Convos Stories

April 29, 2024

Reflecting on Purdue Day of Giving 2024

We are deeply grateful for your belief in our vision and your commitment to nurturing the arts. Your generosity not only sustains Convos today but also lays the foundation for its continued growth and impact in the years to come.

We are deeply grateful for your belief in our vision and your commitment to nurturing the arts. Your generosity not only sustains Convos today but also lays the foundation for its continued growth and impact in the years to come.

February 29, 2024

6 Days in Newfoundland: a Lafayette resident’s personal version of Come From Away

A first-hand account of Lafayette, Indiana native’s experience in Gander, Newfoundland on September 11. This and other stories like hers inspired the hit Broadway musical Come From Away.

A first-hand account of Lafayette, Indiana native’s experience in Gander, Newfoundland on September 11. This and other stories like hers inspired the hit Broadway musical Come From Away.

February 29, 2024

Cellist and humanitarian Yo-Yo Ma to join PBS NewHour’s Jeffrey Brown for Presidential Lecture Series

Renowned cellist, recording artist and humanitarian Yo-Yo Ma and PBS NewsHour correspondent Jeffrey Brown will join Purdue University President Mung Chiang for a special Presidential Lecture Series conversation Sept. 29 in Elliott Hall of Music.

Renowned cellist, recording artist and humanitarian Yo-Yo Ma and PBS NewsHour correspondent Jeffrey Brown will join Purdue University President Mung Chiang for a special Presidential Lecture Series conversation Sept. 29 in Elliott Hall of Music.

February 19, 2024

The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System Comes to Purdue

When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip! But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, the young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system.

When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip! But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, the young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system.

February 12, 2024

Meet violinist Melissa White & pianist Pallavi Mahidhara ahead of their February 23 performance

Melissa White, acclaimed violinist and Joyce C. Willis Artist in Residence with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, showcases her expressive playing and diverse engagements. With the Grammy-winning Harlem Quartet, she promotes diversity in classical music. Meanwhile, pianist Pallavi Mahidhara, known for international acclaim and advocacy for mental health, collaborates with White and hosts “The Conscious Artist” podcast, exploring the intersection of music, mindfulness, and wellness.

Melissa White, acclaimed violinist and Joyce C. Willis Artist in Residence with the Hartford Symphony Orchestra, showcases her expressive playing and diverse engagements. With the Grammy-winning Harlem Quartet, she promotes diversity in classical music. Meanwhile, pianist Pallavi Mahidhara, known for international acclaim and advocacy for mental health, collaborates with White and hosts “The Conscious Artist” podcast, exploring the intersection of music, mindfulness, and wellness.

February 1, 2024

Counterpoint Comes to Purdue on February 8

Counterpoint is a collaboration in which this duo explores the dichotomy of their different perspectives and artistic practices, expanding their individual expressive capacity through a collective experience.

Counterpoint is a collaboration in which this duo explores the dichotomy of their different perspectives and artistic practices, expanding their individual expressive capacity through a collective experience.

January 24, 2024

Actors From The London Stage Present A Midsummer Night’s Dream at Purdue

A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows the intertwining plotlines of love, mistaken identity, and magical mischief. Set in the enchanting realm of Athens and the mystical forest inhabited by fairies, the play unfolds with the escapades of four young lovers, a group of bumbling amateur actors, and the mischievous fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream follows the intertwining plotlines of love, mistaken identity, and magical mischief. Set in the enchanting realm of Athens and the mystical forest inhabited by fairies, the play unfolds with the escapades of four young lovers, a group of bumbling amateur actors, and the mischievous fairy king and queen, Oberon and Titania.

December 18, 2023

Cast announcement for Hairspray, North American tour stops at Purdue February 10

Principal cast will feature Greg Kalafatas as “Edna Turnblad,” Caroline Eiseman as “Tracy Turnblad,” and Deidre Lang as “Motormouth Maybelle.” This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play February 10, 2024 in West Lafayette at Purdue University’s Elliott Hall of Music.

Principal cast will feature Greg Kalafatas as “Edna Turnblad,” Caroline Eiseman as “Tracy Turnblad,” and Deidre Lang as “Motormouth Maybelle.” This new North American tour, helmed by original director Jack O’Brien and original choreographer Jerry Mitchell, will play February 10, 2024 in West Lafayette at Purdue University’s Elliott Hall of Music.

December 11, 2023

Beyond the Spotlight: A Conversation with Lakecia Benjamin

Educator Judd Danby talks with GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin about her musical roots, pursuing mentors, her album Phoenix, and overcoming fears. Lakecia headlines Purdue’s 2024 Jazz Fest on Jan. 19, 2024.

Educator Judd Danby talks with GRAMMY-nominated saxophonist Lakecia Benjamin about her musical roots, pursuing mentors, her album Phoenix, and overcoming fears. Lakecia headlines Purdue’s 2024 Jazz Fest on Jan. 19, 2024.

November 29, 2023

All-New Shrek The Musical Coming to West Lafayette as Part of North American Tour

Shrek The Musical cast announcement and Tony Award® winners Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire revisit score and book ahead of anticipated tour that includes a stop in Elliott Hall of Music!

Shrek The Musical cast announcement and Tony Award® winners Jeanine Tesori and David Lindsay-Abaire revisit score and book ahead of anticipated tour that includes a stop in Elliott Hall of Music!

November 17, 2023

Dance Theatre of Harlem Celebrates MLK Week at Purdue on January 16

Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts.

Now in its sixth decade, Dance Theatre of Harlem has grown into a multi-cultural dance institution with an extraordinary legacy of providing opportunities for creative expression and artistic excellence that continues to set standards in the performing arts.

November 16, 2023

Grammy Nominee Lakecia Benjamin Comes to Purdue on January 19

Blending traditional jazz with elements of hip-hop and soul, Lakecia’s music defies boundaries. Her magnetic stage presence and the fiery embrace of her saxophone have earned her global acclaim, sharing stages with legends like Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and The Roots.

Blending traditional jazz with elements of hip-hop and soul, Lakecia’s music defies boundaries. Her magnetic stage presence and the fiery embrace of her saxophone have earned her global acclaim, sharing stages with legends like Stevie Wonder, Alicia Keys, and The Roots.