<\/p>\n
Natalie Underwood could never imagine herself choosing any career but theater from the age of 8, when her mother enrolled her in her first musical theater class.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cAfter that, I was hooked,\u201d the Crossville, Tennessee, native said. \u201cMy earliest memory is of being part of the ensemble in \u2018Les Mis\u2019 and singing at the top of my lungs. It was the most exhilarating feeling I had ever had.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Underwood chose East Tennessee State University for its growing theater program.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI knew I would be able to make personal connections with my professors and have my education made a priority,\u201d she said. \u201cAlso, I love this area \u2014 it\u2019s beautiful, and you never run out of new places to explore.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Some of her favorite memories include the excitement of being cast in her first role in \u201cMedea\u201d and destroying the set of \u201cLittle Shop of Horrors\u201d with mallets and loud music with her classmates after its conclusion.<\/span><\/p>\n Underwood will graduate from ETSU in December with a degree in theater, concentrating in acting and a minor in English. She plans to chase her dream of acting before pursuing a master\u2019s degree to become a high school theater teacher and then a professor.<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cThe professors here at ETSU have taught me so many things and prepared me for what is expected in the world of performance,\u201d she said. \u201cThey have also helped me plan my next steps, along with sending me job opportunities they know will interest me. The Department of Theatre and Dance has pushed me past my perceived limits and helped me grow not only in theater but as a person in general.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n You can still catch Underwood on the ETSU stage this weekend as Jo March in \u201cLittle Women.\u201d And at that play\u2019s conclusion, she\u2019ll work behind the scenes helping build the sets for \u201cThe 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n Learn more about \u201cPutnam\u201d and many other November events at ETSU in the following listing. All are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted.<\/span><\/p>\n Music<\/b><\/p>\n Mania: The ABBA Tribute<\/b> Greyscale: \u2018Lucky 13\u2019<\/b> ETSU Blue Showcase<\/b> Matthew West: Don\u2019t Stop Praying for America Tour<\/b> Piece of 8 and Other Ensembles in Concert<\/b> Percussion Ensemble in Concert<\/b> Appalachian Square Dance<\/b> \u2018Groovy Music\u2019: Jazz Ensemble Concert<\/b> Christmas with the Celts<\/b> ETSU Country Band Night<\/b> \u2018Friends and Lovers\u2019: An Evening of Opera Scenes<\/b> Closing Bands Concert<\/b> Guest Artist Piano Recital: Dr. Maria Niederberger<\/b> Fine Arts<\/b><\/p>\n BFA Studio Art Senior Exhibitions<\/b> \u2018Vintage Charm: The Collecting Legacy of Blue Ridge Pottery\u2019<\/b> \u2018The Place Speaks\u2019 Exhibit<\/b> Theater\/Cinema<\/b><\/p>\n \u2018Elf the Musical\u2019: 2025 Broadway Encore<\/b> Bud Frank Cinema: \u2018The Mastermind\u2019<\/b> Bud Frank Cinema: \u2018In the Mood for Love\u2019<\/b> Film Screening: \u2018The Indelible Appalachians\u2019<\/b> ETSU Theatre and Dance: \u2018The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee\u2019<\/b> \u2018Nutcracker! Magical Christmas Ballet\u2019<\/b> Public Talks and More<\/b><\/p>\n Observatory Open House<\/b> 3 Minute Thesis (3MT\u00ae) Finals<\/b> WGS on Wednesdays<\/b> ETSU Health Bikes for Breast Cancer Motorcycle Run<\/b> Veterans Day Ceremony<\/b> Story Slam: Feasts and Cravings<\/b> Community History Harvest: Spiritual Life in Appalachia<\/b> Arctic Adventures: Cookie Decorating<\/b> Holiday Lights Celebration<\/b> Notable Women of ETSU<\/b> \u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source elizabethton.com \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Natalie Underwood could never imagine herself choosing any career but theater from the age of 8, when her mother enrolled her in her first musical theater class. \u201cAfter that, I was hooked,\u201d the Crossville, Tennessee, native said. \u201cMy earliest memory is of being part of the ensemble in \u2018Les Mis\u2019 and singing at the top […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2135789,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[25179],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2135788","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-music"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/ETSU-November-events-music-theater-talks-and-holiday-lights.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2135788","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2135788"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2135788\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2135790,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2135788\/revisions\/2135790"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2135789"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2135788"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2135788"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2135788"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
