At this time, all audience members must wear masks while indoors. Please visit the Lewis University Website for up-to-date information and Covid procedures.
Performing Arts Series
Wadsworth Family Art Gallery
Philip Lynch Theatre

Pianist, Matthew McCright

St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall
November 3, 2021 - 7:30pm
Streaming Here!
Matthew McCright's performs a piano concert, "Forward Looking Back," at Lewis University. Recently performed by McCright at Carnegie Hall, the titular work by Dorothy Hindman serves as the anchor point to this program that explores the cycles of time —both of the future and our collective pasts. Andrea Mazzariello's As Far As You Can Stretch a Web visits his remembered past in relation to the piano while Mike McFerron loops us through the infinite series in ...apprehension of the eternal will. The pianist's own past and current love of jazz swirls through works by Terry Riley and Laura Caviani, flanked by the persistence of Rob Voisey's work and the 25th Anniversary of Paul Dresher's masterpiece Blue Diamonds.

LYNX: Amplify Project

St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall
February 21, 2022 - 7:30pm
I want to see the world, not by the whole, but by the all too beautiful small things.

These words, written by Ryan Harris, were the catalyst for LYNX Project's Amplify Series, a project setting the words of autistic youth who are primarily nonspeaking to song for voice and piano. Started in 2016, from an initial collaboration with Ryan and his peers, the Amplify Series has grown into a multi-year project that has shared the voices and artistry of dozens of youth, composers, and performers.

The words of these young writers have brought smiles and tears to audiences across the country, and members of the autism community have expressed feeling heard, valued, and seen through these concerts. Now, LYNX is bringing their Amplify Series to Lewis University.

Join us for an evening celebrating these songs and come to understand individuals whose voices are valuable but so rarely heard.
This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.

Catch the Twain

Studio Theatre - Oremus Fine Arts Building
March 22, 2022 - 5pm and 7:30pm
Experience the historic Mark Twain! In this one-of-a-kind show, Warren Brown brings the famed American writer to life and talks about his life and the philosophies which made him the unique personality and writer known throughout the world. If you have ever wished to ask a question of Mark Twain join us for this interactive dialogue and performance.

Warren Brown is one of the premier Mark Twain impersonators. He has spent his life learning about the real Mark Twain and has traveled the country interacting audiences to bring Mark Twain back to life. Through his performances, people can once again hear of Mark Twain's life adventures and world views.

Zodiac Trio

St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall
April 11, 2022 - 7:30pm
uncompromising musicianship... breathtaking precision and dimension...Nuances of phrasing that place the Trio among the world's finest chamber ensemble -San Angelo Standard Times

The Zodiac Trio closes out the 2021-2022 Arts&Ideas Performing Arts Series with an eclectic concert that will include a little something for everyone. One of today's premiere clarinet-violin-piano ensembles, the Zodiac Trio is known for presenting masterpieces for their unconventional instrumentation alongside hidden gems, arrangements, and the occasional duo/solo in a concert experience marked with a special gusto, virtuosity and energy.

Victor Garcia

St. Charles Borromeo Convocation Hall
September 29, 2022 - 7:30pm
Grammy-nominated Victor Garcia is a musical force to be reckoned with. Examiner.com's Neil Tesser calls him "one of the most exciting young musicians." Chicago Tribune's Howard Reich says that he "stands out as an ebullient soloist offering a formidable technique and a radiantly polished tone." JazzChicago.net's Brad Walseth regards him as a "young lion trumpeter." Join Victor Garcia and his quintet at Lewis University in a concert featuring music from his latest albums.

"As We See It" by Chicago Society of Artists

October 1 - October 22, 2021
Gallery Talk and Reception: October 21, 2021 - 7pm
The Nation's oldest, continually programming art society is well into its second century of exhibiting art. Chicago Society of Artists member exhibitions are sought by galleries due to the artists' ability to interpret the real and imaginary world via artistic versatility and eclectic styles across a variety of art mediums.

