Rainy Mirthweek ends in deluge of laughs courtesy Trevor Noah, Tone Bell

May 2, 2017

Noah, host of “The Daily Show” on Comedy Central, drew a sold-out crowd to UMSL’s Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center Saturday night.

Eye on UMSL: Jazz practice

Apr 11, 2017

The University Jazz Ensemble rehearses a number as several area high school students – each a Creative Achievement in the Arts award recipient – look on.

Graphic design majors wow crowd with ambitious senior theses

Apr 4, 2017

Eleven graduating students showcased their projects, ranging from campaigns to apps to furniture, before a large audience last month.

Violinist Julia Sakharova, recently honored with award, reflects on festival with longtime student

Feb 19, 2017

She started playing at age 6 in Russia, he in sixth-grade orchestra here in St. Louis. Neither teacher nor student will be stopping anytime soon.

Des Lee Fine Arts Festival packs two days full of unique opportunities for youth

Feb 14, 2017

Hundreds of St. Louis young people took campus by storm Feb. 7 and 8 as they came together alongside UMSL faculty and other contributors to make music and create art.

Playing her way: Longtime flutist looks back on pivotal years at UMSL

Jan 8, 2017

One of UMSL’s first-ever transfer students, alumna Laura George also remembers giving the university’s first senior recital back in 1969.

21-year-old music grad leaves college with no regrets and lots of lessons

Dec 18, 2016

Illinois resident Marta Kersulis credits UMSL faculty members with helping her grow as a pianist – and as a person.

Women’s Chorale members mentor young St. Louis singers all semester, put on unique concert

Dec 8, 2016

Culminating in this week’s performance at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, the community-oriented effort was initiated by UMSL faculty member Gail Fleming.

Eye on UMSL: Angelic voice

Nov 16, 2016

Soloist Theresa Pancella sings “Only in Sleep” during the University Singers’ rehearsal before their concert in Anheuser-Busch Hall at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

St. Louis youth, University Singers spend rare hour with the most awarded a cappella group in history

Nov 6, 2016

They had plenty of questions for acclaimed sextet Take 6, who performed and interacted with the students during a free Lunch and Learn event at the Touhill.

A timely play, a week at UMSL and critical thinking in iambic pentameter

Nov 2, 2016

Six days with the visiting Actors From The London Stage left students, faculty and local youth invigorated by Shakespeare – and also out of breath.

Eye on UMSL: Warming up to Shakespeare

Oct 27, 2016

Under the direction of a professional British actor, UMSL students warm up during a unique class session bringing to life one of the texts they’ve been studying.

Visiting Shakespeareans to teach, perform ‘Richard III’ on campus in October

Sep 21, 2016

Actors From The London Stage will spend six days on campus showing Shakespeare to classes and audiences “like they’ve never seen it before.”

Eye on UMSL: Listening

Sep 18, 2016

Gavin Chuck, managing director of Alarm Will Sound, speaks with UMSL music students at a Seminar in Literature and Pedagogy focused around the idea of listening.

Niyi Coker’s new musical celebrates Miriam Makeba, brings 40 South African actors to campus

Sep 13, 2016

“Miriam Makeba: Mama Africa the Musical” tells the story of an iconic musician and civil rights activist who advocated against apartheid while performing on the world stage.

‘Outside In: Paint for Peace’ exhibition to showcase Ferguson murals on campus

Aug 24, 2016

Several of the colorful works of art that adorned boarded-up storefronts during the fall of 2014 will soon be on display on UMSL’s North Campus.

Touhill to host U.S. premiere of ‘Miriam Makeba: Mama Africa the Musical’

Aug 11, 2016

UMSL’s Niyi Coker began working on the project last summer in Cape Town, South Africa.

Eye on UMSL: Bluegrass

Jun 2, 2016

Musical artists Heidi Clare and Ron Thomason return to campus June 14 for a free evening of bluegrass at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

On comedy, corn and common sense: Mirthweek conversations with Bo Burnham and Nick Offerman

May 23, 2016

Nick Offerman and Bo Burnham played to an enthusiastic, sold-out crowd at UMSL this spring during the university’s annual Mirthweek celebration.

Graduating senior reflects on 7 things she’ll miss most about UMSL

May 18, 2016

From student discounts to unexpected pianos to rigorous classes, Lingru Kong shares what she’s enjoyed most during her time on campus.

Eye on UMSL: Simply sublime

May 3, 2016

A harpist performs during “Sweet Swan of Avon” at the Touhill, presented on the 400th anniversary of the death of William Shakespeare.

Carnival fun, comedy show and more mark return of Mirthweek

Apr 21, 2016

Mirthweek, set for April 25 to May 1, has evolved from what was once simply the annual Mirthday into a whole week’s worth of campus festivities.

Japanese language students practice Rakugo, put on a show

Apr 14, 2016

While introducing her students to a centuries-old storytelling format, Assistant Teaching Professor of Japanese Keiko Ueda immerses them in Japanese culture.

Jeggings, squirrels and other key issues the focus of student’s in-depth interview with Internet star Matt Bellassai

Mar 30, 2016

The “Whine About It” sensation’s campus visit drew a sold-out crowd to the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center on March 22.

