‘A Celebration of Harvard Artists’ showcased the campus arts
Some of Harvard’s most gifted performers past and present came together at Sanders Theatre on Friday to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Arts First. Directed by Diane Paulus, artistic director of the American Repertory Theater (A.R.T.), “A Celebration of Harvard Artists” showcased the highest caliber of campus arts. When Oscar-winner Matt Damon took the stage to reminisce about his time at Harvard 25 years ago, he spoke humbly about being in the company of such extraordinary performances. “Making something with other people is the best thing we can do as human beings,” he said. “The arts are the greatest tool of empathy that I’ve been able to find.” Entertainment came in every form and combination. Composer-pianist Vijay Iyer, the Franklin D. and Florence Rosenblatt Professor of the Arts, played with Director of Harvard Jazz Bands Yosvany Terry (saxophone and shekere) and doctoral student Rajna Swaminathan (mridangam, a two-headed drum). Harvard-trained composer Justin Hurwitz,...