Spring 2017 COFAC TODAY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION HEAVY METAL ARTISTS Sculpture competition gives students an opportunity for a permanent installation.

COFAC TODAY COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION

DEAN, COLLEGE OF DEAR FRIENDS, FAMILIES, AND COLLEAGUES, FINE ARTS & COMMUNICATION Susan Picinich The close of an academic year brings with it a sense of pride and anticipation. The College of Fine Arts and Communication bustles with excitement as students finish final projects, presentations, exhibitions, EDITOR Sedonia Martin concerts, recitals and performances. Sr. Communications Manager In this issue of COFAC Today we look at the advancing professional career of dance alum Will B. Bell University Marketing and Communications ’11 who is making his way in the world of dance including playing “Duane” in the live broadcast of ASSOCIATE EDITOR Hairspray Live, NBC television’s extravaganza. Marissa Berk-Smith Communications and Outreach Coordinator The Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) presented Karaoke: Asia’s Global Sensation, an exhibition College of Fine Arts and Communication that explored the world-wide phenomenon of karaoke. Conceived by AA&CC director Joanna Pecore, WRITER students, faculty and staff had the opportunity to belt out a song in the AA&CC gallery while learning Wanda Haskel the history of karaoke. University Marketing and Communications

DESIGNER Music major Noah Pierre ’19 and Melanie Brown ’17 share a jazz bond. Both have been playing music Rick Pallansch since childhood and chose TU’s Department of Music Jazz Studies program. Citing outstanding faculty University Marketing and Communications and musical instruction, these students are honing their passion of making music and sharing it with PHOTOGRAPHY the world. Kanji Takeno, Lauren Castellana Towson University Photographic Services The Department of Art + Design, Art History, Art Education offers students the unique opportunity to submit proposals for a sculpture contest with the winner, or in this year’s case, the winners, awarded funding to fabricate and install their sculpture in a prominent location on the grounds of the Center for the Arts. Jessie Greenwell ’17 and Sarah Weithoner ’17, used square tubing and sheet metal shaped and positioned to represent their similar journeys. The sculpture forms a wave and then travels toward the TABLE OF sky, just like Greenwell and Weithoner as they begin to soar onto their careers. Read about the revival of Cabaret under the direction of Associate Professor Stephen Nunns. Acting CONTENTS majors, Christy Czajkowski ’17 and Molly Cohen ’18 helped the production take on a new dynamic. Members of the Department of Electronic Media and Film and the Department of Theatre Arts are 2 TESTING THEIR METAL continually innovating their methods for preparing students for their careers. Students worked with the TU police to create an active shooter video. 4 MEXING IT UP Guillermo Gómez-Peña, nicknamed “El Mad Mex,” the Chicano thinker presented his one-man show at the Center for the Arts Mainstage Theatre to an engaged audience of students, faculty, staff and WILL POWER 6 community members. Read about his presentation and two-day workshop on campus.

8 GO PRO As we prepare to send off our graduates to begin their careers, we celebrate the momentum behind our programs and work to enhance our student experiences. KARAOKE CULTURE 10 To read more about our students and the wonderful projects and events happening in our college, please visit the COFAC website and the Arts & Culture calendar. 12 MUSIC MAKERS I hope you enjoy this issue of COFAC Today. Please drop me a line with your thoughts and comments. 14 LIFE IS A CABARET

THIS PAGE: “Art Signs” (American Sign Language), 2014, Susan E. Picinich, Dean designed and built by Sarah Benas ’12, Harrison Doyle ’14, College of Fine Arts and Communication Nicholas Edwards ’13, David Perry ’14. www.towson.edu/cofac | www.towson.edu/main/artsculture Funded by David Nevins ’17 and PNC Bank.

COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION Sculpting THE JOURNEY

This inaugural year’s winning proposal comes from the design duo of Jessie Greenwell ’17, an art+design major concentrating in sculpture, and Sarah Weithoner ’17, who is majoring in art+design, with a concentration in interdisciplinary object design. Reverence, 2017, steel and flat bar, Sarah Weithoner ’17 and Jessie Greenwell ’17. The sculpture explores During their time at Towson, the two have the human experience of growth and discovery through themes of tension and movement. Sarah Weithoner ’17, left, and Jessie Greenwell ’17, winners of the sculpture competition, work with metal in worked late nights side-by-side in the studio, the metal bending machine. Weithoner and Greenwell were awarded funding to fabricate their sculpture for but this is their first collaboration. They knew permanent installation at the Center for the Arts. they would be a good team when they realized In the process, the artists got practice in Guess what? She got the job. that each had the idea independently to do researching and pricing materials, creating a For Greenwell’s part, she already shows this project together. rendering and submitting a proposal. work at multiple local galleries and plans to “We work well together,” says Greenwell Greenwell and Weithoner learned their hard continue exhibiting. work paid off in a congratulatory email from Being an artist doesn’t mean you are doomed to starve, but most about her friend. “We push each other “Studying sculpture has given me a variety of the department in February, and are grateful TESTING would agree that it can be a challenging way to make a living. positively.” wonderful skills to offer various employers,” to Lundak, who organized the competition, says Greenwell, who plans to add welding to That’s why the art department at Towson University is The first step was to develop a concept, which for being “super-supportive and helpful.” her repertoire, “but making and exhibiting my committed to offering opportunities for students to gain real- they did by asking themselves what they had THEIR METAL art will always be my first priority.” in common. world experience, so they graduate with the knowledge and skills Shaping Sculpture competition gives students to make a career out of their craft. The answer was easy. Aside from being The pair’s completed sculpture is due to be an opportunity to show their work installed outside CFA in time for their May The department’s new sculpture contest does just that. artists, both graduating seniors transferred to THE FUTURE Towson from area community colleges in the graduation. They are excited to share the Students submit proposals—just as they would for any public Soon after getting the news about their BY WANDA HASKEL same semester. Both took seven years to earn piece with friends and family and include it in works project—and the winner (or winning team) is awarded winning design, Weithoner was called in their undergraduate degrees. And both are their commencement photos. funding to fabricate their piece and install it in a prominent to StanleyBlack&Decker to interview for a driven and optimistic about their futures. And just as part of the sculpture forms a wave location on the grounds of the Center for the Arts, to remain for coveted paid internship. So they funneled these commonalities into and then travels toward the sky, Weithoner a year, until the next year’s competition. Not only did she include the sculpture their concept, coming up with a design using and Greenwell will soar into their careers. “I thought it would be a good experience for students to apply proposal in her presentation, but she also got square tubing and sheet metal shaped and Making a living, making art.  with designs,” says Assistant Professor Jon Lundak, area to announce that it was a successful bid. positioned to represent their similar journeys. coordinator and adviser for the TU sculpture program, “…for “They were impressed,” says Weithoner. the educational experience and as a resume builder.” “It’s definitely a good thing to have on our resumes.”

2 COFAC Today COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION 3 Brianna Doyle, ’17 and twenty under-graduate and John Patterson ’20 and Laura Pazuchowski ’18 graduate students from the Departments of Theatre Arts, participate in two-day workshop hosted by Gómez-Peña Mass Communication and Communication Studies and Art on the Mainstage Theatre in the Center for the Arts. participated in the workshop.

