How do we embrace the individual talents of students and teachers without reducing them to data sheets, standardized testing, and government mandates? This year’s Iowa Partnership in the Arts production is a funny and touching new piece that explores how the Industrial Revolution still impacts our educational system. Utilizing a new form of masks by Italian mask creator Matteo Destro and original jazz compositions by UI Jazz Studies Director John Rapson, Crescendoexamines how our technical evolution shapes today’s society.

The Iowa Partnership in the Arts program was established in 1992 to support the creation of major new works of theatrical art. Nationally and internationally respected guest artists collaborate with students and faculty to present adventuresome new works, many of which have gone on to be productions throughout the country. This program is part of a long tradition of UI faculty and students collaborating with professional artists to develop new work.

This project has been made possible by the University of Iowa Internal Funding Initiatives, the University of Iowa Arts and Humanities Initiatives, Creating the Future funded by the Division of Performing Arts, and the CLAS Excellence and Innovation Fund.