winter 2020 Calendar of events Message from the dean

Legally Blonde: The Musical Music and lyrics by Laurence O’Keefe and Nell Benjamin Book by Heather Hatch Directed and choreographed by Chris Carter In this issue I first learned about Northwestern’s summer National High School Institute February 14–March 1 Ethel M. Barber Theater (NHSI)—nicknamed the “Cherub” program-—when I was a high school junior, 2 Westward bound listening to friends on the debate team who longed to attend. It was well known Danceworks 2020 Artistic direction by Joel Valentín-Martínez 12 Cherub memories as one of the most intensive and effective programs for students who were very March 4–8 14 A short history of the Cherubs serious about improving their debate skills. I was intrigued but didn’t apply. Josephine Louis Theater 16 Cherubs through the years However, my future husband, Daniel O’Keefe, did attend NHSI’s debate Peter and the Starcatcher camp and thoroughly enjoyed being a Cherub. Declining an offer of admission 18 Our community by Rick Elice to North­western (too close to home in the Chicago suburbs), he went to the Directed by Nate Cohen 24 Faculty focus April 24–May 3 University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with the intention of competing 27 Alumni achievements Ethel M. Barber Theater in college and becoming a debate coach. He and I met the first day of freshman 31 In memory 89th Annual Waa-Mu Show: year, even before classes began, when we ran into each other in the debate squad State of the Art 32 Communicating gratitude room. We remained at Illinois, each earning three degrees in communication and becoming experts in May 1–10 Cahn Auditorium different aspects of argumentation theory. And coming full circle, after long careers as scholars in communication studies, Dan and I will end Peerless by Jiehae Park our careers at Northwestern, mine as dean of the School of Communication and his as the Owen L. Coon Directed by Sarah Gitenstein Professor of Argumentation and Debate. During my 20 years as dean, we have met so many Cherub May 15–24 Josephine Louis Theater alumni—some who subsequently attended Northwestern for undergraduate study but also many who, like Dan, chose to study elsewhere. Yet whether they were theatre, film, or debate Cherubs and regardless Information and tickets at of where they earned their degrees, they all see themselves as Northwestern alumni and are grateful for communication.northwestern.edu/wirtz the way NHSI launched them toward success. We have never before devoted an issue of Dialogue to the faculty, students, and alumni of the Cherub National Theatre Live program, but this is the right time to acknowledge their contributions and devotion to Northwestern. As Ethel M. Barber Theater you will learn in this issue, NHSI has been the School of Communication’s most potent recruiting tool, Present Laughter by Noël Coward bringing extraordinary people from all the communication arts to study and perform in Evanston. March 14 Because of the program’s powerful appeal, five years ago we began developing a new Cherub format

Fleabag From left: Zayd Dohrn, Brad Hall, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and David Tolchinsky to bring new kinds of students into our community. Adam Joyce, the assistant dean who oversees NHSI, Written and performed has worked with his staff to develop an after-school version of the program. For several years this new by Phoebe Waller-Bridge School of Communication alumni are not only exceptionally talented and accomplished; initiative has been offered in Chicago high schools that serve minority and low-income students, and April 3 they’re also engaged and often willing to swing by to say hello. On October 27 faculty and last year we piloted the program in Los Angeles as well. The format’s success in bringing the Cherub All My Sons by Arthur Miller students in the MFA program in writing for screen and stage hosted Julia Louis-Dreyfus April 4–5 (C83, H07), Brad Hall (C80), and their son Charlie Hall (C19) for an informal chat about experience—and the appeal of Northwestern—to entirely new communities has convinced us to make comedy, authentic characters, creating a productive writers room, and more. The three a long-term commitment to expanding our presence in Los Angeles. were in town to participate in the annual Chicago Humanities Festival. This issue of Dialogue pays homage to the long history of Cherubs—including many of our most “Brad and Julia broke down an episode of Veep—what was difficult about it, what was notable Cherub alumni—and lays out our plans for expanding this wonderful part of the School of successful, the role of improv versus planning in how the episode eventually came together,” Communication. We hope that the 21st-century version of Cherubs will help us become an even better says David Tolchinsky, codirector of the MFA program and professor of radio/television/ 21st-century communication school. Stay tuned! film. “They talked about the role of failure and how certain failures led to other successes.” On the cover: Summer 2019 Cherubs in the The wide-ranging conversation included both technical details and career advice. National High School Institute’s theatre arts “The students were thrilled to talk to such generous and knowledgeable alumni,” says Zayd division perform Gao Xingjian’s play The Dohrn, program codirector and department chair. “It’s great to bring together these amazing Other Shore in the Josephine Louis Theater of writers, directors, and performers with our talented young writers, who will be making the the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts. To learn more about and to film and TV of the future. And of course, so many of these top-rated artists are Northwestern Barbara J. O’Keefe apply to NHSI, visit nhsi.northwestern.edu. alumni who are happy to give back.” Dean, School of Communication Louis-Dreyfus most recently starred as Selina Meyer on HBO’s smash-hit comedy Veep, Start a dialogue: [email protected] also serving as executive producer; the series wrapped last spring after seven seasons. For Veep she won a record-setting six consecutive lead-comedy-actress Emmy Awards, tying her with Cloris Leachman (C48, H14) for the most acting Emmys overall at eight apiece. iii Dialogue winter 2020 WESTWARD BOUND

EXPANDING THE SCHOOL OF COMMUNICATION’S PRECOLLEGE PROGRAM

by Cara Lockwood and Kerry Trotter

Each summer the School of Communication’s National High School Institute (also known as the Cherub program) draws high-achieving high school students to Northwestern’s renowned precollege pro- grams in theatre, film, debate, and now neuroscience. NHSI has been one of the University’s most successful initiatives in its impact on the development of secondary school students. As a result, it has become one of Northwestern’s most successful marketing and recruiting tools.

Assistant dean Adam Joyce has found a way to reach even more gifted students and bring them into the Wildcat fold. After decades as a summer program, NHSI recently expanded to meet students where they are, giving them an opportunity to become part of the Cherub program in their own high school classrooms. The expansion started in Chicago-area schools and has extended to Los Angeles, in a strategic move to recruit new students to Northwestern and bring more purple power to the Golden State.

