Little is a superstar in the new music scene; this intense and dramatic opera draws upon his experience as a rock drummer and fuses classical and popular idioms for a powerful effect. No stranger to the Atlas, his work was performed at the Atlas by Third Coast Percussion in February, and he’s often in the audience at our new music performance series. Little is on the faculty at nearby Shenandoah Conservatory in Winchester, Virginia. Both Little and Morrison will be at the Atlas for the Soldier Songs performances.

Soldier Songs at the Atlas is supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the DC Special Presenters Initiative--a program of the Mid-Atlantic Arts Foundation, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Randy Hostetler Living Room Music Project and Fund, the Aaron Copland Fund, the Amphion Fund and Kenneth Hopper.

You can help support indie opera and new music. To contribute to Soldier Songs at the Atlas, visit bit.ly/AtlasSoldierSongs. Contributions received by May 13 will be recognized in the performance programs. Thank you!

Clockwise: }Gay Men’s Chorus

of Washington }Maurice

Decaul Continuing Projects

}Remembering the Palladium

}Arts on the Horizon

}Atlantic Reed Consort

For tickets to Soldier Songs and other performances visit atlasarts.org or call the box office at 202-399-7993 x2.

“…poignant, ironic

and direct.…

masterful." -Pittsburgh Tribune-Review

“…one of the most imaginative young composers on the

music-theatre scene.” -The New Yorker

David T. Little’s Soldier Songs

May 17, 8pm May 18, 3pmAudiences will witness a new art form take shape before their eyes—and ears—in this DC premiere.

The Atlas is pleased to present Soldier Songs, a dramatic multimedia event from composer David T. Little and his ensemble Newspeak that explores the perceptions versus the realities of the soldier, loss and exploitation of innocence, and the difficulty of expressing the truth of war. Adapted from recorded interviews with veterans of five wars, Soldier Songs traces the shift in perception of war from the age of 6 to 66. The audience shares in the character’s rage, fear, joy, and grief as he ages.

Soldier Songs is a chilling and realistic view of our media-driven culture, how the media falsifies war’s brutality, and the nature of power in war. Soldier Songs asks difficult questions and tells tough stories. As a whole, the work brings the audience closer to the soldier’s experience. Little's work often undertakes political and existential themes; the New York Times has said he has “a knack for overturning musical conventions.”

An original film from filmmaker Bill Morrison will be premiered to accompany the piece. Acclaimed producer and founder of New York’s Prototype Festival, Beth Morrison, produces Soldier Songs.

Photos Clockwise from Top:

}Soldier Songs }David T. Little (photo by

James Matthew Daniel) }Beth Morrison

(photo by Merri Cyr) }Soldier Songs

ATL SA

Fun, Entertainment, and Excitement to over

audience members!

The 5th annual INTERSECTIONS Festival, held February 21 - March 8, offered dynamic performing arts experiences for audiences of all ages.

This year’s festival had all 5 performance spaces at the Atlas alive with multi-disciplinary collaborations of aerial arts, dance, film, music, song, spoken word, and theatre. Audiences were inspired and entertained by our region’s leading artists at the Atlas’ signature festival.

INTERSECTIONS was produced with support from the following:

Sprenger Lang Foundation

WEEKENDS

PERFORMANCESARTISTS AND A FEW DOGS

ALBUM RELEASES

VOLUNTEERS

Union Center Plaza Management Capital Hill Community Foundation

Founding Media Partner

Media Partners

1

2

3

4

5

Look for INTERSECTIONS 2015 in February-March next year. Planning is already under way, artist applications will be available in May. If you or your business would like to support this exciting festival, please contact Claire Carlin, director of development, to start a conversation at ccarlin@atlasarts.org or 202-399-7993 x 109.

Atlas LeadershipAt the end of this season, May 31, the Atlas bids farewell to Executive Director Sam Sweet. During his tenure, Sweet developed a robust contemporary presenting series of jazz, new music, world music, dance, theatre, and family programming, presenting over 200 world-class artists and demonstrating the Atlas’ standing as a world-class venue.

“My time at the Atlas has been filled with growth and transformation – creating new programs, building relationships with artists, and establishing the Atlas as

a leading performing arts venue,” said Sam. “I want to thank the Board, the staff and artists for their support as we worked together to put the Atlas on the map as a contemporary arts center.”

