Arts & Humanities   

Rob Reiner was one of the most beloved entertainers of the last fifty years. His films The Princess Bride and When Harry Met Sally represent cinema Hollywood just doesn’t make any more for the big screen: small character dramas that explore our capacity for kindness and growth as humans in the most outrageous or most ordinary of situations. We will look at the comedic timing, gentleness, and genre-bending nature of these two films to help us understand why Reiner’s work remain eminently watchable and memorable.

Join us, along with Dr. Rosemarie Dombrowski and Dr. Susie Bendix for this two-session interactive course, we'll explore the connections between physical movement and generative writing, as well as the healing power of both. We'll also use movement as a portal to deeper self-discovery and expression, generating poetry (and/or short narrative) in the process.

This class explores Hamnet - Maggie O’Farrell’s historical novel and its recent Oscar-nominated film - alongside Shakespeare’s life and his most enduring work, Hamlet. How did the death of Shakespeare’s son Hamnet influence his writing of Hamlet? We will compare short scenes from the film, excerpts from the novel, and passages from the play to investigate how this personal loss resonates throughout Hamlet, offering profound reflections on grief, memory, and the transformative power of art.

Step back in time and discover the hidden musical gems of classic cartoons in this exciting course. While many of us grew up enjoying the music of Disney movies, there's a whole world of iconic songs and soundtracks that came out of Fleischer Studios and Looney Tunes productions that are just as noteworthy. Join us for an exploration of the music and songs of beloved cartoon characters like Betty Boop, Popeye, Olive Oil, Bugs Bunny, and Daffy Duck. You'll be surprised by the adult themes and sophisticated musical arrangements that accompany these timeless characters and stories.

Join Arizona Broadway Theater’s Director of Education, Stephen Hohendorf, for a lecture class exploring the magic behind "Cats," one of the most iconic musicals in theatre history. Based on the whimsical poetry of T. S. Eliot, "Cats" transports audiences into the mysterious world of the Jellicle cats during the night of the Jellicle Ball, where each cat shares their story through dynamic dance, acrobatics, and unforgettable music while hoping to be chosen for a journey to the Heaviside Layer and a new life. In this engaging session, participants will learn about the history and lore of the show, explore ABT’s unique makeup design process, and even create their own original cat character makeup. Featuring Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary score—including the beloved song “Memory”—this class offers a behind-the-scenes look at the theatrical artistry that has captivated audiences worldwide for decades. This class includes the matinee showing of "Cats" and lunch on Sunday, June 28. *Excludes meal upgrades, alcoholic beverages, and dessert.

Organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and the Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection, Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan celebrates the originality and virtuosity of 36 women artists who have explored sculptural expression outside the traditionally male-dominated field of Japanese studio ceramics. The exhibition’s 40 avant-garde works featuring motifs of flora, geology, human anatomy, and fantastical abstract forms illuminate the technical achievements and creativity of leading women ceramicists from post-World War II Japan. Led by Phoenix Art Museum Docents, join us as we explore these themes and more through a lecture-style presentation and in-gallery exploration.

Note: Classes 023 & 024 are the same class.

Organized by the Art Institute of Chicago and the Carol and Jeffrey Horvitz Collection, Radical Clay: Contemporary Women Artists from Japan celebrates the originality and virtuosity of 36 women artists who have explored sculptural expression outside the traditionally male-dominated field of Japanese studio ceramics. The exhibition’s 40 avant-garde works featuring motifs of flora, geology, human anatomy, and fantastical abstract forms illuminate the technical achievements and creativity of leading women ceramicists from post-World War II Japan. Led by Phoenix Art Museum Docents, join us as we explore these themes and more through a lecture-style presentation and in-gallery exploration.

Note: Classes 023 & 024 are the same class.

What makes an Oriental rug so captivating—its elegant design, intricate patterns, or the mystery of its origins? In this richly illustrated course, we will discover the stories woven into these remarkable textiles. We will travel through the history and artistry of rug and carpet weaving, a tradition rooted in Asia and North Africa, with examples dating back to the 4th century BCE. Using stunning visuals and expert insights, we will explore major carpet-making cultures and regions including Anatolia, Iran, Transcaucasia, North Africa, and Central Asia. We will learn to recognize defining features of Oriental rugs: weaving traditions (nomadic and settled), key historical periods (from the Early Modern era through the nineteenth-century), purposes (from prayer to decoration), and production contexts (from royal courts to bustling markets). We will also be introduced to basic methods for identifying weave structures and deepen our appreciation of these remarkable works of art.

In this course, we will trace the evolution of literature specifically written for children - from its earliest forms to the modern era. We will begin with the oral traditions that underpin all storytelling, then follow the shift toward published works created specifically with young readers in mind. We will survey key moments and turning points that shaped the growth of children’s literature as a distinct field. We will conclude by analyzing how a well-known children’s literature has evolved over time.

Often overlooked in traditional design and architecture courses, twentieth century women designers profoundly shaped the way we perceive, experience, and enjoy our built environments, interiors, and decorative objects. In this course, we will explore the work and influence of such designers and architects as Elsie de Wolfe, Eileen Gray, Lilly Reich, Charlotte Perriand, Dorothy Draper, Ray Eames, Zaha Hadid, and others. Their lives and the beauty of their enduring designs are documented within the context of the social and political issues they faced, as they left their unmistakable imprints upon twentieth century design.

In this course, we will gain a comprehensive introduction to Hindu traditions, emphasizing the importance of ritual, knowledge, and devotion across Hindu traditions from classical to contemporary times. We will introduce Hinduism’s South Asian roots, that can be traced to the Vedic tradition, which provides key conceptual and religious foundations. We will consider early and classical expressions of Hindu thought and religious life through the complex term dharma. Major Hindu deities are then introduced alongside associated narratives, practices, and iconography. We will examine the six major schools of Hindu philosophy using both secondary and primary sources. We will then consideration bhakti (devotion) that has characterized diverse Hindu traditions across centuries. Finally, we will  consider sacred space and places including temples and tīrthas, as well as the interrelationship of the concept of divine presence and pilgrimage practices the relate to these holy sites.

Musicals have been a major part of American theater, from the Tin Pan Alley-driven comedies of the early twentieth century to the integrated musicals that flourished in the heyday years of midcentury America. In this course, we will explore book musicals, concept musicals, and the arrival of European mega-productions late in the century. We will profile some of the theater world's leading composers, lyricists, writers, choreographers, directors, and performers. With the help of audiovisuals, we will study many of the most unforgettable shows including Oklahoma!, My Fair Lady, Show Boat, Guys and Dolls, Hair, Cabaret, Rent, Wicked, Hamilton, and more.