2 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 3 he rave reviews are in, and the academic-year playwriting intensive. The students take School of Communication’s in-school courses, receive out-of-class assistance, and draft number-one recruitment tool may a 10-minute play. NHSI instructor and writer John Corwin soon be at a high school near you. teaches the program, now in 10 area schools. Alyssa Schwartz was among “Playwriting will make every other type of writing better. the select students at her Los The structure and form we talk about is the form of every other Angeles high school to participate writing,” Corwin says. “It just makes you become a better com- in NHSI’s new in-school playwrit- municator, and that skill will serve you in any number of ways. ing intensive, and it completely changed her perspective about I think these sorts of expressions are needed in the world.” writing. “I was never good at writing essays,” she admits, “but ChiArts junior Daniela Morales participated in the play- Twhen our theatre class had this playwriting intensive, we all writing intensive and then came to Evanston last summer for had to write a 10-minute play, and I had a lot of fun with it. It the five-week film and video division. “Without a doubt, I can helped me explore all parts of my mind instead of just a small say this past summer was one of the best I’ve had so far,” says part of it.” Because of her success in that program, Schwartz Morales, whose script was produced as part of the Cherubs final came to Evanston last summer to take part in NHSI’s film and video division; this fall she will enroll at Northwestern. Part of a large, diverse, and vocal group of teens who are “I was never good at writing essays, introduced to the University through NHSI, Schwartz was but when our theatre class had this among the first group of students to participate in the pro- playwriting intensive … I had a lot gram’s LA expansion, which opens doors to new populations of fun with it. It helped me explore at a crucial point in a high schooler’s college-choice decision- all parts of my mind instead of just making. It also aims to capitalize on Northwestern’s robust network of alumni and connections in the creative industries. a small part of it.” —Alyssa Schwartz, class of 2024 NHSI director Jennifer Avery says the plan is working. “Every school we’ve worked in has wanted us back year after year. And word is getting out—other schools in LA have heard projects. “I learned more about film and what goes on during about the program and asked to participate. We’re only going production by being a part of it. The experience also made to continue to grow.” me want to get a camera and start writing and producing my own films.” Expanding the Northwestern footprint The success of the Chicago expansion prompted the strate- The summertime NHSI program—which welcomed its gic westward move. In 2018–19 the School of Communication first cohort to Evanston in 1931 and has educated future launched the playwriting intensive in three Los Angeles–area Oscar, Emmy, Tony, and Pulitzer Prize winners as well as politi- schools, and this year it’s at eight: Alliance Leichtman-Levine, cians, high-court appointees, CEOs, and leading researchers— Beverly Hills High, Long Beach Polytechnic, Hollywood High, continues to be a massive draw. Approximately 2,500 students Carson High School, Wind­ward, Alliance Judy Ivy Burton, and come to Evanston annually for one- to seven-week sessions Alliance Gertz-Ressler. The goal is to create new partnerships, of college-caliber classes. They live in campus residence halls, establish a physical presence for Northwestern in LA, and intro- eat in the dining facilities, and squeeze in a little fun amid the duce the innovative curriculum to a younger, broader audience high curricular demands. (See pages 6 and 7.) —and to recruit a wider array of students to both NHSI’s summer In 2016 NHSI launched a Chicago-area pilot program programs and the University. with Evanston Township, New Trier, and Senn High Schools “The city of Los Angeles is an artistic and cultural hub, and Chicago High School for the Arts (ChiArts) to offer an home to an incredibly diverse array of people,” says Ian