“I am immensely proud of Sam’s accomplishments at the Atlas,” said Atlas Founder and Board Chair Jane Lang. “Sam has brought the Atlas to a higher level of recognition, visibility and achievement. With new artistic partnerships and creative community engagement, the Atlas is now positioned to offer even more to artists and the entire Washington community.”

We hope you will come join us for one of our exciting May presentations and share your well wishes with Sam.

Photos: 1 Boogie Babes Café Concert packed the Kogod Lobby with our youngest music-lovers.

2 The Washington Post sponsored the free Café Concerts at INTERSECTIONS, drawing nearly 4,000 people for fun and entertainment in the Kogod Lobby.

3 DC native GRAMMY nominated Christylez Bacon delighted a sold-out crowd at his album-release performance with The Sweater Set and Bohemian Caverns Jazz Orchestra. Credit Jati Lindsay.

4 Furry friends showed off their skills in the Mutts Gone Nuts performance, a benefit for the Atlas’ Theatre for the Very Young program. Credit Jati Lindsay.

5 Zip Zap Circus had artists flying and audiences at the edge of their seats. Credit Roberta Mislevy Photography.

6 Performance-themed cocktails from Bloomery SweetShine added festive spirits to opening night.

7 A jammin’ sold out Sprenger Theatre.

8 Jayamangala's Navgathi - New Directions performance. Credit Jati Lindsay.

9 Shu-Chen Cuff, founder, Gin Dance Company. Credit Ruth Johnson, Gin Dance Company.

6

7

8

9

Sam Sweet with

board member

Barbara Faculjak

at the 2013

Atlas Underground Gala.

B-Fly Entertainment, Liner Notes May 9-10, 8pm Remember the booklet that came with your vinyl, cassette, or CD? Where you could discover influential genres and personal statements of artistic expression? In an age of mp3’s and digital downloads, artist and creator, Paige Hernandez, seeks to bring the experience of liner notes back in a live, musical, poetic, and fun production. Join a live musical journey through hip hop’s many intersections. This performance will sell out—book early!

David T. Little’s Soldier Songs May 17, 8pm May 18, 3pm DC premiere of this multimedia event from acclaimed composer David T. Little combining theatre, opera, rock, and film to explore the perceptions versus the realities of the soldier, the exploration of loss, exploitation of innocence, and difficulty of expressing the truth of war. See page 1 for more details.

Great Noise Ensemble May 23, 8pm Formed when composer and conductor Armando Bayolo placed an ad on Craigslist.org seeking like-minded musicians passionate about contemporary music, now one of the most important and adventurous ensembles in DC’s new music scene.

Great Noise Ensemble will finish their season at Atlas with a program of rhythmic music inspired by science, math, the elements, and dance. Featuring American composers of diverse backgrounds such as Viet Cuong, Kirsten Volness, Andy Akiho, Roger Zare, award-winning composer Roberto Sierra and Chicago Symphony Composer-in-Residence, Mason Bates.

ATL SAUpcoming Performances

May 2014I Draw Slow May 3, 8pm Dublin band I Draw Slow has been setting records in their native Ireland. The five-piece band has been compared to Alison Krauss with a sound rooted in the old style of the Appalachian Mountains, drawing on Irish traditional music and modern Americana.

Nnenna Freelon May 8, 8pm Six-time Grammy Award nominee Nnenna Freelon is an accomplished jazz vocalist. She has worked with hip hop band, The Roots; gospel group, Take 6; Sir Elton John; Italian tenor, Andrea Bocelli; and many more. Freelon is known for her ability to interpret songs in their truest form.

Photos Clockwise from Right:

}Great Noise Ensemble }Nnenna Freelon

}ICE }SOLE Defined }B-Fly Entertainment

}I Draw Slow

For tickets to these and other performances visit atlasarts.org or call the box office at (202) 399-7993 x2.

Black tie optional, mask optional

ATLAS UNDERGROUND is a gala as unique as the Atlas itself. Enjoy breathtaking world-class performances, cuisine from celebrated H Street restaurants, and a sparkling night of revelry throughout the historic building.

Proceeds directly support the Atlas’ mission of bringing affordable performances and experiences for the artistically adventurous to Washington, DC. Tickets on sale now!

