There’s still a seat waiting for you inside beautiful Tucker Theatre this Saturday night, Feb. 25, when Middle Tennessee State University celebrates the 11th anniversary season of its “MTSU Arts” brand with an evening showcase of the finest of its fine arts programs.

Beginning at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 25 in the core of MTSU’s Boutwell Dramatic Arts Auditorium at 615 Champion Way, the MTSU Arts Celebration Concert will feature performances by the talented art, dance, music and theater students and faculty of the university’s College of Liberal Arts, hosted by Broadway star Laura Osnes.

Tickets for the one-night-only event are $20 per person general admission and are available at https://tinyurl.com/MTSUArtsCelebration.

MTSU students can attend free by presenting a current university ID at the Tucker Theatre box office. MTSU Arts Patrons Society members can receive complimentary tickets by RSVPing to jennifer.rice@mtsu.edu.

Tucker Theatre is fully accessible for people with disabilities, including those with hearing, vision or mobility impairments.

“We are thrilled to offer this inaugural event to showcase the artistic talents of our students and faculty,” said liberal arts Dean Leah Tolbert Lyons. “The variety of the performances and the quality entertainment they offer will surely impress the audience. We are so proud of our students, faculty and staff for the hard work and dedication they have demonstrated in preparing for this MTSU Arts Celebration Concert.

“Saturday’s production demonstrates what is possible when our gifted faculty and staff mentor talented and dedicated students. We hope you can join us for this special celebration of our MTSU arts students and faculty.”

When the curtain rises Saturday, audience members will be treated to performances from:

• MTSU Dance Program students presenting a specially choreographed piece by MTSU alumnus and dance lecturer Aaron Allen Jr.

• MTSU Theatre students previewing their upcoming classic musical “Cabaret,” planned April 6-8, plus a presentation by associate professor Kristi Shamburger’s musical theatre students.

• A creative writing reading by senior English and journalism dual major Ashley Barrientos of Smyrna, Tennessee.

• Several MTSU School of Music ensembles, including the MTSU Chamber Orchestra, led by professor Andrea Dawson; the MTSU Singers, directed by professor Cedric Dent; the Schola Cantorum, conducted by professor Raphael Bundage; members of the MTSU Opera, led by assistant professor Will Perkins; and the MTSU Steel Drum Ensemble, conducted by lecturer Brian Mueller.

Osnes, a two-time Tony Award nominee for her star turns in the “Bonnie & Clyde” and “Cinderella” musicals, has also appeared in FX’s “Fosse/Verdon” and ABC’s “Elementary” and sung on stages from Carnegie Hall to the Kennedy Center.

Along with her hosting duties, Osnes, who is currently based in Nashville, will be performing alongside the students.

“We are pleased to welcome an industry veteran like Laura Osnes to join us as host for the MTSU Arts Celebration Concert,” Lyons noted. “Her reputation on Broadway precedes her, and in addition to serving as host for the concert, she will offer a master class for our students during the afternoon.

“It is gratifying to provide this opportunity for our students, since so many of them aspire to her level of acclaim and achievement.”

The evening also will include the induction of founding MTSU Arts Patron Society member Andy Womack of Murfreesboro into the MTSU Arts Hall of Fame, plus the announcement of four 2023 Ascend Federal Credit Union MTSU Arts Scholarships — one from each of the university’s fine arts areas: art, dance, music and theater.

MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts established “MTSU Arts” in 2011 to provide a singular brand to deliver hundreds of fine arts offerings, including performances, exhibitions and concerts, to Middle Tennessee each year.

The Patrons Society gives MTSU’s fine arts supporters special opportunities to enjoy the university’s arts presentations via private access and exclusive events. The patrons’ financial and personal support, in turn, gives MTSU fine arts students special educational opportunities, including scholarships, to enhance their learning while at the university.

For more information about the show and about MTSU Arts, visit www.mtsu.edu/mtsuarts. Details about the Patrons Society are available at www.mtsu.edu/mtsuarts/patronssociety.php.

To learn more about MTSU’s College of Liberal Arts and its programs, visit www.mtsu.edu/liberalarts.

— Gina E. Fann (gina.fann@mtsu.edu)