Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater holds January residency in Auburn

Company returning for two evening performances, school show in February 2024

Tuesday, February 6

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, the largest modern dance company in the United States, recently completed a weeklong residency in Auburn in advance of the company’s 2023–24 season performances later this month.

On Sunday, January 28, activities kicked-off with members of the Ailey dance education team leading more than 120 community members through a special Revelations Celebration Dance Workshop. Attendees congregated at the Wire Road Soccer Complex Gymnasium for a step-by-step introduction to one of the world’s most iconic works of modern dance.

The following morning, the Gogue Center hosted the company’s AileyDance for Active Aging Dance Class at the Boykin Community Center. The class, designed especially for adults and active seniors ages 50 and up, served as an outlet for artistic expression while also promoting strength and flexibility training through a thoughtful and sequential progression of movement.

For their next engagement, held Wednesday, January 31, the Ailey team welcomed university dance students from Alabama State University, Auburn University, Troy University and the University of Alabama to the Gogue Center for an advanced dance master class on the Marentes Stage. High school students from Booker T. Washington Magnet High School for the Performing and Visual Arts in Montgomery and Rainey-McCullers School of the Arts in Columbus also participated.

Throughout their residency, the team also worked with sixth graders at J.F. Drake Middle School in a series of dance classes. Students also had the opportunity to sharpen their creative storytelling skills by writing colorful cinquains, or quintets, and to choreograph dances of their own through a unique Revelations-inspired mirroring exercise. The week closed with the students presenting Alvin Ailey history and choreography, including movements from Revelations, in a school-wide assembly on Friday, February 2.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater will return to the Woltosz Theatre for two evening performances—Tuesday, February 20 and Wednesday, February 21—and a K–12 School Performance Series show on Wednesday morning.

To learn more about each evening’s repertoire, click here.

Tickets for both Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater performances can be purchased online at goguecentertickets.auburn.edu, by telephone at 334.844.TIXS (8497), or in-person at the Gogue Center box office, located at 910 South College Street in Auburn, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

John and Rosemary Brown honored by international performance arts organization for transformative gift

Tuesday, February 6

John W. and Rosemary Kopel Brown received the inaugural Arts Champion Award from the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) for their landmark gift that helped establish the Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University.

The Browns—both 1957 graduates and longtime supporters of the university—committed $25 million in 2015 toward what would become the Gogue Center, along with additional monies committed to a student achievement center in the Samuel Ginn College of Engineering and an endowed chair in the College of Sciences and Mathematics.

The Arts Champion Award recognizes the impact non-performers—including service organization leaders, board members, and philanthropists—can have on the performing arts.

The Browns’ philanthropic support helped bolster gifts from other private donors and corporate partners and elevated the Gogue Center, which opened for its first season in August 2019.

“John and Rosemary’s unwavering commitment, leadership and philanthropic support have not only sustained our organization but have also paved the way for our continued growth,” said Christopher Heacox, Gogue Center executive director. “Their impact extends far beyond our walls, allowing us to bring exemplary performers and vibrant voices to Auburn for the education, engagement and inspiration of our community.”

The APAP Honors celebrates and recognizes trailblazers and visionaries of the performing arts field. For more than six decades, the coveted awards have been presented annually as part of the APAP Awards Ceremony traditionally held at the organization’s annual conference in New York.

The couple was honored on Monday, January 15 during the APAP annual conference. Their granddaughter Natalie Maroun Sherlag ’17 and her husband Anthony Sherlag, along with Heacox, accepted the award on the Browns’ behalf.

After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering, John Brown’s career spanned manufacturing and defense before a pivotal role at Squibb. In 1976, he became president of Stryker Corp., orchestrating its successful public offering in 1979 and overseeing surging annual sales from 1976 until he retired as chairman in 2009.

Rosemary Brown, an Auburn alumna in chemistry and a passionate educator, taught mathematics for more than 30 years and earned numerous Excellence in Education Awards for her commitment.

When announcing their landmark gift, the Browns noted that Auburn was a transformative educational experience in their lives, and because of that, they wanted to make an impact not only for Auburn students, but also the entire Auburn community.

To learn more about the Association of Performing Arts Professionals (APAP) and APAP Honors, click here.

Gogue Center’s Paige Faulkner named Diplomat of the Year by Auburn Chamber

Tuesday, February 6

The Gogue Center’s very own advancement programs administrator, Paige Faulkner, has been awarded Diplomat of the Year by the Auburn Chamber of Commerce.

At the Auburn Chamber’s 2024 Annual Meeting, held Thursday, February 1 in the Woltosz Theatre, Faulkner was recognized out of a core group of more than three dozen diplomats for excellence in her duties.

Diplomat duties include welcoming new members at ribbon cuttings, acting as hosts at events and programs, staying in contact with chamber members, and performing behind-the-scenes work to make events run smoothly.

