ISSUE 27 FALL/WINTER 2017
The Alumni Magazine of Columbia College Chicago
Jackalope Theatre celebrates 10 years
Theresa Guleserian creates the sets you see on screen
Capturing History Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalists ISSUE 27 DEMO FALL/WINTER 2017
16 40
FEATURES PORTFOLIO 8 Double Exposure 36 Material Girl 28 Mark FelcanSmith ’96 builds the UX designs that help you shop. Ozier Muhammad ’72 and Pablo Theresa Guleserian ’05 creates Martínez Monsiváis ’94 reflect the spaces and backdrops for films 30 Carmaine Means ’02 and Mika on their Pulitzer Prize-winning and television. Stambaugh ’05 take to the skies photojournalism careers. with Drone Girls Photography. 40 Working for Peanuts 16 Birth of a Jackalope Nomi Kane ’06 spends her days In 2008, three Columbia students drawing Snoopy and Charlie Brown DEPARTMENTS started Jackalope Theatre as a class as a staff artist at Schulz Studio. project. Today, it’s still thriving. 3 Vision Questions for President Kwang-Wu Kim
SPOT ONS 4 Wire News from the Columbia community 24 Keanon Kyles ’10 sang his way from a janitor job to the Scottish opera stage. 33 Alumni Shorts Quick looks at cool projects 26 Jonathan Skogmo ’05 helps videos go viral—and make money— 44 Alumni News & Notes at Jukin Media. Featuring class news, notes, donor stories, and networking
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 1 DEMO “The support from my college—and friends of ISSUE 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 the college—pushes me to produce the best MAGAZINE STAFF EDITOR-IN-CHIEF work that I can.” Megan Kirby EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Negesti Kaudo The Efroymson Family Fund JT Lachausse allowed Music student LEAD DESIGNER Amy Campher to study at Sarah Ettinger Popakademie in Mannheim, STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Germany. Read Amy’s Philip Dembinski ’08 story on page 47. ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES MANAGER Chuck Lira ’08
RESEARCHER Amy Wilson
Cover image by Eva Deitch Alumni Shorts illustrations by Renee Rolewicz ’16
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES William E. Wolf
PRESIDENT Kwang-Wu Kim, DMA
VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Shawn Wax
DEMO (volume 12, number 2) is published by Columbia College Chicago. DEMO is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the college two times per year. The ideas and opinions expressed are those of the writers alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Columbia College Chicago. ©Columbia College Chicago 2017.
Contact us: For address changes or deletions, email your first and last name, mailing address, city, state, zip code, and phone number to [email protected] and spec- ify if your request is an address update or a request to stop receiving DEMO. For other inquiries, email demo@ colum.edu, call 312-369-1000, or mail DEMO magazine, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 527, Chicago, IL 60605.
colum.edu/demo
Want to support students like Amy in their creative journeys? Give today at colum.edu/giving.
2 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Wire NEWS FROM THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY
EMMY AWARDS HONOR COLUMBIA ALUMNI
Columbia College Chicago is proud of the alumni who have been awarded or nominated for their exceptional achievements in the past year. The follow- ing list includes alumni who have received nation- al acclaim for their work in television. ® • Rob Bolanowski ’87, special effects coordinator for Big Little Lies, which received multiple Emmy Awards and nominations
Dawoud Bey, photography professor at Columbia College Chicago. Photograph courtesy of John D. and • Aidy Bryant ’09, cast member Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation. on Saturday Night Live, which received multiple Emmy Awards DAWOUD BEY RECEIVES MACARTHUR FELLOWSHIP and nominations Tiffany S. Griffith ’92 Photography Professor Dawoud Bey received a 2017 MacArthur Foundation Fellowship • , Emmy for his accomplishments in the field of photography. The Fellowship is awarded to indi- Award for Sound Editing for a Series, viduals in various fields who have shown exceptional originality and dedication to their Stranger Things creative pursuits. • Heather Gross ’97, Emmy Award In 1975, Bey began photographing in the streets of Harlem, New York, leading to his first for Sound Editing for a Limited Series, solo exhibition, Harlem, USA, in 1979. Bey’s photographs document the culture and character Movie or Special, The Night Of of everyday people, for which he has been recognized both nationally and internationally. • Callie Hersheway ’07, associate pro- His photography has been exhibited at the Art Institute of Chicago, the Barbican Centre ducer on Veep, which received multiple in London, and the Whitney Museum of American Art, among other places. Emmy Awards and nominations “Being named a MacArthur Fellow is a profound honor,” says Bey. “It is both an affir- mation and validation of what I have worked hard to achieve these past 40 years. To know • Daniel Jelinek ’02, director for that my efforts to visualize and elevate the conversation regarding the lives of ordinary Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, and often marginalized peoples through my work have been recognized at the highest which received multiple Emmy levels is deeply gratifying.” Awards and nominations • Dan Kenyon ’10, Emmy Award for Sound Editing for a Nonfiction Program (Single Camera), The Beatles: “To know that my efforts ... have Eight Days a Week—The Touring Years • Lena Waithe ’06, Emmy Award for Writing for a Comedy Series, Master been recognized at the highest of None levels is deeply gratifying.” – Dawoud Bey
4 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Wire
STREET LEVEL EXPLORES WABASH ARTS CORRIDOR
Columbia College Chicago and the Wabash Arts Corridor (WAC) teamed up for the annual public art exhibition Street Level. The exhibition gave a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of murals in the South Loop neighborhood. From September 15 to October 20, eight murals were added to the WAC, bringing the total number to nearly 50. Street Level also included programming such as a performance art series, interactive projects, live art-making, and more. Featured artists included Sam Kirk ’05, Shinique Smith, Louise “Ouizi” Chen, and performance artist Michael Anthony Garcia, among others. Street Level culminated with the annual WAC Crawl, which celebrated the expanding vitality of WAC and the city of Chicago. Matthew Shenoda, dean of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI)
COLUMBIA WORKS TO UNDO RACISM
With the support of President Kwang-Wu Kim and Provost Stanley T. Wearden, the Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) office has a new initiative: make Co- lumbia College Chicago an anti-racist insti- tution. To work toward its goal, DEI invited faculty and staff to participate in two-day Undoing Racism workshops throughout the year. According to Dean of Academic DEI Matthew Shenoda: “The workshops will help [participants] see how racism operates in historical and systemic contexts so we can think about how to begin the work of undoing it.” The workshops allow participants time to process and engage difficult issues and conversations in a communal space. DEI hopes faculty and staff will apply workshop concepts to their classrooms, curriculum, and work.
“The workshops will help [participants] see how racism operates in historical and systemic contexts so we can think about how to begin the work of undoing it.”
–Matthew Shenoda
Top: China Truborn by Louise “Ouizi” Chen at 1312 S. Michigan Ave. Bottom: What I Am by Shinique Smith at 1600 S. State St.; Desenredando Fronteras (Unraveling Border #2) by Hector Duarte at 1014 S. Michigan Ave.
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 5 Wire
DAMMEYER FELLOW ANAHID GHORBANI TACKLES IMMIGRATION
is awarded annually to one artist to create a body of work highlighting human rights and social issues. Artists receive a $25,000 stipend and complete the yearlong fellow- ship with a solo exhibition. Here’s the inside scoop on Ghorbani’s forthcoming project. Project focus: Chicago-based immigrant and exiled women.
COLUMBIA BREAKS GROUND Project construction: ON NEW STUDENT CENTER A photo-narrative series highlighting women’s oppression in various cultures, On November 13, 2017, Columbia College while also providing a platform for identity Chicago broke ground on a student center reclamation and self-expression. as innovative as its students. President After President Donald Trump’s executive Subject matter: Kwang-Wu Kim welcomed Chicago Mayor order “travel ban” barred her Iranian parents Ghorbani created a photo-narrative series Rahm Emanuel, as well as local community from entering the United States for her grad- of Iranian women for her MFA thesis collec- organizations and Columbia faculty, staff, uation, Anahid Ghorbani MFA ’17 applied for tion, The Color is Black, to explore the impact and students, to celebrate at the corner of Columbia’s Diane Dammeyer Fellowship of Iranian history on women’s rights, iden- Eighth Street and Wabash Avenue, the site in Photographic Arts and Social Issues. As tity, and oppression. She hopes to highlight of the new facility. the third Dammeyer Fellow, Ghorbani aims the voices of immigrant and exiled women to rattle the patriarchy with a woman-fo- to inform people of their oppression through “The new student center is cused project. The Dammeyer Fellowship photography and other mediums. built around the ideas and inspired work of our students,” Interested in becoming a Dammeyer Fellow? says Dr. Kwang-Wu Kim, president and CEO of Columbia College Chicago. Find more info at colum.edu/dammeyer.
“The new space will foster these innovations and bring together a highly diverse community of makers and thinkers engaged with our exciting, culturally influential city.”
The new student center will feature inte- grated spaces for both structured and infor- mal interaction and learning—from analog and digital maker labs to an 800-person event space. Completion of construction is planned for early 2019.
Ghorbani took this photograph as part of her 2016 thesis collection, The Color is Black.
6 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Wire OFFICE HOURS
A PEEK INTO STAGE COMBAT PROFESSOR DAVID WOOLLEY’S WEAPONS ARSENAL
When Associate Professor David Woolley began teaching at Columbia College Chicago, his students staged combat in the hallway. “You’ve got to give me an office I can sword fight in,” he requested. In 1985, he was granted a former music classroom that once housed 10 pianos—just big enough for a proper stage brawl. After 32 years in the office, Woolley and his weapons will migrate to a new spot as the Getz Theatre undergoes renovations. Before the big move, DEMO stopped by to commemorate this historic space in Columbia’s history.
2
1 3
1. Woolley’s headshot hall of fame spotlights his former student assistants—some of whom have gone on to become stunt doubles, professional wrestlers, animal trainers, and even a Disney princess.
2. In addition to teaching at Columbia, Woolley works as a swordsman in several theatre groups—and just completed his 28th season at the Bristol Renaissance Faire in Wisconsin.
3. Woolley’s office smells like sword polish. His weapons collection includes small swords, rapiers, daggers, and even foam swords “so you can beat on each other heartily.”
4. This student-painted mural came from a book of sword-fighting techniques. 4
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 7 Alumni Shorts PUPPET MASTER
Allyson Gonzalez builds whimsical, unpredictable worlds.
Theatre alum and Chicago-based puppeteer Allyson Gonzalez ’09 has collaborated with international puppeteers and performed at The Chicago International Puppet Theater Festival, DragonCon, and The Chicago Humanities Festival. Below are three glimpses at Gonzalez’s life as a professional puppeteer.
STORYTELLING FIRST, SUSTAINABLE NOT YOUR DAUGHTER’S 1 PUPPETEERING SECOND 2 SHOWS 3 SESAME STREET For Gonzalez, puppeteering is an Most of Gonzalez’s puppets and Gonzalez’s puppetry is based on interdisciplinary and multisensory shows are created with recycled and narratives from modern-day pop experience. She decides on a sto- sustainable materials from local culture and politics. Her most recent ryline first, then creates puppets to farmers and Midwest artisans. puppet show, I Got Hot Sauce In My live in that specific world. Gonzalez Veins, reimagines news stories about also writes, directs, and performs in U.S. Immigration and Customs her one-woman shows and stop- Enforcement through the life of a motion films. bottle of hot sauce whose normal day goes terribly wrong.
In I Got Hot Sauce In My Veins, the protagonist—a bottle of hot sauce—is cooking in the kitchen when a demonic book transports her to another world. Created and produced by Allyson Gonzalez.
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 35 Portfolio
From sketch to set, Theresa Guleserian ’05 creates the spaces and backdrops for films and television.
Material36 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Girl Portfolio
Above: Theresa Guleserian at Columbia College Chicago’s Media Production Center, the main facility for the Cinema Arts and Television program. Left: Guleserian creates a “Bible” lookbook for each of her productions. This page represents the aesthetic for Sam’s house on the Netflix seriesFriends from College.