MEXING IT UP

Performance artist Guillermo Gómez-Peña offers eye-opening experiences

WANDA HASKEL

With heated talk about building a wall Rowe, assistant professor, communication between the U.S. and Mexico, and opposition studies. “He creates art commentary on the to President Trump’s travel ban executive current climate. He’s here to work and create orders, the immigration debate in America has ideas.” reached a fevered pitch. Word is, the performer did all of the above. That’s one reason the departments of Theatre Arts and Mass Communication & Commu- Eyes Wide SHUT nication Studies teamed up to bring leading border-crossing theory scholar, performance Director of the famed performance troupe Guillermo artist, writer, educator and activist Guillermo La Pocha Nostra, Gómez-Peña also hosted a Gómez-Peña’s Gómez-Peña to campus in February. two-day workshop on campus. Twenty under- multidisciplinary artwork has been Nicknamed “El Mad Mex,” the Chicano graduate and graduate students from theatre, presented at more than 900 venues across thinker presented his one-man show Guill- communication studies and art were accepted the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Europe, ermo Gómez-Peña Unplugged at the TU to participate in the workshop through an Russia, South Africa and Australia. He has Center for the Arts Mainstage Theatre to an application process. authored 11 books; is a regular contributor to newspapers and magazines in the U.S., engaged audience of students, faculty, staff “Students got to work with one of the greatest Mexico and Europe; and is a contributing and community members. performance artists alive today,” says Rowe. editor to The Drama Review (NYU-MIT). Combining spoken-word poetry, activist “It’s something they’ll remember.” Gómez-Peña is a senior fellow in the theory, radical storytelling and language And, indeed, spending time with Gómez-Peña Hemispheric Institute of Performance and experimentation, the Mexico City native made a big impression. Politics, a MacArthur fellow, and a patron offered critical and humorous commentary “It was definitely an eye-opening experience,” for the London-based Live Art Devel- on everything from art and immigration, to says Amanda Nieves ’17, a communication opment Agency. In 2012 he was named gender and race politics. studies major who joined the workshop to Samuel Hoi fellow by USA Artists. “He’s here to do more than entertain,” says challenge herself in a situation she knew Tavia La Follette, assistant professor, theatre would be well out of her comfort zone. arts, who co-organized the event with Desireé

4 COFAC Today COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION 5 Will B. Bell ’11 as “Duane” on the set of NBC’s Hairspray Live.