4 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 5 Merrigan, who manages NHSI could write now suddenly realize that, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CHERUB WHAT DOES NHSI TEACH? in LA and teaches playwriting in with a little effort, they can—and the 10-week program at partici­ someday that might lead to a career. Harrison High School senior Aidan Wohl of New York got his first taste of college The Evanston-based summer programming pating high schools. “As a high “The future of the entertainment life when he came to Northwestern’s Evanston campus as a Cherub last summer. comprises four divisions: theatre arts, film and school student here, you grow up industry relies on content producers,” He quickly learned that sleep and free time were in short supply. video, debate, and neuroscience. surrounded by the entertainment says assistant dean for planning and “That first week, it’s a little bit of a smack and other activities. The long day Students taking part in theatre arts must industry. By programming arts engagement Adam Joyce, who over­ in the face, because we all found our­ wouldn’t end until the RA meeting at be rising high school seniors in the top third classes in Los Angeles, NHSI can sees NHSI. “Empowering these young selves working harder and longer hours 10:30 p.m. “I wouldn’t get back to my of their class with a demonstrated interest and connect its rich network of artists people to develop a voice and a view­ than most of us did during the school dorm until 11,” he says. “And by then, evidence of experience in theatre—whether and educators, many of them point will be so beneficial down the year,” says Wohl, who spent five weeks I was usually pretty conked out.” in acting, music theatre performance, design, Northwestern alumni, to students road—not just when it comes to in the film and video division. “But every In the final two weeks, students or writing. Core classes include voice and in their own communities. By pro- bringing new, intelligent students to Cherub is so passionate about film­ worked on producing their five-minute movement; electives can cover design, tech, viding a clearer pathway between Northwestern, but also in sending making, and the instructors are just so films. Wohl’s Cherub screenplay, Stag, and much more. The five-week program Evanston and Los Angeles, we them out into the creative industries talented, you don’t really want to have is about a boy who exiles himself in the offers an optional two-week musical theatre open the door for students and fac- with a strong skill set and the confi- free time. You want to soak up all the woods to learn more about himself but extension. ulty from Northwestern and high dence to match.” knowledge from the instructors and all gets more than he bargained for. The film and video division has similar school students in Los Angeles to A flourishing program on the left the creativity from your fellow Cherubs.” “I think it took us 10 hours to film a academic demands but also welcomes rising take advantage of both locations’ coast will extend ripples far beyond Wohl would five-minute produc­ high school juniors. Students choose to wealth of resources.” This year the Cherubs. NHSI-LA has taken up begin his day tion, and that’s not concentrate in acting on camera, production, NHSI is piloting a documentary residence in Burbank’s Garry Marshall “Seeing my work up there on waking up in even counting the or screenwriting; this determines the classes media program in LA, training Theater—co-run by former Cherub that giant screen and watching Allison Hall at many hours it took to they are eligible to take. Although separate select students to use camera and Kathleen Marshall LaGambina (C90). it affect an audience was one of 7:30 a.m. After a plan—for me to write tracks, the concentrations are highly collab- audio equipment to film a short The long-term plan is to build a Los the best feelings I’ve ever had.” quick breakfast and for the director orative, as the actors star in the production documentary on a topic of their Angeles presence to also support at Hinman Dining and cinematographer students’ final projects, which are sometimes choosing. undergraduate and graduate program Hall, he would head to his first core class to make the shot list,” says Wohl, who based on screenwriters’ work. The film and “This program is especially expansion. In Evanston the Cherub at 8:30. Since Wohl chose screenwriting also had the opportunity to act in fellow video division includes the two-week summer important because so much of the program uses the facilities developed as his concentration, his first two classes Cherubs’ projects. “It really is such a playwriting intensive, an extension of the arts has been stripped away from to support the regular School of of the day centered on that topic. In the group effort. It’s all about time, patience, Chicago and Los Angeles in-school program. some schools,” says Northwestern Communication curriculum; in Los afternoon, he’d be off to an elective, such and dedication. We all left understanding The debate division demands high University Entertainment Alli­ Angeles the facilities to be developed as Personal Cinema. how much goes into so little.” academic achievement and experience or ance West copresident Marcus for the precollege program will also “That class was all about taking In the end, Wohl’s hard work paid off. interest in policy debate and is open to rising Folmar (C96)—a regular performer serve as teaching and meeting space for personal experiences from your “On the final day, the parents come to high school sophomores, juniors, and seniors. with the Upright Citizens Brigade students and faculty from Evanston. background—where you grew up, campus, and there’s a six-hour screening Debaters can participate in one-, four-, or who has appeared in dozens of “We are very excited about these who your family is—and learning of all the films, and you can see what six-week sessions in which they take classes, TV shows and wrote 2018’s I Hate potential opportunities for expanding how you can use it to form a unique you made,” he says. “Seeing my work up research the annual debate topic, and attend LA as well as the web series Alley our professional educational pro- perspective in your filmmaking,” Wohl there on that giant screen and watching lectures. Smaller labs give students extra Way, which premiered in 2016. grams,” says Professor Madhu Reddy, says. “The big takeaway is that film­ it affect an audience was one of the best attention and address specific needs; the An NHSI teacher in two schools, the school’s associate dean for graduate making is a personal art form, and if feelings I’ve ever had. I think it’s almost Chicago Scholars program offers its own he says the program gives stu- programs. “Programs such as our mas- you can’t be vulnerable in your piece, as special for the parents. My parents lab in this format. Success is measured by dents “an introduction to the arts. ter of science in leadership for creative you might not be ready to make a film. were so happy that I was happy.” a marked improvement in students’ skill That might be something they enterprises would be of great interest When we analyzed the work of great Wohl says he’d do it all again—lack sets and a noticeable uptick in motivation consider doing professionally or to professionals working on the West directors and writers, we learned that of downtime and all. “It is a magical, and preparedness. maybe something they just use as Coast. Northwestern is already so well in making a film, they really leave a transformative experience for anyone The neuroscience division, new in 2019, a creative outlet. But either way, known among West Coast industry part of themselves on the screen.” who’s passionate enough and driven invited seven Chicago students to campus for they can take it with them for leaders that expanding our physical Evenings would often include enough to take it on.” He will enroll at a one-week intensive (see page 11). life.” Folmar says that students presence there is a thrilling possible screenings of instructors’ projects Northwestern this fall. who may never have thought they next step.”

6 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 7 A wider, smarter, more supportive net One significant net benefit of NHSI is harder to quantify: Geographical expansion is part of the School of Communica­ the sense of belonging that it engenders. Regardless of the tion’s determined efforts to widen the Cherub recruitment location of the participating schools or the demographics of the pool. The program hopes to increase student diversity, welcome students, Cherubs wind up being successful because they find new perspectives, and advance programs in a way that reflects themselves in a like-minded group of artists and thinkers. They societal and University values. But in recent years, NHSI has support one another and find a safe haven amid a turbulent been doing this closer to home through strategic partnerships time in most teens’ lives. with Evanston Scholars, Northwestern Academy, and the “These are creative students who are incredibly sensitive, Urban Debate League, which have lent fresh voices to Univer­ but they’re exploring their passions with students who feel like sity arts and rhetoric traditions. These relationships have them, who are equally sensitive, or who are equally ‘other’ in helped identify talented students of color and facilitated their their high schools,” says NHSI director Avery. “I love watching inclusion in the campus community through outreach and them, because they’re the cool kids here.” scholarship funding. The Chicago Scholars program helps cultivate debate talent The Northwestern pipeline by sponsoring 12 talented Chicago-area students recommended Founded to expand recruitment for the School of Communi­ by the Urban Debate League. Those students attend a four-week cation (see page 14), NHSI remains a pipeline for high school summer lab at Northwestern to sharpen their debate skills. students who discover the Northwestern experience through “Part of our mission is attracting a student body that its precollege programs. Cherub alumni are regularly accepted reflects the larger demographics of the country,” says Daniel

“Empowering these young people to CHERUBIC FACULTY develop a voice and a viewpoint will Zayd Dohrn attended the NHSI film and video division be so beneficial down the road.” and is now associate professor and chair of the Depart­ ment of Radio/Television/Film. Assistant professor —Assistant dean Adam Joyce of theatre Halena Kays was a Cherub and returned to Northwestern as an undergraduate; theatre senior Fitzmier, director of Northwestern’s and NHSI’s debate programs. lecturer Laura Schellhardt taught in the program. “Programs like this—that break down a lot of the wealth and Senior lecturer Mary Poole was director of the theatre access barriers to high school students for participation in the arts division for years, and professor emeritus and University—help do that.” Fitzmier has taken teams to the former School of Communi­cation dean David Zarefsky National Debate Tournament finals 10 times and has coached directed the debate division for more than a decade. Northwestern to five NDT victories—in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2011, Daniel O’Keefe, the Owen L. Coon Professor of Argu­ and 2015. mentation and Debate, began his forensic ascent back He says the NHSI program helps him identify potentially in 1967 as a rising high school senior. talented debaters and helps students prepare for college, “I remember the wonderful feeling of complete whether they choose Northwestern or a different school. immersion in debate activities—time in Northwest­ “We’ve found that we’re impacting a group of students who are ern’s libraries, strategy sessions, practice debates, sharpening a set of characteristics that will help them succeed,” and so on,” O’Keefe recalls. “Of course, the schedule says Fitzmier. “I don’t think there’s enough data to say that included nondebate activities that (predictably) we dis- we’re a causal factor in getting students into higher education, missed as ‘compulsory fun.’ But one of those activities but there’s certainly a continuity there for participation in remains an especially vivid and happy memory: a trip debate. In my qualitative judgment, the students are better to the Ravinia Festival, where we heard the Chicago prepared to succeed when they get to college because of Symphony Orchestra perform Mussorgsky’s Pictures this program.” at an Exhibition under the direction of Seiji Ozawa. Compulsory fun indeed!”

