Some artists document their lives through their music, while others chronicle their times. It’s a rare artist who can do both, telling their own story through songs that also encapsulate the essence of people and places who have helped define their era overall.

In 1859, Dion Boucicault wrote a hit melodrama about the fate of an Octoroon woman in the antebellum south. Today, BJJ (a young black playwright) can’t get the story out of his head and writes his own version. But when the actors in his adaptation quit, BJJ takes on the role of the racist plantation overseer himself.

Rev. Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley is the executive secretary-treasurer for Lott Carey, a global Christian missional community founded in 1897, which helps churches to extend the Christian witness throughout the world.

Sun., July 8 at 10:45am | Mon., July 9 – Fri., July 13 at 9:15am

Founder and CEO, Playworks

Jill Vialet founded Playworks in 1996, in two schools in Berkeley, California. Since then, Playworks has become the leading national nonprofit...

Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl became Rabbi Emeritus of Temple Beth‑El, in San Antonio, Texas, in 2002, where for 26 years he had served as the Temple’s Senior Rabbi. Rabbi Zalman Vilenkin studied in Israel for 5 years and later at the Talmudical Seminary of Brooklyn, NY.

Widely considered to be one of the greatest clarinetists on the planet, David Krakauer has emerged during the last decade as an electrifying symphonic soloist who brings his singular sound and powerful approach to the concert stage.

Timothy Muffit, music director and conductor

Rev. Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley is the executive secretary-treasurer for Lott Carey, a global Christian missional community founded in 1897, which helps churches to extend the Christian witness throughout the world.

Sun., July 8 at 10:45am | Mon., July 9 – Fri., July 13 at 9:15am

Author, Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World

Steven Johnson is an innovator and author whose most recent book, Wonderland: How Play Made the Modern World, revolves around the creative power of play: ideas and innovations that set into motion the many momentous changes in science, technology, politics...

Hussein Rashid, PhD, is an adjunct faculty member in Barnard College’s Department of Religion. He teaches courses on Islam, and religion and popular culture.

Shows at 5 & 7 p.m. | The Hero In You is Ellis Paul’s 17^th album, which has inspired a book published by the Albert Whitman & Company, a prestigious publisher of children’s books. Inspired by the educational music in “Schoolhouse Rock!,” Ellis recorded The Hero In You to educate the children on...

Shows at 5 & 7 p.m. | The Hero In You is Ellis Paul’s 17^th album, which has inspired a book published by the Albert Whitman & Company, a prestigious publisher of children’s books. Inspired by the educational music in “Schoolhouse Rock!,” Ellis recorded The Hero In You to educate the children on...

Lisa Corinne Davis, Faculty, Hunter College, CUNY

Into the Music Series No. 1: Rossen Milanov, conductor | David Krakauer, clarinet

Repertoire: Johann Strauss II: Csárdás from Ritter Pázmán; Osvaldo Golijov: K'vakarat; Arr. Krakauer: Der Gasn Nign; Arr. Krakauer: Synagogue Wail; Arr. Krakauer: Der Heyser Bulgar; Franz Liszt/Arr. Müller-Berghaus: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2, S. 244/2

Get to know the Chautauqua Opera Young Artists better as they present a curated concert of diverse selections in a laid-back setting.

Charlotte Ballet presents a selection of bespoke commissions highlighting the unique versatility of the company. In her first season as artistic director, Hope Muir has engaged many new choreographers to create works for Charlotte Ballet. With a wide range of backgrounds and experiences, these new choreographic voices will inspire, delight and amaze.

Rev. Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley is the executive secretary-treasurer for Lott Carey, a global Christian missional community founded in 1897, which helps churches to extend the Christian witness throughout the world.

Sun., July 8 at 10:45am | Mon., July 9 – Fri., July 13 at 9:15am

Research professor of psychology, Boston College

Peter Gray is a research professor of psychology at Boston College, where his fields include children’s play; self-directed learning; evolutionary psychology, developmental psychology...

Vasudha Narayanan is Distinguished Professor in the Department of Religion at the University of Florida and a past President of the American Academy of Religion (2001-2002). She was educated at the Universities of Madras and Bombay in India, and at Harvard University.

Rev. Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley is the executive secretary-treasurer for Lott Carey, a global Christian missional community founded in 1897, which helps churches to extend the Christian witness throughout the world.

Sun., July 8 at 10:45am | Mon., July 9 – Fri., July 13 at 9:15am