Road to SUCCESS The advice was always the same, says Bell: “Stay true to your craft. Stay true to your- WILL self.” (Advice he now gives to students when Performing in a show like Hairspray wasn’t exactly what Bell envisioned when he first he comes back to campus.) Sara Bahermez ’18 participates in a student created POWER moved to Los Angeles after his 2011 gradua- After a stint as an emcee for Show Biz, a vignette during the Gómez-Peña workshop. tion, though. national touring dance competition, Bell caught Dance alum Will B. Bell ’11 puts his Fortunate to get signed by the MSA talent a big break dancing in a Japanese musical. He best foot forward in Hairspray Live agency shortly after landing in California, Bell savored the experience, immersing himself in was off to a good start in achieving his dream Asian culture. And all the while he did a lot of Mexing it Up, continued from page 5 BY WANDA HASKEL of dancing in music videos and touring with soul-searching to figure out what staying true a popular artist. MSA sent him on auditions to himself really meant. Bell was also one of the few seniors to be Ellie Rodriguez ’17, another communica- For Pope, the workshop was an opportu- for a spot on stage with entertainers such as chosen for the special honor of choreo- tion studies major, agrees. An exercise that nity to get her “feet wet” in performance Hairspray Live may have been filmed in Rihanna and Chris Brown. graphing for the TU Dance Company. was particularly “eye-opening” for her was art, which she says left her itching for Los Angeles, but NBC’s television extravagan- Stay TRUE one in which she had to keep her eyes shut. more. Exercises she won’t soon forget were za featured at least one person with roots in But there was one problem. “He was one of those choreographers whose Reconnecting with his love of choreography those in which students created vignettes of the story’s beloved Baltimore. piece was so rich that I invited him to set the At the start of each day, Gómez-Peña had “I couldn’t get a job out here to save my is what did the trick. After returning from static or moving images by manipulating That’s Towson University dance alum work on company,” adds Fisher-Harrell. “It students explore the room with their eyes frickin’ life!” laughs the 29-year-old. Japan, Bell reached back to his classical other participants’ bodies. Will B. Bell ’11, who played “Duane” in was beautiful.” closed in order to heighten awareness So he paid the bills slinging hot dogs at a dance roots. He set up a YouTube channel the live broadcast last December. Though he still loves to dance, these days, through all of their senses. “It was just so poetic,” says Pope. Cirque du Soleil show while he continued and began posting videos featuring other Bell is focused on choreography and taking “On the first day nothing really happened,” Now the junior is considering applying to More than 9 million viewers watched as the to audition. And although Bell kept his chin dancers doing his choreography. That’s when acting classes after catching the acting bug in says Rodriguez, “but on the second day, I a more extended workshop with La Pocha Howard County native lit up a Universal up, it did sting to be selling food at a show everything clicked. Hairspray Live. He says these areas are where was hyper-aware of everything. It was so Nostra, which offers programs both in the sound stage alongside the likes of Jennifer featuring paid dancers. It’s no surprise to Fisher-Harrell that Bell’s he sees his career going for the long-term. And incredible.” U.S. and Mexico. Hudson, Ariana Grande and Harvey Fierstein. But the struggle only made Bell work harder, choreography is what helped him stand out. as choreography opportunities have begun “Hairspray is one of my favorite musicals,” Theatre major Sydney Pope ’18 had an Not only did the visit from Gómez-Peña taking hip-hop and house-style dance classes She calls him a “gifted and hardworking” rolling in, it looks like he’s on the right track. advantage during the blind exercise. offer a chance for students to learn from says Bell, who describes getting to be in the whenever he could afford them. He also dancer but remembers with joy the innovation At 29, Bell is philosophical about the route he a dynamic scholar and performer, but the production as, “one of the biggest blessings” turned for support to his Towson Univer- she saw in Bell from his early days at Towson, “I was familiar with the space,” says Pope, took to the happy place he’s in today. of his life. sity family, including Assistant Professor recruiting classmates in the Center for the Arts “but there were some communication initiative also exemplified interdisciplinary Linda-Denise Fisher-Harrell, whom he calls hallways to perform for him. “If I had have stayed true to who I was, I can’t majors who hadn’t been in the theater cooperation within the College of Fine “amazing,” and his longtime friend Michelle even imagine where I’d be right now,” he says. before—they really had a lot of faith!” Arts and Communication, which benefits “He was already recording and choreo- “But everything happens the way it’s supposed students and the college alike. Mitchenor ’10, whose break-out part in Spike graphing and staging his own videos,” Faith came easily, though, says Rodriguez, Lee’s 2015 filmChi-Raq got her big notice— to.”  “I think it’s cool having workshops like chuckles Fisher-Harrell. because the environment Gómez-Peña and and a recurring role on FOX’s primetime this with people who aren’t associated with the students created was “welcoming” and television series Lethal Weapon. “trusting.” the university,” says Rodriguez. “It really opens us up to new possibilities.” 

6 COFAC Today COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION 7 Students from the Department of Electronic Media and Film and the Department of Theatre Arts worked with the TU police creating an active shooter video.

