Author: James Britton

A woman with long hair in a leopard print top stands before patterned, colorful curtains. Warm, golden light highlights her as she adjusts her hair, capturing a Diamond in the Rough moment reminiscent of Margo Price's soulful style.

5 Songs That’ll Make You Love Margo Price

By Kristen Day Whether you're a country die-hard, certified cowboy, or have only now ventured on the "Old Town Road", it's time you catch rising star, Margo Price. When she's not busy recording honest, stripped-down country tracks, Margo's performing on...

A diverse group of seventeen people, smiling and posing together on a stage. Dressed in casual, colorful clothing, they celebrate RENT and its timeless themes, united in a vibrant moment—20 years later, their bond endures.

20 Years Later, RENT Resonates Through Timeless Themes

When RENT opened in 1996, its glum stage reflected East Village settings mired in poverty, addiction, and disease. Twenty years later, luxury condos replace tenements, and foodies dine where squatters sought shelter. Suddenly, criticism suggesting gentrification rendered Rent irrelevant mirrors...

A group of energetic performers on stage, dressed in colorful, eclectic costumes, stand together with one arm raised triumphantly, singing under bright stage lights in a vibrant scene from the musical RENT.

5 Fun Facts About RENT

In 1996, an original rock musical by a little-known composer opened on Broadway…and forever changed the landscape of American theatre. Two decades later, Jonathan Larson’s RENT continues to speak loudly and defiantly to audiences across generations and all over the world....

A woman wearing a wide-brimmed hat and a patterned jacket stands in a grassy field, channeling Margo Price's Diamond in the Rough spirit as she looks calmly at the camera. Trees and a cloudy sky stretch out in the background.

Margo Price: Diamond in the Rough

You can get Margo Price’s life story in a number of ways. One is by sitting with her at an East Nashville café where, this being East Nashville, the place will be crowded with musicians both aspiring and established—among them the...

Two women facing each other, smiling and playing a hand-clapping game against a plain, warm-toned background. Their light-colored, vintage-style blouses evoke the minimalism and timeless charm of The Color Purple.

Minimalism Brings Down Barriers In “The Color Purple”

In the current revival of “The Color Purple,” rural Georgia meets spare minimalism. The action takes place on a plain wooden stage. Props are few: a cluster of well-worn chairs, woven baskets, some fabric, a Bible. Even less would be...

A woman wearing a light jacket and a yellow patterned scarf smiles broadly and laughs against a warm brown backdrop, radiating joy worthy of a scene from The Color Purple.

6 Star-Studded Facts About The Color Purple

By Kristen Day Chances are, you've heard of The Color Purple. But how well do you know these famous facts about the show? The Color Purple made its Broadway debut in 2005. The producers included Oprah Winfrey and Quincy Jones....

A child in a green shirt writes on a “Story Kit” worksheet at a desk, inspired by Story Pirates. An eraser, pencil case, and another worksheet for planning a story are also on the desk.

Story Pirates study published

Purdue Convocations will publish data from a research study on the intersection of literacy and the performing arts. Purdue Convocations conducted a study of the “Story Pirates” theatre education program to investigate its effect on children’s writing skills. Several key...

A man with long curly hair, reminiscent of Cameron Graves, plays piano on stage, looking toward the camera. Soft, colorful stage lights illuminate the scene, creating a warm and intimate atmosphere.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Cameron Graves

Hailed by Rolling Stone as “the house pianist for the party at the end of the universe,” Cameron Graves is revitalizing funk, jazz, soul and fusion with kaleidoscopic, kinetic energy. Get to know the visionary composer, keyboardist, and pianist below...

Purdue Convocations presents its 2019-20 season

Purdue Convocations' 2019-20 season will feature more than 30 events, including an array of Broadway musicals, lectures, theatre, music and concerts. In addition to the following performances, Purdue Convocations and the Purdue Student Concert Committee will continue to announce additional...

A group of children and adults sit in teal theater seats, captivated by the magic of theatre. A smiling woman with a girl in a red dress drinking from a cup sits in the foreground. Everyone looks engaged and happy.

Measuring the Magic of Theatre

Theatre is magical. For a few hours, we sit down and are completely immersed into a different world. The performances we see promote connections with the actors on stage and fellow audience members. Theatre transports us to different places and...

A collage of fan favorite musicians, performers, and entertainers in vibrant settings—including highlights from Convos 2018-19—showcases group performances, solo acts, and playful character costumes expressing diverse artistry.

Fan favorites of the Convos 2018-19 season

Another season has come and gone here at Convos. With so many wonderful artists and performances, we had to ask our staff what their favorite performance was this year! Dr. Amanda Mayes, Manager of Education “My favorite show was Frankenstein...

A man with short hair, a beard, and blue glasses stands outdoors on a sunny day, smiling slightly. He is wearing a dark button-up shirt, enjoying student life with green grass and trees in the background.

Todd Wetzel, assistant vice provost for Student Life—wins North American Award

West Lafayette, IN—Purdue Convocations is pleased to announce that Todd Wetzel, assistant vice provost for Student Life at Purdue University and executive director of Purdue Convocations, was recently awarded the 2018 North American Performing Arts Managers and Agents Award for...