Staff Picks: Must-See Events in the 2019/20 Season

By UMS

Which 2019/20 season events are UMS staff members most excited about? Meet some of the team and use their recommendations to help create your own Series:You package, or browse all events for more inspiration as you plan your performance season!

Erin Casler

Group Sales and Promotions Coordinator
Joined UMS in 2017

Must-See Event: Grupo Corpo

“The energy and athleticism the Grupo Corpo dancers have is astonishing. The melding of traditional Brazilian dance forms with modern techniques creates a one-of-a-kind experience.”

Ryan Davis

Chief Development Officer
Joined UMS in 2018

Must-See Event: Orchestre Métropolitain de Montréal

“Yannick Nézet-Séguin and Joyce DiDonato are pure magic together…especially in Hill Auditorium!”

Shannon Fitzsimons Moen

Campus Engagement Specialist
Joined UMS in 2013

Must See Event: Sheku Kanneh-Mason, cello

“Sheku’s wide-ranging musical tastes, infectious spirit, and incredible technique are a breath of fresh air…he’s a wonderful ambassador for the next generation of global classical music.”

Anne Grove

Artist Services Manager
Joined UMS in 2010

Must-See Event: Teaċ Daṁsa

“As someone who loves theatrical dance and Nordic music, I can’t wait to see this take on Swan Lake. From what I’ve seen in clips it reminds me of one of my favorite dance works, Walking Mad by Johan Inger, which some of you may remember from Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s 2010 performances at Power Center. I love the strange, dark view of the world and this piece seems to explore a similar atmosphere. They even wear pointy party hats!”

Mark Jacobson

Senior Programming Manager
Joined UMS in 1998

Must-See Event: Tarek Yamani Trio

“Tarek Yamani is laying new groundwork in the development of a musical language that bridges jazz with traditional and contemporary rhythms and harmonies from the Arab World. For those who adore the unique communication possibilities that can happen within a piano trio (piano/bass/drums), this evening is highly recommended for you! We are honored to be co-presenting this UMS debut with the Arab American National Museum.”

Jim Leija

Director of Education & Community Engagement
Joined UMS in 2008

Must-See Event: Is This A Room: Reality Winner Verbatim Transcription

“Thrilling theater at its very best. Emily Davis and Pete Simpson give absolutely knockout lead performances. Davis’s simultaneous vulnerability and expressive power are a thing to behold…she somehow captures our deepest fears of living in a culture where technology dominates and we often feel our individual agency slipping away.”

Rachelle Michelon

Annual Giving Manager
Joined UMS in 2007

Must-See Event: Vivaldi’s Four Seasons / Max Richter’s Vivaldi Recomposed

“While previously unfamiliar with Max Richter, his meditative, minimalist composition style spoke to my soul right away and I can’t wait to hear Vivaldi’s iconic work performed twice in one night…in ways so similar yet so different.”

Lisa Murray

Associate Director of Development, Foundation & Government Relations
Joined UMS in 1997

Must-See Event: Stew & The Negro Problem

“Their music is fun, insightful, sometimes uncomfortable, and often hilarious. I can’t wait to hear what they have to say about the work of James Baldwin and his relevance today.”

Terri Park

Education Coordinator
Joined UMS in 2014

Must-See Event: Sankai Juku

“Sankai Juku’s performances are compelling, movement that creates a balance between beauty and sometimes the grotesque in a single moment. For me, the performances are meditative, and as I watch I am transported to an alternate reality.”

Anné Renforth

Ticket Services Coordinator
Joined UMS in 2014

Must-See Event: The Believers Are But Brothers

“New, interesting, timely, and fascinatingly different than other stories being told about what makes people go down the path to extremes. I keep wondering what the difference between weak-willed and weak-minded is in the case of people who don’t start out with extreme views.”

Emilio Rodriguez

Community Programs Manager
Joined UMS in 2017

Must-See Event: White Feminist

“I’m excited to see White Feminist because I’m interested in theater that challenges the audience. Many times challenging theater reaffirms the political beliefs or ideology of the audience, but this piece promises to directly question the ways in which well-intentioned audiences can carry out decisions that are inadvertently harmful to others.”

Eric Woodhams

Senior Manager of Digital Media
Joined UMS in 2018

Must-See Event: Hélène Grimaud, piano

“Grimaud’s energy and exquisite sound on the piano are uniquely hers, and the repertoire she performs from her ‘Memory’ album is a fabulous mix of timeless favorites and contemporary works.”

Feeling inspired? Craft a perfect performance season just for you and become a Series:You season ticketholder.