<\/b> Nov. 5, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> From \u201cDancing Queen\u201d to \u201cWaterloo\u201d and \u201cMamma Mia\u201d to \u201cTake a Chance on Me,\u201d Mania brings the music of the Swedish supergroup ABBA to fans old and new. Tickets are $30.46 to $97.20 (including taxes and fees).<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> Greyscale, an ETSU vocal ensemble that challenges boundaries and delivers remarkable vocal artistry, brings its blend of contemporary, pop and jazz choral music with something for every listener. Tickets are $12.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 8, 6 p.m. \u2014 Boones Creek Opry, 632 Hales Chapel Road<\/span>
<\/span> Bands in ETSU\u2019s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies will take over the Boones Creek Opry for the evening. Admission is a suggested donation of $6 at the door. The event will also be livestreamed.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 8, 7 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> Christian artist Matthew West, accompanied by guest Peter Burton, presents a night of worship, encouragement and prayer for the nation. Tickets are $59.95 to $97.73 (including tax and fees).<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 8, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall<\/span>
<\/span> Piece of 8 and other student ensembles from the ETSU Department of Music will perform.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 9, 5 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> The ETSU Percussion Ensemble will showcase a wide range of literature in this powerful and dynamic performance.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 12, 7 p.m. \u2014 Down Home, 300 W. Main St.<\/span>
<\/span> Dancers of all experience levels are invited to participate, with live music provided by old-time musicians in ETSU\u2019s Bluegrass, Old-Time and Roots Music Studies. Each dance is taught and called throughout its entirety by a caller.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 14, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> The ETSU Jazz Ensemble will present dynamic arrangements from Duke Ellington classics to contemporary big-band numbers and Latin jazz staples. Tickets are $12.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 16, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> Originally a PBS show, \u201cChristmas with the Celts\u201d features a combination of modern and timeless ancient Irish Christmas carols and dance music. It includes spontaneous humor, a children\u2019s choir and more. Tickets are $36.25 to $85.62 (includes tax and fees).<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 18, 7 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, Powell Recital Hall<\/span>
<\/span> Multiple country bands from the ETSU Bluegrass, Old-Time and Country Music program will perform. The concert will be livestreamed on Facebook (@etsubluegrass) for those unable to attend.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 20, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall<\/span>
<\/span> ETSU vocal students will perform a range of pieces, from tender duets to fiery ensembles, highlighting the many facets of love and friendship through some of opera\u2019s most beloved works.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 21, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> The ETSU Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will perform their final concert of the fall semester, with a wide range of music from contemporary selections to traditional wind literature.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 25, 7:30 p.m. \u2014 Mathes Hall Auditorium<\/span>
<\/span> Dr. Maria Niederberger, professor emerita of music theory and composition and former chair of the ETSU Department of Music, returns to campus for this recital.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 3-21 \u2014 Slocumb Galleries<\/span>
<\/span> Graduating ETSU art students present their capstone art displays. Closing receptions are planned Nov. 14 and 20.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Continuing through Dec. 12 \u2014 Reece Museum<\/span>
<\/span> This exhibit features works produced by Southern Potteries\u2019 Blue Ridge Pottery, which began operations in 1917 in Erwin and became the largest producer of hand-painted pottery and china in the United States. Foreign competition and the increasing popularity of plastic dinnerware led to the company\u2019s liquidation in the 1950s.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Continuing through Dec. 12 \u2014 Reece Museum<\/span>
<\/span> This exhibit explores how sacred histories are presented through visual art in Appalachia and highlights works by the Rev. Jimmy Morrow and other Appalachian and Southern artists, as well as significant artifacts from the museum\u2019s permanent collection.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 3-4, 7 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts<\/span>
<\/span> Inspired by the hit film, \u201cElf the Musical\u201d is the hilarious and heartwarming tale of Buddy, who embarks on a journey to New York City and helps the Big Apple rediscover the true meaning of Christmas. Tickets are $88.66 to $113.04 (including taxes and fees).<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 14, 7 p.m. \u2014 Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall<\/span>
<\/span> The Bud Frank Cinema will present the latest film by Kelly Reichardt, \u201cThe Mastermind,\u201d in which an unemployed family man and amateur art thief (Josh O\u2019Connor) sets out on his first heist with an airtight plan \u2014 or so he thinks.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 18, 5 p.m. \u2014 Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall<\/span>
