Immersive play questions the nature of art and its place in society

POUGHKEEPSIE, N.Y. — APRIL 5, 2024 — “This is Modern Art” will be staged April 11-13 by members of the Dutchess Community College Performing Arts program and DCC’s Masquers’ Guild Theatre Club. The play will be directed by Derek Roland.

“This is Modern Art” is based on real events that unfolded in 2010 when a graffiti art crew painted a fifty-foot piece on the wall of the Modern Wing at the Art Institute of Chicago. It asked us to reconsider what art is, who it's for and where it belongs. These young artists risked everything to make their voices heard, and "This Is Modern Art" tells that story and invites audiences into the discussion.

Director Derek Roland shares his excitement about the upcoming performances: "The DCC students involved in this production are hard at work, diligently diving into the world of the play, inhabiting these characters with energy and passion, and creating a vibrant environment through the technical design and execution. The action takes place all around the audience, immersing them in the story as it unfolds!"

Show times for Thursday and Friday, April 11 and 12, are 7 p.m. Saturday show times, April 13, are 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. All performances will be held in SUNY Dutchess Black Box Theatre on DCC’s main Poughkeepsie campus.

Tickets are available at sunydutchess.ticketleap.com/this-is-modern-art. General admission is $15; students (not attending DCC) and seniors 60+ are $10, and DCC students and DCC performing arts alumni tickets are $5. Please note: We expect all performances to sell out in advance, so purchasing tickets at the door may not be possible.

For more information, visit sunydutchess.edu or call (845) 431-8623.

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Founded in 1957, Dutchess Community College is a two-year community college that has earned a reputation for providing an outstanding education with the lowest tuition in New York state. The College currently has four locations including its main campus in Poughkeepsie, DCC @ Fishkill, DCC @ HVR Airport, and DCC @ the Partnership. For more information visit www.sunydutchess.edu.