Purdue Convocations Announces Performing Arts Technical Educational Outreach Program sponsored by SK hynix
Purdue Convocations is proud to announce a new performing arts technical educational outreach program, sponsored by SK hynix. This three-part program will expand access to the arts and technical education for students across the Greater Lafayette region through dynamic, interactive experiences and specialized theatrical production workshops.
The collaboration features SK hynix as a sponsor of the upcoming public performance of Doktor Kaboom: Under Pressure! at Purdue University’s Loeb Playhouse on November 22, 2026. A John F. Kennedy Center Commission, the show blends interactive physical science and STEM concepts with engaging comedy that also teaches real-life lessons on managing mental and emotional pressures.
The second part of the program will enable in-school residencies that deliver workshops and performances in West Lafayette Community School Corporation, Tippecanoe School Corporation, and Lafayette School Corporation schools. This fall, in the initial phase, the program will feature in-school performances of Doktor Kaboom’s Look Out! Science is Coming! at both West Lafayette Intermediate and Burnett Creek Elementary schools.
New educational outreach program partners STEM with the performing arts
Finally, the program also supports the development and delivery of a new educational program in partnership with Purdue University’s Hall of Music Productions. This program, “Introduction to Production Engineering for Live Performing Arts,” will be delivered to area high schools, giving students a hands-on look at the technical and engineering skills that bring live events to the stage, and illustrating the engineering skills and concepts that can lead to careers in the performing arts. The pilot phase of this educational program will be delivered to two targeted high schools in the Greater Lafayette area this fall, with planned expansions in the future. This program aims to inspire students at the dynamic intersection of creative and technical pursuits. “There are very few areas of live performance today—much less life—that don’t involve the development of interdisciplinary skills,” said Todd Wetzel, Executive Director of Purdue Convocations. “SK hynix understands this, and we’re grateful for their support that moved this project from the drawing board to reality.”
“As we prepare to open our first U.S. manufacturing facility, we are looking for meaningful ways to give back to the local community,” said Choonhwan Kim, Executive Vice President and Head of Global Infrastructure, at SK hynix. “We are excited to offer young students a compelling introduction into the world of science. This is a great step toward inspiring the next generation of engineers.”
“Having an artist like Doktor Kaboom who can generate excitement about physical science is a powerful experience for our students,” said Matt Ridenour, principal of Burnett Creek Elementary School. “Students take that energy directly back to their classrooms.”
The idea for this collaboration grew out of the work of the SK hynix Community Advisory Committee, the Friends of Convocations Advisory Board, and Purdue Convocations. The expanded STEM learning component grew from an effort to go beyond a traditional performance sponsorship to create a deeper educational experience for students, focused on helping students understand the science, engineering, technology, teamwork, and production systems that make live performances possible. Purdue Convocations and its Hall of Music Productions team are now developing this concept into an introductory production engineering experience for local students. Together, the partnership aims to help students see that the performing arts are powered not only by creativity, but also by technical skill, problem solving, and engineering thinking.
About Purdue Convocations:
Purdue Convocations (Convos) is the self-supporting performing arts presenter at Purdue University that catalyzes the curriculum, energizes the community, and distinguishes Purdue through powerful performances, illuminating discourse and extraordinary learning encounters. Convos has been a powerful cultural leader since 1902 and is now solely powered by ticket sales and gifts. Convos makes Purdue a dynamic place to study, work, live, and play. Learn more at convocations.purdue.edu
About SK hynix:
SK hynix Inc., headquartered in Korea, is the world’s top-tier semiconductor supplier offering Dynamic Random Access Memory chips (“DRAM”) and flash memory chips (“NAND flash”) for a wide range of distinguished customers globally. The Company’s shares are traded on the Korea Exchange, its American Depositary Shares are traded on NASDAQ, and the Global Depository shares are listed on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. Further information about SK hynix is available at www.skhynix.com, news.skhynix.com.
About Purdue University:
Purdue University is a public research university leading with excellence at scale. Ranked among top 10 public universities in the United States, Purdue discovers, disseminates and deploys knowledge with a quality and at a scale second to none. More than 106,000 students study at Purdue across multiple campuses, locations and modalities, including more than 57,000 at our main campus locations in West Lafayette and Indianapolis. Committed to affordability and accessibility, Purdue’s main campus has frozen tuition 14 years in a row. See how Purdue never stops in the persistent pursuit of the next giant leap — including its integrated, comprehensive Indianapolis urban expansion; the Mitch Daniels School of Business; Purdue Computes; and the One Health initiative — at www.purdue.edu/president/strategic-initiatives.
Media Contact:
James Britton
Director of Marketing, Purdue Convocations
jamesbritton@purdue.edu
765-494-5045
