Performances are central to Hartt's curriculum. Each year, Hartt showcases dozens of performing organizations and produces more than 400 instrumental and vocal performances, recitals, plays, master classes, dance performances, and musical theatre productions.
Hartt's students often collaborate across disciplines to present fully-staged opera and musical productions, dance concerts, recitals, and other original works. Faculty and students also perform together frequently.
The 2024-2025 season highlights are below!
2024-25 Season Highlights
Here at The Hartt School, your passion becomes a profession. A pivotal component of this is in the art of the performance. With hundreds of performances every year across many disciplines, one's craft is perfected by doing. Current season highlights include fully produced operas, musical theatre productions, music ensembles featuring renowned faculty, and dance performances.
The Halloween Concert with the Hartt Orchestra and Hartt Wind Ensemble
Saturday, Oct. 26, 7:30 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
Free and open to the public, as Hartt's Halloween treat for families and all in the Greater Hartford community.
Collage Concert
Friday, Feb. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 15, 3 p.m.
Lincoln Theater
Hartt's annual Collage Concert features continuous music, dance, and theatre. As Hartt's gift to the community, this concert is free, but reservations are required.
Hartt Opera Theater Presents: Acis and Galatea
Friday, Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 2, 3 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series: Denyce Graves & Laura Ward
Thursday, Oct. 10, 7:30 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
To open its 16th season, the Garmany Music Series is honored to present mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves, one of the most beloved and acclaimed vocal artists of our time. In collaboration with her longtime pianist Laura Ward, Graves will present a personally curated evening of American music, including songs and spirituals.
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series: Hub New Music & Kojiro Umezaki
Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
The imaginative and crowd-pleasing Hub New Music (flute, clarinet, violin, cello) will present a wide-ranging program featuring guest artist Kojiro Umezaki of the Silk Road Ensemble. In addition to being an award-winning composer, Umezaki is regarded as one of the world’s leading performers on the shakuhachi (bamboo flute). The concert will also include the premiere of a Garmany-commissioned work by Hartt’s recently-retired faculty colleague, Robert Carl.
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series: Verona String Quartet & Steven Banks
Thursday, Feb. 6, 7:30 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
The Garmany Series will welcome the Verona String Quartet with saxophonist Steven Banks. The Verona Quartet, whose playing has been hailed as “sensational…luminous… pure perfection,” is currently in residence at Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Banks, who has quickly come to be regarded as one of the foremost saxophone soloists in the world, is a former Jackie McLean Fellow and Hartt adjunct faculty member. In addition to music by Debussy, Mozart and others, the program will feature the world premiere of a major new piece for saxophone and string quartet by the distinguished American composer Christopher Theofanidis. Theofanidis, a Grammy nominee and winner of the Rome Prize, teaches at the Yale School of Music.
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series: Sandbox Percussion
Thursday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
Sandbox Percussion, a four-person ensemble, will perform Seven Pillars, a Grammy-nominated large-scale mixed media work for a large roster of instruments, augmented by theatrical lighting designed for this performance, composed by the celebrated American composer, Andy Akiho.
Hartt Dances: Fall Dance Concert
Thursday, Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 15, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 16, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
Hartt Dances features choreographic masterworks of classical ballet and modern choreographers alongside the innovative works of contemporary dancemakers, all performed by the dancers of the Hartt School's Dance Division.
Hartt Dances: Spring Dance Concerts
Thursday, April 10, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, April 11, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, April 12, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Lincoln Theater
Hartt Dances features choreographic masterworks of classical ballet and modern choreographers alongside the innovative works of contemporary dancemakers, all performed by the dancers of the Hartt School's Dance Division.
Cyrano de Bergerac
Friday, Oct. 4, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 5, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 6, 3 p.m.
Millard Auditorium
By Edmond Rostand
Freely adapted by Martin Crimp
This new adaptation of the masterwork renders the timeless story through spoken word, contemporary poetry, and raw physicality, where Cyrano seduces in raps and rhymes, using his linguistic brilliance to help another man win the heart of his one true love—above all—championing his own unbridled love for words.
