(PRINCETON, NJ) -- The Lewis Center for the Arts presents theatre, dance, art exhibition, and multimedia works during the first part of March. There are more than 100 public performances, exhibitions, readings, screenings, concerts, lectures, and special events presented by the Lewis Center each year, most of them have free admission.

Special Presentation - Felon: An American Washi Tale, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Theater. March 2 & 3 at 7:00pm and March 4 at 2:30pm at Berlind Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center, 91 University Place. Alone in solitary confinement, a teenager called out to the men in the hole with him: “Somebody, send me a book!” Moments later, Dudley Randall’s The Black Poets slid under his cell door. Those pages were the start of the teen’s transformation into a poet, lawyer, and promoter of the rights of prisoners. Now, 23 years after his release from prison, Reginald Dwayne Betts explores the experience and consequences of his incarceration in a compelling solo theater show based on his poetry collection, Felon. Betts, who recently received a MacArthur “Genius” Fellowship, advocates for literacy in prisons and is the founder and CEO of the nonprofit organization Freedom Reads, which opens 500-book micro-libraries inside prison housing units across the country and brings contemporary writers and artists together with incarcerated audiences. The theater piece is a meditation on life after prison, criminal justice, artmaking and community. Each performance will be paired with an event.

On March 2, a panel discussion including Betts discusses literature, education and freedom in collaboration with the University Center for Human Values. On March 3, a call-to-action conversation and reception is led by Princeton's Prison Teaching Initiative. On March 4, a joyful celebration will mark the anniversary of Betts’ release from prison, including a Camden youth band. An exhibition of work made from traditional Japanese washi paper by Felon set designer and visual artist Kyoko Ibe is on view through March 5. Cosponsored by and in collaboration with numerous University departments, organizations, and offices.

Admission: Open to the public. Tickets are $12 in advance of show dates, $17 purchased the day of performances at the box office, and free for Princeton students. All visitors to Princeton University are expected to be either fully vaccinated, have recently received and be prepared to show proof of a negative COVID test (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen within 8 hours of the scheduled visit), or agree to wear a face covering when indoors and around others.

Accessibility: The Berlind Theatre is an accessible venue with an assistive listening system. The March 2 performance will be open captioned. Guests in need of other access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least one week in advance at [email protected]

Roots, a dance concert, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Dance. March 2, 3 & 4 at 8:30pm at Hearst Dance Theater at Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton University campus. Roots is an evening of two distinctive dance works by Princeton seniors Naomi Benenson and Mandy Qua. These pieces both explore and challenge traditional ways of connecting with oneself and one’s community. “Inextricably Linked” by Benenson explores the collective effort to combat the act of self-imposed isolation.  “Pamana” choreographed by Mandy Qua features an all-Filipino cast and explores the themes of agriculture, faith, and community rooted in friendship and “seed stories.”

Admission: Free and open to the public, no tickets required. All visitors to Princeton University are expected to be either fully vaccinated, have recently received and be prepared to show proof of a negative COVID test (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen within 8 hours of the scheduled visit), or agree to wear a face covering when indoors and around others.

Accessibility: The Hearst Dance Theater is an accessible venue. The March 3 performance will be open captioned. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least one week in advance at [email protected]

Frog in the Well, an exhibition by Yoko Urban ’23, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Visual Arts  through March 10 at Lucas Gallery at 185 Nassau St. on the Princeton University campus. Opening reception March 1 at 5:00pm. Gallery open: Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm. An exhibition of recent work by Princeton senior Yoko Urano. "The frog in the well knows nothing of the ocean" points to those who think they know everything, when really, they know very little. Frog in the Well is a show about finding joy in the unknown and the unknowable, through 3D prints, video, and more.

Admission: Free and open to the public. All visitors to Princeton University are expected to be either fully vaccinated, have recently received and be prepared to show proof of a negative COVID test (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen within 8 hours of the scheduled visit), or agree to wear a face covering when indoors and around others.

Accessibility: The Lucas Gallery is an accessible venue. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least one week in advance at [email protected]

What am I supposed to do now? an exhibition by senior Eloise Schrier, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Visual Arts through March 10 at CoLab at Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton University campus. Opening reception March 2 at 6:00pm. Gallery open daily 10:00am-8:00pm. Visual Arts senior Eloise Schrier presents an exhibition of new multimedia works that include painting, and collage of found, collected and curated objects. Through the exhibition, Schrier interrogates how objecthood, art and space are defined within clandestinely charged and guarded spaces like museums. The objects in the exhibition themselves have an internal narrative and life, while also acting as evidence for an external life.

Admission: Free and open to the public. All visitors to Princeton University are expected to be either fully vaccinated, have recently received and be prepared to show proof of a negative COVID test (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen within 8 hours of the scheduled visit), or agree to wear a face covering when indoors and around others.

Accessibility: The CoLab is an accessible venue. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least one week in advance at [email protected]

Frog in the Well, an exhibition by senior Yoko Urano, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts’ Program in Visual Arts through March 10 Lucas Gallery at 185 Nassau St. on the Princeton University campus. Opening reception March 1 at 5:00pm.  Gallery open Monday-Friday 9:00am-6:00pm. An exhibition of recent work by Princeton senior Yoko Urano. "The frog in the well knows nothing of the ocean" points to those who think they know everything, when really, they know very little. Frog in the Well is a show about finding joy in the unknown and the unknowable, through 3D prints, video, and more.

Admission: Free and open to the public. All visitors to Princeton University are expected to be either fully vaccinated, have recently received and be prepared to show proof of a negative COVID test (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen within 8 hours of the scheduled visit), or agree to wear a face covering when indoors and around others.

Accessibility: The Lucas Gallery is an accessible venue. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least one week in advance at [email protected]

Washitales, An Exhibition by Visual Artist Kyoko Ibe, presented by the Lewis Center for the Arts through March 5 Hurley Gallery at Lewis Arts complex on the Princeton University campus.  Gallery open daily 10:00am to 8:00pm. Washitales presents the work of renowned visual artist Kyoko Ibe in conjunction with the Lewis Center’s theatrical presentation of Felon: An American Washi Tale by Reginald Dwayne Betts. The set for Felon has been designed and created by Ibe and includes kites constructed of paper (washi) made from the clothes of men who Betts met in prison. “Washi” is traditional Japanese handmade paper. The exhibition, cosponsored by Princeton’s Department of Art & Archaeology, includes work related to the theatrical set and other works by Ibe using handmade paper. Felon: An American Washi Tale is one of a series of collaborations between director and dramaturg Elise Thoron and Kyoko Ibe. A conversation with Ibe moderated by visual arts lecturer Daniel Heyman will be held on February 23 along with the celebratory launch of a new book documenting Thoron and Ibe’s collaborations, The Way of Washi Tales.

Admission: Free and open to the public. All visitors to Princeton University are expected to be either fully vaccinated, have recently received and be prepared to show proof of a negative COVID test (via PCR within 72 hours or via rapid antigen within 8 hours of the scheduled visit), or agree to wear a face covering when indoors and around others.

Accessibility: The Hurley Gallery is an accessible venue. Guests in need of access accommodations are invited to contact the Lewis Center at least one week in advance at [email protected]

To learn more about the Lewis Center for the Arts, and the more than 100 public performances, exhibitions, readings, screenings, concerts, lectures, and special events presented by the Lewis Center each year, most of them free, visit the Lewis Center website.