videos addressing the topic, but instructors knew that a film made especially for Towson University would be more effective because it would provide information and directions specific to TU. The TUPD could have hired an outside production company, but with one of the finest And the cast? Members of the Towson This is also the inaugural year of a contest film programs in Maryland right on campus, University Department of Theatre Arts, of open to upper-level film students who get there was no need to look farther afield. course. to compete for the opportunity to shoot The Department of Electronic Media and Karim Darwish ’18, an acting major, plays a their own original, narrative film using the Film came on board, with Kraemer as student who discovers via a text alert from department’s recently purchased Red Epic the video’s director, alongside scriptwriter TUPD that there’s an active shooter in the Dragon camera (worth more than $70,000). Assistant Professor Marc May and producer building where he is attending class. He has Know-how with the state-of-the-art equip- Marco Kathuria, an adjunct instructor in the to move quickly to avoid the shooter but finds ment is a great benefit for students looking for department. another student hiding under a table and must work on sets like House of Cards, the Netflix series filmed right here in Maryland, which, Electronic media and film major Tyler operation, lighting design, audio, makeup and The film, set in the Liberal Arts Building, will decide whether just to save himself or go back says Kraemer, uses the same type of camera. Peterson ’17 knows that in his line of work, wardrobe, during filming this spring. resemble a dramatic reenactment in which to help his classmate. (No spoilers here!) GO PRO it’s essential to learn by doing. The EMF committee that judges the submis- The finished product will be part of the TU actors playing students, professors and staff Darwish, who looks forward to a career in are faced with the situation of an active sions and selects the winning script also Active shooter video aids campus So when Assistant Professor Joseph Kraemer Office of Public Safety’s strategy to prepare acting, appreciates the professional experi- specially mentors the winner during filming preparedness and gives students offered him the position of production the Towson community in the event of an shooter in the building. ence (and the pay that comes with it). But he with the hope that the student, in turn, will be professional experience on an designer on a video he is creating for the active shooter on campus. “It tells a story,” says Kraemer, “but at the is also drawn to the project because it’s for a mentor to others coming up in the depart- industrial film project Towson University Police, Peterson didn’t same time, it’s going to convey important “a good cause.” ment. hesitate. Local TALENT information to the viewer.” “I am happy to be part of this,” says Darwish, BY WANDA HASKEL The excellent opportunities available in “This is a great opportunity to have students That material is based on “Avoid Deny “part of raising awareness to help protect Electronic Media and Film are a big part of work with faculty,” says Peterson, “on a With the shocking increase in campus people.” PHOTOS BY Defend,” the protocol civilians are advised shootings since the unthinkable massacre at why Peterson is glad he chose to earn his EMILY NICHOLS ’17 professional set.” to follow during active shooter events. Virginia Tech in 2007, colleges and univer- degree at TU. Now in his final semester of college, applying Instructions particular to Towson University Lights, Camera, sities across the nation are focusing more “I would definitely recommend coming to for jobs at production companies, Peterson will include how to call for help, directions resources on preparedness. ACTION! Towson to study film,” says the Rising Sun, will have this professional credit on his for using a mobile phone app that would Md., native. resume and a chance to call Kraemer—his Towson is no exception. enable victims to report in to TU police during The active shooter video is just one example longtime adviser—colleague. The University Police Department already an incident, and other messages and visuals of how the Department of Electronic Media “Each year,” he adds, “the students are unique to Towson. outdoing themselves.”  So too will around a dozen EMF students and offers training to students, faculty and staff and Film is continually innovating its methods alumni who will make up the crew, working on on how to respond if there were an active for preparing students to hit the ground all aspects of the short film, including camera shooter on campus. Course materials include running in their careers.

