She's "one of ours," and come Saturday, Jan. 14, alumna and international opera star Deborah Voigt will return to Cal State Fullerton to perform the inaugural concert in the new Performing Arts Center.

The sold-out, black-tie gala is part of a three-day celebration, "Beyond the Dream," that in true Titan spirit, is being created, produced and performed by alumni, students and faculty and staff members. "It will celebrate all of the people who have come through our performing arts programs," says Dean W. Hess, emeritus professor of theatre and dance.

Festivities begin Friday, Jan. 13, with the center's dedication. Open to the campus community, the event will commence at 11 a.m. in the Meng Concert Hall. The University Wind Ensemble will premier "Vintage Renaissance and Beyond" by noted composer/conductor/percussionist William Kraft, followed by an open house of the facility.

Although free of charge, tickets will be required for the dedication and can be reserved by calling 657-278-3256, from 1 to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Saturday's sold-out opening gala will commence with cocktails and a sit-down dinner under a starlight canopy/tent decorated by Julia and Greg Christy (B.A. theatre arts '84, B.A. theatre arts '85, respectively), owners of Brite Ideas Inc. Guests will then make their way to the Vaughncille Joseph Meng Concert Hall to welcome Voigt, one of the world's leading sopranos, onto the Marcy Arroues Mulville stage for "Deborah Voigt and Friends."

Emceed by Marc Cherry (B.A. theatre arts '95), creator of the hit series "Desperate Housewives," and directed by Hess, the show will star Voigt performing Broadway show tunes and opera selections. She'll be joined by alumni Aram Barsamian (B.M. performance/voice '94), Roger Castellano (B.A. theatre arts '84), Rafael Duran (theatre arts), Mark Garcia (B.M. performance '82) and student Tyler Thompson, along with the University Symphony Orchestra. See Images from the Gala »

Theater and dance will be celebrated Sunday with the grand openings of the James D. Young Theatre, the Dale and Millie Hallberg Theatre and the McGarvey Family Dance Studio.

Sunday's "The Broadway Connection: Present, Past, Future" will feature New York-based working musical theater alumni and Fullerton students performing a cabaret show in the Young Theatre. Alumna Kristina Leach's (B.A. theatre arts '00) acclaimed "Grasmere" -- starring the original cast who performed the play in Los Angeles and New York -- will open the Hallberg Theater. In the McGarvey Studio, alumni and friends will present the dance revue, "Kinetically Alive."

All three shows will be performed concurrently at 2 and 6 p.m., with a reception for guests at 4 p.m. Tickets are $75 each and can be reserved by calling 657-278-3371 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. weekdays.

Proceeds from the gala and Sunday celebrations will benefit the Performing Arts Center building fund campaign.