Everyone at the Gogue Center would like to congratulate Faulkner on her award, her dedicated service to the community, and the stellar job she does every day for the Gogue Center’s advancement team. Congratulations, Paige—and War Eagle!

— Photo courtesy of the Auburn Chamber.

Broadway 101 explores “To Kill a Mockingbird,” Monday, February 12

Tuesday, February 6

Broadway 101, the Gogue Center’s free conversation series, returns for its third installment with a thought-provoking discussion on the history and influences of Aaron Sorkin’s Tony Award-winning adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, Monday, February 12, 5:30–7 p.m.

Hosted in collaboration with the Auburn University Department of Theatre and Dance, Broadway 101 invites patrons for an evening of tasty treats, Broadway lore and behind-the-scenes tidbits as they join Chase Bringardner, associate provost for academic affairs and professor of theatre, who explores the unique history of the Great White Way and how it relates to the performances featured in the Gogue Center’s 2023–24 Broadway Series.

All Broadway 101 conversations are FREE and open to the public; space is limited and registration is required. Attendees may park in the Gogue Center’s Woodfield Drive parking lot. Lobby doors will open 30 minutes prior to each scheduled event.

For additional event information and to register, contact Michelle Hamff at mmhamff@auburn.edu.

Upcoming Broadway 101 Series Conversations:

Come From Away
Thursday, June 13, 5:30–7 p.m.

Vienna Boys Choir performing at Gogue Center, Saturday, February 17

Tuesday, February 6

Adored the world over for their angelic voices and inventive choral arrangements, the Vienna Boys Choir arrives in Auburn on Saturday, February 17 at 7:30 p.m for a concert in the Woltosz Theatre.

The history of the Vienna Boys Choir stretches back across six centuries, and its singing tradition has been listed by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage in Austria.

The modern-day version, led by president and artistic director Gerald Wirth, is divided into four choirs that altogether present nearly 300 concerts each year, attended by almost half a million spectators across the globe.

For its Gogue Center performance, the Vienna Boys Choir and conductor Jimmy Chiang will present a program featuring classical works by Mozart, Strauss and Verdi as well as contemporary favorites by Irving Berlin, Ennio Morricone and Marc Shaiman.

Patrons should note the performance time, originally scheduled for 7 p.m., has been rescheduled for one half hour later at 7:30 p.m. All tickets issued for the original start time will be honored for the rescheduled engagement.

Tickets for the Vienna Boys Choir’s performance can be purchased online at goguecentertickets.auburn.edu, by telephone at 334.844.TIXS (8497) or in-person at the Gogue Center box office, located at 910 South College Street in Auburn, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Americana artists Drew & Ellie Holcomb visiting Woltosz Theatre for Feels Like Home Tour, Tuesday, February 27

Tuesday, February 6

The Gogue Center is welcoming Drew and Ellie Holcomb back to Auburn—Tuesday, February 27 at 7 p.m.—as part of the couple’s upcoming Feels Like Home Tour.

This special season add-on performance is the Holcombs’ second engagement at the Gogue Center, having previously performed at the Woltosz Theatre in February 2020 during their You and Me Tour.

In addition to the 7 p.m. performance, tickets for VIP pre- and post-show experiences are also available.

VIP pre-show package include access to purchase priority seating, a 20-minute intimate kitchen covers performance before the main show, one autographed tour poster, and early theatre entry.

VIP post-show package include backstage access for a “band hang” following the show and food and drinks from the band’s hospitality rider.

VIP pre- and post-show packages do not include admission to the performance. Performance ticket must be purchased separately and are required for admission.

Tickets for the Holcombs’ performance and VIP pre- and post-show experiences can be purchased online at goguecentertickets.auburn.edu, by telephone at 334.844.TIXS (8497) or in-person at the Gogue Center box office, located at 910 South College Street in Auburn, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Comedy legend Brian Regan leaps onto Marentes Stage, Thursday, February 29

Tuesday, February 6

Brian Regan, one of the most respected and beloved names in the comedy business, is heading to the Woltosz Theatre for an evening of hilarious stand-up—Thursday, February 29 at 7 p.m.

Regan has built his 30-plus year career on the strength of his material alone, touring non-stop to some of the most famous venues across North America, from the Kennedy Center to Carnegie Hall, visiting nearly 100 cities each year.

Some of Regan’s most recent career highlights include Brian Regan: Live from Radio City Music Hall (2015)—the first live broadcast of a stand-up special in Comedy Central’s history—and the Netflix specials Nunchucks and Flamethrowers (2017) and On the Rocks (2021). He stars in his own Netflix series, Stand Up and Away!, and has been a guest on two episodes of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee.

Tickets for Regan’s performance can be purchased online at goguecentertickets.auburn.edu, by telephone at 334.844.TIXS (8497) or in-person at the Gogue Center box office, located at 910 South College Street in Auburn, Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Our Mission

The Jay and Susie Gogue Performing Arts Center at Auburn University engages audiences across the university, the state of Alabama and beyond with curated arts experiences that inspire, enlighten and unite.