IN THE EPISODE “ALL-NIGHTER” of Netflix As a production designer, Guleserian is series Friends from College, Kate McKinnon involved in the creation of a film or series saunters into the living room of a high-rise from the very beginning, working with apartment. Potted white flowers and pastel the directors and writers on the narrative. shopping bags cover every surface in the Through paint, fabric, flowers, furniture, room, from the pine tables to the white and objects, Guleserian creates spaces that carpet. Lavender curtains hang between are both natural for the characters and ap- floor to ceiling windows boasting a view pealing to viewers. of a dreary New York City. In a gray tex- tured blazer, McKinnon slinks onto a navy velvet couch, becoming an entity of the room’s color palette. McKinnon’s character, “The most relevant part of Shawna, fits seamlessly into a room that my job is understanding what exudes comfort, wealth, and luxury. Theresa Guleserian ’05 created that story the director wants to tell room. In fact, it’s one of her favorite sets and what it means.” from the show. “[The director said] ‘Just go Great Gatsby, like the most absurd ridiculous version of her “[We’re] talking about story, meaning, you can come up with,’ ” says Guleserian. “My and theme,” says Guleserian. “The most art department and I traveled all through relevant part of my job is understanding Manhattan, collected every shopping bag what story the director wants to tell and on the planet. We spent stupid amounts of what it means. I make every decision based money on this florist with this very tight on that information.” color palette and floral instructions, and we Guleserian has worked on more than a just whipped the place together.” dozen films and television shows includ- Guleserian attended Columbia College ing The One I Love, Togetherness, Before We Chicago to study Animation, but developed Go, The Overnight, Friends from College, and an interest in production design after taking Neighbors 2: Sorority Rising. a required Live Action Film course. After After graduating from AFI in 2006, graduating with a degree in Film and Video, Guleserian and her now-husband, John she attended the American Film Institute Guleserian ’04 (also an AFI alum), worked (AFI) for an MFA in Production Design. together on the 2009 feature film Spooner, a
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 37 Portfolio film about a socially awkward man in crisis 1. Interior of Marianne’s House, Friends on the eve of his 30th birthday. from College—“[For] something as “It was just a tiny film that somehow big as Friends from College, the kick-started our careers immediately after decisions of what goes into each school, which is really weird and never person’s home [happen] months in happens,” says Guleserian. The indie film advance,” says Guleserian. won the Achievement Award at the Newport 2. Tailgate Design Map for Neighbors 2— Beach Film Festival in 2009, and Guleserian “[Director] Nick [Stoller] has a worked on six other films and TV series in bombastic way of [storytelling], but that year alone. I have the most fun on any job with For big-budget projects, such as Neigh- him,” says Guleserian. bors 2: Sorority Rising, Guleserian leads an art department of more than 100 people. 3. Sketch of the Dune set-up for the She creates a lookbook for each produc- Togetherness episode “For the Kids”— tion, collecting color palettes, set sketches, In the final two episodes of season two and images of what goes into a character’s of HBO’s Togetherness, the characters home for months in advance of filming. put together their own rendition of Dune With independent films, such as The One I by filling a charter school with sand Love, Guleserian’s process is more intimate, and using puppets. organic, and slower. She works closely with 4. Final Dune set from Togetherness— directors, deciding finite details later in the “The whole [scene] is really wild. We production process. The One I Love is about trucked in a million pounds of sand, a couple sent on a therapeutic getaway to not literally, but you know, a lot of a lavish estate. Soon, their relationship is sand,“ says Guleserian. “It was really further complicated by strange occurrences complicated [and] really fun.” in the guest house. 1 “[For The One I Love] we had to make two environments feel really different, so you weren’t confused about who was in what space,” says Guleserian. “We had to make the guest house feel incredibly warm and safe, and the main house was made to feel like a complex reality of a long marriage.” To do this, Guleserian abstained from color in the main house, covering the fur- niture in black-and-white fabric. But she de- signed the guest house, where fantasy and reality blur, with warm blushes, oranges, and pinks. Ultimately, Guleserian is a storyteller, amplifying narrative by creating sets, back- drops, and homes that reflect everything from the characters inhabiting them to the implicit themes of the show. “[A production] becomes your entire world because the only way you can ac- complish something on that big of a scale is to have it consume you,” says Guleserian. Guleserian recently wrapped on Valley Girl—a musical adaptation of the 1983 Martha Coolidge-directed film—and is working on the independent film The Shit- heads while preparing for the second season of Friends from College. –Negesti Kaudo
2
38 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Portfolio
3
4
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 39 Class Notes SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES AT COLUM.EDU/CLASSNOTES
1960s PATRICK MARKS, who attended Columbia 1990s in the 1980s, recently joined Fox Television STEVEN TROY ’68 worked for ABC and JEN ALBERT ’97 was the first woman to as vice president of talent acquisition. He WGN TV before his retirement. He then win the Los Angeles Critics Circle Award previously worked at Paramount Pictures spent 26 years in the Army and Army for Fight Choreography for Punch and Judy. in Hollywood. Reserve, where he worked with soldiers STEVE ALSIP ’93 is the video producer for as a broadcast officer. KEVIN MILLER ’82 had his short stage play the Health Care Service Corporation. Alsip Positions Available Immediately, Local Firm has won Webby awards for his work. 1970s produced by Triton College. BILL BOERMAN-CORNELL MFA ’94 pub- LILIAN CARUANA ’77 published REBELS: lished his debut book, Graphic Novels in High Punks and Skinheads of New York’s East School and Middle School: A Disciplinary Lit- Village. The book covers her time document- eracies Approach. This book describes how ing the lives of punks and skinheads who teachers can use graphic novels effectively lived and squatted in New York City’s East in the classroom. Village and played music at the legendary CBGB club in the 1980s. JOHN BOROWSKI ’96 will release his fifth feature documentary film, Bloodlines: The JOSEPH POWERS ’72 is working on a docu- Art and Life of Vincent Castiglia, in early 2018. mentary project about Brooklyn firefight- ers titled The Red Hook Raiders. DEREK BRAASCH ’99 was featured on BloodyDisgusting.com regarding his horror 1980s film career.
DENNIS ANDERSON ’85 was named 2016 GUY ARTHUR CANINO ’96 received his MA GateHouse Editor of the Year. Anderson in Applied Linguistics at the University is executive editor of the Journal Star in of Nottingham. He now lectures at three Peoria, Illinois. universities and has been running his own language school in Germany for the past SUSAN BASS MARCUS MA ’83 published 17 years. her short story “Kitchen Magic” in the Fall Maura Corey MFA ’97 and Robert Atwood ’04 work on the ABC comedy Kevin (Probably) Saves the World. Into Fantasy Anthology of Cloaked Press. MAURA COREY MFA ’97 is an editor on ABC’s Kevin (Probably) Saves the World and JOSEPH CASSADY ’81 has consecutive- on TV Land’s Teachers. DIANE O’NEILL ’84 ly achieved the Michigan Association of had her essay “Jerrie” Broadcasters Award for Broadcast Excel- and poem “Chicago Spring, 1983” published BRIAN FISHER ’95 has joined Encore Event lence from 2014 to 2017. in South Side Weekly’s 2017 Lit Issue. She also Technologies as lead technician at the Omni had an article, “Valentin’s School,” accepted Southpark Hotel in Austin, Texas. DARRYL CLARK ’86 had his debut as cho- by Highlights for Children. reographer at McLeod Summer Playhouse, PAUL GARNES ’96, HDR ’16 was promot- SERITA STEVENS’ ’81 staging dances for their production of Sister Civil War historical ed to executive producer on OWN’s Queen Act: The Musical. book/script, The Master’s Will, made it to the Sugar. semifinals for the Page Awards. The Master’s CRAIG GORE ’99 is a writer and co-execu- MICHAEL GOI ’80 will direct the upcoming Will placed 46th out of several thousand tive producer on S.W.A.T., which premiered supernatural thriller Mary, starring Gary entries. Oldman. in November 2017 on CBS. GEORGE TILLMAN JR. ’91, HDR ’13 will CUPID HAYES ’97 appeared in the most JOAN HAMMEL ’86 was the artist-in-res- direct the upcoming movie adaptation of recent season of TNT’s The Last Ship, which idence for the National Park Service this The New York Times-bestselling novel The aired in August 2017. past summer. Hate U Give. KATHERINE MCGUIRE ’94 is now director DOUGLAS HOLT ’89 was cast in the ROZ VARON ’80 released her debut book of employee communications for Comcast’s Hoogland Center for the Arts production On the Road with Roz: Adventures in Travel Greater Chicago Region. of The Wiz, with multiple minor roles. and Life.
50 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Alumni News & Notes
EVELYN SHELTON ’90 earned a degree in Culinary Arts and a certificate in Baking and Pastry Arts from Kendall College. Shelton is now the chef and owner of Eve- lyn’s Food Love Café.
JUSTIN THALER, who attended Colum- bia in the 1990s, has worked on the Steve Harvey Show for the past five seasons, and has been the field production manager there for the past two years. Previously, he worked for Hughes Entertainment and Disney Studios doing features, pilots, commercials, and many other projects in various different roles.
KENNY YOUNG ’93 wrote the animated feature Chance, the story of a Pit Bull who stands up to the world of underground dog- fighting. The film premiered at the Dances The Milwaukee Art Museum featured Rashid Johnson’s ’00Hail We Now Sing Joy exhibition from June to September 2017. The above image features the works “Falling Men series” and “Untitled (shea butter table).” with Films independent film festival in Photograph by John Glembin. Los Angeles.
MARY PAT BENTEL ’01 produced the RASHID JOHNSON’S ’00 Hail We Now Sing 2017 feature film Austin Found. JOHN W. Joy exhibition was featured at the Milwau- BOSHER ’06 and CHRIS CHARLES ’07 were kee Art Museum. co-executive producers on the film. RACHEL LAFORCE ’08 was in a nationally MIKEY CORONA ’06 opened The Mock- televised Hot Wheels commercial. ingbird, a globally inspired modern diner CRYSTAL MARTIN ’09 received a BA in Tele- in Nashville, Tennessee. vision Production and Directing, an MA MAE CROSBY MFA ’09 worked with the in Counseling and MEd in Education Ad- audio and music team that premiered Star ministration from Lewis University, and a Trek Beyond at the San Diego Comic Con, post-graduate certification from the Urban and premiered the Star Wars IV, V, VI, and Education Institute at Harvard University. VII films with the New York Philharmonic in September 2017.
COURTNEY ENLOW ’07 has published work in Vanity Fair, Glamour Magazine, and VH1, among other outlets.
CHRISTIAN GRIDELLI’S ’08 first feature film, The Origins of Wit & Humor, will debut Animated movie Chance was written by Kenny Young on Video on Demand after a year-long fes- ’93 and premiered at the Dances with Films festival. tival run. The Chicago-shot film features many local actors, comedians, and crew— many of whom attended Columbia. 2000s CHRISTOPHER HAYDEN ’09 was promoted ROBERT ATWOOD ’04 is a producer on the from coordinator to manager at social media new ABC show Kevin (Probably) Saves the company McBeard. World, starring Jason Ritter. HILARY HELDING ’09 is a writer for the tele- LINDSAY BENACKA ’09 has been selected vision show American Woman, based on the for the Arizona Creative Communities In- life of Real Housewives star Kyle Richards. stitute by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, ASU Herberger Institute, and South- GIL HIZON ’06 is one of eight writers select- west Folklife Alliance. ed to participate in the 2017-18 CBS Writers Mary Pat Bentel ’01, John W. Bosher ’06, and Chris Mentoring Program. Charles ’07 worked on the comedy Austin Found.
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 51 Alumni News & Notes
CLARISSA BONET’S MFA ’12 photographs were featured in The New York Times.
REBECCA BRUNNER ’17 was a contestant on season 12 of The Voice.
OLIVIA COLE ’10 will release her debut young adult novel, A Conspiracy of Stars, with HarperCollins in January 2018.
KAYE COOKSEY ’12 is the president of the Chicago Alliance of African American Pho- tographers for 2017-2019. BEAU DILLARD ’13 Angela Melpolder ’08 co-founded The B Hive, a networking business that helps women and female business teaches part time at owners in Austin, Texas. Photograph by Rebecca Hoftstetter of Mira Visu Photography. the Ex’treme Institute by Nelly, an accred- ited two-year college that focuses on music AMANDA MAUER TAFLINGER MAT ’07 ADAM WALKER TOUW ’07 is the traffic business and recording. started a contemporary craft fair in Indiana manager at Conversant, a digital advertis- MAGGIE ENTERRIOS ’12 published her called the INDIEana Handicraft Exchange ing company. He manages internal systems debut book, Nature Observer: A Guided in 2007. In 2010, she opened the brick-and- and develops project workflows for cre- Journal, with Timber Press. mortar storefront Homespun: Modern and ative teams. Handmade that now features more than JENNIFER FAGAN ’16 is the founder and LAUREN TRUELOCK ’07 and former student 400 artists. director of The Overlook, a multidisci- SIDNE HIRSCH created apparel company plinary art space in Logan Square. The ANGELA MELPOLDER ’08 co-founded Healing Heels, designed to empower Overlook provides emerging women The B Hive, a business that helps Austin, women battling cancer. artists, queer artists, and artists of color Texas, women and female business owners a platform to further their practice and achieve success through networking, sem- audience through a studio residency, ex- inars, and workshops. hibitions, and programming.
BEN NISSEN ’05 is in the process of sub- WILLOW FAYGENHOLTZ ’12 was featured in mitting the feature film Nowhere Mind to the 2017 April issue of Harper’s Bazaar UK festivals. Two scenes were filmed on the as a runway model for New York Fashion Columbia College Chicago campus. Week. She has previously modeled for The NICHOLE ODIJK DEMARIO ’08 became Steve Harvey Show, Groupon, Target, Lands’ the communications manager of start-up End, Giam, and more. company Calumet Collaborative. LAUREN FIELDS’ MFA ’14 latest novel, Homo BRIAN SCHAB ’04 launched his own per- Superiors, was a finalist for Gay Mystery at sonal fitness business, Schab Fitness. the 29th Lambda Literary Awards. KASSI FOLSTER ’16 MEENA SINGH ’02 is the cinematographer Sidne Hirsch and Lauren Truelock ’07 are the “sole is an event manager for sisters” of Healing Heels. Photograph by Tami Page. Innovation Arts and Entertainment. She’s for the new Netflix crime documentary The advanced and settled productions across Confession Tapes. LENA WAITHE ’06 won an Emmy Award North America, including Harry Potter In CHRISTIAN SPRENGER ’07 was the cinema- for Outstanding Comedy Writing, making Concert, 42nd Street, The Price Is Right Live!, tographer for the film Brigsby Bear. her the first African-American woman to and more. earn this honor. Her next project, The Chi, BETHEL SWIFT ’07 was accepted into the JOAN FRIEDRICH ’11 completed her mas- premieres on Showtime in January 2018. AWP Writer to Writer Mentorship Program. ter’s in education at DePaul University in She expects to finish her first chapbook of June 2017. poetry—with the guidance of established 2010s MICHAEL GEORGE ’16 joined the cast of poet Sandy Coomer—this year. BRIDGET ARNET ’12 was recently recog- the Chicago production of Hamilton in MOLLY TOLSKY ’08 launched Alma, a new nized for her editing on the documentary October 2017. lifestyle website and online community for Served Like a Girl at the South by Southwest FALLON GLICK ’12 is a WDRB news re- Jewish millennial women. Alma publishes Film and Arts Festival in Austin, Texas. porter and weekend anchor in Louisville, a range of content on subjects like careers, DUSTIN BEACH ’15 is an office production Kentucky. Glick received an Ohio Valley dating, pop culture, spirituality, health, assistant for Clint Eastwood’s next feature, Regional Emmy nomination for her story fashion, books, and more. The 15:17 to Paris. of Muhammad Ali’s funeral coverage.
