The School of Arts and Humanities at UT Dallas has scheduled a wide array of events this semester to meet the interests of a growing and increasingly diverse student body.

“This season features a broad spectrum of artistic creativity: dance, drama, fiction and poetry, the visual arts, and music ranging from jazz to classical — which reflects our commitment to the ocean of tradition as well as the rushing stream of contemporary experimentation,” said Dr. Dennis M. Kratz, dean of The School of Arts and Humanities.

The semester will be kick-started with a “no-holds barred” improv comedy show from The Upright Citizens Brigade at 8 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 24, in the University Theatre. The comedy group boasts such alumni as David Cross, Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, Sarah Silverman, Zach Galifianakis and Donald Glover. The show, scheduled during UT Dallas Welcome Week, is limited to University students and employees.

Portrait of girl ironing

This work by Emily Loving is part of the “Social Studies: Photography and Video” student exhibit on display in the Visual Arts Building through Oct. 15.

Other upcoming highlights include:

Kathak Dance Festival
Saturday, Aug. 27, 7:30 p.m., University Theatre

Presented by the Indian Classical Music Circle, the Kathak Dance Festival will feature such leading Kathak dance artists as Prashant Shah and Yogini Gandhi. Kathak is a classical storytelling dance style from north India. More information

Dallas Pro Musica
Friday, Sept. 9, 8 p.m., Jonsson performance Hall

The Dallas Pro Musica presents “The Meaning of Life” with major works by Morley, Monteverdi, Gesualdo, Weelkes, Landini and others. The vocal quintet is based at UT Dallas and consists of Kathryn Evans, soprano; Mary Medrick, mezzo- soprano; Michael Austin, counter-tenor; Hoyt Neal, tenor; and Michael Borts, bass.

Reckless
by Craig Lucas; Directed by Akin Babatunde
Sep. 29 – Oct. 1; Oct. 6 – 8, 8 p.m., University Theatre

At home on Christmas Eve, Rachel is completely content. Her husband Tom breaks the mood by telling her she has 10 minutes to get out of the house because he has hired a hit man to kill her. Rachel escapes and begins a long journey to discover herself, her strength and her family.

Liquid Analog
Sept. 8 – Oct. 10, CentralTrak

CentralTrak, a Deep Ellum artist residency and gallery that is part of the UT Dallas School of Arts and Humanities, will open its fall season with Liquid Analog, an exhibition of paintings and drawings by visiting artist and Houston native El Franco Lee II.

Lee’s socially reflective paintings confront controversial and unsettling subject matter—such as hip-hop cultural turf wars and the tragedies of post-Katrina New Orleans. In addition to acting as a 21st Century historical painter, Lee creates fantasy images that are visual mash-ups of popular entertainers, super heroes and contemporary sports figures.

The opening reception for Liquid Analog will be 6-8 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10.

For more information about fall arts events, go to The School of Arts and Humanities events page or here for tickets. All events are free to UT Dallas students with a valid UT Dallas student ID.