The Department of Visual & Dramatic Arts at Rice University is proud to present an inspired night of live music, sound, lighting and visual performance free to the public. Synesthesia, the first production of the 2008-2009 Rice Theatre Program season, is a fusion of light and sound directed and designed by Matthew Schlief, featuring original music compositions performed by Two-Star Symphony Houston’s most unusual string ensemble will be performed August 14, 15, and 16 at 8:00 in Hamman Hall at Rice University. Admission is free. First come seating begins each evening at 7:30 pm. The production designed and directed by Matthew Schlief, is a uniquely created visual and audio performance of aesthetically merged sound and light. The original music by Two-Star Symphony will include two never before heard compositions inspired by visual imagery provided by designer Matthew Schlief. The production will also feature Genevieve Durham, Assistant Professor of Dance at Texas Tech University, who will perform her original choreography accompanying one of the pieces new music compositions. Two Star Symphony is Jerry Ochoa (violin), Debra Brown (violin), Jo Bird (viola/toy piano), and Margaret Lejeune (cello/harp). The extended Orchestra includes (Chris Bakos (bass), Cathy Power (marimba/percussion), Kirk Suddreath (percussion) and John Duboise (clarinet). Each member’s unique background brings together an eclectic variety of music styles, including gypsy, rock, hip-hop, metal, classical and electronic. Their hunger to experiment has captured the imaginations of the young and old, despite whatever previously held notions they may have had about classical music. Matthew Schlief is the Production Manager and Scenic & Lighting Design faculty for the Rice Theatre Program. Before his return to Houston in 2004, Matt was an Assistant Professor of Communications and served as the Scenic, Lighting, and Sound Designer at Augusta State University in Augusta, GA. He received his BFA in Theatre from Southwestern University in Georgetown, and his MFA in Scenic and Lighting Design from the University of Houston. Matt's design credits include: All in the Timing, Dreamgirls, Forever Plaid, West Side Story, Urban Cowboy, True West, Thoroughly Modern Millie, Aida, Full Monty, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Hecuba, No Exit, Cats, Odd Couple, Evita, Beauty & the Beast, Cinderella, Nutcracker, Dr. Faustus, Harvey, Geurnica, The Music Man, Arcadia, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Oklahoma, Guys and Dolls, The Robber Bridegroom, Pump Boys and Dinettes, Chorus Line, Funny Girl, Ramona Quimby, Hello Dolly, Sweet Charity, Box Office of the Damned Part II, Top Girls, Chi, Steel Magnolias, Reckless, and various other performances and events. His most recent project (besides Synesthesia) was the lighting design for West Virginia Public Theatre’s Summer Season where he designed Dreamgirls, Forever Plaid, West Side Story, & Urban Cowboy. Genevieve Durham DeCesaro is a Texas-based choreographer, teacher, and performer. Her choreography has been commissioned by Spelman College, Stephen F. Austin State University, Tarrant County College, Texas Woman’s University, Atlanta’s Poetics Dance Company, and Oklahoma City’s Perpetual Motion. Genevieve has performed professionally at numerous regional and national venues, including The Beam Theatre in Atlanta, The Continental Club in Austin, and The Bathhouse in Dallas. Her dance works have recently been featured at the Modern Atlanta Dance Festival and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. Genevieve holds a BFA in Theatre from Southwestern University in Georgetown, and an MA and MFA in Dance from Texas Woman’s University. She is currently the Head of Dance in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, where she was selected by the Student Government Association as the recipient of the 2008 Outstanding Professor Award, and where she received the 2005 Alumni Association’s New Faculty Award. Genevieve is an elected representative to the National Board of the American College Dance Festival, sits on the Advisory Board of Ballet Lubbock, and is a former Panel Chair for the Texas Commission on the Arts. She and her family reside in Lubbock. This production features new technologies in lighting and is co-sponsored by Stagelight Inc. Equipment for the event is being generously provided by Rosco Laboratories Inc., VARI*LITE, Clay Paky, and Selador. Admission: Free. First come seating will begin at 7:30 pm Location and Parking: Please note that parking for the event is not free. Hamman Hall is located on the campus of Rice University at entrance 20 & 21 off of Rice Blvd. The most convenient parking lot for Hamman Hall is the North located at entrance 20 or 21 off Rice Blvd. Entrance to the North Parking lot is by credit card only and the cost usually averages $7.00. Additional parking information is available at http://www.rice.edu/maps/ or by phone at 713-348-5223 or 5996