musical greats Wynton Marsalis and Bobby McFerrin; dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Batsheva Dance Company; the creative team from the Tony award winning musical “Light in the Piazza”; and actors from the Gate Theatre of Dublin.

LECTURE/DEMONSTRATIONS
Artists discuss and demonstrate the music, dance or performance style that will be presented, providing patrons deeper insight into the art form. Previous artists have included Grand Kabuki Theatre of Japan; actors Brian Dennehy and Lynn Redgrave from “The Exonerated;” dancers from Mark Morris Dance Group and Savion Glover; and composers Laurie Anderson and Philip Glass.

DISCUSSIONS
Audiences view performances through a new lens, interacting with artists and learning more about the artistic process related to the creation of the works. Recent programs have featured Donald Byrd, choreographer of “The Color Purple” and Artistic Director of Spectrum Dance Theater; house organist Dennis James; Hubbard Street Dance Chicago artistic director Jim Vincent; cast members from “The Lion King”; and filmmaker Melvin Van Peebles.

OPEN REHEARSALS AND SOUNDCHECKS
Students and community members get a behind-the-scenes view of what goes into professional performances. Programs include discussion of technical, business and artistic aspects of the performances and a chance to interact with the artists and their technical crews. Participants in recent years include Bolshoi Ballet, Ramsey Lewis, Ronald K. Brown, Wynton Marsalis, Lila Downs, Linda Rondstadt with Los Camperos de Nati Cano, Wayne Shorter, Heart, Cake and the Black Eyed Peas.