"Artificial Perceptions" by Mark Swain

November 1 - November 23, 2021
Gallery Talk and Reception: November 18, 2021 - 7pm
Mark Swain is an Illinois artist. After graduating from Lewis University in 1993, with a BA in Art, he went on to complete his MFA in Painting at Northern Illinois University. Mark's work is representational in nature, portraying the play of light on a variety of surfaces. Mark has been at Lewis for 23 years, where he teaches primarily painting and drawing.

Benjamin Calvert

February 7 - March 18, 2022
Show description coming soon!

More information about the artist: https://www.benjamincalvert.com

The President's 14th Annual Art Exhibition

April 1 - 22, 2022
Description TBA

Eve Ozer

August, 2022
Show description coming soon!

More information about the artist: https://www.eveozer.com/home

William Blake

October, 2022
Show description coming soon!

More information about the artist: https://www.williamblakeart.com

Didaar Art Collective

November, 2022
Show description coming soon!

More information about the artist: https://didaar.org/en
PLT Box Office
Monday-Friday 1:00-4:30pm
(815)836-5500
boxoffice@lewisu.edu
lewisu.edu/plt
Adults $13
Lewis Students $3
Senior/Students $12
Group rates are available

The Game's Afoot

Philip Lynch Theatre
November 12-14 & November 18-21, 2021
Tickets on sale, October 25
It is December 1936, and Broadway star William Gillette, admired the world over for his leading role in the play Sherlock Holmes, has invited his fellow cast members to his Connecticut castle for a weekend of revelry. But when one of the guests is stabbed to death, the festivities in this isolated house of tricks and mirrors quickly turn dangerous. It is then up to Gillette himself, as he assumes the persona of his beloved Holmes, to track down the killer before the next victim appears. The danger and hilarity are non-stop in this glittering whodunit set during the Christmas holidays.

Directed by Keith White

Explore the Power of &
Arts & Ideas Lewis reflects the integration of several programs at Lewis University under one umbrella. A program coordinated by the College of Humanities, Fine Arts, and Communication, Arts & Ideas is committed to establishing Lewis University as a cultural center for Will County and the southwest suburbs of Chicago. Arts & Ideas Lewis is comprised of the A&I program including the Performing Arts Series, the Wadsworth Family Gallery, the Phillip Lynch Theatre, and Jet Fuel Review. Join us and explore the Power of And.

Students: Attending Online Events | Checking in/out

  1. Click the link on the Arts & Ideas calendar a few minutes before the event is scheduled to start. Most events will be hosted through either Zoom, WebEx, or Collaborate.
  2. Performing Arts Series and Music Department events will be streamed on Vimeo. Simply click the link provided for the event.
  3. For Zoom, WebEx, and Collaborate events, ensure your microphone is muted upon entering the platform.
  4. At the conclusion of the event, A&I staff will post a link to a form in chat. Click the link to submit your Lewis ID number.
  5. On the form fill in all fields and click the submit button. Be sure to include the "L" at the beginning of your Lewis ID.


Upcoming Events

Arts & Ideas Lewis acknowledges support from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
The Illinois Arts Council Agency, serves the people of Illinois through a variety of grants and services, primarily geared to support Illinois' arts sector, advance arts education, and foster creativity and working artists.
Arts & Ideas Lewis is funded in part by a grant from the Illinois Humanities.
About Illinois Humanities: Illinois Humanities, the Illinois affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, is a statewide nonprofit organization that activates the humanities through free public programs, grants, and educational opportunities that foster reflection, spark conversation, build community, and strengthen civic engagement.
With the exception of productions by the Philip Lynch Theatre, which have nominal ticket prices, all Arts & Ideas Lewis events are completely free and open to the public. Organizations like Illinois Humanities and the Illinois Arts Council Agency help us maximize our outreach and provide cultural opportunities to our surrounding communities.