Arts & Culture - The Echo

Local communities celebrate the season

By Ella Watson · Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026

As leaves change color and hot summer air turns crisp, fall and winter entail festive events in communities around Taylor. Productions, markets and more offer ways to embrace the season.

Taylor music faculty prepare for upcoming showcase recital

By Schaeffer Ott · Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026

As autumn sets in, the Taylor University music program gears up to host the annual Music Faculty Showcase Recital on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. in the Butz-Carruth Recital Hall.

Nolan’s adaptation of classic epic poem becomes instant success

By Karlee Johnson · Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026

Once considered a dreaded required reading by many, “The Odyssey” took on new life and won over millions of viewers when the fantasy film of the same name hit theaters July 17.

Theatre kicks off season with ‘Twelfth Night’

By Eliana Cetola · Thursday, Oct. 1, 2026

Since this past summer, the cast and crew of Taylor Theatre’s production of ‘Twelfth Night’ have been working tirelessly to bring one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies to life onstage.

Theatre explores ‘What We Do With Our Longings’

By Ella Watson · Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026

The Taylor University Theatre will explore the way desires shape humanity with its 2026-2027 season.

Recital combines solemnity with humor

By Eliana Cetola · Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026

To finish off the first week of classes, a crowd of students and faculty flocked to the Butz-Carruth Recital Hall for an exciting Friday evening of music.

Dolly Parton, singer and humanitarian, dies at 80

By Isa George · Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026

Dolly Parton, the country music singer, songwriter, actress and philanthropist whose persona bridged cultural divides for nearly seven decades, died of cancer on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee.

Ali Campbell: the authentic voice of British reggae band UB40

By Lisa Pinsenschaum · Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2026

A low baseline hums, drifting through smoky rooms where young boys once lingered.

Taylor Theatre seniors step out of the spotlight

By Schaeffer Ott · Thursday, May 21, 2026

The house lights are finally rising on five Taylor Theatre seniors, signalling the end of a four-year run filled with more props, costumes and performances than one could count.

Emergence: Dance as an emotion-driven storytelling medium

By Emma Adams · Wednesday, May 20, 2026

Taylor dance students concluded the year with their annual Spring Dance Concert, this year titled “Emergence,” May 1-3.

Wind Ensemble’s Pops Concert highlights student conductors

By Ella Watson · Thursday, May 14, 2026

Eleven student conductors will step in front of the Wind Ensemble, each bringing their own style to a program of familiar tunes.

Seniors show years of work at Capstone Festival

By Emma Adams · Thursday, May 14, 2026

For musical theatre students, four years of devotion to the craft of performing arts culminate for the Musical Theatre Showcase and Senior Capstone Festival each year.

“Rocky”: a modern day parable

By Braydon Carter · Thursday, May 7, 2026

The film “Rocky” (1976) follows a professional boxer named Rocky Balboa as he embraces the challenge of “going the distance.”

‘The Boys from Syracuse’ boasts a boisterous runtime

By Emma Adams · Thursday, May 7, 2026

What do you get when you mix Shakespeare’s “The Comedy of Errors” with show tunes?

MECA hosts Salaam for an evening of music

By Emma Adams · Thursday, April 30, 2026

Salaam, Arabic for peace, was brought to the Euler Atrium in more ways than one.

Symphony Orchestra prepares final performance of the school year

By Schaeffer Ott · Thursday, April 30, 2026

What began as a simple sightreading exercise has flourished as a precise and melodious work that the Symphony Orchestra will perform on May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Rediger Chapel.

‘The Office’ and inner life, Rainn Wilson’s evening in Gas City

By Lisa Pinsenschaum · Thursday, April 30, 2026

Before he ever became a man who could command a packed theater, Rainn Wilson was just a kid trying to get laughs so he wouldn’t get hit, he said.

Taylor Dance Concert Combines Faculty and Student Pieces

By Schaeffer Ott · Thursday, April 23, 2026

Technique. Precision. Emotion.

Airband presents unique TV shows and movies in creative ways

By Emma Adams · Thursday, April 23, 2026

“Water. Earth. Fire. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked.”

Wind Ensemble highlights a range of composers

By Ella Watson · Thursday, April 23, 2026

Taylor’s Wind Ensemble will return to the stage with its annual Spring concert, showcasing the work of American composers.