52 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Alumni News & Notes
BRANDI LARSEN ’10 is now vice president JASON REBLANDO MFA ’10 published his of publishing at DK, and is responsible for debut book, New Deal Utopias, through the North American publishing strate- German publisher Kehrer Verlag in Sep- gy. DK is the world’s leading illustrated tember 2017. The book explores one of the reference publisher, and part of Penguin overlooked programs of the New Deal: the Random House. construction of three government-planned communities called Greenbelt Towns. ADAM LAWSON ’12 won the Chicago Reader Award for Best Non-Fiction Writer of 2017 MARY SARAN ’12 had a solo exhibition at for his essay collection, Animals on Buses. the Amos Eno Gallery in Brooklyn, New York. Saran states that her work “exists FAISAL MOHYUDDIN MFA ’15 won the 2017 between painting and sculpture, pushing Sexton Prize for Poetry for her book, The the boundaries of mixed media.” Displaced Children of Displaced Children. The book will be published by Eyewear in CARLY SOTERAS ’11 is a staff writer on The early 2018. Gifted, which premiered in October 2017 on Fox. BRIELLE MUNIZZI ’15 represented Chicago on Great American Cities week on Wheel of ERIN STALEY ’12 works at Lionsgate En- Fortune, winning second place. tertainment in Los Angeles.
Olivia Cole’s ’10 debut young adult novel will come AARON MYERS ’16 was a cast member on TATIANA WALK-MORRIS ’14 published her out in January 2018. season 16 of Project Runway. debut Vogue.com article about the etiquette for splitting the bill in the digital age. KELLY O’KEEFE ’14 joined FCB Chicago as SPENCER HALL ’16 was hired for the an art director. NATASHA WILLIAMS ’11 is the founder and Summer Copywriting Internship at Havas CEO of DREAM BIG CurvyGirl Fashion Worldwide Chicago. ANDREW PARROTTE’S ’10 feature-length & Beauty Conference, the Midwest’s first narrative film, Scrooge & Marley, screens ROSE HAMILL ’16 is the company manager conference established for plus-size fashion annually at the Music Box Theatre around for Broken Nose Theatre. and beauty enthusiasts. Williams’ confer- Christmas. ence receives support from companies such MICHAEL KAZMIERCZAK-VEGA ’12 is VAUGHN POTTER ’12 was director of pho- as Lane Bryant, Pear Nova, and many more. digital content strategist at the Association tography for the film Shinaab, which was Forum in Chicago. ERIK ZACHARY ’14 became a host for MTV’s accepted into Short Film categories at the revamp of Total Request Live. ROBERT KURLAND ’12 has been working 2017 Sundance Film Festival, Minneapolis for Digi-Me, where he oversees much of the St. Paul International Film Festival, Los production process and all of the company’s Angeles Film Festival, and Toronto Inter- IN MEMORIAM post-production. national Film Festival. CHRISTA BENNETT ’13 WILLIAM BRITT ’92 WARRICK L. CARTER, former president TONY DEL VALLE ’78 GERALD L. HUNDLEY ’57 ADOLPH KIEFER ’40 SOMMER LAYDEN ’07 PATRICK J. O’KEEFE ’82 JOHN SCHULTZ, faculty SYDNEY SMITH GORDON, former trustee JEANNE UZDAWINIS ’79
MARRIAGES
BETH REHN and DAVID MICHOR, former student
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES Lena Waithe ’06 made Emmy Awards history as the first African-American woman to win for Outstanding AT COLUM.EDU/CLASSNOTES Comedy Writing. Photograph by Anthony Chiappetta ’95.
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 53 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND EVENTS, Upcoming Events VISIT EVENTS.COLUM.EDU
JANUARY 18–APRIL 1 Traversing the Past: Adam Golfer, Diana Matar, Hrvoje Slovenc
Museum of Contemporary Photography 600 S. Michigan Ave. mocp.org In Traversing the Past: Adam Golfer, Diana Matar, Hrvoje Slovenc, three artists trace their family stories to histories of political turmoil, violence, and displacement. The exhibition is a visual meditation on the complex relationship between personal and political histories.
Hrvoje Slovenc, Portraits 1-15, 2016. Image courtesy of the artist.
FEBRUARY 7–17 MARCH 13–17 APRIL 18–28 Dog Act Sweet Charity The Conference of the Birds
Studio 404, 72 E. 11th St. The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. Studio 404, 72 E. 11th St. theatre.colum.edu theatre.colum.edu theatre.colum.edu In a post-apocalyptic world, vaudevillian The ever-optimistic Charity Hope Val- Based on the ancient Persian poem by performer Zetta Stone and her trusty Dog entine is a ballroom taxi-dancer with an Attar of Nishapur, The Conference of (a young man undergoing a voluntary spe- endless case of bad luck. Nonetheless, the Birds follows a flock of birds whose cies demotion) trek toward a mythical she holds on to hope that someday— beloved king, Simorgh—a mythical land where Stone hopes to perform for maybe today—she’ll meet the perfect Iranian bird—has disappeared. The per- the king—facing constant derailment on man. That is, if he doesn’t steal her purse, formance follows the flock on their har- the way. shove her into a closet, or throw her into rowing journey as they contemplate the a river. Again. great question: What is the essence of the soul?
54 DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 Alumni News & Notes
MARCH 2–3 Formosa
Harris Theater 205 E. Randolph St. colum.edu/cloudgate Choreographer Lin Hwai-min and his Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan present Formosa. The performance pays homage to the island of Taiwan, with dancers using gesture, script, song, and other elements to recreate the complicat- ed beauty of Taiwan’s history and culture.
Formosa, performed by Cloud Gate Dance Theatre of Taiwan. Photograph by LIU Chen-hsiang
MARCH 7–9 MARCH 9 Chicago Feminist Film Festival Cory Henry
Film Row Cinema, 1104 S. Wabash Ave. Residency Concert chicagofeministfilmfestival.com Music Center Concert Hall, Chicago Feminist Film Festival presents its third annual two-day showcase of indepen- 1014 S. Michigan Ave. dent and international films. Featured films are predominantly short films of various colum.edu/music genres aimed to address issues of gender, sexuality, race, and other forms of inequality Grammy Award-winning keyboardist Cory often missing from mainstream media. Henry of Cory Henry and the Funk Apos- tles completes his week-long residency with an on-campus performance.
MAY 11 Manifest
Throughout campus colum.edu/manifest Manifest is Columbia’s annual urban arts festival celebrating grad- uating students and their creative projects. Free and open to the public, Manifest features musical performances, gallery exhibi- tions, fashion shows, readings, an alumni reception, and more.
DEMO 27 FALL/WINTER 2017 55 ISSUE 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017
The Alumni Magazine of Columbia College Chicago
The stop-animation skeleton fromfrom 1933’s King KongKong.
Hear him ROAR Director Jordan Vogt-Roberts ’06 resurrects King Kong ISSUE 26 DEMO SPRING/SUMMER 2017
24 38
FEATURES PORTFOLIO DEPARTMENTS 8 Greetings from 38 Practical Magic 3 Vision Hollywood Jessica Egan ’12 crafts functional Questions for President Kwang-Wu Kim and beautiful ceramics with her Little Kong: Skull Island director Jordan 4 Wire Fire Ceramics brand. Vogt-Roberts ’06 gives DEMO a News from the Columbia community tour of LA. 42 A New Narrative 35 Alumni Shorts Ervin A. Johnson ’12, Krista Quick looks at cool projects Franklin MFA ’13, and Tonika 16 Achieving Balance 50 Alumni News & Notes Three Creative Arts Therapies Johnson ’03 explore black identity Featuring class news, notes, alumnae discuss using dance and through visual art. and networking movement to connect the body and mind. SPOT ONS 24 Speaking English Under the stage name Aiden 28 Luis de la Parra ’95 connects big brands English, Matt Rehwoldt ’10 takes with Univision’s massive audience. performance to the next level: 30 Eduardo Vilaro MA ’99 combines World Wrestling Entertainment. Latino tradition and contemporary choreography at Ballet Hispanico.
32 Shea Coulee ’11 uses her theatre skills to sashay her way through season nine of RuPaul’s Drag Race.
DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 1 DEMO ISSUE 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017
MAGAZINE STAFF
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Megan Kirby
EDITORIAL ASSISTANTS Negesti Kaudo JT Lachausse
LEAD DESIGNER Sarah Ettinger
DESIGNER Chris Reyes
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Philip Dembinski ’08
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES MANAGER Chuck Lira ’08
RESEARCHER Amy Wilson
Alumni Shorts illustrations by Erik Rodriguez
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES BE PROUD William E. Wolf PRESIDENT Kwang-Wu Kim, DMA
VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS OF YOU Deb Maue VICE PRESIDENT OF DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS Shawn Wax Visit colum.edu/classnotes CORRECTIONS: In DEMO 25, the article “Just Bead to submit your updates. You could It” was miscredited. The author was Stephanie Ewing MA ’12. The issue’s illustrations were created by Erik even end up in the next DEMO. Rodriguez. DEMO (volume 12, number 1) is published by Columbia College Chicago. DEMO is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the college two times per year. The ideas and opinions expressed are those of the writers alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Columbia College Chicago. ©Columbia College Chicago 2017.
Contact us: For address changes or deletions, email your first and last name, mailing address, city, state, zip code, and phone number to [email protected] and spec- ify if your request is an address update or a request to stop receiving DEMO. For other inquiries, email demo@ colum.edu, call 312-369-1000, or mail DEMO magazine, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 527, Chicago, IL 60605.
colum.edu/demo
2 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Wire NEWS FROM THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY
INTRODUCING THE NEW STUDENT CENTER
After nearly a year of planning, Columbia’s new student center is in its final stages of development. The five-story, 114,000 square-foot facility “Now, students will will include a variety of creative spaces, including dance studios, analog and digital maker labs, and an 800-person event area. “Our students have always sought out ways to collaborate and study in informal set- have a place designed tings outside the classroom,” says President Kwang-Wu Kim. “Now, students will have a place designed especially for them.” The facility will extend from Wabash Avenue to Holden Court, running along 8th especially for them.” Street, and is slated for an October 2017 groundbreaking. – President Kim
MATTHEW SHENODA APPOINTED AS DEAN OF DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION
Professor Matthew Shenoda has been appointed as the dean of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), a new position created to advance diversity within the college’s aca- demic programs, hiring policies, and overall learning environment. Shenoda has served as the inaugural assistant provost for Equity and Diversity in the School of Critical Studies at CalArts, and has developed several courses on the intersections of race, culture, and literature. “Matthew is a nationally recognized expert on the study of diversity, equity, and inclusion,” says President Kim, who appointed Shenoda in early 2017. Initially con- ceived through the college’s 2015 Strategic Plan, the dean of DEI focuses specifically on enhancing curriculum, curricular programming, and faculty expertise. “I am incredibly pleased to take on this new position in a most relevant moment,” says Shenoda.
4 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Wire
MOCP FEATURES AI WEIWEI’S FIRST SOLO CHICAGO EXHIBITION
Ai Weiwei’s first solo exhibition in Chicago fused art, activism, and social media into a show that explored three decades of photographic work. Global artist-provocateur Ai has been censored, surveilled, and imprisoned for his artwork confronting political and social issues. Ai designed and curated #AiWeiwei specifically for the Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP), which was displayed April 13–July 2, 2017. The show featured more than 30,000 images, including a large wallpaper piece of more than 17,000 images addressing the current global refugee crisis. The oldest images were black and white photos of Ai as an international art student in his 20s; the most recent was a photo of the artist’s hand giving the middle finger to Trump Tower in Manhattan. SEMESTER IN LA EXPANDS
Starting in fall 2017, Columbia’s Semes- ter in LA program (SiLA) will provide a full-semester immersive experience, al- lowing students to fully integrate into the entertainment, media, and commu- nication industries. Hosted on Raleigh Studios—the longest continuously oper- ating studio in the country—the program now welcomes juniors and seniors from all majors. Karen Loop, associate dean of Los Angeles programs, has restructured the SiLA program to place internships at its core. She is currently working with Los Angeles-based alumni who can provide internship opportunities and is seeking recent SiLA graduates to mentor incoming SiLA students. In addition, the Raleigh Studio office has begun collecting one- sheets from alumni-helmed television, film, and new media projects to decorate the space. Interested in getting involved? Get in touch at [email protected]. Here are a few companies where Colum- bia students have secured jobs and intern- ships after completing the SiLA program: • The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences • Dreamworks SKG • HBO • Jim Henson Productions • NBC
• Paramount Pictures Top: Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn, 1995, photo-triptych. Bottom: Illumination, 2009, color photograph. Photos provided by Ai Weiwei Studio. • Warner Brothers • YouTube
DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 5 Wire
GETZ THEATRE UNDERGOING RENOVATIONS
The Getz Theatre will get a major makeover in 2018. Theatre students, faculty, staff, and alumni can look forward to the newly renovated theater being better suited for both teaching and theatre production. Led by Gensler Principal and Architect David Broz, the theater will be renovated as a courtyard theater that will be larger and more accessible to students working on projects. Most importantly, the theater will include a proper sidestage and backstage. The building will also have two production shops on the first floor, allowing produc- tion to be done onsite. The second floor will have dressing rooms, a makeup room, and a raised catwalk, which will be more conducive to teaching.
