Commissioned by Houston-based new music ensemble Loop38 and created by Dr. Ben Morris, assistant professor of composition at Stephen F. Austin State University, Longleaf traces the history of the longleaf tree and the timber industry in East Texas with video projections, historical photographs, natural soundscapes and music, with the goal of raising awareness about the ecological importance of native forests and their reliance on prescribed fire.
Morris' piece reflects on the relationships between people and their environments, highlighting the fascinating fire-adapted tree that relies on frequent burns, both natural and manmade. Longleaf explores the unique landscape through the visuals, recorded audio, and live interactions of the musicians, and even features audio from Morris' own experience at a controlled burn at the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, which is a remaining stand of longleaf pine maintained by the Nature Conservancy.
To bring even more insight about this Texan tree to our local community, longleaf expert and Nature Conservancy preserve manager Shawn Benedict will be present alongside Dr. Ben Morris for a Q&A session after the performance. As the manager of Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary, Benedict has years of experience to share.
The event includes collaborations with the Nature Conservancy, the Arthur Temple College of Forestry and Agriculture, and received support from the Texas Commission on the Arts. This project is generously funded by Mid-America Arts Alliance, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the state arts agencies of Arkansas, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Additional Information:
Nature Conservancy/Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary
WEDNESDAY, MAY 22 at 7:30 PM
Q&A immediately following
RUNTIME:
80 minutes with no intermission
TICKETS:
PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN
$30 suggested price-Regular
$15 suggested price-Student
Please note that each ticket is subject to a $3 fee at checkout.
MATCH GENERAL INFORMATION
*Online sales will end 30 minutes prior to the scheduled curtain time. At this time tickets may be purchased in-person at the box office.
The box office opens 2 hours prior to the performance time for WILL CALL and walkup sales.
All sales are final. No refunds or cancellations available after purchase.
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