ICE May 29, 8pm International Contemporary Ensemble has been receiving rave reviews for its innovative and inventive approaches to crafting new music, engaging audiences, and advancing the music of our time. ICE will play the US premiere of Icelandic composer Anna Thorvaldsdottir’s In the light of Air—coming to the Atlas straight from the world premiere of this work at the internationally renown Reykjavik Festival.

In The Light Of Air consists of four movements entitled Luminance, Serenity, Existence, and Remembrance. The work incorporates a dynamic lighting installation that is controlled by the musicians’ breath and instruments. In addition, the composer designed an installation of metallic ornaments that contribute both visually and aurally to the performance. These ornaments, called Klakabönd in Icelandic, which means “a bind of ice,” have been created and built by Icelandic artist Svana.

SOLE Defined May 30-31, 8pm Creators Ryan K. Johnson (from Broadway’s STOMP) and Quynn Johnson (dancer, choreographer) fuse diverse percussive dance forms (tap, West African, body percussion and hip hop) and theatre together in a powerful new production that explores self-acceptance, inner strength, and the death of “No.” This performance will sell out—book early!

SPONSOR THIS EXCITING EVENT! To learn more contact: ccarlin@atlasarts.org 202-399-7993 x 109 atlasarts.org/events/atlas-underground

SAVE THE DATE Friday, October 17, 2014

ATLAS UNDERGROUND SPONSORS

Sprenger Lang Foundation Metropolitan Engineering Barbara Faculjak and Jim McCarthy

Atlas Performing Arts Center Board of DirectorsOFFICERSJane Lang, ChairStephen N. Ashman, Vice ChairSherry F. Bellamy, Vice ChairPhyllis D. Thompson, SecretaryPaul C. Sprenger, Treasurer

MEMBERSStephen N. AshmanM. Ann BelkovMichael BlumKenneth J. BrewerOrlando BrooksSteve BroseRobert A. BurkaSharon Cochran

Atlas StaffADMINISTRATIONSam Sweet, Executive DirectorRon Cook, Interim Director of Finance and AdministrationKyle Rudgers, Director of OperationsRobert T. Boaz, Program ManagerTynisha Brooks, New Business CoordinatorMatt Graf, IT Consultant

COMMUNICATIONS AND DEVELOPMENTRenée Littleton, Director of Marketing & Public RelationsClaire Carlin, Director of DevelopmentCecily S. Habimana, Development AssociateTeshonne Powell, Development & Administrative CoordinatorJen DeMayo, Director of CommunityChasen Pado, Development InternYeneneh Terefe, Marketing InternReve Van Croft, Marketing Intern

ARTISTIC STAFFArmando Bayolo, Curator New Music SeriesBrad Linde, Curator Jazz at the AtlasMary Hall Surface, Artistic Director, INTERSECTIONS Festival Curator - Theatre for the Very Young

PRODUCTIONAndrew Cissna, Master ElectricianAlex Evans, Technical DirectorCamille Kashaka*, Sprenger Theatre ManagerSean McConnell*, Labs 1 & 2 Theatre ManagerJamie Mulhern, ASTAP Lead InstructorLucas Zuniga*, Lang Theatre Manager

HOUSE PRODUCTION CREWEric BrownRo Burnett*Kelly Farrall*Tyler GlyodAnton Maul*

*Atlas Stagecraft Training & Apprenticeship Program (ASTAP) Graduate

FRONT OF HOUSE ASSOCIATESToya CarmichaelCharles ClyburnLora FletcherLucy FletcherJoi GreeneJames HollandJune Wilson Idrissa Kathy Jones, Volunteer Coordinator

FACILITIESCedric Tolson, Facilities ManagerEddie Hines, Maintenance AssociateCarolyn Saunders, Maintenance Associate

CONTACT US.Atlas Performing Arts Center1333 H Street, NEWashington, DC 20002(202) 399-7993 | atlasarts.org

Atlas donor G. Nagesh Rao, policy advisor and entrepreneur in residence at the Small Business Administration, talked with us about why he’s chosen to invest in the Atlas.