8 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 9 NHSI INTRODUCES NEW NEUROSCIENCE INTENSIVE

into the country’s best universities, including Harvard, Brown, provost Jonathan Holloway and plans to interview celebrity Last summer the School of Communication’s communication Yale, and of course Northwestern. Roughly three-quarters of alumni. His successful Northwestern career, he says, all began sciences and disorders department launched a new collabo- the students who attended the 2018 Cherubs theatre program with that first summer on campus. ration with the National High School Institute to bring seven applied to Northwestern; about a third of those students “The actors in Northwestern’s theatre program receive effi- Chicago-area high schoolers to campus for a free weeklong enrolled in 2019–20. The acceptance rate of former Cherubs cient training, but we are also educated in the arts and sciences deep dive into neuroscience and communication. far outpaces the University’s overall acceptance rate of 8 to and are taught how to have something to say, not only how to “This was our attempt to steer these students toward 9 percent. say something,” Robinson says. “I knew I wanted to attend a speech-language and hearing sciences so that at least they’re Does Cherub participation give students an admissions place just like Cherubs that taught me that my education is aware of these great fields,” says then department chair Sumit boost? More likely, it allows the students to better articulate about more than just being an actor.” Dhar, associate dean for research. And, he adds, the depart- why they want to attend Northwestern. The experience stays Finding students like Robinson—those with passion, ment hopes to bring more diversity to what has traditionally with them. drive, and an affinity for the Northwestern experience—is been a white, female-dominated area. “Often, you model your Anushka Agarwala will be part of Northwestern’s class of key to NHSI’s continued expansion. And with sights set on career choice on someone you see; if you don’t see anyone 2024 and saw her NHSI summer as a “dress rehearsal” for col- talented students of all backgrounds, the program will open who looks like you, you might think you can’t do this work.” lege. “I went in nervous that I wouldn’t fit in because this would the doors to the University’s even brighter future. “The wider The seven students—five males and two females, nearly be my first experience with people just as dedicated as I am to the net we cast for these programs,” says Avery, “the better it all people of color—hailed from Mather, Lake View, and creating good theatre,” she says. “When I left, not only was I is for Northwestern.” Evanston Township High Schools. They spent a late-July week eager to continue my career as a stage manager, but I also was living like Northwestern students—bunking in the residence certain that this was my calling in life.” halls, eating in the dining halls, and steeping themselves in a challenging area of study. Each day started with a lec- ture, followed by lab work, a lunch with current School of “I knew I wanted to attend a place Communication undergraduate or graduate students, more just like Cherubs that taught me that lectures, clinical work or case studies, faculty fireside chats, my education is about more than just and recreational time before lights out. The neuroscience Cherubs took a hands-on approach being an actor.” to conducting a swallowing assessment, watching an EEG —Nolan Robinson, class of 2021 language study, learning about the latest technological advancements, and observing how conditions affecting Her father, Dhruv Agarwala (McC93), saw her experience speech, hearing, and language are diagnosed. They heard as a new way to engage with his alma mater. “I was well aware from faculty on what a clinician’s work entails, how research of the rigor and intensity of the program and knew that if careers can pan out, and why exposing more people from Anushka came out after seven weeks still excited and moti- more backgrounds is so critical to these fields’ success. The vated, then she truly was meant to be in theatre,” he says. “As week ended with each Cherub delivering a brief presentation I saw it, it was a defining moment for her, because on day one on a topic that intrigued them from the week’s sessions. These Anushka felt completely at home as a Cherub.” included explanations of ear structure, the need for bilingual Northwestern junior Nolan Robinson, who grew up in speech-language pathologists, and what’s at stake for health Evanston and attended Evanston Township High School, was a outcomes when patients don’t see medical professionals who theatre and music theatre Cherub. When he arrived, he had no share their race or ethnicity. intention of applying to the University, as he initially thought “We hope to build ambassadors through this experience,” he wanted to go far away to a conservatory. The experience, and says Adam Joyce, who oversees NHSI as assistant dean for the exposure to Northwestern’s curriculum, changed his mind. planning and engagement. “They go back to their schools and “I realized that for a Northwestern student, submerged in tell their friends about what they’ve discovered is possible, everything on campus, Evanston would feel like an entirely and they see all the opportunities to create relationships and different world, and it does,” says Robinson, who recently craft a possible career in these exploding fields.” produced the comedy web series Where’s Noah? He also created NHSI and the department plan to offer the program again the podcast Of All Trades with Nolan Robinson, for which he has in 2020. interviewed Northwestern president Morton Schapiro and