Convocation celebrates new start

Feb 29, 2016

A convocation for the new School of Fine and Performing Arts was held Feb. 19 in the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

Eye on UMSL: Moving

Jan 21, 2016

UMSL dance students brought the audience to their feet Monday during the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

SUCCEED program founder champions inclusive learning environments

Oct 25, 2015

Deborah Baldini aims to expand SUCCEED in the coming years and reach more students who seek higher education, like those pictured from the first graduating class.

Night at the opera

May 14, 2015

The UMSL Opera Theatre’s 2014 production of “The Mikado” continued the group’s tradition of presenting dazzling and imaginative shows.

UMSL venues, artists, alumni among best in St. Louis

Apr 30, 2015

The St. Louis Post-Dispatch named the St. Louis Mercantile Library the “Best Place for a History Lesson” in the newspaper’s annual Go! List.

Tzu-Hwa Ho returning to UMSL after piano success

Apr 16, 2015

She graduated from UMSL in 2007, works as a professional pianist and instructor and will be performing as part of the Piano Alumni Concert on April 21.

Madelyn Boyne makes her debut in ‘Good People’

Apr 5, 2015

The UMSL education major will take on a role originated on Broadway by Frances McDormand. The play will be April 9-12 at the Touhill.

Double Date caps victorious year with MADCO collaboration

Mar 23, 2015

“MADCO: Double Date” will take place at 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 3 p.m., Sunday at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center.

‘Hansel and Gretel’ brings scrumptious visuals to the opera

Mar 5, 2015

When performers with the UMSL Opera Theatre take the stage March 13-15 at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center, they’re not only taking audiences on a fantastic journey.

UMSL piano scholar Alla Voskoboynikova plans Touhill concert

Mar 4, 2015

Voskoboynikova will present a concert with violinist David Halen, concertmaster of the St. Louis Symphony, March 8 at the Touhill.

UMSL jazz events will honor trumpet great Clark Terry

Feb 23, 2015

His expertise as a musician was legendary, but his readiness to mentor young musicians and students – including those at UMSL – is what sticks out in Jim Widner’s mind.

Kelsey McGuire takes on iconic role in ‘The Tempest’

Feb 19, 2015

The UMSL senior will finish her acting career at UMSL in one of drama’s most iconic roles, but there’s a twist.

‘In the Red and Brown Water’ puts Kenyata Tatum in the spotlight

Oct 8, 2014

The UMSL senior stars this week in a play sponsored by the College of Fine Arts and Communication and directed by Jacqueline Thompson, assistant professor of theatre.

UMSL artists, events, alumni among best in St. Louis

Jul 29, 2014

Honorees include the Arianna String Quartet, which was named Best Chamber Music Group.

Teens sing their hearts out at Acappellooza

Jul 17, 2014

The camp attracted 80 students from grades 9-12 to the UMSL campus. It was developed to provide opportunities for devoted singers to get experience they might not get at home.

Eye on UMSL: Music festival

Jun 12, 2014

College and high school students from the St. Louis area, Illinois and as far away as Colombia gathered at the Touhill for the Arianna String Quartet’s annual Chamber Music Festival.

Eye on UMSL: Campus tour

May 29, 2014

Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster received an up-close look at the University of Missouri–St. Louis campus during a half-day visit May 22 with Chancellor Tom George.

Sydney Daniels dances for diversity in Peace Walls

Apr 30, 2014

The dance concert will take place at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday at the Touhill.

Eye on UMSL: Sunset

Apr 14, 2014

UMSL campus photographer August Jennewein was en route to an assignment at the Blanche M. Touhill Performing Arts Center when he was struck by what he saw.

Nolan Ebbinghaus revives love of drama in ‘The Laramie Project’

Apr 9, 2014

The political science major didn’t plan on getting into theater in college, but while waiting tables, he had a relapse of the drama bug.

Concerto competition winner Daniel Kuehler takes the stage with Orchestra

Mar 20, 2014

The music student started off as a biology major and has since become a bright start in UMSL’s prestigious piano program.

From skateboards to center stage: Brandon Smith brings baritone to ‘Mikado’

Mar 11, 2014

The self-described “long-haired goofy skateboard kid” didn’t think he’d be a candidate for singing in operas.

Wind Ensemble debuts Assistant Professor Zachary Cairns’ modern take on a classic

Mar 4, 2014

“Refracted Moonlight” is inspired by Debussy’s “Clair de Lune” and will debut March 5 at the Touhill.

Touhill makes list of top college theaters

Feb 25, 2014

BestCollegeReviews.org named the performing arts venue to its recent list of 25 Most Amazing College Campus Theaters.

Kenyan singing quartet to perform at Touhill

Feb 6, 2014

The Moipei Quartet have represented Kenya in a number of international events in Uganda, Tanzania, South Africa, China, South Korea, Canada and Venezuela.

UMSL students make music for MADCO’s ‘Pulse 2’

Jan 30, 2014

Tom Winkler, a senior music major, wrote a composition that will accompany a dance performance by MADCO Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at the Touhill.