Here at Cistercian, our academics are top notch. We offer many different subjects at a very high level. However, the arts are a whole different story. While we have music and art classes in Middle School, High Schoolers are limited to just a few elective choices. That’s where the Junior Patrons’ Guild comes in. Junior Patrons’ Guild, JPG for short, is a formally organized social and cultural program between Cistercian, Hockaday, and St. Marks. JPG offers students an opportunity to see a selection of fine arts events throughout Dallas, ranging from trips to the opera to professional theater productions. Another benefit for many of you is that this will be one of your few opportunities to interact with girls, so make sure to take advantage of that! JPG will be having a variety of events for the 2018-19 season:

Kicking off the season is Steel Magnolias presented by the Dallas Theater Group on Sunday, October 7th at the  Wyly Theater. This critically acclaimed play based on the writer’s true experiences is equal parts comedic and dramatic while delving into themes of friendship and family. Surely this is the best way to start out the season!

In November, JPG will visit the Winspear Opera House as the Dallas Opera presents Carmen, conducted by veteran Dallas Opera maestro, Emmanuel Villaume, with Stéphanie d’Oustrac in the title role. A strong contender for the most famous opera of all time,  Georges Bizet’s masterpiece deals with love, death, and the consequences of jealousy and obsession.  This instantly recognizable classic is perfect for both opera veteran and newcomers alike. As Mr. Saliga said, those that don’t like opera are those who have never seen it live.

That same month, JPG will be attending A Bernstein Tribute with the Dallas Symphony Pops at the Meyerson.  Ever heard of legendary American composer Leonard Bernstein? No? Well, you definitely know his work, including  West Side Story, Candide, and On the Town. At this event, we will be hearing hit compositions all by Bernstein as the Dallas Symphony pays tribute to one of America’s most notable composers.

There is no better way to start off the spring season than at the Meyerson as the Dallas Symphony presents Leslie Odom Jr. Straight out of Hamilton fame with his portrayal of the villainous Aron Burr, Leslie Odom Jr. comes to Dallas for one weekend and one weekend only for an evening of “Broadway, jazz and the standards we all love.” For anyone wanting to experience the world of showbiz or just relive those Hamilton glory days, there’s no better place to do it than with this Grammy and Tony award-winning actor.

And for the final event of JPG, we have Pilobolus presented by Titas Dance at the Moody Performance Center. Think dance but to the eleventh degree. This is not your ordinary dance troupe. Pilobolus is an American modern dance company started in Dartmouth College over thirty years ago that has been growing ever since then. Pilobolus has already made appearances in Academy Awards, the Oprah Winfrey Show, and the Olympic Games, among others. There is no better way to end this 2018-19 season.

For further details, make sure to check with Mr. Saliga.