10 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 11 CHERUB MEMORIES

writing class, I did a class where you write The substance and style of policy The Rainmaker and Enchanted April who’s monologues, I did a daily movement debate—where teams of two argue for also known for her roles in 24 and House and voice class. It gave a great overview and against a topic, often in sped-up of Cards. “People began gathering around of what theatre could be, and all the delivery—lends itself well to a future in the piano and singing, and it was just things you could do in theatre that law. And Northwestern, with its ample this beautiful moment. I love actors and weren’t necessarily on stage.” resources and rich history as a leader in artists so much, because we just burst out policy debate, offers an opportunity for singing when we feel like it.” high schoolers to see debate as a pathway Atkinson says the Cherub program Lucas Hedges Sharif Atkins Brad Weinstock to a rewarding future. challenged her in ways she didn’t expect. Academy Award–nominated actor For TV and movie star Sharif Atkins When future Broadway star Brad “We had outstanding instruction “It was interesting to work in a place Lucas Hedges says that he struggled as (C97), his experience as a 1992 theatre Weinstock (C06) arrived on campus as a from some of the best teachers from where I wasn’t very well known,” she a teenager, feeling like an outsider. But Cherub totally clarified his course in life. theatre Cherub in 2001, he immediately college and high school debate and says. “In high school I got the leads, and his summer as a Cherub changed that. “I didn’t realize it till after the five weeks felt at home. an extraordinary group of Cherubs to now here I was with the crème de la “I felt very lost and self-destructive were over, but I had made two decisions “The best thing about going to this learn from and compete against,” he crème of actors from other schools. That in high school, and Cherubs was the first based on my time there: I wanted to program is you really do find your tribe, recalls. “Having access to Northwestern’s was very good for me—to be pushed, to Michael Gottlieb five weeks coming off of a low point in be an actor, and I wanted to begin the you find your people,” says Weinstock, library, one of the best in the country, be part of the ensemble, to have a smaller Michael Gottlieb (WCAS99), a lawyer my life, when I was just injected with journey at Northwestern University,” who toured nationally in Jersey Boys and also enhanced the research aspect of part. That influenced my work ethic and based in Washington, DC, often finds movement and play and light,” says says Atkins, who would go on to graduate Wicked and currently stars as Aladdin’s policy debate.” desire to work harder.” himself in the thick of cases involving Hedges, who earned an Oscar nod for from the School of Communication as sidekick, Omar, in the Broadway pro- The lessons and connections linger. She also fell in love with the Evanston precedent-setting legal and national 2016’s Manchester by the Sea and has a theatre major. duction of Aladdin. “A lot of people had “On one of my first days at Harvard Law campus. “I went home and only applied security issues. He has represented clients starred in Boy Erased, Ben Is Back, and “The passion of [senior lecturer and participated in their high school theatre School,” he says, “an NHSI alum came up to Northwestern, because I knew that’s involved in crisis management, sensitive Three Billboards outside Ebbing, Missouri. then director of the Cherubs theatre divi- programs, but this was the next level— to me, and in conversation we realized we where I wanted to go,” she says. “The government investigations, congressional “It felt like I was injected with hope.” sion] Mary Poole and the encouragement people who are super interested in this, had lived in the same dorm as Cherubs.” teachers were so amazing. They really hearings, constitutional and antitrust For the first time, Hedges began to and praise of the teachers began nurtur- people who want to pursue it down pushed us to our limits. I remember disputes, and more, some even before understand that the limitations he’d ing gifts that at that point I didn’t know the line for their careers, people just as watching one instructor; we were soaking the US Supreme Court. Before entering placed on himself “were more mental I had,” he recalls. “If my four years at passionate if not more so than you. As up every word, because of course she was private practice, he served as associate than anything else.” And he instantly Northwestern were my foundation, then a Cherub, for the first time I met people a working actor, and that’s what we all White House counsel for President bonded with his fellow Cherubs. the Cherub program was the excavation who knew every word to some of the wanted to be. She talked about engaging Barack Obama and helped start and “The first night, we all did presen- needed to provide clarity for where my cast recordings that I’d been poring over your emotions. This is one of the biggest manage an international civil-military tations in front of each other, and I was life was headed.” for years.” things for actors; we have to laugh and task force devoted to rule-of-law issues in just in awe of so many kids my age who Atkins would go on to star as Weinstock says he made great friend- cry on cue. It’s one of the things that’s Afghanistan. Prior to being named one had come from all over the country to Dr. Michael Gallant in the hit NBC ships, some lasting. “I still work with the most challenging. I remember she of Washington’s top 40 lawyers under 40, Jayne Atkinson perform,” he says. “I felt like they were drama ER. He has also played special and audition for people who were in the showed us she could cry at the drop of a rising star by the National Law Journal, Tony-nominated actress Jayne Atkinson superheroes. I’ve always felt that way agent Clinton Jones in White Collar, tele- Cherubs program, even though that was a hat, and we were all mesmerized.” and a legal trailblazer by Law 360, he was (C81) remembers that soon after coming about actors, and I found myself in the path Gary Navarro in The 4400, assistant the early 2000s,” he says. “There’s a natu- Atkinson’s Cherub experience made a two-time Cherub exploring his early to Northwestern as a theatre Cherub company of kids who were fearless and US attorney Harrison Rivers in the CBS ral bond that you’ve both been through such an impression that her son Jeremy passion for debate. in 1976, she sat down at the piano in confident to show themselves in front of drama The Good Wife, and a Nova Corps this, even if you attended in different even followed in her footsteps. “The pro- NHSI “was widely thought of as her dorm. strangers—something that didn’t come pilot in 2014’s Guardians of the Galaxy. years.” He adds that NHSI helped him gram should go on forever,” she says, one of the best summer programs in the “I didn’t really play, but I’d plunk easily for me.” Atkins says, “Participating in the focus on his career and really visualize “because it really is such a wonderful­ way country,” says Gottlieb, who attended the around a bit, and I decided to play ‘Corner Cherub program was a life-changing what he might do as an adult. for young actors to ground themselves.” Cherub debate division after his soph- of the Sky’ from Pippin. I’d seen the experience for me.” “You get a real sampler platter of omore and junior years of high school. musical and I’d taught myself the song,” what life in theatre could be,” he says. “And of course summer on the lake was says Atkinson, a Tony nominee for “You do one play, but there are also nine an added benefit.” other plays going on. I took a creative

12 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 13 A SHORT HISTORY OF THE CHERUBS

