Freed Center News

Catriona Macphie-Hynds, managing director and development officer for Ohio Northern University's Freed Center for the Performing Arts, has been awarded two grants to support the center's programming for children.

The ONU Freed Center for the Performing Arts will feature Micky Dolenz of 1960s rock group The Monkees. Dolenz will perform Saturday, Oct. 18, at 8 p.m. in Biggs Theatre as part of the ONU Homecoming festivities.

Dolenz has been a figure on the entertainment scene for more than 40 years. He was chosen from more than 400 hopefuls to play the role of a singing drummer in "The Monkees," a fictional TV show about a rock ‘n' roll band of the same name. The concept for the show was the Beatles' film "A Hard Day's Night."

The Ohio Northern University Alumni Jazz band will reunite for an afternoon of music and memories on Sunday, Oct. 19, at 2 p.m. in the Freed Center for the Performing Arts.

The Alumni Jazz Band was founded in 1991 by the late Dr. Edwin L. Williams as a way to showcase some of ONU's best jazz band alumni. For more than 30 years, ONU jazz bands have held campus-wide auditions, drawing members from all professional fields - music, pharmacy, education, engineering, law and more - and turning them into lifelong lovers of jazz.

To celebrate the 15th anniversary of the dance program at Ohio Northern University, dance alumni will collaborate with current members for a performance that pays homage to the program and revisits favorite performances. The Freed Center for the Performing Arts will host two showings: Saturday, Oct. 11, at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Oct. 12, at 2 p.m. There will be a pre-show discussion on Oct. 11 at 7:15 p.m.

Returning alumni will share their expertise as teachers, dancers and choreographers.

The Ohio Northern University Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents "Magic Tree House: The Musical" as part of an ongoing commitment to children's theatre and literacy. The performance will be held Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 9:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. in Biggs Theatre.

Based on Mary Pope Osborne's beloved series of children's books, "Magic Tree House: The Musical" transports Jack and Annie's adventures onto the stage to create a theatrical event for the entire family.

With election season in full swing, Ohio Northern University's Freed Center for the Performing Arts welcomes political comedy show "Laughing Liberally" on Saturday, Oct. 4, at 8 p.m.

"Laughing Liberally" is a comedy show that uses humor and laughter to spread understanding of liberal ideas and advance progressive values.

Ohio Northern University's Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents "Defending the Caveman" on Saturday, Sept. 27, at 8 p.m.

With hilarious insight on contemporary feminism, masculine sensitivity and the erogenous zones, "Defending the Caveman" mines the common themes in relationships that go straight through the funny bone and into the heart.

Ohio Northern University's Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents "Whose Live Anyway?" This improvised comedy show, starring internationally famous comedians Ryan Stiles, Greg Proops, Chip Esten and Jeff Davis, takes place Saturday, Sept. 20 at 8 p.m.

Ohio Northern University’s Freed Center for the Performing Arts presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific.” Performances begin Thursday, Aug. 28, at 8 p.m., with subsequent shows Friday, Aug. 29, and Saturday, Aug. 30, both at 8 p.m., and Sunday, Aug. 31, at 2.p.m. The second showing will begin Friday, Sept. 12, at 8 p.m., followed by performances Saturday, Sept. 13, at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Sunday, Sept. 14, at 2 p.m.

Catriona Macphie-Hynds, the managing director and development officer for Ohio Northern University's Freed Center for the Performing Arts, has been awarded two grants.

The Ohio Awards Council awarded the Freed Center an $11,994 sustainability grant for the 2008-09 year. The grant will be used to provide high-quality, challenging and entertaining arts experiences to ONU students and area residents.