CHICAGO FEMINIST FILM FESTIVAL COLUMBIA INTRODUCES ONLINE COURSE OPTIONS CELEBRATES SECOND YEAR In June, Columbia introduced a new online school by launching five online summer courses. This March, Columbia College Chicago Vice Provost for Digital Learning Rob Green and his team began establishing Columbia’s hosted the second annual Chicago Femi- stand-alone online courses last fall. “I wanted to develop a set of courses that could keep nist Film Festival at the college’s Film Row the students with Columbia, where we could control the quality of education, focus it on Cinema. Free and open to the public, the the arts, and make it affordable for the student,” says Green. event featured short films created by in- The Digital Learning team worked with faculty to develop the online courses and create dividuals from around the world, including the best online experience. Cultivating an online community allows for high student seven films from Columbia alumni and stu- engagement, similar to that of a physical classroom. In addition to the degree-earning dents. “The [festival] celebrates the work of credit courses offered in the summer, Green’s team will begin exploring career advance- under-represented filmmakers,” says Susan ment courses in the fall. Kerns, assistant professor for Cinema Art and Science. “Particularly women, people of color, and queer and transgender folks.” This year, Chicago Feminist Film Festival received 800 entries for consideration, from which 57 short films from 22 coun- tries were chosen. Among those films, Columbia alum Shayna Connely MFA ’05 and students Adele Franck, Youngbin Song, Dana Jacobs, and others presented their directorial work. “The festival allows us to provide under-represented filmmakers the recognition they have earned,” says Associate Professor Michelle Yates, who cofounded the festival with Kerns. “We are pleased to have Columbia’s support in our efforts.”
6 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Wire
DEVELOPMENT AND ALUMNI RELATIONS WELCOMES SHAWN WAX
Columbia College Chicago has appointed Shawn Wax, former vice president for the University of Iowa Foundation, as vice presi- dent of Development and Alumni Relations. Wax will work on matters of institutional advancement, donor participation, and HIP-HOP MINOR HITS COLUMBIA THIS FALL alumni engagement. He talked with DEMO Columbia College Chicago will introduce its Hip-Hop Studies minor this fall. Students about what we need to know. from all programs can engage in hip-hop culture with classes in history, ethics, dance, DEMO: What are eight things we should fashion, visual art, community-based projects and internships, and more. Three professors know about you? provided sneak peeks at their syllabi for the launch of the program. WAX: My pride and joy are my three daugh- ters: Courtney (20), Ashley (19), and Macy Amina Norman-Hawkins (7). The favorite places I’ve visited are Rio Course: Hip-Hop: A Sonic History de Janeiro and Monte Carlo. I am uber-com- Material: Midway: Story of Chicago Hip-Hop (Archival Interview Series) petitive in all things. I like great wine. I am unafraid of risk. The best part of my day “[The interviews] help students understand the broad always involves laughter. I believe people context of hip-hop and how it’s viewed and practiced in our are what make an organization excellent. society. We all know that Kanye West is an international hip-hop figure, but And, despite what anyone may tell you, really understanding that dynamic from a grassroots level to a national level is my mom makes the world’s greatest sweet potato pie. meaningful because students can see [his] journey.” DEMO: What have you been up to since Kelsa Robinson assuming your role on March 15? Course: Hip-Hop Dance and Culture WAX: A “listen and learn” tour—not just Material: B-Series internally with our faculty and students, but externally with our trustees, volunteers, “We bring the B-Series—a two-day festival celebrating donors, and alumni. I’ve found that there is a underground hip-hop and street dance culture—into the deep affinity for Columbia, especially among Dance Center. At the end of the semester, the students create their own jam. faculty and alumni. If I was challenged to find one word that sums up what I’ve wit- They get to sweat along with dancers in the community, dance to a live DJ, and nessed thus far, it would be “authentic.” build skills through the semester to test in a community environment.” DEMO: How can alumni get more involved Alex Fruchter with Development at Columbia? WAX: Course: AEMMP Record Label: Practicum We need volunteers of all types: worker bees and connectors, visionaries Material: Hip-Hop Evolution (Documentary) and leaders. And as you may know by now, “To work on a hip-hop label, you need to be well-versed in I’ll always find a way to ask for our alumni the history of the genre. I don’t think you can work at a hip- to make a gift in support of Columbia. If you have made a gift, thank you! If not, hop label and not know Russell Simmons and Def Jam, or how the LA hip-hop you can visit colum.edu/giving to make scene got its start, or even further back: The Cold Crush Brothers.” a gift today!
DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 7 Alumni Shorts PHOTO FINISH
Snap a selfie in Martina Smith’s ’06 Social PixPod. HOW TO TAKE The Perfect Selfie
1. USE PROPS “Wearing a crown and some fun glasses, maybe a nice boa, is always a great option.”
2. PAIRED/GROUP PHOTOS Martina Smith ’06 wants you to take a “You can’t just take all the poses yourself! Doing a selfie. Your friends, too. She wants you to all gather in the Social PixPod and say cheese. back-to-back with a partner is always a lot of fun.” The Social PixPod is a social photo booth and Smith’s brainchild for bringing people together. Intended for events, the Social 3. LET LOOSE PixPod includes a tent, backdrops, props, “I think confidence is always a good thing—just and most importantly, the AirPix Photo having fun and letting loose.” kiosk: a stand-alone tripod with high defini- tion camera and the perfect picture lighting. Users can take solo or group photos, create 4. DON’T BE AFRAID TO POSE photo strips, and even make their own GIFs “Sometimes people don’t know what to do, but to post online. Smith’s favorite events for the Social just go with your gut! Strike a few different poses, PixPod are festivals and weddings, where whether it’s a hand on your hip, a peace sign. users can print out memories that literally Stick out your tongue or bring someone into the last a lifetime—while also creating the perfect GIF to share on Instagram. She photo, do something funny and silly. Don’t be shared a few tips for snagging the perfect afraid to do you when you’re in the booth.” Social PixPod selfie.
Smith shows her selfie expertise in the Social PixPod.
36 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Portfolio Practical Magic
From the pottery wheel to the dinner table, Jessica Egan’s ’12 ceramics fuse beauty and function.
38 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Portfolio
Left: Egan in her Logan Square studio. Above: “[It’s] really important to me that my ceramics are just as functional as they are aesthetically pleasing,” says Egan of her Little Fire Ceramics brand.
IN CHICAGO’S LOGAN SQUARE neigh- Egan’s ceramics journey began in high borhood, Jessica Egan ’12 can be found school in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, where throwing on a pottery wheel behind a she found herself in an art class with three north-facing window, which (on a good pottery wheels that none of her teachers day) floods the room with natural light. knew how to use. Determined to learn, Behind her, three hanging shelves display she enrolled in art classes at Bryan Becker neatly stacked green ombre washed mugs, Clay Werks, a local studio. There, she found terrariums, yellow and pink bowls, several a mentor in owner and ceramicist Bryan potted plants, and one lonely orchid branch- Becker. Becker taught her traditional forms ing over the edge of a tiny charcoal pot. of throwing functional ceramics, but he While her studio surroundings are neat, also motivated Egan with his success as the clay dust covering Egan’s dark clothing a full-time ceramicist. Soon, she was ap- reveals another story: one of passion and a prenticing for the studio and falling in love willingness to get messy. with the form. In high school, Egan began creating func- At Columbia, Egan created sculptural ce- tional ceramics: objects intended for use, ramics while continuing to take functional not decoration. (Though they look great, ceramic classes on the side at Chicago’s too.) After graduating Columbia College Lillstreet Art Center. When Egan graduated Chicago with degrees in Fine Arts and in 2012, her professors encouraged her to Environmental Science, Egan started her pursue a career in functional ceramics. own company: Little Fire Ceramics (a name In Chicago, her ceramics caught on for inspired by the Gaelic translation of her their contemporary, minimalist designs. last name). Since the start of Little Fire These days, she spends eight- to 10-hour Ceramics, Egan’s work has expanded from shifts working in her studio on custom online custom orders to local boutiques and planters, tableware, and terrariums (which tableware commissions at some of Chicago’s are sold at Sprout Home, a modern home hippest restaurants. and garden center, where she also works full
DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 39 Portfolio time teaching terrarium-making classes). Her vases and tableware typically have splashes of color. She rarely uses texture, but when she does the patterns are precise: the impression of a leaf or shell, the holes in a colander, the printing of a name, or the texture of a coaster. Recently, Egan began collaborating with Chicago restaurateurs on customized ta- bleware. Her first commission was from chef Justin Behlke, the head chef of Thurk, an underground vegetable-focused supper club. The two Wisconsinites collaborated to create a set of tableware to match Thurk’s earthy aesthetic: plates and bowls in yellow, gray, and green. “My favorite part—and it does evolve—is collaborating and prototyping,” says Egan. “That’s where I get to explore new forms and work with other people, especially chefs or restaurateurs, because they’re thinking about plating. They’re thinking about these different aspects of functional- ity that maybe I wouldn’t have thought of.” Egan was also commissioned by chefs Anna and David Posey, who own Elske, a Nordic-influenced restaurant in Chicago’s West Loop. She created a set of cobalt blue ombre plates, pink and white dessert bowls, 1 and a set of color-dipped vases. Both Behlke and the Poseys plate their food on Egan’s tableware, which gets plenty of love on their social media accounts. In the future, Egan wants to collaborate with more restaurateurs and explore new techniques to further evolve her work. Still inspired by her hometown mentor’s success, Egan continues to pursue expanding Little Fire Ceramics into a full-time career. “I’ve always had this understanding that it is a tangible dream that I could own my own company, whether that is doing pro- duction ceramics full time or having my own studio,” she says. Egan’s work can be found in-store at select Chicago vendors and online at littlefireceramics.com. —Negesti Kaudo
3 4
40 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Portfolio
2
1. Glass Cloche Terrariums—The cloche glassware (intended for clocks) creates a closed system, allowing the terrarium to become humid and self-watering under the right conditions.
2. Bowls—Egan created these bowls for underground Chicago pop-up diner Thurk.
3. Raku Vase—This vase was fired using the Western Raku firing technique, where a vessel is put into a kiln and removed when red hot, then sprayed with water and intentionally dropped to create surface cracks.
4. Tabletop Planter—“I just love designing with the knowledge that somebody is going to use this for something that’s going to bring them so much joy,” Egan says.
5. Luna Mugs—Egan uses an air- compressor and spray gun to achieve the ombre color fade on 5 her Luna mugs.
DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 41 Class Notes SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES AT COLUM.EDU/CLASSNOTES
1970s RONIT BEZALEL’S ’99 film 70 Acres in Chicago: Cabrini Green premiered on PBS VALERIE BURKE ’76 won silver and honor- this past spring. able mention awards at the Tokyo Interna- tional Foto Awards for her cyanotypes City JOTHAM BURRELLO MFA ’98 was named Dweller and Sailing. director of the Yale Writers’ Conference in 2016. MIKE FELTEN ’72 released his sixth album, Diamonds and Televisions. CURT CLENDENIN ’98 and his band, Yacht- ley Crew, completed a tour of California. DAVE KOHL ’75 is now the publisher of Clendenin also helped organize the 2nd Real Estate Agent Magazine for the Chicago- Annual KaPow Intergalactic Film Festival. land area. THURSTON COLEMAN ’95 performed with JACQUIE LEWIS ’75 co-edited the book the Cleveland Orchestra for their Martin Working with Dreams and PTSD Night- Luther King Jr. Day Celebration Concert. mares: 14 Approaches for Psychotherapists He also staged an original gospel musical and Counselors. The Gospel Nativity. JOE POWERS ’72 is working on a documen- LORRI CHRISTOU ’94 has been appointed tary photography project about Brooklyn City Dweller, cyanotype by Valerie Burke ’76, was vice president of public relations and exter- firefighters called The Red Hook Raiders. recognized at the Tokyo International Foto Awards. nal affairs at Choice Hotels.
