Since its world premiere in 1999, Mamma Mia! has been a continuous fixture of the theatrical landscape, drawing crowds with its timeless 70s soundtrack. Co-directors Morgan Kaplan and Andrew Maynerich are on their second go-round of this iconic, disco fever show after having directed it previously at Sacred-Heart Griffin High School. “We wanted to take […]
Arts & Culture
Posted inIT Picks
A new downtown festival is born
This inaugural, family-friendly event is a celebration of art, culture and community. It will feature more than 20 local artisans displaying their creations, musical and dance performances, children’s activities, craft areas, food and more. The event begins with a performance by the Springfield Youth Performance Group at 11 a.m. followed by a presentation by the […]
Posted inPoetry
By An Anonymous Student
All my life I’ve wanted someone tocare about me, someone to understand.I never realized until lately that the mostobvious person to do this and the most important is myself! I am the onlyperson who can truly know my thoughts,actions, and intentions.  This makes me the logical one to understand myself at the many stages of my life. That’s […]
Posted inFilm
Pressure is gripping from start to finish, Miss lacks emotional honesty
Unwavering determination at the core of Pressure It’s hard to grasp the scope and planning that went into the D-Day invasion that occurred on June 6, 1944. Preparations began in mid-1943 that would result in the deployment of over 156,000 Allied Forces soldiers over a 50-mile stretch of beach across two time zones. Seven million […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Illinois College to host Camp College
Local middle and high school students are invited to the Illinois College campus this summer for Camp College, a two-day immersive experience designed to introduce students to STEAM projects, college life and career exploration. The camp will take place June 15 – 16 and is open to rising sixth graders through eight graders and rising […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
From commencement to summer opportunities at LLCC
There are few moments in the life of a college as meaningful as commencement, and Friday, May 15, was a powerful reminder of why our mission at Lincoln Land Community College matters. As I looked out over our graduates – surrounded by proud families, friends and faculty – I was filled with deep pride and […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Shavuot celebrates the giving of the Torah
The Memorial Day weekend is a time when we remember and honor the dedication and sacrifice of those who gave their lives in the service of our country. Coincidentally, this past weekend observant Christians and Jews both marked special occasions on their respective religious calendars. Jews, this past Friday and Saturday, observed the festival of […]
Posted inArts & Culture
Bella Szabo interview
Bella Szabo, executive director of the Springfield Area Arts Council, joins The Mosaic Project for a conversation about creativity in a changing world. From the rise of AI-generated art to the community impact of the Levitt AMP Springfield Music Series, Bella explores what it means to keep art human, accessible, and rooted in connection. It’s […]
Posted inArts & Culture
More than tea: A culture of whimsy
There’s something quite transformative happening inside Whimsy Tea Company; and it has very little to do with the inventory on the shelves. It’s a warmth you can feel the moment you walk in. The walls are lined with local art, each one telling its own unique story. Exotic aromatic teas line the shelves for guests […]
Posted inFilm
Grogu is lazy and redundant, Ryan accomplishes its mission as thriller
Grogu stultifyingly dull I remember as a child, while playing with either my army men or action figures, the scenarios I would make up for them were pretty simple. A fight would take place and then a chase, followed by another fight with maybe the arrival of another figure and then another fight and … […]
Posted inCommunity & Lifestyle
Have jokes, will travel
Cassandra Simpson has been performing as a stand-up comedian in Springfield for three years. For two of those years, she was the host for The Wakery’s open mic, but that gig came to an end when the venue closed its doors in August of 2025. The end of the downtown venue left aspiring local comics […]
Posted inIT Picks
Organizers plan antiracism workshop
Advancing the calls to action: From community insight to accountability and implementation | Sat., May 30, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | BOS Center This workshop is aimed at empowering justice-oriented organizations and individuals interested in understanding systemic racism. According to organizers, it will “focus on the use of antiracism principles and methods in support of the […]
