Performing Arts Speakers

Brian Dennehy

Brian Dennehy has won two Tony Awards for Best Actor in a Play, in 2003 for Eugene O’Neill’s “Long Day’s Journey Into Night” and in 1999 for the 50th anniversary production of Arthur Miller’s “Death of a Salesman.” Dennehy also received a Golden Globe Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award and an Emmy nomination ...

Capitol Steps

A talented bipartisan troupe of Congressional staffers-turned-performers, the Capitol Steps have performed their clever song parodies for four Presidents and recorded over 20 albums, including their latest, When Bush Comes to Shove.

Michael York

Audiences have long marveled at York's versatility with his impressive body of work on screen, stage, television, and in audio recording. In addition, this consummate performer has written several books and lectures on Shakespeare, the poetry of Rudyard Kipling, and the history and art of acting.

James McBride

An award-winning jazz musician, McBride is the author of The New York Times bestseller, The Color of Water, a memoir that has become a modern classic. Spike Lee directed the film adaptation of McBride's book, Miracle at St. Anna, paying tribute to African American soldiers who fought in WWII.

Twyla Tharp

Since her graduation from Barnard College in 1963, Twyla Tharp has created more than 130 dances, choreographed five Hollywood movies, and directed and choreographed two Broadway shows. She has written an autobiography and received two Emmy Awards, 18 honorary doctorates and numerous grants including the John D. and Catheri ...

John Tesh

In an impressive and eclectic career that spans radio, television, music, movies, and print, the award-winning Tesh is respected as a Renaissance man. A man strongly devoted to his faith, he opted to put aside his entertainment news career to pursue music and ministry fulltime, and currently hosts “The John Tesh Radio Sho ...

Alfre Woodard

Known for the challenging roles she’s played on film and in television, critically acclaimed actress Alfre Woodard is most recently known for her character “Betty Applewhite” on ABC’s hit series Desperate Housewives. She was also seen in Beauty Shop, opposite Queen Latifah, Showtime's Holiday Heart ...

Harlem Gospel Choir

The world famous Harlem Gospel Choir was founded in 1986 by Allen Bailey. Allen, who is known for his work with Michael Jackson, The Commodores and Prince, got the idea for the Choir while attending a celebration in honor of the first national Martin Luther King, Jr. Day at the renowned Cotton Club in Harlem.

DJ Spooky

Paul D. Miller is a conceptual artist, writer, and musician working in New York. His written work has appeared in The Village Voice, The Source, Artforum, Raygun, Rap Pages, Paper Magazine, and a host of other periodicals. His first collection of essays, Rhythm Science was included in several year-end lists of ...

Women Of The Calabash

A unique 4-person vocal and percussion ensemble that interprets music from Africa, Latin American, the Caribbean and Black America on a variety of folk instruments made from calabash, bamboo and wood. This performance is highlighted by authentic costumes, dance and commentary.

Kathleen Turner

Considered one of the premiere American actresses, Turner has broadened her starring roles to include civil liberties activist who remains passionate about changing the current social climate in America to one that respects women’s health choices. She also tells it like it is in her frank, funny, irreverent, and inspirin ...

Keith Lockhart

Vibrant young conductor with over 300 concerts and 33 television shows, including 19 programs for PBS to his credit. International guest conductor.

John Guare

American dramatist John Guare wrote his first Universe, at the tender age of eleven. Guare's plays are highly theatrical. He finds the bizarre and comic in the human condition, magnifies it to massive proportions, and from this extracts the germ of his writing.

Branford Marsalis

World-renowned saxophonist Marsalis has always been a man of numerous musical interests. The 46-year-old, three-time Grammy winner has continued to exercise and expand his skills as an instrumentalist, a composer, and the head of Marsalis Music, the label he founded in 2002.

Fatima

She is the woman behind the moves for The Gap, "Save the Last Dance," Will Smith, Mary J Blige, Backstreet Boys, Santana, No Doubt, Busta Rhymes, and the late Aaliyah. Her innovative, fluid, urban style has made her the hottest choreographer in the industry.

Benjamin Zander

Since its foundation, Zander has held the esteemed position of conductor of the Boston Philharmonic Orchestra. A highly sought after speaker, he captivates audiences with his take on teamwork, creativity, leadership, the transformational power of music, extreme experiences, and how to be outrageous, courageous, and risk ta ...

John Edward Hasse

Curator of American music at the Smithsonian and founder of Jazz Appreciation Month in the United States, Hasse is an expert on 20th century American music. A gifted pianist, brilliant author, and editor of several books, including Jazz: The First Century, Hasse's presentations are informative and entertaining.