1980s 1990s BRIAN DETTMER ’97 showcased his art of facts: Brian Dettmer exhibition at Aurora Uni- JANE BISHOP LILLEGARD ’85 JEN ALBERT ’97 won a Los Angeles Drama was featured versity’s Schingoethe Center in spring 2016. in an issue of Real Estate Agent Magazine. Critics Circle Award for Fight Choreography for the show Punch and Judy. ERICA HUBBARD ’99 was on an episode of FELICIA COLEMAN-HAZZARD ’88 is the GIOIA BEARDEN ’90 NBC’s Chicago Med. founder and publisher of Fragrance Belles- was associate producer Lettres, an online magazine about perfume. on PBS/ITVS docuseries Party Girls: Discov- CHRIS MCKAY ’91 directed The LEGO ering Politics Across America, which follows Batman Movie. MICHAEL GOI ’80 worked as the director first-time woman voters as they navigate MAX MCSIMOV’S ’99 and cinematographer for the film Mary. He the 2016 election. View all episodes of Party film 50 Feet of Song is also currently working as a writer, direc- Girls at reelroost.com/party-girls-series-1. was featured by Kodak. tor, and cinematographer for forthcoming film Guthrie.
DARREN JONES ’86 starred as Alger Clark in the play Never the Milk and Honey, present- ed by MPAACT Theatre Company. He also celebrated his 25th anniversary on stage.
KEVIN KOWAL ’84 celebrated his ninth year with OnSite Audio of the Tri-States. OnSite Audio provides unique sound services for private, civic, and nonprofit events.
TAGGART SIEGEL MA ’85 directed SEED: The Untold Story, a documentary that follows the world of seeds and the people who protect them.
PETER TESCHNER, who attended Colum- bia in the 80s, was the editor for the film Hidden Figures. Gioia Bearden ’90 worked as an associate producer on Party Girls: Exploring Politics Across America. Image provided by Marc Baptiste Photography.
52 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 Alumni News & Notes
CARL SEATON ’94 was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Di- recting in a Motion Picture (Television) for the film Bad Dad Rehab. Seaton also directed two episodes of the BET police drama Rebel.
TIM STIPAN ’99 did color correction on Martin Scorcese’s film Silence.
VANESSA VILLARREAL ’95 worked as a volunteer writer for the US Army in Afghan- istan for nine months, where she wrote more than 30 stories and was published in her community newspaper.
ANGELA WILSON ’94 published Frannie Fireball & Sally Snowball under pen name “Jay Wilson.” The story tells the tale of two sisters who symbolize hot and cold weather. Nomi Kane ’06 created this illustration as a staff artist at Schulz Studio. All characters and content intellectual property of Charles M. Schulz, © Peanuts. 2000s
ALLISON BOSMA ’07 cowrote and sold ROBERT DICKE ’09 traveled to India, where LETSOMO LA TSHIPA ’03 appeared in the her first major studio movie, a Christmas he played with the jazz trio Fareed Haque 2016 film A United Kingdom. comedy, to Universal Studios. She also and His Funk Brothers. ABBEY LONDER ’08 was featured in Los wrote for the NBC sitcom Undateable. JOHN FILIPKOWSKI ’06 acted as CG Super- Angeles Magazine for her work with Riot LA, visor to the team at Sarofsky for the end the annual comedy festival she produces. title sequence of Marvel’s Doctor Strange. TIFFANY MAGBY ’09 is the associate pro- JONATHAN FLYNN’S ’08 band Diamond ducer for The First 48, an Atlanta docu- Hands released a self-titled LP through You mentary program. Are the Cosmos Records. DAMON MALONEY ’08 accepted a job as DENNIS GARCIA ’00 will star in the 2018 a multimedia journalist and reporter at feature film Barrio Boy. He also appeared WOIO-TV in Cleveland. in an episode of Chicago Justice. NICK NUMMERDOR ’07 codirected Vannin, MICHAEL GODEK ’08 launched a photogra- a documentary about 1970s van enthu- phy wet plate collodion product line called siasts. Nummerdor also coproduced and Modern Collodion. recorded sound for Hannibal Buress’ doc- umentary Hannibal Takes Edinburgh. ALLYSON GONZALEZ’S ’09 career as a puppeteer and process of creating puppets WENDY PARMAN ’03 created Callie’s Solo, with salvaged materials was featured in a semi-autobiographical musical/comedy DNAinfo Chicago. web series about a voice teacher in Chicago. It was an official selection for Web Series CARLY GROSE ’09 is a producer on Tyra Festival Global 2017. Allyson Gonzalez ’09 creates puppets from Banks’ new talk show FABlife. salvaged materials. ILIANA REGAN ’05 of Elizabeth Restau- RASHID JOHNSON ’00 will direct an ad- rant was nominated for a James Beard Best RYAN BOURQUE ’09 opened his first solo aptation of Richard Wright’s classic novel Chef award. gallery exhibition at The ARC Gallery in Native Son. Chicago in January 2017. BRIAN SCHAB ’04 launched Schab Personal NADINE JOHNSTONE MFA ’08 published Fitness in Chicago. KRISTY BOWEN MFA ’07 published her her memoir, Of This Much I’m Sure. sixth full-length book of poems, salvage. GARY MICHAEL SCHULTZ ’01 wrote and NOMI KANE ’06 is a full-time staff artist at directed the new action/crime thriller BRANDON DEPAOLO ’08 wrote for Super- the Schulz Studio in Santa Rosa, California, Vincent N Roxxy. Mansion, an Adult Swim and Crackle sitcom. where she works on licensing, design, and illustration for Peanuts.
DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 53 Alumni News & Notes
DEREK VAN PELT ’06 is a partner in Main- mate: My Journey in Baseball and a World award presented by the British Academy of stay Entertainment, a talent management Series for the Ages. Film Television Arts. and TV/film production company. EMILY DAHLQUIST ’14 helped launch JESSIE SARDINA ’14 accepted a position JORDAN VOGT-ROBERTS ’06 was the first cultural venue Canvas Chicago, environ- in scouting and development for Factor American to be named the ambassador of mental organization Streets & Beats, and Chosen Model Management. tourism to Vietnam. He also directed Kong: Dahl House pop-up shop. She is currently JENNY SEAY ’01, MFA ’10 serves as a class Skull Island, which filmed in Vietnam. working at Mosaic, an experiential mar- giving officer in university development keting agency. LENA WAITHE’S ’06 drama television show and alumni relations at University of Cali- The Chi was picked up by Showtime. She JAMES GIRARDIER ’14 edits the Philip De- fornia, Berkeley. also wrote and starred in the Master of None Franco Show, which won two 2016 Streamy CARLY SOTERAS ’11 was a writer on the episode “Thanksgiving.” Awards recognizing online video production. Fox police drama APB. WHITNEY WELCH ’08 is the coordinating NOAH KLOOR ’12 and JEFF BLOOM ’12 producer for NBC’s dance competition show finished an interactive short film Narrow World of Dance, produced by Jennifer Lopez. Streets. They also run a small commercial production company, Jeff & Noah, that 2010s worked on a series for LEGO.
JILLIAN ADAMS ’11 was promoted to coor- BRAD MEYER ’15 received several Daytime dinator in talent relations at DC Comics. Emmy and Golden Reel Award nominations for his work on The Storybots, Future-Worm!, CRISTINA AGUIRRE ’11 is set photographer and Half Shell Heroes: Blast to the Past. and web associate producer for the Steve Harvey Show. ALEXANDER MURFEY ’16 currently serves with AmeriCorps in New Mexico, provid- ALYSON BRODSKY ’10 received a Forty ing therapy and recreational activities to under 40 award from Pet Age Magazine for veterans and their families. her public relations work with Matrix Part- Luke Wieting MFA ’10 scored the second season of BLACK. ners, a communications firm specializing ANGELICA MAZZA NIGAM ’10 is a full-time in pet product marketing. producer at Google in San Francisco. LUKE WIETING MFA ’10 has scored and con- JILLIAN BRUSCHERA MFA ’14 AMYE ONG MFA ’15 published a creative is touring tributed music for numerous productions, nonfiction essay in Image Journal. with arts education project The Mobile including the documentary Walking Man, Mill: A Traveling Paper Studio, offering JESSEAL PACUBAS ’13 produced a short web NBC’s The Island with Bear Grylls, and sci-fi workshops in recycled hand-papermaking. series pilot, Sequins, about a young woman’s drama series Convergence. Wieting was also JOHN CORCORAN ’11 and RAM GETZ ’13 move from the suburbs to Los Angeles. nominated for Best Original Score at the Indie Series Awards for the second season are writing a film based on former Chicago SHANNON RYAN ’12 was named the first of the series BLACK. Cubs catcher David Ross’ memoir, Team- Woman of her Word Disabilities Scholar, an
IN MEMORIAM LARRY BOWEN ’10 DEREK DZIAK ’05 WHITNEY PARCELLS ’12 ROBERT SCHNEIGER, former student DAVID J. STEINER MA ’02 DAVID ANDREW SZABO ’70
MARRIAGES
ROGER PERCY JORDAN JR. ’97 and ROBERT JASON CHENOWETH
SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES AT COLUM.EDU/CLASSNOTES Jillian Bruschera MFA ’14 is touring with arts education project The Mobile Mill: A Traveling Paper Studio.
54 DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 FOR MORE INFORMATION AND EVENTS, Upcoming Events VISIT EVENTS.COLUM.EDU
MAY 12–AUGUST 18 JULY 12–OCTOBER 1 OCTOBER 12–DECEMBER 22 POLYDRAW: An Exhibition re:collection Disruptive Perspectives of Drawings and Prints Museum of Contemporary Photography Museum of Contemporary Photography ShopColumbia 600 S. Michigan Ave. 600 S. Michigan Ave. 619 S. Wabash Ave., First Floor mocp.org mocp.org shop.colum.edu re:collection celebrates the Museum of In Disruptive Perspectives, artists use pho- Cartoonist, frequent New Yorker cover Contemporary Photography’s vast archive tography to explore gender identities in artist, and Associate Professor Ivan Bru- of photographs and explores how people flux—rejecting a male/female binary to netti’s illustrations and prints are on perceive images. The exhibition spans the instead focus on human psyche, time, and display at ShopColumbia. POLYDRAW history of photography, with images or- the relationship between self and other. opened during Manifest 2017 and in- ganized in conversation with each other cludes a mural in the newly renovated based on content and form. ShopColumbia entrance.
SEPTEMBER 21–23 Chicago Human Rhythm Project
The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. colum.edu/dance-center Internationally acclaimed artist-in-resi- dence Dani Borak will premiere new works with the Chicago Human Rhythm Project, which showcases the breadth and depth of tap and contemporary percussive dance.
OCTOBER 20 Wabash Arts Corridor Crawl
Wabash Avenue wabashartscorridor.org/crawl An integral part of Columbia Weekend, the Wabash Arts Corridor Crawl showcases the South Loop’s dynamic, creative community with street art, open galleries, performances, music, pop-up experiences, and work from more than 200 artists.
DEMO 26 SPRING/SUMMER 2017 55 ISSUE 25 FALL / WINTER 2016
The Alumni Magazine of Columbia College Chicago
How TV professionals shaped the hit show Empire
NASA writer Sarah Schlieder explores our universe
Thelonious Martin brings the beats CONTENTS
ISSUE 25 DEMO FALL /WINTER 2016
42 26
FEATURES SPOT ONS DEPARTMENTS
10 Building an Empire 26 Jennifer Farrington ’93 encourages 5 Vision Ayanna Floyd ’98, CeCe Destefano ’94, kids to learn through play at Chicago Questions for President Kwang-Wu Kim David Leonard ’97 and James Carter Children’s Museum. ’09 play critical roles in the production 6 Wire of Fox series Empire. 29 Genndy Tartakovsky celebrates the News from the Columbia community 20th anniversary of his cartoon creation, 18 Live Wire Act Dexter’s Laboratory. 38 Alumni Shorts Six alumni turn live music into Quick looks at cool projects unforgettable experiences. 30 Sarah Schlieder ’16 found a cave on Mars. Now she writes for NASA. 50 Alumni News & Notes PORTFOLIO Featuring class news, notes 33 Scot O’Hara MFA ’95 and Dale Boyer and networking 42 Monster Mash honor a fellow alumna through their Heidi Unkefer ’14 designs press, Oh Boy Books. everywhere from The Onion to on- campus murals to HBO’s Last Week 34 Thelonious Martin uses late-night Tonight with John Oliver. television as the inspiration for his hip-hop beats. 46 Just Bead It Stephan Wanger ’94 turns trash 36 Jen Beeman ’09 makes it big into treasure with his recycled Mardi with her patternmaking company, Gras bead mosaics. Grainline Studio.
