Featuring Ari Shapiro: Author, Journalist, and Broadcaster

7 p.m. Wednesday, October 28, 2026 | Lynne Hallstrom Detrick Concert Hall, PRAx

Thank You For Listening: An Evening of Songs and Stories

Registration and ticketing information forthcoming. Tickets will be released in the 2026-27 academic year.

Ari Shapiro is an American journalist and singer. As a journalist, Shapiro is one of the most recognized voices in the United States, having spent 25 years as an NPR journalist, including a decade as host of NPR’s flagship evening news program All Things Considered and the podcast Consider This. His debut memoir, "The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening", was an instant New York Times bestseller. Shapiro has won numerous awards including three national Edward R. Murrow Awards, The American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award, and was named Journalist of the Year by NLGJA, the association of LGBTQ+ journalists. As a singer, Shapiro has performed with the Pink Martini orchestra in venues around the world including the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, and Mount Lycabettus.

On October 28, Ari Shapiro will present his original solo cabaret show which combines his background in journalism with his passion for singing. Thank You For Listening: An Evening of Songs and Stories is a moving showcase where Shapiro adapts tales from his best-selling memoir, "The Best Strangers in the World," into an evening of stories and songs about the power of listening to forge connections.

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Ari Shapiro is an acclaimed journalist, author, broadcaster, and performer whose multifaceted career has made him one of the most recognizable and trusted voices in American media. Over 25 years at NPR, he helped shape the national conversation through incisive reporting and thoughtful storytelling, including a decade as host of the network’s flagship evening news program, All Things Considered, and the podcast Consider This. His reporting has taken him from above the Arctic Circle to aboard Air Force One, and his work has earned some of journalism’s highest honors, including three national Edward R. Murrow Awards, the American Bar Association’s Silver Gavel Award, and the distinction of Journalist of the Year from NLGJA, the association of LGBTQ+ journalists. His memoir, The Best Strangers in the World: Stories From a Life Spent Listening, became an instant New York Times bestseller, further cementing his reputation as a singular storyteller across mediums. He also expanded his reach as host of Netflix’s The Mole and as the creator of Wondrium’s award-winning course, The Power of Storytelling.

Beyond journalism, Shapiro has built a vibrant parallel career as a singer and stage performer, bringing the same wit, warmth, and emotional intelligence to live performance that define his reporting. Since making his debut with Pink Martini at the Hollywood Bowl in 2009, he has appeared with the internationally renowned ensemble at celebrated venues around the world, from Carnegie Hall in New York to Mount Lycabettus in Athens, and has been featured on several of the group’s albums in multiple languages. He also co-created the acclaimed two-man stage production Och and Oy: A Considered Cabaret with Alan Cumming, which toured nationally for six years, and continues to perform his solo cabaret show, Thank You for Listening: An Evening of Songs and Stories. Born in Fargo, North Dakota, and raised in Portland, Oregon, Shapiro now lives in Washington, D.C., with his husband and their two dogs.

Featuring Misty Copeland: Ballerina, Author, and Philanthropist

7 p.m. Tuesday, February 2, 2027 | Lynne Hallstrom Detrick Concert Hall, PRAx

An Evening with Misty Copeland

Registration and ticketing information forthcoming. Tickets will be released in the 2026-27 academic year.

Misty Copeland is an acclaimed American ballerina, author, and philanthropist. She made history as the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre, where she performed for 25 years and retired in October 2025. Copeland’s memoir entitled, Life in Motion, was a New York Times bestseller, and her advocacy has earned her numerous honors, including the NAACP’s Spingarn Medal and induction into the Boys & Girls Club National Hall of Fame. She has appeared in major productions, launched her own foundation to promote diversity in dance, and created Life In Motion Productions to tell representative stories through art. With her inspiring journey and commitment to empowering young people, Copeland continues to shape the world of ballet and beyond. On February 2, 2027, Misty Copeland will participate in an in-depth conversation about her career in ballet and the lessons she has learned along the way.

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Misty Copeland is a groundbreaking ballerina, author, producer, and philanthropist whose career has redefined what is possible in classical ballet. Born in Kansas City, Missouri, and raised in San Pedro, California, she began studying ballet at the age of thirteen and quickly rose to national prominence. After training on full scholarship at prestigious programs including the San Francisco Ballet School and American Ballet Theatre’s Summer Intensive, she joined American Ballet Theatre in 2001. In 2007, she became the company’s second African American female soloist and, in 2015, made history as the first African American woman promoted to principal dancer in the company’s 75-year history. Over the course of her extraordinary career, Copeland performed iconic classical and contemporary roles, including Firebird, The Nutcracker, Swan Lake, and Romeo & Juliet, before officially retiring from American Ballet Theatre in October 2025 after 25 years with the organization.

Beyond the stage, Copeland has built a far-reaching legacy as a bestselling author, public figure, entrepreneur, and advocate for equity in the arts. She has appeared in major media outlets, earned numerous honors, and partnered with leading global brands, while also dedicating herself to mentorship and charitable work. Appointed by President Obama to the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports, and Nutrition, she has remained deeply committed to expanding access and opportunity for young people. Her creative work spans books, film, television, Broadway, and production through her company, Life in Motion Productions, and in 2022 she launched The Misty Copeland Foundation to advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in dance. From historic performances to literary accomplishments and philanthropic leadership, Copeland continues to inspire audiences around the world through artistry, advocacy, and cultural impact.