University of Florida Performing Arts

THIS WEEKEND ⤵

UFPA's Driveway Theatre Project Presents
An Evening with Frederick Douglass and Captain John Brown
Adapted from William Branch’s “In Splendid Error”
Directed by: Carol Velasques
PG | 30 minutes followed by talkback

Director Carol Velasques has put together a searing dramatic history lesson to reveal the complex friendship, struggle, and heroism of two comrades in the fight to free the slaves, called it simply An Evening with Two Abolitionists, and coupled with a talk-back to engage the audience in a discussion of issues that simply could not be more pressing – Race and Freedom

🎟️Free to attend
📅 Saturday, June 13 at 11 am
🔗 Learn more about DTP → performingarts.ufl.edu/dtp

Good news for arts lovers: your hobby might be helping your health! According to NPR’s report, researchers at the University College of London found that engaging with the arts was linked to about a 4% slower rate of biological aging.

Interestingly, both “doers” and “viewers” benefit: actively singing or painting counts, but so does attending a concert or play. These findings are a great reminder that joy, curiosity, and culture can be part of a healthy routine.

Read the full article: bit.ly/3PWOto3

Ever wonder what happens inside a musician's brain while they're performing? 🧠🎵

In a recent study, scientists watched a pianist's brain activity as he performed. They discovered something amazing: different composers create completely different brain patterns. Debussy created gentle, flowing activity, Bach showed complex coordination across brain areas, and Beethoven produced dramatic bursts.

Even more interesting, music by the composer Scriabin (known for connecting sounds with colors), caused the vision part of the brain to light up.

The next time you're at a UFPA performance, you'll know there's an incredible symphony happening not just on stage, but inside the artist's mind.

Read the full NYT article:

What Happens in a Performer’s Brain While Playing Music? (Gift Article) The pianist Nicolas Namoradze teamed with neuroscientists for a breakthrough in experiment design.

This season, we welcomed 12 remarkable artists to UpStage!

UpStage was built for close listening and real connection. To everyone who joined us at an UpStage show this season, thank you! We appreciate you spending your evenings with us, helping us celebrate these rising stars and making this room feel like a community.

All hands on deck! Join UFPA's Driveway Theatre Project this week for a presentation of Treasure Island.

The legendary classic of the high seas, performed as a radio play, transforms Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic adventure into a vivid, sound-driven experience. Listeners follow Jim’s journey from the Admiral Benbow Inn to the high seas aboard the Hispaniola, encountering unforgettable characters like the cunning Long John Silver. The radio format heightens suspense and imagination, using music and atmospheric audio to capture the mystery, danger, and excitement of piracy and adventure on the open sea.

🎟️Free to attend
📅 Wednesday, May 13 at 7 pm
🔗 Learn more about DTP → performingarts.ufl.edu/dtp

Caps off to University of Florida's 2026 graduates! Our stage has been full of so much joy and accomplishment lately. Congrats, Gators! 🐊🎓

📸: Charles Poulton/Brianne Lehan/Jesse Jones

What a season it's been! 👏

Our 25|26 Season has officially come to an end. This was an absolutely amazing year, and we'd like to thank the artists, production crew, donors, and audience members who helped make this season special.

Hungry for more? Don't worry, you won't have to wait too long for news about what's coming up next at UFPA. Stay tuned to our socials over the summer to stay in the loop!