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 3 DEMO ISSUE 25 FALL / WINTER 2016
MAGAZINE STAFF
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF Megan Kirby
EDITORIAL ASSISTANT Negesti Kaudo
LEAD DESIGNERS Chris Reyes Stefan Coisson
DESIGNER Alex Martinez
GRAPHIC DESIGN INTERN Madeleine Bennett ’16
STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER Philip Dembinski ’08
ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES MANAGER Chuck Lira ’08
RESEARCHER Amy Wilson
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
CHAIR, BOARD OF TRUSTEES BRAG ON William E. Wolf PRESIDENT Kwang-Wu Kim, DMA
VICE PRESIDENT OF STRATEGIC MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS YOURSELF Deb Maue EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALUMNI RELATIONS AND ANNUAL GIVING Miriam Smith Visit colum.edu/classnotes
to submit your updates. DEMO (volume 11, number 2) is published by Columbia College Chicago. DEMO is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the college two times per year. The ideas You could even end up in the and opinions expressed are those of the writers alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Columbia College Chicago. ©Columbia College Chicago 2016. next DEMO. Contact us: For address changes or deletions, email your first and last name, mailing address, city, state, zip code and phone number to [email protected] and spec- ify if your request is an address update or a request to stop receiving DEMO. For other inquiries, email demo@ colum.edu, call 312-369-1000, or mail DEMO magazine, Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 527, Chicago, IL 60605.
colum.edu/demo Wire NEWS FROM THE COLUMBIA COMMUNITY
MOCP CELEBRATES 40 YEARS WITH EXHIBITION
Columbia College Chicago’s Museum of Contemporary Photography (MoCP) cel- ebrated its 40th anniversary in 2016 with a showcase of its vast collection of pho- tographic art in MoCP at 40. The floor-to- ceiling, wall-to-wall display included artists such as Elliot Erwin, Sally Mann, Robert Mapplethorpe and Myra Greene. Even then, only a fraction of the museum’s 14,000 pieces were on display. The MoCP is one of two photography museums accredited by the American Alli- ance of Museums. The museum also serves as a starting point in the careers of many national and international photographers. “It’s important that we can be flexible and respond to contemporary artists. After all, it’s the artists that dictate the future,” says Executive Director Natasha Egan MFA ’98.
1 2
18 NEW MURALS JOIN WABASH ARTS CORRIDOR
The Wabash Arts Corridor (WAC) held its inaugural Big Walls Festival celebrating street 1. Amuse 126 is a Chicago street artist who art culture during the first two weeks of May 2016. WAC partnered with local galleries captures the attention of an everyday audience with his abstract typography and illustration. and sponsors to bring 18 local and international street artists to install large-scale murals. The artists included notable street artists Eduardo Kobra from Brazil and Ozmo from Italy. 2. Make Your Own Luck was created by the Throughout the course of the Big Walls Festival, the 18 artists—including students and Brooklyn artistic duo ASVP. The mural was part of Vertical Gallery’s “The Power alumni—installed more than 40,000 square feet of building murals, adding to the WAC’s of Paint” series which focused on the 20 existing murals around campus. The festival included street art tours, live art making theme of using art to help others. and an artist panel. Several of the artists created work specific to the city, including Kobra’s colorful mosaic of legendary Chicago blues musician Muddy Waters and Collin van der Sluijs’ From Bloom to Doom mural depicting two endangered Illinois birds among native flowers. The murals can be found throughout the South Loop.
6 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 WIRE
“The brand is a way of telling our story to the world.”
COLUMBIA UNVEILS NEW BRAND
DEMO MAGAZINE WINS CASE GOLD AWARD In summer 2016, Columbia College Chicago launched a new brand. More than a logo or color palette, our brand is the total experience V for Victory! DEMO, Columbia’s alumni magazine (that you’re created for key audiences—a unique-to-Columbia experience that reading right now), was awarded the Council for Advancement embodies the college’s mission and aims to help the world see us and Support of Education (CASE) Gold Award for Special Issues the way we see ourselves. for its Fall/Winter 2015 23rd issue. The issue celebrated 10 years “The brand is a way of telling our story to the world,” says Pres- of DEMO with an A-to-Z guide of all things Columbia. The CASE ident and CEO Kwang-Wu Kim. “It’s an organizing principle, a Awards of Excellence recognize superior accomplishments in the way of pulling everything together to tell a consistent story so the field of education. Out of 41 entries, four institutions were awarded world can appreciate who we are and what we do for our students.” for special issues. The brand is already helping amplify and strengthen Columbia’s The issue’s illustrated A-to-Z guide highlighted and celebrated key messages in communications. As part of the brand rollout, both the history of the magazine and the college. The cover (fea- we launched an advertising campaign aimed toward parents and tured above) and illustrations were created by Kyle Letendre ’12, influencers of prospective students. The campaign included radio who works with Delicious Design League in Chicago. ads (see page 8) and a 30-second video ad that aired on Hulu.
FORMER BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR DICK KIPHART DIES AT AGE 75
Dick Kiphart, former chair of the college’s Board of Trustees, passed away on Septem- ber 10, 2016, at 75. Kiphart had been on the board since 2009 and served as chair from March 2013 through May 2016. As chair, Kiphart set in motion Colum- bia’s five-year strategic plan and diversi- fied the board by recruiting new members from various career backgrounds. Togeth- er, Kiphart and the board deepened Co- lumbia’s impact on students by increas- ing student aid from $20 million to $37.5 million annually. Under his leadership, the college also improved its connection to the Chicago community.
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 7 WIRE
BILL WOLF ELECTED BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR
Bill Wolf was unanimously elected as the chair of the Board of Trustees for Colum- bia College Chicago on May 12 at the final board meeting of the 2015–16 academic year. A trustee since 2012, Wolf is successor to former chair Dick Kiphart. Wolf is managing partner at KDWC Ven- tures, a Chicago-based venture firm. He was previously the chair of Columbia’s invest- ment committee, as well as a member of the executive, finance and audit committees. The board includes leaders from creative and business industries who provide the college with opportunities to strengthen resources. Wolf hopes his leadership will continue the momentum of the board, including finding new opportunities for advancement and success.
COLUMBIA COMMUNITY COLLABORATES ON RADIO ADS
When Columbia College Chicago set out to create radio and TV ads as part of the new advertising campaign, we didn’t need to look far for the talent. Dozens of faculty, staff, students and alumni pitched in as lo- cation scouts, musicians, voiceover artists, audio engineers and editors. “I don’t know of another college that could have produced a complete campaign like this using internal talent,” says Vice President of Strategic Marketing and Com- munications Deb Maue. “We had all of the talent right here to do everything for the radio and video spots.” Radio ads targeted to influencers laun- ched in September on Pandora and Spotify and on local radio stations WTMX 101.9 FM and WBBM 105.9 FM. The video ad aired on Hulu. “I loved the vision of using people from within the Columbia community,” says Joan Hammel ’86, who voiced a radio ad. “Who better than our own to put together the story about us?”
Student Igor Loncar (left) and Audio Arts and Acoustics part-time professor Josh Shapiro (right).
8 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 WIRE
CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR ALUMNI AWARD WINNERS AND NOMINEES
Columbia College Chicago is proud of the alumni who have been awarded or nomi- nated for their exceptional achievements in the past year. The following list includes alumni who have received local and na- tional acclaim for their media work.
• Julie Altus ’01, Emmy nomination for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series, Gotham • Arabella Anderson ’12, Writers Guild Award nomination for Writing in a Comedy Series, Transparent MARK KELLY REFLECTS ON 32 YEARS WITH COLUMBIA • Jeremy Beiler ’04, Writers Guild Award nomination for Writing in a Comedy/ After 32 years with Columbia College you’re reminded of the values and you col- Variety Sketch Series and an Emmy Chicago, former Vice President of Student lectively affirm them. How do you do that at nomination for Outstanding Writing Affairs Mark Kelly accepted a position as Columbia? How do you do that in a playful, for a Variety Series, Saturday Night Live commissioner of Chicago’s Department meaningful, memorable way? • Kristin Crowley ’06, Illinois AP of Cultural Affairs and Special Events The first time I did it, I decided three Broadcasters Association Award for (DCASE). But he can never leave Columbia minutes before I went up on stage. It oc- Best Newswriter, WREX-TV (Rockford, far behind. Today, when he walks down curred to me, well, it’s not just “yes” or “of Illinois) the street, people stop to greet him with course.” It’s “hell yeah”—not terribly edgy, • Mark Friedman ’76, Illinois AP Broad- a jubilant “hell yeah!” They’re referencing right? But it feels like it is when you have casters Association Award for Best his iconic Hell Yeah Liturgy, a call-and-an- 3,000 students all saying “hell yeah” with Newswriter, WBBM-AM (Chicago) swer speech delivered at every New Student their fists pumping. • Callie Hersheway ’07, Writers Guild Convocation where students loudly affirm Award for Writing in a Comedy Series, Columbia’s principles and values. “My Columbia experience will Veep Kelly will be remembered as a central • PK Hooker ’00, Emmy nomination for figure in Columbia’s narrative who always always frame everything I do Outstanding Sound Editing for a Non- encouraged a vibrant student culture. moving forward.” fiction Program, He Named Me Malala During his time here, he helped establish a • Daniel Kibblesmith ’05, Writers student experience that merges classroom, Guild Award nomination for Writing in campus and city. He talked with DEMO DEMO: What are your goals with DCASE? a Comedy/Variety Talk Series, The Late about his Columbia history, his plans with Kelly: I want to recognize everything that’s Show with Stephen Colbert DCASE and the story behind the Hell Yeah been accomplished—the great legacy of • Jonathan McReynolds ’11, Grammy Liturgy. DCASE. And also just to recognize the vi- nomination for Best Gospel Album, Life brancy of the cultural landscape of this DEMO: What will you carry with you Music: Stage Two city, whether it’s architecture or theatre or from your history with Columbia? • Jennifer O’Neill ’01, Illinois AP Broad- music or dance or literature, design, the list Kelly: That’s a tough question because I was casters Association Award for Best Re- goes on. I have the humble honor of helping there 32 years. I lived, breathed Columbia. porter, Rivet News Radio (Chicago) celebrate and focus that. It’ll never leave me. I have this incredible • Patrick Smith ’10, Illinois AP Broad- There’s so much more work to be done. new, exciting professional adventure, but casters Association Awards for Best Our cultural communities, they need a there’s no doubt that my Columbia expe- Newswriter and Best Hard News champion. They need to be better connect- rience will always frame everything I do Feature, WBEZ-FM (Chicago) ed to each other. We need to plant our flag moving forward. • Annick Wolkan ’05, works on Game of and remind everyone that we’re not just an Thrones, which received multiple Emmy DEMO: Can you tell us a little about the extra or a frill in the life of Chicago—we’re awards and nominations. history of the Hell Yeah Liturgy? at the core and we’re necessary. Kelly: I’ve always believed in rituals and moments of liturgy, if you will, where
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 9 SPOT ON
Scot O’Hara & Dale Boyer BY THE BOOKS
Scot O’Hara MFA ’95 and Dale Boyer honored their late friend Judith Handschuh MFA ’96 by publishing her novel.
schu’s daughters with their idea about pub- lishing her book. “Her voice should be out there. We shouldn’t lose it,” says O’Hara. Her daughters were thrilled, and after a few minor revisions and proofreading, OhBoy Books published Handschuh’s novel, No Justice!, in April 2016. A legal thriller, the novel is the culmination of Handschuh’s Columbia thesis. To promote the publication, O’Hara and Boyer held a book launch at Columbia with the Creative Writing Department. The event included a reading by her daughters. O’Hara and Boyer extended their gen- erosity to Columbia recently: They made a planned gift of their estate. The two will provide the college with The Scot T. O’Hara Boyer (left) and O’Hara (right) combined their last names and Dale W. Boyer Rainbow Creative Ex- to create their small press OhBoy Books. pression Scholarship for a Columbia student whose work focuses on LGBTQ issues and themes, and also The OhBoy Creative Ex- pression Award for a working artist in any ONE OF SCOT O’HARA’S MFA ’95 most vivid they—along with O’Hara’s husband, Dale discipline whose work focuses on LGBTQ memories of his friend Judith Handschuh Boyer—developed a Chicago writers’ group issues and themes. O’Hara and Boyer have MFA ’96 is a classic Chicago tale. On a frigid with friends. consistently donated to Columbia’s Creative Chicago winter night, O’Hara and Hand- In 2014, Handschuh died unexpected- Writing and Dance departments, and their schuh made the trek from dinner to their ly after post-surgery complications. After planned estate gifts are a way of ensuring creative writing class. The two of them hearing of her death, O’Hara and Boyer con- that the charitable ideals they believe in were forced to duck in and out of build- sidered what they could do in her honor. will continue. ings to escape the subzero temperatures O’Hara recalls asking, “What can we do Both Boyer and Handschuh’s novels are and warm up before they could continue to remember her, and for her daughters?” available for purchase online and O’Hara’s on their way. O’Hara and Handschuh met “We were tossing around all these different debut novel, Tarentella, was released in No- during Columbia’s Master of Fine Arts ideas and finally Scot just said, ‘Well, why vember by OhBoy Books, LLC. Fiction Writing program and immediate- don’t we just publish her book?’” Boyer says. —Negesti Kaudo ly developed a friendship based on their In May 2016, O’Hara and Boyer started nontraditional status. their own small press, OhBoy Books, LLC “We were the two old folks in the class, (a combination of O’Hara and Boyer), under and so we kind of connected because of which they published Boyer’s debut novel, that,” remembers O’Hara. After graduating, The Dandelion Cloud. They contacted Hand-
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 33 ALUMNI SHORTS
TURN Three alumni have made every day #Throw- backThursday with 2016’s trendiest nostalgic productions. These alumni captured the hearts BACK TIME of obsessive ’80s and ’90s fans with three unfor- These alumni bring us a gettable experiences. blast from the past.