<\/span> This event features the 25th anniversary screening and the original short film of Wong Kar Wai\u2019s \u201cIn the Mood for Love,\u201d a masterful evocation of romantic longing and fleeting moments that has been a major stylistic influence on cinema for 25 years.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 19, 6:30 p.m. \u2014 Bud Frank Theatre, Gilbreath Hall<\/span>
<\/span> This documentary illuminates the rich and often overlooked experiences of Black Appalachians, capturing the stories of individuals dedicated to preserving their history, embracing their present and shaping their future. Filmmaker Frederick Murphy and featured individuals from the documentary will participate in a Q&A session after the screening.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 19-23, performance times TBA \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, Bert C. Bach Theatre<\/span>
<\/span> Further information on this performance and tickets TBA. Watch the Department of Theatre and Dance website for more.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 24, 7 p.m. \u2014 Martin Center for the Arts, ETSU Foundation Grand Hall<\/span>
<\/span> This performance of Tchaikovsky\u2019s timeless score features an international cast, whimsical puppetry, and opulent costumes and sets crafted by European artisans. Tickets are $42.32 to $229.95 (including tax and fees).<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 1, 8 p.m. \u2014 Harry D. Powell Observatory<\/span>
<\/span> Visitors may view celestial objects through the observatory\u2019s telescopes. ETSU astronomers and physicists will be available to answer questions. Dr. Beverly Smith will give a short talk on \u201cThe Amazing, Exciting, Spitting Black Hole in IC 2431.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 4, 4:30 p.m. \u2014 D.P. Culp Student Center Ballroom<\/span>
<\/span> In this annual competition, ETSU graduate students deliver engaging, three-minute presentations on their academic research, designed for a general audience and accompanied by just one slide.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 5, 1 p.m. \u2014 D.P. Culp Student Center, East Tennessee Room (Room 272)<\/span>
<\/span> Join the Women\u2019s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program for a talk on \u201cUnlearning Burnout: Examining the Crossroads of Work, Gender and Culture\u201d by Dr. Natasha Gouge of the ETSU Department of Psychology.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 8, 10:30 a.m. (9 a.m. check-in) \u2014 ETSU Health, 325 N. State of Franklin Road<\/span>
<\/span> Proceeds from this fundraising event will benefit the Ballad Health Cancer Patient Assistance Fund. Registration is a suggested minimum donation of $20 per bike.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 12, 10 a.m. \u2014 Veterans Memorial on the Quad<\/span>
<\/span> This annual ceremony honors the nation\u2019s military veterans, including ETSU\u2019s student, staff and faculty veterans, with guest speakers, music and a roll call conducted for the ETSU ROTC alumni who were killed in action. Rain location: Brooks Memorial Hall.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 13, 7 p.m. \u2014 Down Home, 300 W. Main St.<\/span>
<\/span> Volunteer tellers will be chosen from the audience to share five-minute tales related to the November theme, \u201cFeasts and Cravings.\u201d The audience will vote for the best story, and the winner will receive a $50 prize. Note: For mature audiences.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. \u2014 Reece Museum<\/span>
<\/span> Community members are invited to bring Bibles, hymnals, church records, photographs and other personal or unique artifacts \u2014 and stories \u2014 relating to spiritual life in Appalachia. Reece Museum staff and ETSU history students will document these materials through digital photography, video and audio interviews so they can be preserved and studied by current and future historians. Participants will take their objects home the same day.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 17, 4:30 p.m. \u2014 Innovation Commons, Sherrod Library (second floor)<\/span>
<\/span> The ETSU National Alumni Association\u2019s popular Arctic Adventures series is back, starting with this Cookie Decorating Party before the university\u2019s Holiday Lights Celebration. Cookies, giveaways and holiday music are planned.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 17, 5:45 p.m. \u2014 ETSU Foundation Carillon and Alumni Plaza<\/span>
<\/span> Join ETSU President Dr. Brian Noland, Student Government Association President Shelby Koerten and Bucky as they kick off the holiday season and turn on the holiday lights. Festivities include live music, the grand opening of the ETSU Synthetic Ice Rink, free screenings of a holiday classic, hot cocoa, cookies and more.<\/span><\/p>\n
<\/b> Nov. 19, 5 p.m. \u2014 D.P. Culp Student Center, East Tennessee Room (Room 272)<\/span>
<\/span> Join the Women\u2019s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program in recognizing the 2025 Notable Women of ETSU for their esteemed contributions to their fields. This year\u2019s honorees are Dr. Christine D. Lewis of the Department of Counseling and Human Services and Cara Harker of the Department of Theatre and Dance.<\/span><\/p>\n