8 COFAC Today COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION 9 mere entertainment—sometimes it’s even transformative. Visitors are also invited to share their own karaoke stories on an interactive storyboard. And what would a karaoke exhibit be without the opportunity to DO karaoke? Not nearly as fun. That’s why areas within the gallery are set up “Meeting with people one-on-one and having invite students to create personal “Kira-oke for folks to belt one out, either in an Amer- them be vulnerable with me and sharing their grams” to send to distant loved-ones. ican karaoke bar-type setting or in a more experiences was amazing,” says Lanciotti, “and Additionally, a panel discussion moderated by traditionally Asian-style private room known a lot like what I do in the counseling field.” karaoke scholar Byrd McDaniel from Brown as a “karaoke box.” One of Lanciotti’s most memorable interviews University gave students the inside scoop on “We want people to actually hang out in the was with a single mom who changed her how “KJs” (karaoke DJs), many of whom are gallery and just experience it,” says AA&CC life through karaoke, trading an uninspiring musicians, turn karaoke into a paying gig. Students participate in the Karaoke singing director Joanna Pecore, who conceived of the job for a new, fulfilling endeavor owning a as part of the Asian Arts & Culture Center’s exhibit when a TU student told her about a karaoke business. Karaoke: Asia’s Global Sensation exhibition. More than WORDS KARAOKE CULTURE night of karaoke with friends. “She has so much passion for karaoke and how it brings people together,” says Lanciotti. On first consideration, karaoke may seem like little more than a silly diversion, as it surely New Asian Arts & Culture Center exhibit “Her story was just really powerful.” Connecting through is for some. But, as Karaoke: Asia’s Global explores world-wide karaoke phenomenon Part of the Asian Arts & Culture Center’s KARAOKE Sensation illuminates, for many around mission is to train students to work for BY WANDA HASKEL the world, the activity plays a vital role in Another Towson student instrumental non-profits, which Pecore says includes community-building, which has a significant, in the creation of the Karaoke exhibit is on-the-job experience, building bridges to positive impact. Nicole Lanciotti. The AA&CC graduate the community and linking both back to a Do you come alive on karaoke night, quick to A new exhibit, Karaoke: Asia’s Global Sensa- assistant, earning her master’s in counseling student’s studies. Lanciotti’s work seeking So while the atmosphere in the gallery is grab the mic and sing your heart out? tion, at the Towson University Asian Arts & psychology, has been involved in multiple out and interviewing subjects for Karaoke casual (and sometimes loud!), the exhibit Culture Center (AA&CC) explores karaoke You are not alone. aspects of the exhibit’s development, most did all three. content is rich and touching in ways that customs in different cultures and communities might surprise. notably interviewing karaoke devotees in the Pecore also increased student involvement by Since its invention nearly 50 years ago in around the world. Japan, the pastime in which songsters are Baltimore region. building into the exhibit associated program- “This is actually a very serious topic,” says The installation offers information on the provided a microphone, instrumental music Lanciotti says that not only was her role ming designed to get the whole campus Pecore, “about what karaoke means in history and spread of karaoke, and showcases  and lyrics, has exploded in popularity, giving gathering people’s stories fascinating, but it singing. These include, a Friday evening event people’s lives.” stories from karaoke enthusiasts, revealing amateurs across the globe the chance to feel also complemented her studies in psychology. at the University Union featuring the BMore like stars. that for many, the pursuit means more than Karaoke, and visits from Kira & Friends, who

10 COFAC Today COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION 11 Melanie Brown ’17, center, with members of the Late Bloomer Band, a regional funk mainstay known for its powerful horns.

early on and wound up overseeing the young guitarist’s audition when he applied to TU’s MUSIC jazz/commercial performance program. “It was really special to have that bond MAKERS already in place,” says Pierre, “before I even was thinking about where to go to school.” Jazz musicians find their groove Now at 20, he gets the bulk of his guitar in TU’s music department instruction from acclaimed musician and faculty member Anthony Pirog, through BY WANDA HASKEL weekly private lessons, and participation in Pirog’s masterclass and jazz guitar ensemble.

