Contact:

 Megan  Lynch    
609-­‐709-­‐0633  
mlynch24@elon.edu    
FOR  IMMEDIATE  RELEASE:    
MARCH  25,  2016  

A  ‘Grand  Night’  for  a  Performance  

Students  in  the  Department  of  Performing  Arts  at  Elon  University  perform  60  minutes  

of  riveting  musical  numbers  

ELON,  N.C.−Media  Alert  

What:  Elon  University  students  in  the  Department  of  Performing  Arts  will  perform  a  

variety  of  different  musical  numbers  of  their  choosing  in  a  show  called  Grand  Night.  The  

event  showcase  the  students’  musical  talent  and  how  they  have  grown  as  performers.  

Admission  is  $13  to  the  general  public  or  free  for  Phoenix  Cardholders.  Reserve  tickets  by  

calling  336-­‐278-­‐5650.  

When:  7  p.m.  and  8:30  p.m.,  Friday,  April  1  and  Saturday,  April  2  

Where:  Roberts  Studio  Theatre,  Scott  Studios  at  Arts  West,  Elon  University  

Details:  About  80  students  will  participate  in  the  24th  annual  Grand  Night  musical  

production.  Grand  Night  is  directed  by  professors  Catherine  McNeela  and  musically  

directed  by  Nathan  Thomas.  The  students  will  perform  16  songs  including:  “Music  of  the  

Night"  from  “Phantom  of  the  Opera”  and  “Cat-­‐like  Tread”  from  “Pirates  of  Penzance”.  Each  

musical  number  encompasses  a  wide  variety  of  vocal  ranges  and  ages  from  first-­‐year  

students  to  seniors.    

“Grand  Night  is  a  showcase  of  different  numbers  that  are  all  student  directed,  

choreographed  and  performed.    It  is  a  very  collaborative  process,”  said  Tanner  Mead,  19,  
musical  theatre  major.  “Grand  Night  is  fun  for  everyone  involved.  It  is  not  like  a  musical  

where  there  is  a  story  arc  and  a  deep  meaning.  No  one  leaves  Grand  Night  upset  or  thinking  

it  was  a  waste  of  time.”  

A  current  senior  also  will  make  a  speech  about  the  seniors’  time  in  the  program  before  the  

final  number.    

The  final  number  holds  significance  to  all  performers  in  the  Grand  Night  production.    

Musical  theatre  major,  Brooke  Banister,  19,  said  Grand  Night  is  a  final  goodbye  for  the  

seniors  because  it’s  the  last  time  they  get  to  perform  at  Elon  if  they  are  not  in  a  spring  

musical  or  play.  The  last  song  performed  by  seniors  is  about  “passing  on  leadership  to  the  

classes  below  them,”  she  said.    

About:  Elon  University’s  musical  theatre  program  prepares  undergraduate  students  to  

take  center  stage  after  they  graduate.  Each  year  the  department  accepts  16  to  20  students  

into  the  program  to  receive  personal  attention  by  mentors  and  teachers  throughout  their  

time  at  Elon.  Students  admitted  to  the  program  audition  separately  into  the  program  in  

addition  to  applying  to  the  university.  The  musical  theatre  majors  are  trained  to  become  

performers  skilled  in  voice,  theory,  acting  and  dancing.  Grand  Night  is  just  one  of  several  

opportunities  musical  theatre  majors  get  to  showcase  their  talent  throughout  their  time  at  

Elon.