Chattanooga State Community College this week announced an exciting lineup of fine arts events for the Fall 2025 semester. The lineup includes art exhibitions, live theater, recitals, and a 60th Anniversary Alumni Reception. Don't miss these exciting opportunities to see the work of ChattState's talented students, alumni, and faculty members.

Unless noted otherwise, all events are free to the public and presented at the Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre.

Art / Dressing the Part: 20 Years of Costume Design at Chattanooga State 

Dates: Aug. 28 to Oct. 10, 2025 
Exhibition Reception: Thursday, Sept. 4 | 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Denise Heinly Art Center (OMN 130) 

The Denise Heinly Art Center celebrates the art of costume design with a selection of hand-made garments from Chattanooga State's theatre department. 

Art / Southern Fiction, Tema Stauffer Photography Exhibition 

Dates: Oct. 23 to Dec. 12, 2025 
Times: Artist Talk Thursday, Oct. 23, at 2 p.m. | Exhibit Reception from 4 to 6 p.m.
Location: Denise Heinly Art Center (OMN 130) 

Southern Fiction explores the history of the American South using its literary tradition to portray domestic settings, vernacular architecture, and rural landscapes that visually resonate with the history, culture, and atmosphere of the Deep South.  

Music: Faculty Recital 

Times: Thursday, Sept. 11 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

The Chattanooga State Music Department faculty present selections from the classical, contemporary, and American music repertoires. Selections include works for voice, piano, guitar, and other instruments.  

Theatre: Twobird [POSTPONED DUE TO THEATER RENOVATIONS]

Times: Postponed until the Spring 2026 semester
Location: Humanities Theatre 
Admission: Free

Twobird uses dance, movement, mask play, music, and acting to tell the soul journey of Malcolm Bruce from the location of a southern small town chicken factory. In telling his story, Malcolm conjures a sequence of dreams portraying the various characters and stories of his life. Twobird is a solo performance written and performed by Michael McCamish, Professor of Anthropology and Criminal Justice at Chattanooga State. The musical score is composed and performed by Chattanooga's Bob Stagner. The show was originally directed by Maria Lexa of Denmark. This is the 4th run of the show with its original production performed in 2009 in Berkeley, CA, the 2024 Chattanooga Fringe Festival, and then in 2025 at the Barking Legs Theatre. Rated PG for language and subject matter. Admission is free to all. Twobird is sponsored by ChattState Honors. 

Music: Dr. Caitlin Jones, Marimba

Time: Sunday, Sept. 21 | 2:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre

Dr. Caitlin Jones will be performing the solo five-octave marimba work Thinking Songs by Lukas Ligeti in its entirety. Featuring five distinct movements, the piece is expansive in terms of length, content, and marimba technique, and displays compositional influences from both Western Classical music and African music. Thinking Songs stands as a solo marimba work in a league of its own that has solidified its place in the marimba repertoire. This is a preview performance for festivals in Vienna and Budapest featuring the music of Lukas Ligeti in October 2025.

Theatre and Music: [title of show]

Times: Friday & Saturday, Oct. 3-4, at 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, Oct. 5, at 2:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 
Admission: $15 General Admission. Free for ChattState Students, Faculty/Staff, and Theatre Alumni

This musical follows the story of Jeff and Hunter, who are writing a new musical for a festival with a submission deadline only 3 weeks away. Concord Theatricals says “[title of show] -- taken from the space on the festival's application form which asks for the "[title of show]" -- follows Hunter and Jeff and their friends on their journey through the gauntlet of creative self-expression. In the span of 90 minutes, they write and perform their show at the festival and learn lessons about themselves as people, friends, and artists.” This production will be directed by Richard Nichols, music directed by Andrew Chauncey, and choreographed by Lindsay Fussell. [title of show] is presented by special arrangement with Concord Theatricals. In honor of Chattanooga State’s 60th anniversary, all theatre productions this season will incorporate alumni and current students working together to create theatre! [title of show] contains strong language and adult themes and is not suitable for children. Tickets are $15 general admission, but are free for ChattState students, faculty, staff, and theatre department alumni. Music and Lyrics by Jeff Bowen. Book by Hunter Bell.