How did you get involved at the Atlas? Upon my return to DC, after spending time in California working on sci-tech projects, I came to the conclusion that to make DC my home, I want to immerse myself in the local arts scene. To me that includes investing in my community emotionally, socially, and financially. I learned about the Atlas from a friend who works there and was impressed with the quality of the programming, energy level, and excitement both at the Atlas and in the neighborhood of the H-St corridor. That spoke to my heart and I decided to build my roots at the Atlas.

Donor Spotlight

G. Nagesh Rao

Kristine Coratti KellyBarbara FaculjakStacie Walters FujiiMerna C. GuttentagMichael K. LewisPaulette Payne PowellPeter RyanPhilip B. Terry-Smith

Fred Odom*Andy Rubble*Tyra SmithBrian Townsed*

Chivonne Philips*Anna Reihle*Paul TranthamPatricia Yates

Why do you make investing in the Atlas a priority? As a past, and likely future, entrepreneur, the Atlas’ work to support artists and performance groups’ entrepreneurial endeavors as performers, producers, and viable small businesses really speaks to me. I am impressed with how the Atlas provides infrastructure, space, and support to its partners to help them grow and thrive. You cannot have proactive and positive progress in society without a serious contribution from the arts--the arts enable freedom of expression.

What are you looking forward to at the Atlas this year? I've been exposed to cool, new music with the Atlas’ presenting series. Seeing young musicians like Third Coast Percussion perform dynamic pieces has made for fun and unusual evenings at the Atlas. I’m looking forward to seeing more cutting edge music from hot composers and artists.

To make your donation to the Atlas, please visit atlasarts.org or call 202-399-7993 x 109.

$25,000 and aboveAnonymousThe Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz FoundationDC Commission on the Arts and HumanitiesOffice of the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic DevelopmentEugene M. Lang and the Eugene M. Lang FoundationLocal Initiatives Support CorporationMARPAT Foundation, Inc.Sprenger Lang FoundationSolon E. Summerfield Foundation, IncThe Washington Post*

$10,000 and aboveAnonymousM. Ann BelkovDiane and Norman BernsteinClark-Winchcole FoundationThe Dallas Morse Coors Foundation for the Performing ArtsCrossCurrents FoundationInsight Property Group LLCNancy Peery Marriott Foundation, Inc.Eugene and Agnes E. Meyer FoundationMid Atlantic Arts FoundationNational Endowment for the ArtsNew England Foundation for the ArtsMilton and Dorothy Sarnoff Raymond FoundationShowcall USA*The Weissberg Foundation

$5,000 and aboveIrene and Robert BlumJan and Steve BroseMaria and Robert BurkaCity First Bank of DCFarvue FoundationJohn Edward Fowler Memorial FoundationHager SharpThe Randy Hostetler Living Room Music Project and FundKiplinger FoundationArlene and Robert KogodKathleen Maloy and Heather BurnsJohn Moriarty & Associates of Virginia, LLCPrince Charitable TrustGary D. Rappaport/Gary A. LustineAnne and John RobertsUS Bancorp CDC

$2,500 and aboveStephen and Shari AshmanBB&TSharon Cochran and Lea MesnerCohnReznick LLPThe Aaron Copland Fund for MusicDimick FoundationFisher Brothers Financial & Development CompanyGraham Holdings CompanyMerna and Joseph GuttentagHessler & Associates CharteredLeftwich & Ludaway LLCMolly LesterLinda Singer and Michael LewisMinerva MarketingNixon Peabody LLPPillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLPRock Creek Property GroupSam Rose/Union Center Plaza Management Corp.Select Event Group*Victor Shargai and Craig PascalSK&I ArchitectsSteuart Investment CompanyThe Honorable Phyllis D. ThompsonTishman Construction Corporation of DCTTR Sotheby's International Realty

Washington Business Journal*Washington City Paper*Zickler Family Foundation (Recognition name is Judy and Leo Zickler)

