This summer wasn't an easy one for Park City Institute (PCI). After celebrating their 20th anniversary of programming at the Eccles Center, they had the rug pulled out from under them, losing the venue space at Deer Valley for their Big Stars, Bright Nights summer concert series. Despite the challenges, PCI decided the show must go on and they solved the problem by hosting pop-up shows, rather than cancelling the performances. Now, they're coming up swinging with their 2018-2019 season at the Eccles Center, which will bring a slew of incredible artists, authors, and adventurers to Park City. 

Headlining the season is none other than Pulitzer prize-winning journalist and author Bob Woodward who first rose to fame for his reporting on the Watergate scandal. Nearly five decades later, Woodward is still in the game and his latest book, Fear: Trump in the White House, is everywhere. Woodward will take the stage at the Eccles on December 16 to shed some light on the never-ending news cycle. Audiences will also have the chance to join three ground-breaking explorers with new National Geographic Live multimedia experiences: taking on the highest peak in Myanmar with Hilaree Nelson
 (Nov. 30), a photographic journey into the Arctic with Brian Skerry (Dec. 29), and following the trail of big cats with Steve Winter (Jan. 19).

The speaker selection for the season is, in fact, one of the strongest to date and also features internet pioneer Jaron Lanier (Jan. 5) who helped create the web, Pulitzer prize-winning journalist Jodi Kantor (Jan. 18) who helped break the Harvey Weinstein story, and David and Nic Sheff (Dec. 15), the father-son pair portrayed in the new film Beautiful Boy, which is redefining how Americans speak about addiction. “This season is rich in ideas and performers who take you out of your comfort zone,” said Teri Orr, Executive Director of the Park City Institute. "Our speakers continue to push the boundaries of how we think—about social media, politics, addiction and sexual assault."  

Though PCI has expanded the definition of performing arts to include speakers who challenge and engage audiences, the organization is still committed to showcasing thrilling dance acts and transcendent musical performances. The season will, after all, kick-off with Grammy-nominated a cappella group Sweet Honey in the Rock (Nov. 24) and includes award-winning contemporary dance company Parsons Dance (Mar. 30) and cutting-edge tap from Dorrance Dance (Apr. 30). Other notable acts include Broadway star and two time Tony-winner Sutton Foster, who will regale audiences with her extraordinary talents on New Year's Eve and the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (Feb. 9), who will spend the week prior to their performance working with the non-profit It Gets Better Project, leading workshops and connecting with the local LGBTQ+ community. 

Check out the full 2018-2019 season line-up below:

Tickets for the season are now on sale and can be purchase online at parkcityinstitute.org, by phone at 435.655.3114, or at the Eccles Center Box Office (1750 Kearns Blvd., Park City).