Saved by the Max
Friends: The One Where They Sing! Heathers: The Musical
40 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 ALUMNI SHORTS
OLIVER AUSTIN ZACK COURTNEY BERGER ’14 EASTMAN ’08 MACK ’15
FRIENDS: THE ONE WHERE THEY SAVED BY THE MAX HEATHERS: THE MUSICAL SING! (An Unauthorized Musical Parody) Club promoter Zack Eastman ’08 collabo- Courtney Mack ’15 starred as Veroni- Oliver Austin Berger ’14 produced and rated with two friends to bring the Bayside ca Sawyer in the Chicago production of portrayed the role of Chandler in the sold- High spirit to life in Wicker Park. The team Heathers: The Musical based on the 1988 cult out, two-month Chicago run of Friends: The created the ultimate dining experience classic film. Veronica Sawyer—a brooding One Where They Sing! (An Unauthorized by replicating the afterschool hotspot in teen queen trying to balance being kind and Musical Parody) written and directed by ’90s TV show Saved by the Bell, The Max. being cool—was played by Winona Ryder Eli Golden. A musical parody of the first The pop-up diner extended its operations in the film, and Mack credits her critical- season of the beloved sitcom Friends, the through December after selling out three ly acclaimed performance to connecting 90-minute show at the MCL Chicago in- months of reservations in an afternoon. with Veronica on a personal level. Mack cluded an original score, homages to classic Fans indulged in a nostalgic menu of and Kokandy Productions received a 2016 Broadway hits, a BYOB drinking game and comfort foods including AC Sliders, Mac Non-Equity Joseph Jefferson Award for her improvisation. and Screech, and Lisa Turtle Milkshakes. performance.
“People were scared to do “For me, Saved by the Bell was “There were a lot of people a show like this. No one had one of the first sitcoms where who told me that this is the ever done a Friends parody I was watching what teenage closest version of me that musical before.” life was all about.” I would ever play on stage.”
Favorite episode from the original: Favorite moments from the original: Favorite line from the original: Season 1, Episode 7: “The One with the “As a kid, I had a huge crush on Lisa and also “Well, f*** me gently with a chainsaw. Blackout” Stacy Carosi … I also liked the Malibu Sands Do I look like Mother Teresa?” “It shows Chandler at his core. It’s this series of episodes they had, where they all — Heather Chandler uncomfortable guy who, even when he’s set worked on a resort.” up for success, somehow manages to mess it up; and to do so, he covers it with humor.”
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 41 PORTFOLIO
Whether she’s creating bright, drippy monsters or graphics for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, Heidi Unkefer ’13 uses her art to escape the everyday. Monster Mash
42 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 PORTFOLIO
Left:In 2015, Unkefer won the Wabash Arts Corridor alumni competition, for which she created her largest mural to date: Slime Mountain. The mural is located on the south-facing wall of 623 S. Wabash Ave. on Columbia’s campus. Above: Today, Unkefer lives in New York City, where she works for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.
GROWING UP AS A “weird art student” in disciplinary opportunities, which she knew the Midwest town of Canton, Ohio, Heidi would allow her to explore and evolve as an Unkefer ’13 learned to use her artwork to illustrator. In school, she dabbled in differ- escape the mundane. ent mediums like printmaking and screen “A lot of my illustration is this fantas- printing. She also discovered a passion for tical world of bright colors and creatures collaborating with writers through class and drippy, gooey things, and I think that assignments and the student newspaper, was my outlet to wanting bigger things,” The Columbia Chronicle—skills that came she says. “Having that sort of [small town] in handy when she began interning at The restriction in life led me to create this al- Onion in 2013. ternate universe for myself.” “I love the idea of taking [writers’] ideas Since her time at Columbia College and then warping them a little bit into Chicago, Unkefer’s alternate art universe my own vision that comes out on paper or has led to bigger and better things. She canvas or wherever,” she says. “I think it’s jump-started her illustration and graphic really amazing whenever two creatives who design career at Columbia, which led to are from different worlds come together and an opportunity creating tongue-in-cheek they create this one thing.” graphics for parody publication The Onion. At Columbia, Unkefer also began de-
PHOTOS BY CAMILA CEDIEL ’16, RUBEN CANTU Today, Unkefer works as a graphic designer veloping different illustration styles. “At for HBO’s satirical news show Last Week times I can be this really cartoonish, crazy Tonight with John Oliver, creating photo illustrator just making this alternate reality mashups that appear as over-the-shoulder of characters and things that don’t really graphics displayed behind the show’s out- exist,” she says. “And then there are times spoken British host. when I think my aesthetic is a little bit When she was looking for colleges, more laid back.” She learned to use color Unkefer was drawn to big cities. At the same and composition to convey a mood, using time, she appreciated Chicago’s Midwestern her artwork to illuminate the meaning of familiarity. Columbia attracted her with a a collaborative piece before the viewer has wide range of artmaking options and inter- read a single word.
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 43 PORTFOLIO
She began working as a graphics editor for The Onion and its sister site, ClickHole, in 2014. At the legendary parody website, she worked closely with a team of designers to create artwork to accompany articles. For instance, for the article “Obama In- creases Sense of Urgency by Riding Last White Rhino on Earth Through Climate Talk,” she used photo manipulation to show the president solemnly riding a rhinoceros through a crowded auditorium. In 2015, Unkefer won the Wabash Arts Corridor Alumni Competition and created her largest mural to date, Slime Mountain, located at 623 S. Wabash Ave. Her depiction of a smiling anthropomorphic mountain cheerfully spewing green goo was inspired by Chicago’s frigid winters. “Whenever it’s snowy or raining, people can look up and realize it’s still bright and beautiful in this world,” says Unkefer. “I wanted it to sort of take somebody into this alternate reality, especially when things get a little gray there.” In 2016, Unkefer moved to New York City and began working as a graphic designer for Last Week Tonight with John Oliver, where she creates on-air graphics using illustrations and photo manipulation. Fitting with the theme of satire, her graphics usually include notable political and societal figures in com- 1 2 promising, hilarious or critical situations. Unkefer admits that working with tight television deadlines has helped her focus as an artist. “I’ve been able to put my inde- cision aside to make these quick decisions to be more confident in what I’m doing,” she says. Recently, she also began freelance designing for nightly NBC talk show Late Night with Seth Meyers. New Unkefer designs are showing up on campus in an unexpected place: In 2016, she designed a set of lapel pins for Columbia Admissions. The nine pins feature images like a typewriter, a dress form, a slice of deep-dish pizza and even an homage to Un- kefer’s Slime Mountain WAC mural (quickly becoming a campus icon). Now, visiting stu- dents can take home a souvenir to remind them of the colorful spirit of Columbia, the city and the enterprising alumni artist who created them. You can see more of Unkefer’s illustrations and designs at heidiunkefer. 4 com. —Negesti Kaudo
44 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 PORTFOLIO
3
1. Unkefer has been commissioned saxophone and camera, as well as several times by the literary publication Chicago homages like a deep-dish pizza Flyleaf Journal to illustrate cover designs and a smiling Willis Tower. for short stories. Flyleaf Journal’s 3. Unkefer hand-printed this four-color brochure-sized booklets contain a screen print to explore the versatility single short story and complementary of the halftone dot. The image in illustration. “I’ve had writers tell me, the center of the print is composed ‘Wow, you brought out parts of my story completely of halftone dots, so it that I didn’t see in there myself,’” appears distorted when viewed up says Unkefer. “I think it’s fantastic and close, but clear from afar. I really love whenever I can do that for them.” 4. Unkefer uses graphic design and photo manipulation to create a variety of 2. In 2016, Unkefer designed a set of lapel over-the-shoulder graphics for the HBO pins for Admissions. The nine pins series Last Week Tonight with John Oliver. reflect Unkefer’s signature, cartoony style. “I can be a very crazy, bright, 5. As a student, Unkefer collaborated with saturated cartoony, highly stylized, Liz Grear ’11, MFA ’15 on this mock-up drippy, gooey-making artist,” for The Remedy, a book Grear created says Unkefer. The illustrations include as part of her Creative Writing classes. 5 art objects such as a typewriter,
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 45 Class Notes SUBMIT YOUR CLASS NOTES AT COLUM.EDU/CLASSNOTES
KYM MAZELLE ’86 BRIAN FISHER ’95 1970s is featured on a new track, recently graduated from “A Place In My Heart,” by Italy-based electro Western Governors University with an JAMES BLOCKER II ’76 was recently named house duo Crookers. The track was recently MBA in General Business. He is the vice adjunct professor at Albany Technical College remixed by actor Idris Elba. president/COO of T-Werx Coworking in in Albany, Georgia. Cedar Park, Texas. YVONNE MEDLEY, who attended Columbia HANK GROVER ’79 was the unit production in the 1980s, is currently working on the PAUL GARNES ’96, HDR ’16 is a producer on manager on Cowgirl’s Story, a contempo- sequel to her debut novel God in Wingtip the Oprah Winfrey/Ava DuVernay series rary western feature film starring Bailee Shoes. In 2016, she was nominated as a Queen Sugar on OWN. The series was picked Madison and Pat Boone. The family drama Woman Trailblazer by the Charles County up for a second season before its September follows a high school student who stays Commission for Women in Southern Mary- premiere. with her grandfather when both her parents land. are deployed in the military. DAN GOLDING, who attended Columbia in KARL OCHSNER ’85 received a three-year the 1990s, took home a 2016 Emmy for JEFF JUR ’76 is the cinematographer on fellowship with the University of Notre Outstanding Picture Editing for an Un- HBO’s new series Westworld, produced by Dame to study STEM (Science, Technology, structured Reality Program for the “Acci- J.J. Abrams and based on the 1973 film by Engineering and Math) integration in the dent Waiting to Happen” episode on HBO’s Michael Crichton. middle school classroom. Project Greenlight.
SHAWN SHIFLETT ’76 released his second DINO STAMATOPOULOS and ANDY DICK, who ALEX KOLTON ’90 is a voice-over actress living novel, Hey, Liberal!, which is set in the racial both attended Columbia in the 1980s, in London. She has worked on commercials tinderbox of Chicago in 1969. co-host the podcast Dino and Andy’s Skull for Dyson and narration for the Discovery Juice on Feral Audio. Channel. 1980s SERITA STEVENS ’81 finished writing The JERRY LABUY ’98 has been appointed as D.V. DEVINCENTIS, who attended Columbia Master’s Will, a Civil War historical tale. co-chair and full-time professor of the in the 1980s, took home a 2016 Emmy for She also wrote the screenplay of the same Mass Communication Department at Rock Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, name, which was a quarter-finalist with the Valley College. Movie or Dramatic Special for the “Marcia, Page International Screenwriting Awards. Marcia, Marcia” episode on The People v. O.J. MICHAEL MATTHEWS ’99 directed Charm, Simpson: American Crime Story. MARLON WEST ’85 was part of the effects which opened in September at Los Angeles’ team for the Disney film Moana, which Celebration Theatre, where he is co-artistic BRIAN KALATA ’87 and STEPHEN ANDRZEJEW- came out in November. director. SKI, who attended Columbia in the 1980s, wrote, directed and produced the docu- 1990s FRANK MAUGERI ’91 became the new com- mentary Pencils Down! The 100 Days of the munity programs artistic director for the Writer’s Guild Strike. JEN ALBERT ’97 produced a live action pro- Chicago Children’s Theatre. duction of Punch and Judy and also cho- JANUSZ KAMINSKI ’87 was the director of reographed all the fights. The show was YUSAKU MIZOGUCHI’S ’98 directed the feature photography for Steven Spielberg’s Disney nominated for several awards at the Hol- film Mafiosa, which won the Best Action film The BFG, based on the book by Roald lywood Fringe Festival. SONDRA MAYER ’98 Film Award at The Hollywood Reel Inde- Dahl. played Judy. pendent Film Festival 2016. The film also received a nomination for Best Supporting PATRICK MARKS, who attended Columbia ILESA DUNCAN ’99 adapted and directed Actor at the U.S. Hollywood International in the 1980s, was recently promoted to Rutherford’s Travels for Pegasus Theatre Film Festival 2016. director, talent acquisition at Paramount Chicago, which opened in November at Pictures. Chicago Dramatists.
