Artifacts 8/28/15

'Nightmare Before Christmas' being cast

On Cue Performing Arts Studio, 20 N. Main St., is holding auditions today and Saturday for its December production of Tim Burton's "The Nightmare Before Christmas." Today's tryout schedule is: 4 p.m., ages 5 to 7; 5 p.m., ages 8 to 10 and 11 to 13; 6 p.m., ages 14 to 18; and 7 p.m., adults. Saturday's schedule is: 11 a.m., ages 5 to 7; noon, ages 8 to 10 and 11 to 13; 1 p.m., ages 14 to 18; and 2 p.m., adults. Callbacks for lead and supporting roles will be Sunday at a time to be announced. With a cast of more than 50, there will be a place for everyone interested in participating. "Nightmare Before Christmas" will be performed Dec. 11 to 13. The audition packet for the show is available at www.oncueperformingartsstudio.com. For more information, email OnCuePerformingArts@yahoo.com or call (573) 388-6752.

Deadline to drop off artwork is today

Drop off of artwork for the third annual Members Exhibit of the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau, is today. All members of the council, including new members, are eligible to participate, but they must be 18 or older. Three cash awards will be selected by Angela Walleman, vice president of Best of Missouri Hands, on Sept. 4. The Members Exhibit will be displayed during September at the Arts Council. For more information about the exhibit, visit www.capearts.org/MembersShow.aspx.

Artwork explores origins of the blues

"A Song From the Field" -- an art exhibit that examines the blues and the cultural influence of sharecroppers and musicians who migrated into St. Louis -- opens Sept. 4 in the Crisp Museum at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. The exhibit is the work of artists William Burton Jr. and Robert A. Ketchens. An artist talk will be at 6 p.m. Thursday, to which the public is invited. Opening reception for the display will be from 4 to 8 p.m. Sept. 4. "A Song From the Field" will be on display through Oct. 25, and admission is free. A demonstration workshop will be from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 4. Preregistration is required, as seating is limited. In addition, a dance choreographed by university students will be presented at 7 p.m. Oct. 9. Call (573) 651-2260 or email museum@semo.edu for more information.

'Coded Vernaculars' exhibit at River Campus

The art of Sean Hottois and Todd Reed will be on display in "The Coded Vernaculars" exhibit beginning Sept. 8 at the River Campus Art Gallery at Southeast Missouri State University's River Campus. An artist talk with Hottois will be from noon to 1 p.m. Wednesday in the Glenn Convocation Center on the River Campus, and a discussion with Reed is set for 4 to 5 p.m. Sept. 4 in the River Campus Art Gallery. Hottois is an assistant professor of integrated new media at Indiana University in South Bend. Reed teaches at Joliet, Illinois, Junior College, College of Lake County in Grayslake, Illinois, and McHenry County College in Crystal Lake, Illinois. For more information, contact gallery coordinator Justin Miller at rcgallerycoordinator@semo.edu or (573) 651-2865.

'Night of the Living Dead' play tryouts set

Auditions for Acting Out!'s presentation of "Night of the Living Dead" will be at 10 a.m. Sept. 5 at On Cue Performing Arts Studio, 20 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. Male and female actors are needed from ages 15 to 35. No preparation is necessary. Zombies will not be needed for these auditions. If interested in playing a zombie in this production, message Acting Out! on Facebook or send an email to actingoutsemo@gmail.com.

Stilson to discuss censorship

"Art on Trial: Censorship vs. Freedom of Expression" is the topic Kenneth Stilson will discuss as part of the Red Light Night Speaker Series at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. Stilson will speak about his firsthand experiences with censorship while staging several theatrical productions in Southeast Missouri. The presentation will end with a question-and-answer period.

Beatles tribute band to play at Central

The Grammy-nominated Beatles tribute band the Liverpool Legends from Branson, Missouri, will perform with the Cape Girardeau Central High School Orchestra at 7 p.m. Sept. 10 in Kinder Hall. Tickets for the event are available at seatyourself.biz and at the Kinder Hall box office from 3 to 4 p.m. on school days only. VIP tickets will be available for concertgoers to meet band members after the show.

Drawing group meets Wednesday

The Wednesday Night Drawing Group meets from 7 to 9:30 p.m. every Wednesday at the Arts Council of Southeast Missouri, 32 N. Main St. in Cape Girardeau. Artists wishing to hone their drawing skills are encouraged to attend. At most sessions, a live model will be available. There is a $5 fee per night to cover the cost of the models.

-- From staff reports