ERSITY ARTS the Magazine of the UNIVERSITY of the ARTS SUMMER 09 No
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edge ERSITY ARTS the magazine of THE UNIVERSITY OF THE ARTS SUMMER 09 No. 2 Cert no. SW-COC-002608 SUMMER09 EDGEcoverFINAL.crw3.indd 1 6/26/09 12:52:39 PM LETTER FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Welcome to the second issue of Edge, the magazine of the University of the Arts. Those who received the inaugural issue will note the magazine’s revised design. While we are proud of the first release of the publication, and it was received positively by our readers, as is the case in art – and in life, for that matter – progress is invariably an iterative process. So it is with Edge. And it is appropriately so as a product of the dynamic and energizing environment at the University of the Arts. As has been noted before, creativity can be messy, and it is in that light that I hope you find the new Edge to be simultaneously “messy” and enlightening, intellectually interesting and aesthetically appealing. We will review our efforts continually, and as is the way in an iterative world, it would not be surprising if you discovered additional refinements in future issues. We appreciate the many notes we have received regarding the initial issue of Edge, both on the magazine in general and on specific features and sections. Readers’ comments will be featured regularly in our Letters to the Editor section, which can be found on page 4. As always, we encourage you to continue to offer your feedback and suggestions. Warm regards, Paul F. Healy Vice President of University Communications The University of the Arts www.uarts.edu EDGEcoverFINAL.crw2.indd 2 6/25/09 8:49:02 AM 4 VERBOTEN How art helps us speak of the unspeakable C O N T E N T S 14 28 22 12 SINGULAR SIBLINGS: NEW NAME, PHOTO STUDENTS DOES YOUR HOUSE THE QUAY BROTHERS LONGTIME FRIEND ON THE TOWN HAVE LIONS? Influential filmmakers return to School of Theater Arts Photo students, cool new Performing Arts students take their alma mater named for Trustee Ira Brind cameras and a TV crew on Sonia Sanchez’ epic poem POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE The University’s 131st commencement 32 LETTERS 3 ALUMNI NOTES 54 FACULTY NOTES 34 IN MEMORIAM 72 FEATURED ALUMNI 44 DEVELOPMENT NOTES 76 ALUMNI EVENTS 52 DONOR REPORT 80 SUMMER 2009 EDGE 1 Sean T. Buffington PRESIDENT Paul F. Healy EDITOR-IN-CHIEF VICE PRESIDENT OF UNIVERSITY COMMUNICATIONS Kevin Kaufman EDITOR Jessica Frye ART DIRECTOR BFA ’02, MAT ’03 (Illustration, Art Education) CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS Barbara Barnes Broadwayworld.com Bill Bustamante ’04 (Musical Theater) John Carlano Jason Chen ’08 (Animation) CHIX 6 Andrea Clearfield Maureen Drdak ’75 (Painting) John Filizzola Harris Fogel Cassie Gardner Jesse Gerard Nina Goffi Dave Jackson Liana Kalushner ’09 (Industrial Design) Rosalie Kenny ’05 (Film) Jordan Matter Martha Martinez-Sotelo Julia Mead ’09 (Photography) Paola Nogueras Sherri O’Connor ’03 (Photography) Ashton Popiel Jason Rusnock Diana Settar ’05 (Photography) Alison Shildt ’09 (Photography) Joshua Trusty ’09 (Photography) Adam Wallacavage ’95 (Photography) Ali Zandi, MFA ’06 (Book Arts) CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Laura J. Armstrong Amanda Black Sophia Bilynsky ’79 (Graphic Design) Mara Herman ’07 (Musical Theater) Jennifer Miller Yuri Rozman ’94 (Industrial Design) Lindsey Stevens ’12 (Dance) Zachary Wolk ’12 (Writing for Film and Television) COVER IMAGE Michael Linden ’10 (Musical Theater) and the Ensemble from Bat Boy: The Musical 2009, Paola Nogueras POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Edge c/o University Communications, The University of the Arts, 320 S. Broad St., Philadelphia, PA 19102 &%(& 70-6.& /6.#&3 &EHFJTUIFNBHB[JOFPGUIF6OJWFSTJUZPGUIF"SUT3FBEFSTBSFFODPVSBHFEUPTVCNJUJEFBTGPS PSJHJOBMBSUJDMFTBCPVU6OJWFSTJUZTUVEFOUT GBDVMUZBOEBMVNOJBEWBODFNFOUTJOBSUTBOEBSUT FEVDBUJPOBOEWJTVBM QFSGPSNJOHBOENFEJBBSUT5IFTVCNJTTJPOPGBSUXPSLGPSSFQSPEVDUJPO JTBMTPFODPVSBHFE1MFBTFJODMVEFDPOUBDUJOGPSNBUJPOXIFOTVCNJUUJOHBSU 6OMFTTSFRVFTUFE BSUXPSLXJMMOPUCFSFUVSOFE -FUUFSTPSDPNNFOUTPOBOZUPQJDBSFXFMDPNFBOEDBOCFTFOUUP &EHFDP5IF0G¾DFPG6OJWFSTJUZ$PNNVOJDBUJPOT 5IF6OJWFSTJUZPGUIF"SUT Walk Cycle II 4PVUI#SPBE4USFFU1IJMBEFMQIJB 1"PSDBOCFFNBJMFEUPOFXT!VBSUTFEV Faculty member Laura Frazure LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Arnie and I enjoyed Edge so very The new issue looks great. I received What an inspiring collection of much. Really good looking and inter- it in the mail two days ago. Love the work and ideas! It really reminded esting. Well worth reading through. new article format and the stories are me of the incredible place that I came of great interest. from and it made me smile to see all It was sad to read the obits of some the creativity that lives on. I loved good friends of years ago, but we were One thought I had, however, in the reading about the educators’ ideas and struck by