FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Jesters of the University of Saint Francis will present their annual spring performances at 6 p.m. March 9 and 3 p.m. March 10 at the USF North Campus auditorium, 2702 Spring Street.
The Jesters is a performing arts group of people with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DD), ages 8 through senior citizens.
This year’s show, Here and Now, will be performed by a cast of 70+ people with I/DD. Performers will use music, dance, theatre, improvisation, visual art, storytelling and animation to celebrate the Jesters’ 40th anniversary year.
Tickets are $10 and are available by calling the USF School of Creative Arts (SOCA) at 260-399-7700, ext. 8001.
The Greek folk tale of King Midas and the Golden Touch will create a framework to explore the importance of recognizing and appreciating our many blessings. Throughout the show, the cast of characters will be challenged to embrace the virtues of compassion, forgiveness, gratitude and mindfulness so they can fully embody the present moment, Here and Now. The show includes studies and references to the work of Michelangelo and the Sistine Chapel.
The Jesters program and this year’s performance is made possible by the support of the AWS Foundation, ME Raker Foundation, the Indiana Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
Sponsored by the University of Saint Francis since 1978, the Jesters is a performing group of people with mild to severe intellectual/developmental disabilities.
The purpose of the Jesters is to enhance quality of life for people with disabilities by engaging them in the creative arts. The vision is to develop self-expression, self-esteem, socialization and other life skills while providing learning opportunities to the USF community and the community at large.
For more information, contact the USF School of Creative Arts (SOCA) at 260-399-7700, ext. 8001.
Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 70 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the School of Health Sciences, School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, Keith Busse School of Business and Entrepreneurial Leadership and School of Creative Arts. In addition to its traditional programs, USF designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point and online. In 2016, the University of Saint Francis expanded its presence to downtown Fort Wayne. USF Downtown houses the university’s business and music technology programs while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis campus experience includes 16 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships, and is recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution. Approximately 2,300 students from a broad geographic region attend USF.