Music: Happy Halloween Concert! featuring the Symphonic Band and Concert Choir 

Times: Thursday, Oct. 30 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

Join Chattanooga State’s Symphonic Band and Concert Choir for their fourth annual Happy Halloween Concert. Wear your costumes and be ready to enjoy some spooky sights, sounds, and a photo booth. The concert is free and open to the public, but please bring a canned good or other non-perishable item to help support the Chattanooga Area Food Bank. Monetary donations are also accepted via a QR code available in the HUM lobby. 

Music: Chattywampus Trio 

Time: Sunday, Nov. 9 | 2:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

The faculty trio Chattywampus, led by flutist Cindy Solfest-Wallis, clarinetist Nicholas Hartline, and pianist Alan Nichols, will present an evening of chamber music from various musical periods and styles. The concert will also feature a performance by students in our Chamber Ensemble course. 

Music: Student Recital 

Time: Monday, Nov. 10 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

Chattanooga State students of vocal and instrumental applied study will perform a recital of selected musical works of the classical, contemporary, and traditional American repertoires.  

Theatre: Charlotte’s Web

Times: Friday, Nov. 21 at 7 p.m. | Saturday, Nov. 22 at 2:30 and 7 p.m. | Sunday, Nov. 23 at 2:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 
Admission: $15 General Admission; Free for ChattState Students, Faculty/Staff, and Theatre Alumni; Kids 5 and under free

Named by the Children’s Literature Association as “the best American children’s book of the last 200 years,” Charlotte’s Web follows the journey of the unlikely friendship between a pig named Wilbur, a spider named Charlotte, and their many colorful friends we meet along the way. This play will be directed by Jennifer Wilson and stage-managed by Katie Hamilton. Charlotte’s Web is produced by special arrangement with THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY of Woodstock, Illinois. In honor of Chattanooga State’s 60th anniversary, all theatre productions this season will incorporate alumni and current students working together to create theatre! Tickets are $15 general admission, but are free for ChattState students, faculty, staff, and theatre department alumni. Tickets for this production will also be free for kids age 5 & under. Charlotte's Web is adapted by Joseph Robinette and based on the book by E.B. White.

*As part of ChattState’s 60th Anniversary celebration, the Saturday, Nov. 22, performance will be Alumni Night! There will be an alumni reception in the Humanities building, room 133, at 6 p.m. before the evening performance. RSVP to [email protected] 

Music: Cocoa and Carols with the Concert Choir 

Time: Tuesday, Dec. 2 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

Before the rush of another hectic holiday season takes hold, let the Concert Choir help you begin the month in serenity and peace. This program, featuring European Carols from the Middle Ages and Renaissance as well as familiar classics, will be a memorable night of music for all fans of Christmas music. Don't forget to stay for hot chocolate to keep you warm on the way home! 

Music: “Textures” featuring the Symphonic Band 

Time: Thursday, Dec. 4 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

Join the Chattanooga State Symphonic Band on a unique evening of varying musical textures. In addition to selections by the Symphonic Band, this concert will also feature a woodwind ensemble, brass ensemble, and percussion ensemble. Another highlight will be student euphonium soloist, Madison Day. The Symphonic Band is directed by Nick Hartline and includes students of the college, the STEM School of Chattanooga, Collegiate High, as well as community volunteers. 

Music: Jazz Band Concert 

Time: Monday, Nov. 24 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

The Chattanooga State Jazz Band will perform selected jazz standards under the musical direction of Jay Stanfill. 

Theatre: Department Showcase 

Time: Tuesday, Dec. 9 | 7:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 

Come enjoy performances by acting and musical theatre students, and see showcases of work by design/tech students. Some scenes may include mature content not suitable for children. Admission is free and open to the public. 

All events are free to the public (except as noted) and are presented at the Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre (except as noted), 4501 Amnicola Highway. Donations will be accepted at the door. For further information, call 423.697.2460 for Music or 423.697.3246. for Theatre.