A Look Into Northrop’s Dazzling 2024-25 Season

When programming the Season, Director of Artistic & Community Programs Kristen Brogdon said, “We’re really focused on connectedness and joy.” Brogdon notes joy doesn’t necessarily mean every piece is entertaining and happy, but that audience members will get “that feeling that comes from being a part of something that is greater than yourself, or greater than the collection of people who are onstage.” From Northrop fan-favorites like the VocalEssence: Welcome Christmas concert to world premieres like Ragamala Dance Company’s Children of Dharma, audiences are sure to “come out with a sense of greater connection…and a sense of being inspired by what they see onstage.”

Greet Northrop’s newest musical addition, organist Greg Zelek, at his inaugural concert during the Northrop Open House on Sep 12. “He’s going to create so much excitement around the pipe organ, and you don’t always hear those words together in one sentence,” says Brogdon as she describes her anticipation for Zelek to grace the Northrop stage. As the Madison Symphony Orchestra Organist, Zelek has played the Overture Center’s Concert Organ—believed to be the largest, moveable object in any theater in the world. He will now add Northrop’s historic Aeolian-Skinner Opus 892 to the ever-growing list of organs he has played around the world.

Having produced over 125 new dance pieces, six Hollywood films, and choreographed four Broadway musicals, Twyla Tharp is a legend in the world of dance. To add to her already extensive choreographic resume, Tharp will introduce a new work at Northrop for the Twyla Tharp Dance Diamond Jubilee Featuring Third Coast Percussion on Jan 26. Don’t miss your chance to witness this exciting premiere when Northrop is the first stop on the company’s 60th anniversary tour!

Ballet is foundational to the development of Northrop’s season line-ups. Brogdon remarks how it is “really meaningful to subscribers” and something that many devoted Northrop patrons look forward to attending throughout the year. This season, Northrop will present three ballet companies comprising half of its dance series’ events—Dance Theatre of Harlem, BalletMet, and American Ballet Theatre. It really is a small (dance) world after all, as a multitude of dance companies from around the country have performed on the Northrop stage and also collaborated with one another. For a change of pace and intimate setting, Shamel Pitts | TRIBE, Touch of RED brings a bold, contemporary dance work that invites the audience onstage, surrounding the pair of dancers performing in a stylized “boxing” ring.

Continuing a Northrop tradition, two extraordinary organists will be paired with the screening of two iconic silent films; The Cameraman, accompanied by maestro of the Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, Aaron David Miller; and The Passion of Joan of Arc, accompanied by classical music rising star Dr. Filip Presseisen. Audiences will witness the magic as Miller and Presseisen improvise the scores in real time, ensuring a unique and captivating viewing experience true to that of the early 20th century theater experience.

Not only will VocalEssence help Northrop audiences ring in the holiday season at the joyous VocalEssence: Welcome Christmas performances, their WITNESS: Eyes Still on the Prize concert will inspire audiences to continue the mission the Civil Rights Movement set ablaze. WITNESS concerts started more than 30 years ago, when “the idea was to bring the music of black and African diaspora composers to the concert stage,” said G. Phillip Shoultz III to the Star Tribune in 2020. The WITNESS concert and school program is still going strong, sharing stories and songs to inspire a more equitable future.

The Liquid Music | Northrop Series collaboration continues to engage audiences in new, inspiring works. One patron called the previous Perfume Genius & Kate Wallich Open Rehearsal “one of the most inspiring artistic events I've been to in some time—actually, ever!”

“I have come to trust that a Liquid Music performance is going to be fascinating and often wonderful. This one did not disappoint,” remarked another patron after the Sarah Davachi, solo organ concert.

The next two events in the series, Kit Downes: Southern Bodies With Bill Frisell and Musicians of The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra and Sun Dogs: Filmmaker and Composer Pairings With Alarm Will Sound, will continue to provide genre-defying, dynamic music experiences.

The 2024-25 Season holds delights for all to discover. From September through April, we have performances to fill your calendar with plans, your heart with joy, and your social life with connections.