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Chuck Swanson has been a member of the University of Iowa community longer than most of the current students have been alive. Hancher has had many homes since his time as a student in the 1970s, and now, under his wing, the auditorium is a beacon of hope and inclusiveness in the 21st century. Swanson was one of the original committee members who brought the idea of a theme semester to the UI, inspired in part by 20-plus years of success at University of Michigan. The collaborative project is an effort to bring a topic of universal importance to the community to learn about and discuss, and in spring of 2019, the theme will be “Redesigning Our American Dream.” “I think it’s really important as we go forward in the 21st century that we really look at what the American Dream means to everybody and really try to be as inclusive as possible,” Swanson said. “Because our country is changing, too, the landscape of our country, and people from other countries who come to America, you know, they have their own American dreams, they have their own reason for wanting to be here.”

Hancher Auditorium unveiled its lineup for the 2018-19 season, cultivating acts from world-renowned musicals to lectures by legendary journalists. The lineup includes musical acts from Kristin Chenoweth on New Year’s Eve, Tre Voci, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. On the theatrical side of the coin, Cameron Mackintosh will present his version of Victor Hugo’s Les Misérables and the Jersey Boys will grace the stage with their satin voices in February.

Paul Brohan doesn’t have a dream project in mind for Hancher Auditorium, but he does like making dream projects come true for artists. “I like to ask artists, ‘What is it you’d like to do that you’ve never been able to do before?’” says Brohan, programming director for Hancher.

Hancher Auditorium has released their schedule for the 2018 - 2019 season. The season begins with three events in September, one of them being a rescheduled lecture by journalist Cokie Roberts, a free outdoor performance by Sleep Canyon Rangers, and a performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra. During the holidays, the Manhattan Transfer and Take 6 will team up for a concert. The Canadian Brass take the stage during the holidays for a concert. On New Year's Eve, a black tie-optional gala will help ring in the new year with Kristin Chenoweth, a musical performer and actress. Hancher will also feature two broadway shows in the 2018-2019 season, Les Miserables and Jersey Boys. Other performances theatere lovers may be interested in are Steel Magnolias and Hotel.