the good writing and were light of being greener is why print the thoughts, the progress of the institu- very interested in the later lives and document on such heavy coated paper tion and the accomplishments of my whereabouts contained in them. stock? I’m a graphic designer in NYC fellow alumni. It was wonderful to Well done! and it seems people are looking for be reminded of the journey that we’re greener options if you have to print all on as artists again. Thank you so CAROLINE ROTH ’52 (PAINTING) AND at all. much for this beautiful collection of ARNOLD ROTH ’50 (ILLUSTRATION) artistic minds! New York, NY I like that you still print things – it changes everything to hold something TIFFANY BARTOK ’97 (MUSICAL THEATER) Editor’s note: Alumnus Arnold Roth in your hands. Just thought you guys Brooklyn, NY (Illustration) is scheduled to be might look at more crafty paper with inducted into the Society of Illustra- higher recycled content and less pre- tors’ Hall of Fame this summer. cious. Just a thought. See the fall issue of Edge for more. BAZIL FINDLAY ’91 (GRAPHIC DESIGN) New York, NY Immediately upon receiving the book, Editor’s note: Edge, as is the case with I was bowled over! I thought, what a all University publications, is printed great way to present the University, in on recycled paper and is FSC certified. a time when so much uninviting mate- rial arrives at our home. Just great. I am from the “ole school” – the first impression is the most lasting impres- Just received Edge..... GREAT JOB! sion. Also, it is oft times said that you I was emailed by another alumnus cannot judge a book by its cover: not asking if I had seen it and saying how this one. impressed he was with it. I must say that this is a great leap forward from a Then I proceeded to walk through newsletter. this gallery of all of the arts, perform- ing, visual and literary. Was I taken Thank you for the PR you gave me so for a wonderful ride into the world of my classmates can see that I am still on activities at the University? You bet. I this side of the grass. appreciate the section that allows me to remember those who have gone on. JOE WINSTON ’60 Just wonderful. (DIMENSIONAL DESIGN) Fernandina, FL JOE BRUMSKILL ’65 (FASHION DESIGN) Please send all comments, kudos and criticisms to EDGE c/o Wilmington, DE University Communications, Letters to the Editor, 320 South Broad Street, Philadelphia, PA 19102 or email [email protected] SUMMER 2009 EDGE 3 FEATURE VERBOTEN ART ABHORS THE STATUS QUO The digital age has changed how art is created, shared, taught and experienced. But is it for the better? 43 EDGE SUMMER 2009 “The Cider House Rules” is a play that does not tread lightly on its audience’s sensibilities. The drama, adapted by Peter Parnell from the 1985 John Irving novel of the same name, was staged in two parts by the Ira Brind School of Theater Arts at the University of the Arts at its Merriam Theater in April. It focuses on the travails of an orphan raised in a remote Maine orphanage, taken in and taught by a physician who delivered him and performs safe – but illegal – abortions. Set in the first half of the 20th century, the play addresses a number of incendiary issues, including sexuality, race and class – topics not gener- ally embraced around the dinner table or the water cooler. But because it’s told in stage form – where the audience is a willing ob- (above) Scene from “The Cider House Rules” server – the work is able to spark conversation about normally taboo, or “verboten” topics. SUMMER 2009 EDGE 5 FEATURE “Just being in a dark space allows you to think and allows Many playwrights and other artists have addressed issues you to focus in,” says Johnnie Hobbs Jr., associate profes- of sexuality head-on, and one who has done so – often with sor of Theater Arts at the University of the Arts, who di- jarring results – is Kiki Smith. Breaking onto the American rected the first part of “The Cider House Rules.” “There’s art scene in the 1970s, she used sculptures, drawings and a kind of privacy that develops between the audience and prints to depict the female body and all of its functions. the actors, and an intimacy there that allows the audience Art historian Nancy Heller, professor of Liberal Arts at to start thinking privately.” the University of the Arts, says what is most evocative is Smith’s sculpture series depicting women urinating, crying, “The Cider House Rules” is a microcosm of the role art vomiting or menstruating – even using red beads to depict can play in purposefully tossing topics on the table that so- the latter function. ciety may prefer remained underneath it, and changing our understanding of controversial issues, whether in a dark “When I was growing up, you certainly never did talk theater, on the editorial pages of a newspaper, hanging in a about periods. It was obvious everyone knew that every- gallery or blaring through iPod headphones. body had one, but you did not talk about it, and certainly didn’t make art about it.