Director - Christopher Andrew Rowe
Movement Director - Jason Taylor
Costume Designer - Nancy Leary
Lighting Designer - John Bartenstein
Set Designer - Yoshi Tanokura
Sound Designer - Rachel Landy
Content Warnings: Violence, Gunshots, Adult language
Something Rotten!
Thursday, Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 25, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m. & 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 27, 3 p.m.
Lincoln Theatre
Book by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell
Music and Lyrics by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick
Conceived by Karey Kirkpatrick and Wayne Kirkpatrick
Two brothers set out to write the world’s first musical in this hilarious mash-up of sixteenth-century Shakespeare and twenty-first-century Broadway.
Director/Choreographer - Ralph Perkins
Music Director - David Kidwell
Costume Designer - Marueen Wynne
Lighting Designer - Chris Bell
Set Designer - Matthew S. Crane
Content Warnings: Adult Content
Dracula, A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really
Thursday, Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, Nov. 9, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 10, 3 p.m.
McCray Theatre
By Kate Hamill
Based loosely on the novel by Bram Stoker
In Kate Hamill’s frightening and darkly comic new take on Bram Stoker’s 19th Century novel, however, “the monsters look just like us.” How, then, do people on the side of good fight for their loved ones in a dark world where charming predators are lurking around every corner? Who will drive a stake through the heart of patriarchy? At times comical and campy, and deeply chilling, unsettling, and thought-provoking throughout, this bloody romp is a thrilling turn on the story of Dracula as it’s been told in the past.
Director/Fight Director - Hannah Roccisano
Composer - Kathryn Swanson
Costume Designer - Avery Jennings
Content Warnings: Murder and suicide, Blood and violence, Psychological and physical abuse, Sexual assault
Quilters
Tuesday, Nov. 19, 7:30 p.m.
Wednesday, Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 22, 7:30 p.m.
McCray Theatre
By Molly Newman and Barbara Damashek
Based on true narratives of pioneer women, Quilters dramatizes the strenuous realities of 1800s frontier life. Prairie fires, twisters, starvation, and death are interspersed with lively, and often humorous, accounts of cabin construction, courtship, and childhood pranks. The patterns of life -- the dark times contrasted with the light -- are reflected in the women’s quilts, as are the connection, strength, and creativity they shared. Just as singing and dancing have helped folks survive and celebrate their lives, so too music and dance enliven this show. The message is universal and timeless: human survival depends upon our ability to embrace both laughter and tears. This uplifting and moving saga promises to warm your heart and stir your soul.
Director - Jill Giles
Music Director - Clay Zambo
Choreographer - Taylor Zappone
Costume Designer - Collette Benoit
Content Warnings: Mature themes, Death and grieving
Baby
Thursday, Feb. 20 – Sunday, Feb. 23
McCray Theatre
Book by Sybille Pearson
Music by David Shire & Lyrics by Richard Maltby, Jr.
Peter and the Starcatcher
Thursday, April 3 – Sunday, April 6
Roberts Theatre
A Play by Rick Elice
Music by Wayne Barker
Based on the Novel by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson
The Tempest
Thursday, April 24 – Sunday, April 27
Roberts Theatre
By William Shakespeare
Director - Bob Davis
Guys and Dolls
Thursday, May 1 – Sunday, May 4
Millard Theatre
Book by Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling
Music and Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Past Season Highlights
Below you can get a snapshot of our previous season highlights.
Hartt Opera Theater Presents: Street Scene
Millard Auditorium
Written by Kurt Weill, and set in sweltering 1940s New York, the plot centers around the various residents of a single tenement building, and takes place over just 24 hours.
Collage Concert
Lincoln Theater
Hartt's annual Collage Concert features continuous music, dance, and theatre. As Hartt's gift to the community, this concert is free, but reservations are required.
