Chattanooga State Community College this week announced an exciting lineup of fine arts events for the Fall 2026 semester. The lineup includes performances of Dear Evan Hansen and Little Women, an acting masterclass with Shanice Shantay, music recitals, art shows, and more.

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

Don't miss these exciting opportunities to see the work of ChattState's talented students, alumni, and faculty members.

Visual Arts Faculty Show 

Dates: August 6, 2026 - August 8, 2026
Reception with Artists: August 20 from 4 - 6 p.m. | Denise Heinly Art Center, OMN 130 
Chattanooga State Visual Arts Faculty Show will include painting, gelatin silver and archival pigment prints, ceramics, sculpture and installation. 

Stories from the Edge of the Known World: Michael Holsomback

Dates: September 3, 2026 - October 23, 2026
Reception with Artist: September 3 from 4 - 6 p.m. | Denise Heinly Art Center, OMN 130 
Stories from the Edge of the Known World is a collection of drawings, paintings, multimedia collage, and multimedia assemblage exploring place and time from the mind of Michael Holsomback. 

How I Remember You: Brayan Enriquez, Natalie Arrue, and Montenez Lowery

Dates: October 29, 2026 - December 11, 2026
Reception with Artists: November 5 from 4 - 6 p.m. | Denise Heinly Art Center, OMN 130 
How I Remember You features three Atlanta-based photographers working with themes of identity, myth, and place. 

Cascade: Kristen Tordella-Williams

Dates: December 18, 2026 - February 19, 2027 
Artist Talk and Reception: February 18 from 6 - 8 p.m. | Denise Heinly Art Center, OMN 130 
Through handmade paper and cast iron, the exhibition visualizes acts of labor, activism, ecological change, and political conflict rippling across time and place. 

Chasing Wind: Jeffrey Morton

Dates: February 25, 2027 - March 26, 2027 
Reception with Artist: February 25 from 4 - 6 p.m. | Denise Heinly Art Center, OMN 130 
Chasing Wind features a collection of landscape paintings and prints by Jeffrey Morton. 

Chattanooga State Student Show 

Dates: April 2, 2027 - 30, 2027 
Reception: April 2 from 4 - 6 p.m. | Denise Heinly Art Center, OMN 130 
The Denise Heinly Art Center proudly presents its annual exhibition of Fine Art student work.

Music: Faculty Recital 

Date: Tuesday, September 15 at 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 
The Chattanooga State Music Department faculty present selections from the classical, contemporary, and American music repertories. Selections include works for voice, piano, guitar, and other instruments.  

Theatre and Music: Dear Evan Hansen

Dates: Friday, October 2, 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, October 3, 7:30 p.m. | Sunday, October 4, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Auditorium 
Admission: Free for ChattState Students, Faculty/Staff, and Theatre Alumni | $15 General Admission. Reserve or buy tickets online.
Dear Evan Hansen tells the story of teenager Evan Hansen, who has felt invisible for his entire life, finding a sense of belonging in the wake of a tragedy. His initially well-intentioned lie grows into something he never expected as the musical explores relationships, community, and the ever-evolving role the internet plays in our lives. This production will be directed by Dylan Kussman, music directed by Andrew Chauncey, and choreographed by Lindsay Fussell. Music and Lyrics by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul, book by Steven Levenson. Dear Evan Hansen is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).  

Music: Chattanooga Clarinet Choir 

Date: Tuesday, October 13 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 
The Chattanooga Clarinet Choir, led by Nick Hartline, will perform a program of pieces composed originally for clarinet choir as well as masterworks adapted for this unique ensemble. 

Music: Loralee Songer, mezzo soprano, Guest Recital 

Date: Friday, October 16 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Auditorium 
ChattState is pleased to welcome guest artist Dr. Loralee Songer, mezzo soprano, who will present a recital of American music along with her collaborative pianist, Mary Beth Wickes from Lee University. The program will feature selections by Lucy Simon, Lori Laitman, Libby Larsen, Emma Lou Diemer, Ricky Ian Gordon, and Susan LaBarr. 

Music: Shanice Shantay Masterclass sponsored by the Tennessee Chapter of the National Association of Teachers of Singing 

Date: Friday, October 23 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Auditorium 
In this 90-minute masterclass, musical theatre, film, and television performer Shanice Shantay, who gained notoriety performing as Dorothy in NBC’s The Wiz Live! and recently appeared as Johnnie Mae Burton in Netflix’s The Six Triple Eight, will coach five students from across the state of Tennessee in acting and singing techniques on musical theatre songs. Come watch as a master performer imparts ideas, tips, and tricks to aspiring young performers! 

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

Date: Thursday, October 29 | 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 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 

Date: Sunday, November 8 | 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: Jazz Band Concert 

Date: Tuesday, November 10 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 
The Chattanooga State Jazz Band will perform selected jazz standards under the musical direction of Jay Stanfill. 

Theatre: Little Women by Kate Hamill, adapted from the novel by Louisa May Alcott 

Dates:  Friday, November 20, 7:30 p.m. | Saturday, November 21, 7:30 p.m., Sunday, November 22, 2:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Auditorium 
Admission: Free for ChattState Students, Faculty/Staff, and Theatre Alumni | $15 General Admission. Reserve or buy tickets online.
Based on the 1868 novel by Louisa May Alcott, this 2018 play adaptation of Little Women by Kate Hamill follows the story of the March sisters during the Civil War era. This adaptation focuses the narrative on the strength of these young women as they learn to balance their own dreams with society’s expectations of a woman. This production will be directed by Jennifer Wilson, assistant directed by Michael Webb, and stage managed by Katie Hamilton.  Little Women is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Dramatists Play Service. 

Music: Student Recital 

Date: Tuesday, December 1 | 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 repertories.  

Music: Cocoa and Carols with the Concert Choir  

Date: Friday, December 4 | 7 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre  
Before the 250th anniversary of our country comes to a close, join us for a night of cocoa, carols, and some choral Americana! At this year's annual event, we'll be decking the halls with Christmas songs by American composers and arrangers from today all the way back to the birth of our nation. So, don you now your red, white, and blue apparel, and don't forget to stay for hot chocolate to make your drive home toasty warm! 

Music: Christmas at the Movies! featuring the Symphonic Band 

Date: Sunday, December 6 | 2:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Theatre 
Join the Chattanooga State Symphonic Band for a cinematic journey through the happiest season of all! The concert will feature music from movie classics such as White Christmas, The Grinch, Home Alone, National Lampoons Christmas Vacation, and more! The Symphonic Band is directed by Nick Hartline and includes college students, students from the STEM School of Chattanooga, Collegiate High, as well as community volunteers. 

Theatre: Department Showcase 

Date: Tuesday, December 8 | 7:30 p.m.
Location: Humanities Auditorium 
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. 

General Information

All events are free to the public (except as noted).
All events are presented at the Chattanooga State Humanities Theatre (except as noted), 4501 Amnicola Highway.
Donations are accepted at the door.
For more information about Fine Arts events, call 423.697.2460 for music inquiries or 423.697.3246 for theatre inquiries.