n 1931, just as the Great Depression was picking up steam, School of Speech theatre professor Garrett Leverton and Dean Ralph Dennis launched an exciting new plan: inviting high school students to campus for an early but immersive college- curriculum experience. As Dennis stated, the summer program would “bring together gifted young people and superior teachers in an atmosphere of affection,I knowledge, and trust”—a mission still embraced by today’s National High School Institute (NHSI), fondly known as the Cherub program. From the onset, Dennis saw this as an opportunity to introduce the School of Speech and its fields to impressionable high schoolers who might then apply to the University. The sessions; tuition for the five-week session was $60, and room one of the institute’s directors had called the students cherubs current economic climate was another factor; Northwestern According to one bit of lore, one of the and board in a University dormitory was $60.50. That year, ironically “because they acted like little devils.” And in another had implemented two across-the-board salary cuts in the wake institute’s directors had called the Northwestern’s Medill School of Journalism launched its own old story, Dean Dennis allegedly spotted an amorous couple in of the October 1929 stock market crash, and morale was low. A students cherubs ironically “because program, and by 1940 the two had merged to offer tracks in the bushes near Annie May Swift Hall and said, “They certainly summer program would keep the faculty working and earning. they acted like little devils.” dramatics, debate and public speaking, and journalism. don’t look like cherubs.” There was no going back after that. Actually, the seeds for NHSI had been planted more than a Eventually Northwestern’s Schools of Music, Education, The program was an immediate and lasting success, and decade earlier by an enterprising high school junior. After taking spring, she enrolled in the School of Speech, graduating in 1921. Business, and Engineering offered NHSI programs of their own, the curriculum has continued to evolve and grow. Today NHSI elocution lessons for eight years in Chillicothe, Missouri, Alda The program that Dennis and Leverton created for the first but today only the communication and journalism programs comprises the divisions of theatre arts, film and video, debate, Blanche Moorman sought opportunities beyond those in her official cohort in 1931 (initially called the High School Institute continue. They remain close campus partners, although a and neuroscience, with playwriting intensives offered in select hometown. Her teacher recommended that she attend a speech in Speech) recruited outstanding students from 16 schools to decade ago the journalism program officially withdrew from Chicago- and Los Angeles–area high schools. Future plans may school, reportedly telling Moorman’s mother, “There’s a fine take part in four weeks of immersion in every aspect of speech the National High School Institute to become the Medill- include a documentary media curriculum and additional par- one called the Cumnock School of Oratory at Northwestern and drama. Courses included acting, play production, shop, and Northwestern Journalism Institute. ticipating high schools. University.” Moorman reached out to acting director Clarion makeup, culminating in a series of one-act plays produced by Once NHSI started, it wasn’t long before the students came Hardy about taking private lessons between her junior and and starring the participants. Also including courses in debate Sources to be known as Cherubs. But when and how did that term arise? senior years of high school. Hardy encouraged her to “not waste” and public speaking, the jam-packed days started at 7:30 a.m. Northwestern University School of Speech: A History by Lynn Miller Rein A 1936 Summer Northwestern story was headlined “Cherubs Northwestern University Archives her parents’ money but instead to take actual college courses and lasted until rehearsals finished at 10 p.m. Attend Play at Glencoe Tonight,” with no reference to how Roger Boye, director, Medill-Northwestern Journalism Institute for which she could get credit. Moorman heeded his advice By 1934 the program had swelled to 90 students from 30 or why they acquired that name. According to one bit of lore, that summer, and after completing high school the following states. They had the option of taking part in four- to eight-week

14 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 15 CHERUBS THROUGH THE YEARS Since 1931, thousands of talented students have passed through the National High School Institute. Not surprisingly, many went on to extraordinary careers and achievements—with quite a few also earning Northwestern degrees. Take a spin through just a sampling of the School of Communication’s Cherub alumni and their accomplishments (in addition to those on pages 12–13), listed by the year they attended NHSI.