Hartt Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band
Lincoln Theater
End of Year Concerts
Hartt Orchestra
Lincoln Theater
Greater Hartt Youth Wind Ensemble and Symphony Band
Lincoln Theater
Jackie McLean Institute of Jazz: Ensembles Concert
Millard Auditorium
Jazz Ensemble concerts feature student ensembles committed to the styles and teachings of the Jackie McLean Institute Jazz offering selections of bebop, swing, hard bop, and much more. Come out and support these amazing students!
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series: Bang on a Can All-Stars
Lincoln Theater
A celebration of the life and work of bassist Robert Black, a founding member of the All-Stars, who is retiring from his Hartt faculty position after 29 years. Also featured will be legendary Bang founders David Lang, Julia Wolfe and Michael Gordon.
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series: Javier Colon
Lincoln Theater
The internationally acclaimed singer-songwriter – and Hartt School alum – who first came to national attention by winning First Prize on NBC’s “The Voice.”
The Richard P. Garmany Chamber Music Series: The Juilliard String Quartet
Millard Auditorium
One of chamber music’s most iconic and beloved ensembles, now celebrating its 73rd season.
Hartt Dances: Spring Dance Concerts
Lincoln Theater
Hartt Dances features choreographic masterworks of classical ballet and modern choreographers alongside the innovative works of contemporary dancemakers, all performed by the dancers of the Hartt School's Dance Division.
Footloose
Lincoln Theater
Director/Choreographer: Ralph Perkins
A musical based on the movie of the same name, which centers around a city teenager who moves to a small town where rock music and dancing have been banned. As he struggles to fit in, his rebellious spirit shakes up the populace.
Sister Act
Millard Auditorium
Director: Janelle Robinson; Music Director: David Kidwell; Choreographer: Jane Krantz
Sister Act is a musical based on the hit 1992 film of the same name with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater, book by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner, and additional material by Douglas Carter Beane.
My Fair Lady
Kent McCray Theater
Director: Michael Fling; Music Director: Phil Rittner; Choreographer: Ralph Perkins
My Fair Lady is a musical with a book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewebased. It is based on the 1938 film adaptation of George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion.
Pippin
Millard Theater
Director: Michael O'Flaherty; Music Director: David Kidwell; Choreographer: Taylor Zappone
Pippin becomes a soldier for his father's army, but is upset by the killing and murders his father to stop the war. Now King, he is even more lost and unsure about what he wants in life and turns away from everything, including love, before discovering that what he has been searching for has been there all along.
The Wolves
Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation Theater
Director: Jill Giles
The Wolves is a play by Sarah DeLappe. It premiered Off-Broadway in in September 2016 and received the American Playwriting Foundation's inaugural Relentless Award, a New York Times Critic's Pick, and was a finalist for the 2017 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Wolves centers on the experiences of high school girls through their weekly Saturday morning pre-game soccer warmups. The young women sometimes continue their gossip from the previous week, bringing up new developments or related topics and conversations that are often inappropriate and cause conflict amongst the teammates.
Godspell
Kent McCray Theater
Director: Joni Weisfeld; Music Director: TBD; Choreographer: Savana Jones
Based primarily on the Book of Matthew, Godspell focuses on strangers, all from different walks of life, coming together to tell the lessons and parables of Jesus Christ through, by the end of the show, the strangers learn to carry Jesus’ message of kindness, tolerance, and love.
Much Ado About Nothing
Edward C. and Ann T. Roberts Foundation Theater
Director: Robert Davis
One of Shakespeare’s most frequently performed comedies, Much Ado About Nothing includes two quite different stories of romantic love.
Hartt Collage 2023
The annual Hartt Collage Concert is a performance that celebrates the magnificent talent of students of The Hartt School, past and present, in one continuous stream of music, dance, and theatre. A free event, the Hartt Collage provides the community a unique opportunity to experience the full range of performing arts disciplines.