$1,000 and aboveAmerican Beverage AssociationThe Amphion FoundationAnonymousSherry Bellamy and George BumbraySandra and Fernando BoccaneraCapitol Hill Community FoundationCardinal BankAnne Corbett and Sam SweetClare Cushman and Amedee ProustToby and Daniel EdelmanFundriseH Street Community Development CorporationHFF SecuritiesHolland & Knight LLPKenneth W. HopperSusan HuffmanThe Humanities Council of Washington, DCGeppetto Catering*Insight Property EmployeesDavid LangAnthony Francis Lucas-Spindletop FoundationCathy MacNeil Hollinger and Mark HollingerMcWilliams Ballard Inc.National Capital BankCarolyn Cox and Sam PerkinsLaurance Platt and Clare HeringtonRhode Island RowPeter Ryan and Danielle GalloNancy E. StanleyThe Sugar AssociationStegar Thompson and Bruce ChartierConnie TiptonAnne and Bill WallaceWestMill Capital Partners

$500 and aboveAnonymousMyra and Jerome BarronKathy Barton and Rick MaurerPhilip BernsteinKenneth Briers and Ms. Sally DonnerDebbie and Orlando BrooksStephanie BrownerDr. and Mrs. Arthur L. BurnettSusan ClampittJudy and Richard CunninghamTeressa EllisMatthew GluthFrederick HarwoodMary HuntHWP InsuranceMaureen Jais-Mick and Dan MickJanney Montgomery Scott LLCJean and Bob KappB. Thomas MansbachDavid and Jackie MarlinDrs. Michael and Susan MartinTrang PhamDavid PoissonG. Nagesh RaoThe Ratner Family FoundationRichard RomeSherry and Cary ShermanLillie TaylorRebecca Troth and Christopher WrightDavid TuchmannThe Beringer Weinstock GroupThe Wilkes CompanyCatherine Wilkinson and John RaderTheresa WilsonWashington Informer*Brian Wolfman

The Atlas gratefully acknowledges the contributions of the following donors whose generosity enables us to bring exceptional performances at affordable prices plus quality training and education programs to our community. Recent gifts listed here, as of March 31, 2014, include annual gifts, support for special projects, and sponsorship of the annual gala, Atlas Underground.

$250 and aboveLinda AdamsFida AdelyEsthy and James AdlerHaley Kaufman and Jeffrey AlpherBank of America Charitable FoundationBrady BirdsongBoogie BabesCarol and Donald BorutMarvin BowserPaul BoykasJason BruneMilton and Paulette ClipperKristine Coratti KellySarah DavidsonBarbara FaculjakLee and Shari FeinbergLeila and Benjamin FitzpatrickSandy and James FitzpatrickRoland FryeNancy Garruba and Chris HornigWilliam GoodmanRuth GramlichAnn HamanCarolyn HarrisEdward and Victoria JaycoxJudy Thibault KlevinsLatitude 38 RealtyEulonda and Tim LeaJane and Ken LeiberthalMolly MatthewsMetropolitan Performing Arts Theatre Inc.Jeanne-Marie A. MillerDelores MontgomeryNancy MurphyWilliam and Louisa NewlinDoreen O'ConnellBrenda and Paul PascalAlvin PerkinsConstance PovichPaulette and Lewis PowellGail Robinson and Martin KesselLarry RopeikKaren and Douglas RumbleBetty SamsTrenton SmithMary SnieckusRebecca SnyderGwendolyn SommerHoward SpendelowRobert SternJulia TorresenVision Contemporary Dance EnsemblePaul WebberAmy and Joey WeedonMark and Cecelia WeinheimerGerry Widdicombe

* In-kind contribution

If you’d like to join the Atlas family of donors, or if we have missed you or you prefer your name to be listed differently, please email development@atlasarts.org or call 202-399-7003 x 144. Thank you for your support!

ART.CULTURE.CONNECTION.

Spring 2014

In This IssueSoldier Songs Will Change What You Think of Opera

Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival—people, performances, and fun!

Atlas Leadership

Upcoming Performances

Atlas Underground Gala, October 17

Donor Spotlight: G. Nagesh Rao

Our Generous Donors

Photos courtesy of the Atlas Performing Arts Center.

ATL SAAtlas Performing Arts Center1333 H Street Northeast | Washington, DC 20002Phone (202) 399-7993 | atlasarts.org

Bringing people together through the arts to shareand celebrate a range of artistic expressions andtraditions in order to build understanding, respect,and a stronger community.

NON PROFIT ORGUS POSTAGE

PAIDMERRIFIELD, VAPERMIT NO 1228

“…adventurous, imaginative, and fiercely committed.”The Washington Post