“I’ve had a lot of guitar instructors,” says Considered one of the most gifted students to That’s thanks to “awesome” faculty members, Noah Pierre ’19 was born to be a musician. Pierre. “He [Pirog] has had the most impact come through the jazz/commercial perfor- including Jim McFalls, David Ballou, Jason Music major Noah Pierre ’19 is honing his musical He started playing guitar at the age of 3, on my personal style…As a guitar player, he’s mance program in recent history, there’s no Rigby, Jeff Reed, Timothy Murphy and Frank talents as a part of the Department of Music’s jazz/ thanks to parents who kept instruments really opened my eyes.” telling how far he’ll go in his career, but one Russo, says Brown. commercial performance program. around the house and always had music—all Pierre’s eyes may be open, but all folks on thing’s for sure. As long as he’s able, Pierre “Every single one of them has influenced Photo by Robin Jean Baptiste genres—playing. campus need to do to experience his music is will continue to make music and share it with me in some way, whether it’s how to be “I never made a huge decision that I wanted open their ears. Be it mellow jazz and funk the world. professional or be a better musician on my to be a musician,” remembers the TU in the University Union’s Potomac Lounge “Performing is so special,” says Pierre, instrument.” sophomore. “It was just such a part of my or contemporary covers with Towson’s “because you can connect with so many On the verge of graduating, Brown is excited upbringing that it felt most natural.” a cappella group Pitch Purrfect. Pierre different people you might not know, but they to begin offering private lessons and continue frequently is asked to accompany fellow music Formal guitar lessons started at 6. know you because of your music.” playing with Joe Keyes and the Late Bloomer majors in their junior and senior recitals, as By the time he entered Wilde Lake High One person Pierre has certainly connected Band, a regional funk mainstay known for its well. School in Howard County, Pierre was writing with is Melanie Brown ’17, another talented powerful horns. Additionally, Pierre has made a name for his own songs and dabbling in drums and musician in Towson’s jazz/commercial As for usually being the only woman in the himself as a singer/songwriter at Baltimore’s vocals. performance program. horn section, Brown says she’d like to see coffee houses and larger venues, including And just as playing guitar was a natural fit, so Instead of taking a straight line to TU like more girls pick up the saxophone but doesn’t Rams Head Live and the Ottobar. And his EP too was attending Towson University. Pierre, though, the saxophonist matriculated mind hangin’ with the guys. “They’re my releases, “Noah Pierre” and “The Borough,” after two years at another USM institution friends, so it’s not terribly alienating.” During his high school years, Pierre and which highlight his rock influences, are where she was happy socially but wanted a classmates would visit the Towson music available online for download. And besides, nothing could make her give up music program with more depth. department to “scope out the program” and her passion because, as she says, echoing the With two years remaining at Towson, Pierre meet the faculty. Faculty, such as lecturer “I’m definitely getting so much more here,” truth known by all of the genre’s musicians continues to expand as a musician, now Troy King, who identified Pierre’s talent says the Prince George’s County, Md. native, and admirers, “Jazz is cool.”  learning piano and focusing on vocal training. “especially in the realm of jazz.”

12 COFAC Today COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION 13 “If You Could See Her From My Eyes” sung by Cabaret’s Emcee features a dancing gorilla. Costumes for Cabaret were designed and created in the Department of Theatre Arts Costume Shop under the direction of assistant professor/costume designer, Julie Potter. LIFE IS A CABARET

Department of Theatre Arts revives Cabaret with a new twist

BY WANDA HASKEL

For over half a century, the musical Cabaret A woman Emcee also presents delicious androgyny in popular culture and studying has pushed boundaries and forced audiences challenges for the director. human movement. to think deeply about questions both political One being the show’s risqué song, “Two “It’s interesting, I kind of have to be both and personal. Ladies,” which features the Emcee and two genders,” muses the Carroll County native. With multiple revivals through the years on other performers. In the 1960s, the number “…I switch back and forth between being stage and the big screen, each iteration is was staged with the Emcee and two women, really feminine and really masculine.” edgier than the last. racy for the time as it suggests a ménage à Equally eager to hit the mainstage is acting Now, it’s Towson University’s turn to innovate trois. Later versions of the song included the major Molly Cohen ’18. She is taking on the the modern classic, set in Berlin’s extrava- male Emcee, accompanied by a woman and a lead character Sally Bowles, a self-involved gantly seedy Kit Kat Club during the lead-up man (sometimes in drag). cabaret performer who buries her head in the to World War II. In the Towson production, “Two Ladies,” sand even as the Gestapo rounds up citizens Molley Cohen ’18 as Sally Bowles and Christy Czajkowski takes on a new dynamic with the Emcee now for transport to concentration camps. ’17 as the Emcee in the Department of Theatre Arts a woman. production of Cabaret TWO Ladies “So many famous and incredible women have Speaking just before rehearsals began, Nunns played her,” (think Liza Minnelli, Judi Dench The show’s director, Associate Professor had not decided how “Two Ladies” would and Natasha Richardson), says the singer Stephen Nunns, says that one way he’s play out, but says he keeps asking himself, “Is from Frederick County. “I’m really excited to rethinking the story is by casting a woman as she playing a man or a woman?” The answer, figure out what the best interpretation of her the androgynous Emcee—a part traditionally he concludes, is that there isn’t an answer, and is for this production.” played by men. that’s just how he wants it for this script that Cohen is reaching back to Cabaret’s roots With LGBTQ issues prominent in our seems to eschew pronouns altogether. to prepare for her role, researching “the real national conversation (a recent Time magazine The woman in question playing Towson’s Sally Bowles,” British singer Jean Ross, whom cover story investigates how, “a new genera- Emcee is acting major Christy Czajkowski author Christopher Isherwood befriended in tion is redefining the meaning of gender”), it’s ’17, who says that getting to work with the 1930s before writing Goodbye to Berlin, timely to explore “gender fluidity.” And the Nunns is “like a dream.” on which Cabaret is based. part of the Emcee is a perfect vehicle for that, Czajkowski is thrilled to step into the bold says Nunns. and sexy role, and is preparing by researching

