News by Topic: Performing Arts

Making at RIT has hit a new level now that several makerspaces in the Student Hall for Exploration and Development (SHED) have opened to provide students access to equipment and support for classwork, club advancement, and personal projects.

RIT President David Munson will retire in 2025 after leading the university for eight years and capping an illustrious 40-plus-year career in higher education. His last day will be June 30, 2025.

The Rochester Beacon highlights the upcoming exhibits at RIT's Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival.

A highlight of this year’s Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival takes place one day before thousands of visitors descend on campus. The annual Futurists Symposium, featuring a unique collection of the university’s alumni and faculty innovators, will be held at 4 p.m. on Friday, April 26, in the Wegmans Theater, MAGIC Spell Studios.

The SHED, touted as the new heartbeat of campus, makes its Imagine RIT debut this year. This multi-use facility embodies RIT's blend of technology, the arts, and design, offering a vibrant hub for creativity, interdisciplinary learning, and innovative performances year-round.

RIT's second annual Unlabeled Music Festival, part of SpringFest 2024, will showcase over 40 student acts across four stages in the innovative SHED building on April 20. From rock bands to a cappella and electronic music, the festival highlights the growing interest and talent in performing arts at RIT.

The RIT Singers will join members of the local singing group Madrigalia to present a concert dedicated to protecting and sustaining the Earth, and revitalizing nature. Formed in 1975, the chamber choir has collaborated with local and international audiences as well as premiering new works.

Detecting deepfakes, a device to help grocery stores like Wegmans inspect strawberries and reduce waste, and even the economic impact of Taylor Swift are just a few of the nearly 400 exhibits at this year’s Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival.

Finals week is approaching and, in addition to studying, a club of students, nearly 150 strong, gather to perform “Snake Eater” from the video game Metal Gear Solid 3, the title theme from Octopath Traveler, and “The Battle at the Summit” from Pokémon Sun and Moon.

Audience members attending The Machine won’t just watch a show, they’ll be part of it. The play will give guests a mirror mask to wear and explore spaces and events among the actors in any way they choose.

The annual Imagine RIT: Creativity and Innovation Festival is a huge, campus-wide community event that showcases the artistic and inventive spirit of Rochester Institute of Technology students, faculty, and staff.