52 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES
DON BITTERS III ’08 Television writer and producer recently debuted his feature film Terrordactyl, which was re- Lena Waithe ’06 turned heads leased worldwide by MarVista Entertain- last year with her role in the hit ment. Bitters co-directed and created all of the visual effects for the film. Netflix series Master of None. JOE BURKE’S ’06 Waithe’s role as Denise, the latest short film, House Sitting, premiered at Aspen Shortfest. He black lesbian theatre critic and wrote, directed and acted in the film. best friend of Dev (played by JESSICA CURTIS’ ’03 web series pilot Su- Aziz Ansari), was revolutionary perfreaks, which she co-wrote with her in a show that challenges the husband Eric Scott Curtis, was nominated for Best Pilot at the Hudson Valley Inter- typical portrayal of people of national Film Festival held in New York. color in television. RACHEL DAMON ’05 was awarded support by 3Arts to present her original piece Openwork, a performance that reimagines needlecraft as a kinetic art, exploring how movement and needlecraft can influence each other. KEITH MOORE ’90 worked as a project CHRIS WALTERS ’92 was appointed presi- manager for design firm Gilmore Ashford dent of the United Methodist Foundation BRANDON DERMER ’08 directed the music Powers Design, Inc. for 18 years. Moore of the Northern Illinois Conference, Inc. video “Victorious” by Panic! At the Disco, had the opportunity to work with interior which was nominated for an MTV Video designer Calvin Ashford and former profes- MARGARET WAPPLER ’98 released the Music Award. sional athletes Sammy Sosa, Juwan Howard, sci-f i novel Neon Green, which follows Eddy Curry, Kendall Gill, Michael Finley what happens when a spaceship lands KAYLA M. EMTER ’05 was the film editor for and Jalen Rose. in an “eco-affluent” family’s backyard. the film The Meddler, starring Susan Saran- don and Rose Byrne. Emter was also part SEAN O’NEILL ’91 is currently working on CAREY WESTBROOK ’92 was a contestant on of Variety’s Below the Line Impact Report publishing Rocket Robinson and the Secret Worst Bakers in America on the Food 2016. of the Saint, his second graphic novel for Network. young readers. JOHN GULESERIAN ’00 2000s was the cinematog- rapher for the film Equals, which opened LAURA RICCIARDI, who attended Columbia RUBEN AGUIRRE ’02, JUSTUS ROE MFA ’08 on July 15. He was also named one of the in the 1990s, took home an Emmy for Out- and DON’T FRET ’10 created murals for the “Most Exciting Cinematographers Working standing Documentary or Nonfiction Series Wabash Arts Corridor Big Walls art project Today” by Collider. for Netflix’s Making a Murderer. that can be viewed in the South Loop neigh- borhood. BRIAN KALLIES ’03 recently produced and ANNA D. SHAPIRO ’90, HDR ’15, artistic direc- edited the American Public Television doc- tor of Chicago’s internationally acclaimed KRISTINE ARTH ’03 was quoted in Bloom- umentary Heroes on Deck: World War II on Steppenwolf Theatre Company, directed berg’s full-page article, Béhar’s Four Tips Lake Michigan. the opening production of the troupe’s 41st for Hiring A Designer. season—the world premiere of Visiting Edna DANIEL KIBBLESMITH ’05 is currently a writer by Tony Award-winning playwright David GREG BABOR ’00 edited the first episode of for The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Rabe. the History Channel series Roots, a remake of the 1977 miniseries. KYLE KINANE ’02 launched the podcast The CARL SEATON’S ’94 latest film, Bad Dad Boogie Monster, co-hosted by comedian Rehab, premiered on TV One in July. RITA BAGHDADI ’07 was the recipient of the Dave Stone. In the first episode, the hosts 2016 Gucci Tribeca Fund, a grant awarded to discussed the supernatural and their fa- BOB TEITEL ’90, HDR ’13 was producer on the documentary filmmakers, for My Country, vorite barbecue. movie Southside with You, which chronicled No More, which she wrote and produced President Barack Obama and First Lady with Jeremiah Hammerling. The film centers Michelle Obama’s first date in Chicago. on the wake of the North Dakota oil boom.
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 53 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES The recipient of the National MIKE KRAMER ’06 was featured in the Daily Geographic Young Explorer Herald regarding his career writing musical scores for dozens of movies and TV shows, award, Jessica Van Fleteren including Furious 7, Teenage Mutant Ninja ’11 spent four months at Tsavo Turtles, Ninjago: Masters of Spinjitzu, Lego Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures and East National Park in Kenya Thor: The Dark World. documenting the relationship JUSTIN KROHN ’02 is an additional editor on between bees and elephants. the upcoming Twin Peaks reboot directed She took pictures for the by David Lynch. Elephants and Bees project, MATT KUGELMAN ’04 made his directorial which uses beehive-lined debut at the Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, where he screened his first fences to keep elephants away feature-length film Hurricane Bianca, star- from crop fields. ring drag queen superstar Bianca Del Rio and former Saturday Night Live cast member Rachel Dratch.
2010s ABBEY LONDER ’08 was the producer of MICHAEL OBERHOLTZER ’05 starred in the Festival Supreme, an October music and Tony-nominated play Hand to God. Ober- ALVERNE BALL ’05, MFA ’10 was part of a comedy festival curated by Tenacious D holtzer also wrapped filming on the new Comic-Con panel about Black superheroes. in Los Angeles. Londer is also the founder Amazon Original series The Good Girls Ball is an award-winning comic, novel, and producer of Riot LA, which takes place Revolt, which premiered in October. screen and teleplay writer. January 19-22. DAVID ORR ’04 co-founded Blue Aster Studio, BRIANNA BAURICHTER ’13 was selected as AARON MUNOZ ’01 wrote, directed and a design firm specializing in projects for one of four curatorial fellows for the Art- starred in the comedy short Tennis Tips with environmental and conservation organi- Prize fellowship for the Emerging Curators Freddy Love, which was an official selection zations and small businesses. program in Grand Rapids, Michigan. to the Nashville Film Festival. RONNIE POLIDORO ’09 received the Edward JACK BRADLEY ’15 started working as the DARREN MUSIAL ’03 released his second R. Murrow award for Best Use of Video with production coordinator in the Longform novel, Hit Out, a mystery thriller set in Inside North Korea VR, a virtual reality video Premium Content division at Funny or Die. Chicago. of Pyongyang, the capital city of North Korea. Polidoro works as the supervising NIC COLLINS’ ’12 series Year of the Snake has JULIE NAYLON ’00 was named one of the best producer of digital video at ABC News. been selected by 13 film festivals and is professional organizers in Los Angeles by available for rent or purchase on Amazon. CBS. She runs the home organization busi- ILIANA REGAN ’05 was named one of Food & ness No Wire Hangers. Wine’s 2016 Best New Chefs. DANA DAJANI ’10 was nominated for a Woman of the Year 2016 Award from Emir- CAROLINE NEFF ’07 was named an ensemble LYNDSEY SADLER ’09 teaches design, print- ates Woman, a leading women’s fashion and member of Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre making and art history at Crown Point High lifestyle magazine published in the United Company. School. Arab Emirates.
REBECCA NORRIS ’03 co-wrote, co-produced GENO TAZIOLI ’04 will executive produce the GEOFFREY DUKES ’12 worked as a production and starred in the feature film Cloudy with a remake of the cult classic The Toxic Avenger. supervisor on the film Unexpected, which Chance of Sunshine, which premiered at the The screenplay was written by STEVE PINK, premiered in the U.S. Dramatic Competi- Manhattan Film Festival. It also screened who attended Columbia in the 1980s. tion section of 2015 Sundance Film Festival. at the Love International Film Festival, Dukes also worked as a production coordi- the Julien Dubuque Film Festival and the JORDAN VOGT-ROBERTS ’06 premiered the nator on the film Operator, which premiered Illinois International Film Festival. trailer for his new film Kong: Skull Island at at the 2016 South by Southwest Festival. Comic-Con 2016. The movie will premiere March 10, 2017. KIERA ELLIS ’13 currently serves as the deputy press secretary for Chicago's Mayor Rahm Emanuel.
54 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 ALUMNI NEWS & NOTES Austin P. McKenzie, AMYE DAY ONG MFA ’15 a former ASL student who published her essay “Things I Failed to Mention” in the Green Briar attended Columbia College Review, an independent literary magazine. Chicago in 2012, will ANNMARIE ORTEGA’S ’12 book Saucy Girl, the star in the upcoming ABC first of a contemporary romance suspense miniseries When We Rise. series, was published with Highland Press. Written by Oscar winner KEISA REYNOLDS ’15 was featured in Windy Dustin Lance Black, When We City Media Group’s 17th Annual 30 Under 30 list, which honors the best and brightest Rise chronicles the history individuals in Chicago’s LGBTQQIA+ youth of the LGBTQ/Gay Rights community. movement beginning with CHARLIE RICE-MINOSO ’11 was one of three 1969’s Stonewall Riots. individuals to receive the 2016 Super Vol- unteer Award from Equality Illinois.
DEIDRA SADDLER’S ’16 second book, …far above rubies, was published by Faith Walk RAM GETZ ’13 is an executive producer on COURTNEY MACK ’15 was featured in Chicago Publishing. Crossface, a biopic about the late wrestling Tribune’s “Destined for Stardom: Hot New champion Chris Benoit. Faces of Chicago Theater 2016.” MAGGIE SICHTER ’12 recently collaborated with Apple and was featured as an illus- MICHAEL GORGOGLIONE, who attended Co- RYAN MCKIDDY ’13 was named assistant trator in the 2016 Keynote and iPad Pro lumbia in 2012, recently wrote and directed program director, music director and night Launch. his first feature film, Go Mad and Mark. host at WSIX The Big 98 in Nashville, Ten- nessee. LALE SOYUGENC-KETCHAM ’10 founded Windy ALI HADLEY ’15 recently landed a job in de- City Bebe, an urban children’s boutique in velopment at Amblin Television, the pro- BRAD MEYER ’15 was nominated for a 2016 the Lakeview/Southport corridor. duction company behind American Gothic, Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding The Americans and Under the Dome. Achievement in Sound Editing–Animation JILL STRANGE ’15 was selected to be the offi- and a 2016 Motion Picture Sound Editors cial ESPN DJ for the college football season. LUTHER HUGHES ’16 was featured in Windy Golden Reel Award for Best Sound Editing– Strange toured with ESPN’s College Game City Media Group’s 17th Annual 30 Under Television Animation. Day through the end of 2016. 30 list, which honors the best and brightest individuals in Chicago’s LGBTQQIA+ youth SAM MILMAN’S ’10 feature film Laid in DAVID WALL ’13 created and directed the community. America, which he wrote and directed stop-motion animated music video for The along with Peter Vass, has been bought by Kickback’s song “Fanger.” REECE JOHNS ’15 has been accepted into the Universal. The movie premiered in London Civic Orchestra Program, the professional and Los Angeles. ALEX WROBLEWSKI ’16 won the 2016 Student training program of the Chicago Symphony Still Photographer of the Year award at the Orchestra. LASHERA MOORE ’12 is currently a teaching White House News Photographers Associ- artist at the Center for Community Arts ation Eyes of History gala. CHARLIE JUNGWIRTH ’10 was one of three Partnership at Columbia College Chicago. individuals to receive the 2016 Super Vol- Moore is also currently in the Windy City unteer Award from Equality Illinois. Music Theatre production A Little Princess IN MEMORIAM and will be in Hairspray in spring 2017. ERIC JUSTEN ’98 STEVE KEIDER’S ’14 band, Wilde, recently MARJORIE ANN “MARGIE” NORTON ’86 released their first album, The Party. NICHOLAS OLSON ’13 was appointed as- DANIEL SCHMIDT ’10 sociate editor at Cease, Cows. His fiction PAUL LATZA ’12 recently became an editor work has appeared in SmokeLong Quarterly, for Disney Interactive, where he edits new Hobart, Literary Orphans, decomP, Corium, MARRIAGES media videos for YouTube and social media. Thrice Fiction and other literary magazines. SOMMER TERRY ’07 AND KIRK LAYDEN
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 55 FALL/WINTER 2016–17 FOR MORE INFORMATION, Upcoming Events GO TO EVENTS.COLUM.EDU.
MAY 12 Manifest Throughout campus colum.edu/manifest
Manifest is Columbia’s annual urban arts festival celebrating the creative projects and works of students. Free and open to the public, Manifest features musical per- formances, gallery exhibitions, fashion shows, readings, an alumni reception and much more.
FEBRUARY 18–19 FEBRUARY 2–MARCH 10 Ballet de Lorraine Evoke: An Environmental Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago, 220 E. Chicago Ave. Inspiration Exhibit colum.edu/dance-center Arcade Gallery, 618 S. Michigan Ave., 2nd Floor The Dance Center will open their spring season with Ballet de Lorraine, one of the most This exhibit will include artwork centered important dance companies in Europe. The company will perform Sounddance, Fabrications around current environmental issues in and Untitled Partner #3 at the Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. order to create a discourse for viewers, artists, educators and activists on envi- ronmental injustices.
APRIL 6–8 Liz Gerring Dance Company: Horizon
Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. colum.edu/dance-center
The Liz Gerring Dance Company makes its Chicago debut with their performance of Horizon, an evening-length work featuring seven dancers.
56 DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 UPCOMING EVENTS
FEBRUARY 8–18 MARCH 9–11 MARCH 8–18 Peer Gynt Malpaso Dance Company of Havana Little Shop of Horrors
Studio 404, 72 E. 11th St. Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. Sheldon Patinkin Theatre, 72 E. 11th St. colum.edu/theatre colum.edu/dance-center colum.edu/theatre
After his wealthy father squanders the This performance is the Chicago debut A rock musical about love and murder, all family fortune, Peer Gynt becomes deter- of critically acclaimed Cuban contempo- surrounding an unfortunate florist who mined to restore what was lost—and in the rary dance ensemble Malpaso. The dance tends to a plant that will make all of his process, finds himself in a world of false company will perform a new work, Indom- wildest dreams come true—as long as it’s pride, self-delusion and exotic adventures. itable Waltz, and the critically acclaimed 24 fed human blood and flesh. Hours and a Dog.
MARCH 16–19 APRIL 7 JANUARY 26–APRIL 1 Donny McCaslin Residency Concerts Cory Henry Residency Concert Viviane Sassen: UMBRA
The Jazz Showcase, 806 S. Plymouth Court The Music Center, 1014 S. Michigan Ave. Museum of Contemporary Photography, colum.edu/music colum.edu/music 600 S. Michigan Ave. mocp.org
Grammy-nominated jazz saxophonist Grammy award-winning keyboardist Cory Acclaimed fashion photographer Viviane Donny McCaslin completes his week- Henry completes his week-long residency Sassen’s exhibition UMBRA will use photo- long residency with several on-campus with an on-campus performance. graphic and multimedia works to highlight performances. the play of light and shadow.
DEMO 25 fall / winter 2016 57