14 COFAC Today COLLEGE OF FINE ARTS AND COMMUNICATION 15 Life is a Cabaret, continued from page 15

No Troubles HERE

Topical as the show’s gender exploration is in today’s world, so too are the political themes OUT OF THE CLOSET humming through the play, which crescendo in the final scene when we learn the Emcee is Towson alumni join creative forces in new musical Dorian’s Closet on the next train to Auschwitz. BY WANDA HASKEL The pleasure-seeking crowd at the Kit Kat Klub has ignored the coming storm with an almost desperate glee. But in the end, merry-making After legendary female impersonator Dorian “It’s nice to have local Towson success can’t shield them from wretched reality. Corey died in 1993, friends cleaning out her stories,” says Ritsch, referring to his Ideas about personal responsibility and the Harlem apartment got a shocking surprise. classmates turned colleagues. perils of denial, says Nunns, particularly They probably expected to find sequined Ryan Haase ’11 is one of those success resonate during this divisive time in our gowns and stilettos in Corey’s closet. What stories. Now artistic director at Stillpointe nation’s history. they weren’t prepared for was the fully Theatre in Baltimore, Haase composed the “Cabaret plays with the idea of how mummified body of a man who had been music for Dorian’s Closet. dangerous it is to be oblivious to what’s going dead for at least 15 years. Working in concert with Haase as musical on in the world,” says Czajkowski. “Being Corey’s life and her domestic secret are the director for the show is Stacey Antoine ’11, involved with the show has inspired me to topic of the new musical, Dorian’s Closet, the resident music director at Stillpointe. become more politically active.” making its world premiere this spring at Antoine studied music performance at TU. And, even as the play warns us not to wear Rep Stage, a professional theatre company The properties designer is recent theatre blinders, the harsh truth is couched in such in residence at Howard Community College graduate Mollie Singer ’16. And rounding transporting entertainment that it gives us a in Columbia, Md. out the TU crew is Towson University break even from that which it won’t let us The creative team behind Dorian’s Closet is Professor Daniel Ettinger, the set designer. ignore. a who’s who of Towson University talent. With fond memories of their Towson days, So in the words of Sally Bowles, “Life is a Rep Stage’s producing artistic director the group is happy to have the opportunity cabaret, old chum. Come to the cabaret!” Joseph Ritsch ’11, who graduated with an to collaborate and call Ettinger, their former  MFA in theatre from Towson, is director for professor, a colleague.

the musical. “It’s really cool to work with him,” says Haase. “It’s pretty amazing, like coming full circle.”

16 COFAC Today College of Fine Arts and Communication Towson University · 8000 York Road · Towson, MD 21252-0001 t. 410-704-3288 · f. 410-704-6026 www.towson.edu/cofac

0417.022