1935 1960 1966 1979 1983 Lindsay Jones composed the scores 1988 2001 Jennifer Jones (C35) won both Frank Galati (C65, GC67, GC71) Shelley Long (C71) won an Emmy Virginia Madsen boasts numerous David Schwimmer (C88) played for HBO Films’ Oscar-winning short Noah Wyle won acclaim as Dr. John America Ferrera won Golden an Academy Award and a Golden discovered an abiding love for and two Golden Globes for playing television and film credits, including Ross Geller on the smash-hit NBC documentary A Note of Triumph: Carter in NBC’s ER and Tom Mason Globe, Emmy, and Screen Actors Globe for The Song of Bernadette, Northwestern while a Cherub, the iconic role of Diane Chambers the hit indie film Sideways (for sitcom Friends, which ran for 10 The Golden Age of Norman Corwin in TNT’s Falling Skies. He has also Guild Awards for her starring role released in 1943. She was also returning as an undergraduate, on NBC’s hit comedy Cheers. which she received 2004 Oscar and seasons and netted him a 1995 and Sony Pictures/Lifetime appeared in the film Donnie Darko as Betty Suarez in the ABC series acclaimed for her performances in graduate student, and, from 1970 to Golden Globe nominations) and her Emmy nomination for outstand- Television’s pilot Family Practice. and TNT’s The Librarian franchise. Ugly Betty. Currently starring in Since You Went Away (1944), Love 2005, professor in the Department 1969 starring role on ABC’s Designated ing supporting actor in a comedy Jones has received five Joseph NBC’s Superstore, she has also Letters (1945), and Duel in the Sun of Performance Studies. Now Merrick Garland is the chief circuit Survivor. series. In 2016 he received a second Jefferson Awards and fifteen 1992 appeared in several films, including (1946), among dozens of other films. professor emeritus, he has won judge of the US Court of Appeals Emmy nomination, for outstand- nominations, two ASCAP Plus David Harbour plays fan-favorite Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. two Tony Awards for adapting and for the District of Columbia. After David Magee was nominated for ing supporting actor in a limited Awards, an Ovation Award and three Jim Hopper in the Netflix sci-fi 1942–43 directing Steppenwolf Theatre receiving highest honors as an an Oscar and Golden Globe for series or movie, for playing Robert nominations, a Los Angeles Drama horror hit Stranger Things, for which 2002 Cloris Leachman (C48, H14) shares Company’s The Grapes of Wrath, NHSI debater, Garland went on to his screenplay for 2004’s Finding Kardashian in The People v. O.J. Critics Circle Award, a San Diego he has received Emmy and Critics’ Sara Kramer won a Hollywood the record (with fellow alumna in addition to a Tony nomination for Harvard University and Harvard Neverland and for an Oscar for his Simpson: American Crime Story. Drama Critics Circle Award, a Ticket Choice Television Awards and a Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Julia Louis-Dreyfus) for winning the directing the musical Ragtime and Law School before embarking on a adaptation of Life of Pi, winner of Right out of Northwestern, he Holder Award, and a Chicago Stage Golden Globe nomination. Guild Award for her work on BBC most acting Emmys. She also won an Oscar nomination for the screen- brilliant career that included high- the 2012 Satellite Award for best cofounded Chicago’s Lookingglass Talk Award, among many others. Two’s King Lear, starring Anthony an Oscar for The Last Picture Show play of The Accidental Tourist. profile investigations, government adapted screenplay. His screenplay Theatre Company with seven other His scores have been featured at 1996 Hopkins. Her many other makeup in a career spanning seven decades Winner of 10 Joseph Jefferson appointments, and a nomination for Mary Poppins Returns won the Northwestern graduates, including Cannes, SXSW, Slamdance, the Christopher Rice made the New credits include 1917, Over­lord, Fast and counting. Awards for his work in Chicago from President Barack Obama to Humanitas Prize. several fellow 1983 Cherubs. Middle East International Film York Times bestseller list with his and Furious: Hobbs and Shaw, and theatre, he has also directed pro- serve on the US Supreme Court. Festival, and more. first novel, published at the age the hit HBO series Succession. 1945 ductions at Lyric Opera of Chicago 1981 1986 of 22. By age 30 he added three Sander Vanocur (C50) was a and the Metropolitan Opera. 1973 Craig Bierko (C86) was nominated Charmaine Craig achieved success Baakari Wilder arrived in Evanston more books to the Times bestseller 2010 national correspondent for NBC Cherry Jones has received five Tony for a Tony Award for his portrayal with her very first novel, The Good already a star. At age 12, the list. Son of bestselling author Hari Nef became the first openly and ABC News. One of four panel- Denise Nicholas was a three-time nominations, with two wins: for the of Professor Harold Hill in the criti­ Men, a national bestseller that was award-winning tap dancer appeared Anne Rice, he has won a Lambda transgender woman signed by the ists for the first televised Kennedy- Golden Globe nominee for playing 1995 revival of The Heiress and the cally acclaimed Broadway revival translated into six languages. Her with legendary performers Brenda Literary Award and was named one IMG Worldwide talent management Nixon presidential debate in 1960, Liz McIntyre on the ABC comedy- original 2005 production of Doubt. of The Music Man. Bierko’s many second novel, Miss Burma, was Bufalino, Sandman Simms, Harold of People magazine’s sexiest men group and was named to the Busi­ he went on to cover the Kennedy drama Room 222. She won two She also received a 2009 Emmy for television and film credits include longlisted for the 2017 National Nicholas, and Savion Glover in a alive. His supernatural suspense ness of Fashion’s BoF 500, an index administration as a White House 1976 Image Awards—outstanding outstanding supporting actress in Lifetime’s UnReal, Christopher Book Award for Fiction and the star-studded revue at the Kennedy novels The Heavens Rise and The of people shaping the fashion indus- correspondent. (See page 30.) actress in a motion picture for a drama series for playing Allison Guest’s For Your Consideration, and 2018 Women’s Prize for Fiction. Center for the Performing Arts. After Vines were both finalists for the try. Nef made her runway debut Let’s Do It Again and outstanding Taylor on Fox’s 24. She appears in Universal’s Fear and Loathing in Las Unrelated to her writing, Craig his Cherubs summer, he went on to Bram Stoker Award. at 2015’s New York Fashion Week, 1957 actress in a drama series for Police the second season of Succession. Vegas as well as memorable guest was the live-action reference for win a Bessie Award for his starring walking for Eckhaus Latta, Hood by Richard Gephardt (C62, H92) rep- Story. She also starred in and appearances in The Good Wife, Disney’s animated film Pocahontas. role in the Broadway musical Bring Air, and Adam Selman. Nominated ­re ­sented Missouri’s Third Congres­ wrote episodes for the TV series 1978 Boston Legal, and Sex and the City. in Da Noise, Bring in Da Funk. for Models.com’s 2016 Model of the sional District in the US House of In the Heat of the Night. Her 2005 Tonya Pinkins won a Tony Award for Year Award, she became the face of Representatives for 28 years, from novel Freshwater Road was named best featured actress in a musical Tim Blake Nelson is known for 1987 the Gucci Bloom fragrance and has 1976 to 2004, also serving as the one of the year’s best books by for Jelly’s Last Jam. She also his dozens of high-profile film Thomas Lennon—actor, comedian, appeared in advertising campaigns House’s Democratic majority leader the Washington Post, Detroit Free received Tony nominations for Play roles, including memorable turns screenwriter, producer, director, for L’Oréal and Hugo Boss. from 1989 to 1995 and minority Press, Atlanta Journal Constitution, On! and Caroline, or Change, winning in Holes, The Incredible Hulk, and novelist—has appeared or leader from 1995 to 2003. He ran Chicago Tribune, and Newsday and a 2005 Los Angeles Drama Critics Lincoln, The Ballad of Buster voiced roles in dozens of hit shows, for the Democratic presidential won two 2006 prizes for debut Circle Award for the latter. On tele- Scruggs, and O Brother, Where but he is especially remembered nomination in 1988 and 2004. fiction—the Zora Neale Hurston/ vision, Pinkins starred in Madam Art Thou? On television he can for MTV’s The State and for playing Richard Wright Award and the Secretary and All My Children. be seen in HBO’s Watchmen. Lieutenant Jim Dangle on Comedy American Library Association’s Central’s Reno 911! He also starred Black Caucus Award. as Felix Unger in the CBS reboot of The Odd Couple.

16 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 17 ­ ­

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Berlanti endows professorship Hearing researchers honored First acting MFA class

A new dramatic writing professorship at the School of Communi­ Ralph and Jean Sundin Endowed Professor of cation will significantly expand course offerings and teaching Communication Sciences and Disorders Viorica opportunities, thanks to a $2 million gift from the Berlanti Family Marian and associate dean for research, professor, Foundation. The new Barbara Berlanti Professorship in Writing for and Hugh Knowles Center fellow Sumit Dhar the Screen and Stage marks the foundation’s largest philanthropic received the 2019 Editor’s Award from the Journal commitment to any organization to date. of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research for their Greg Berlanti (C94) is a writer, producer, and director of television­ paper on top-down effects in the auditory network. and film. He and his husband, Robbie Rogers, established the Berlanti They were assisted in their work by postdoctoral Family Foundation to improve the lives of all LGBTQIA people and fellows Sayuri Hayakawa and Tuan Lam. their straight allies through education, the arts, medicine, and other The team found that hearing speech with social services. In addition to the professorship, the foundation­ has or without seeing corresponding lip movements supported such efforts as GLSEN, which creates safe education envi- changes how the human ear processes sound. Before ronments for LGBTQIA youth; F*ck Cancer, dedicated to cancer auditory signals reach the brain, sound waves in prevention and early detection and to providing emotional support the ear are amplified through the movement of

