Asbury University Hosts Engaging Culture Weekend

April 13, 2018

Asbury University’s Engaging Culture Weekend will showcase concerts, art exhibitions, workshops, theatrical productions and the 13th Annual Highbridge Film Festival the weekend of April 19-21.

Already on display are senior Art shows by Madeline Morris ’17 (Ceramics), Miranda Lopez ’17 (Ceramics) and Savannah Butler ’17 (Graphic Design). Senior shows will be available for viewing until April 27. (View full schedule below for all event details).

The Music Department will present its annual “Sounds of Stage and Screen” concert on Thursday, April 19. Free and open to the public, the concert features a repertoire sure to attract theater and film lovers everywhere. The 90-minute program will include music from a variety of this year’s top blockbusters, including Dunkirk, Beauty and the Beast, Star Wars, the Greatest Showman and others. Performing ensembles include Orchestra, Women’s Choir, Men’s Glee Club, Handbell Choir, Chorale and Concert Band.

Chapel on Friday, April 20 will feature a special Engaging Culture lecture delivered by Gabe Lyons, the founder of Q Ideas, a learning community that mobilizes Christians to advance the common good in society.

Workshops will be offered throughout the day on Friday, with guest speakers and workshops leaders including Christine Swanson (screenwriter), Steve Greisner (documentary producer/director) and David Manos Morris (digital effects artist). There will also be a special worship service, performance and Q&A session with Nelly Greisen, former singer with 2nd Chapter of Acts, in the Miller Center Screening Room.

Asbury’s Theater and Cinema Performance Program will present William Shakespeare’s Macbeth, Directed by Jeff Day, on Friday at 7:30 p.m. in the Greathouse Theater. Admission is $5 for students and community members.

The weekend will conclude with the 13th Annual Highbridge Film Festival in Hughes Auditorium at 7 p.m., Saturday April 21. The festival is entirely student-produced and promoted through the combined efforts of the School of Communication Arts’ Special Events class, led by Professor Greg Bandy. The event honors creativity and excellence in both collegiate and high school categories. An awards ceremony will directly follow the film screenings. The high school film winner’s entry will be screened and the student filmmaker will receive a $1,000 scholarship to attend Asbury.

Asbury alumni, friends, and the community are welcome to attend the Highbridge Film Festival. Festival passes are $15 and include access to the Red Carpet Reception in the Miller Center for Communication Arts immediately following the festival. Tickets for the event are available for purchase online and in the University’s cafeteria during lunch and dinner hours.

Engaging Culture Weekend Schedule

Through April 27

Senior Art Exhibitions are currently on display and available for viewing through April 27.

Madeline Morris, Ceramics — Art Annex Green
Miranda Lopez, Ceramics — “Red” Gallery, second floor, Z.T. Johnson Cafeteria
Savannah Butler, Graphic Design — “Blue” Gallery, second floor, Z.T. Johnson Cafeteria

Thursday, April 19

Sounds of Stage and Screen Concert (presented by Asbury University’s Music Department), Hughes Auditorium, 7:30 p.m.

Friday, April 20

Workshop: “Who Tells Your Story?” (Sheryl Anderson, Screenwriter), 9 a.m., Miller Center Screening Room
Chapel: Gabe Lyons (Author and Founder of Q Ideas), 10 a.m., Hughes
Workshop: “Keys to Dynamic Documentary Storytelling,” Steve Greisen (Documentary Producer/Director), 11 a.m., Miller Center Screening Room
Workshop: “Engaging Our Culture with Stories,” Gabe Lyons (Founder of Q Ideas), 1 p.m., Miller Center Screening Room
Workshop: “7 Tips for Making Your Story Better for the Screen,” Christine Swanson (Director/Screenwriter), 2 p.m., Miller Center Screening Room
Workshop: “Unlocking VFX,” David Manos Morris (Digital Effects Artist), 3 p.m., Miller Center Screening Room
Special Writing Workshop: “Writing is Rewriting,” Sheryl Anderson (Screenwriter), 4 p.m., Miller Center Room 308
Special Worship and Performance Q&A: Nelly Greisen (Former Singer with 2nd Chapter of Acts), Miller Center Screening Room – 4 PM
Theatrical Performance: “Macbeth,” 7:30 p.m, Greathouse Theatre ($5 Admission)

Saturday, April 21

Highbridge Film Festival (Presented by Asbury University’s Communication Arts Department): 7 p.m., Hughes ($15 Festival Pass)
A Red Carpet Reception immediately follows the Film Festival in the Miller Center for Communication Arts. Admission to the reception is included in the $15 Festival Pass fee.

— by Cathryn Lien ‘18