Extravaganza 2024: Alchemy
February 24, 2024
For over 30 years, Douglas Anderson’s (DA) annual Extravaganza has been a testament to the seemingly magical process of transformation, creation, and combination, known as alchemy. This year, our theme will showcase the best of what our talented Douglas Anderson students have to offer, spanning a wide range of music, writing, film, dance, theatre, and visual art.
This is the second year our school has focused on a theme for Extravaganza. “We wanted a way to elevate Extravaganza from a variety show to an experience that tells a story,” explains Natalie Hyder, the arts director and producer for Extravaganza. Alchemy tells the story of the process of transformation when unexpected elements are combined and the beauty that results from its creation. “This is how we want the audience to experience Extravaganza. We don’t want it to feel like the same old variety show year after year.”
The audience can expect to see the usual highlights of our various arts areas with professional performances from our talented students. In addition, the audience will also experience the unexpected as art areas collaborate to create something new. Creative writing collaborating with tech theatre and lighting design, cinematic arts teaming up with the orchestra’s cello ensemble, and for the first time in many years patrons will be able to experience Douglas Anderson’s full orchestra symphony as the band and orchestra combine to bring down the house.
Each year, Douglas Anderson highlights a Shining Star at Extravaganza. The Shining Star is a DA graduate who is successfully working in their art area career. This year, DA brings home Ryan Coleman. Coleman graduated from the DA visual arts program in 1993. “Prior to enrolling at DA, I wanted to be a professional cartoonist for a career and was an artist as far back as I could remember,” Coleman says.
Coleman attended the Atlanta College of Art and pursued a degree in studio art. He was hired permanently as a full-time assistant for Jeff Koons for eight years, until branching off to pursue a career as an independent artist.
Coleman’s work is displayed in notable collections at the High Museum of Art, Seaport Science Center (Boston), 20th Century Fox Television, Canopy by Hilton, W Hotels, Coca-Cola Corporate Headquarters, the Ritz-Carlton, NCR Global Headquarters, SCAD, Northside Hospital, and among numerous other private and public collections both domestic and international.
Those who have attended previous Extravaganzas can attest to the special and professional atmosphere of this evening, and we assure you that this year’s production will surpass all expectations. With over 580 students participating, including collaborative works and surprises, it promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Extravaganza opens February 24th for one night only at the Jacksonville Center for the Performing Arts. The visual arts gallery opens at 6 p.m. with showtime starting at 7 p.m. Tickets go on sale to the public January 24th through Ticketmaster. More information about Extravaganza can be found at www.da-arts.org.