and guidance to those affected by the disease; and the National Immi­ specialized hair cells—a process that itself generates Front row (from left): Concetta Russo, Anna Shapiro, Mi Kang, Alexandria gration Law Center, whose mission is to defend and advance the rights sounds known as otoacoustic emissions (OAEs). From left: Theatre professor emeritus David Downs, Dean Barbara Crawford, Sandra Marquez. Back row (from left): Halena Kays, Zack Dittami, and opportunities of low-income immigrants and their families. O’Keefe, and Greg Berlanti Stan Brown, Mickey Jordan, Maya Abram, Emiley Kiser, Al’Jaleel McGhee. The gift to the School of Communication will create the Barbara Berlanti Professorship in Writing for the Screen and Stage, named in Foundation, the new Barbara Berlanti Professorship will play a major In September the School of Communication welcomed its inaugural class of honor of Berlanti’s mother, who passed away in 2017. The gift also role in helping us attract leading artist-educators to our faculty who students in the MFA program in acting. The eight talented actors from across commemorates Berlanti’s 25th reunion year and counts toward can, in turn, recruit and nurture students from underrepresented and the country join graduate artists in a suite of complementary MFA programs— We Will. The Campaign for Northwestern. undersupported groups and help transform the creative industries.” design, directing, writing, and documentary media. All these programs will “My mom, Barbara Berlanti, was a lifelong champion of the arts The professorship was supported in part by alumni Patrick G. be housed in the performing and media arts center currently taking shape in and my greatest advocate and patron,” says Berlanti. “She placed an (EB59, H09) and Shirley W. (WCAS61, H19) Ryan through the Ryan Abbott Hall on Northwestern’s downtown Chicago campus. old typewriter in front of me at 10 years old and told me to start writ- Family Chair Challenge, which matches gifts made by other North­ The two-year program is fully funded, so the MFA candidates pay no ing all the stories that were in my head—instead of just talking her western supporters to establish new endowed professorships or chairs. tuition and receive an annual stipend. The students will analyze text, learn ear off—and I haven’t stopped since. Our family is so proud to have Los Angeles–based Berlanti made Hollywood history last May “By measuring the level of OAEs, we discovered techniques for interpretation and rehearsal, and gain mastery of movement, a professorship in her name dedicated to helping Northwestern con- when a record 18 television shows of his were ordered for the 2019 that speech sounds are amplified less when the voice, and speech through production experience. The curriculum was tinue its great legacy of fostering the next generation of humane, calendar year. Through Berlanti Productions, he is the force behind listener can rely on visual information to help deter- designed to prepare these nimble performers for the rigors and demands diverse, courageous, and bold storytellers.” such series as The Flash, Riverdale, Brothers & Sisters, Dawson’s Creek, mine what is said,” Marian explains. “This finding of the rapidly evolving creative economy. The endowed professorship will build on the success of the and Black Lightning. His multiple film credits include directing 2018’s suggests that the brain exerts top-down control “I was actually preparing to head to another program when I learned that school’s signature writing programs by increasing teaching capacity Love, Simon, the first gay teen romance backed by a major Hollywood over the mechanical functions of the ear in order Northwestern was kicking off the inaugural acting MFA class,” says Chicago- and bolstering a curriculum that prepares students to work across studio. to efficiently distribute the labor across modalities.” based actor Al’Jaleel McGhee, one of the new MFA candidates. “A few weeks media and genres—and encourages them to engage and create work The School of Communication welcomed Berlanti back to cam- Dhar sees his partnership with Marian as inte- later, I’m sitting with the Anna Shapiro at Steppenwolf talking about the world- by and for diverse, global audiences. The professorship will be housed pus in June as the 2019 graduation convocation speaker. In a heartfelt gral to success. “It is quite satisfying for our work to class faculty, the brand-new facilities, and the opportunity to join the ‘North­ in the school’s Department of Radio/Television/Film, which offers and funny address, Berlanti detailed his wishes for the students and be recognized by the editors of the top topical jour- western mafia’ and make history with the inaugural MFA acting ensemble.” robust writing curricula for graduate (MFA in writing for screen and shared with them the story of his transformational­ college experience. nal of our field,” says Dhar. “However, it was even Chicago, he argues, is the best place in the world for theatre—“and I’m stage) and undergraduate (modules in creative writing for the media, “Northwestern was the first period in my life I would repeat,” more stimulating to be able to collaborate with my more than happy to fight about this. Equity, non-Equity, storefront, huge house playwriting, comedy arts, and more) students. Berlanti previously he told the group. “I would do it all over again.” colleague Viorica Marian on this project. We had —if you’re an artist with something to say, an artist who wants to ‘shake the endowed Northwestern’s playwriting program. The new pro­fessorship A large part of that experience, Berlanti explained, involved often discussed possible connections to the brain table,’ an artist who wants to create something beautiful and ugly, uplifting will result in further expansion of this programming and its screen- examining and identifying his homosexuality, an agonizing process at work and how it would be advantageous to be and tragic, something visceral, something real, honest, then Chicago is where writing counterpart. made better by Northwestern friends and faculty who supported him, able to control the input going to the brain while you should be,” he says. “And we get to learn, live, and create in the heart of it.” “Northwestern is determined to be at the forefront in finding and a high-achieving interdisciplinary studies major from Rye, New York. it was busy. This work provides exciting evidence Joining McGhee in the first class are Maya Abram, Alexandria Crawford, Zack developing new voices and helping them tell their stories,” says Dean His coming out, followed by marriage and fatherhood, informed the that indeed the brain does modulate incoming Dittami, Mickey Jordan, Mi Kang, Emiley Kiser, and Concetta Russo. Barbara O’Keefe. “To do that, we must build a faculty that reflects and mission of the Berlanti Family Foundation and its tenets of inclusion sensations selectively to focus on tasks. The fact The program is led by Stan Brown, the inaugural W. Rockwell Wirtz respects diversity. Thanks to Greg, Robbie, and the Berlanti Family and empowerment of intersectional scholars and artists. that this seems to be happening by essentially Professor, who joined the faculty this winter after previously teaching at the controlling the gain applied at the very first stage University of South Carolina. of hearing is quite extraordinary.”

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Performance studies awards and honors Fun Home actress comes home

Faculty and alumni of the Department of Performance Studies received numerous honors and distinctions in 2019. The compelling campus performance of Fun Home at the Ethel M. Barber Theater on November 22 brought audience members to their feet—but

Northwestern’s Puerto Rican Arts Develop­ In November, associate professor Joshua they promptly returned to their seats to enjoy a postshow Q&A with Actors’ ment Initiative was recognized at the Chambers-Letson’s book After the Party: A Equity Association president Kate Shindle (C99), who starred in the Tony September 19 annual gala for Chicago’s Manifesto for Queer of Color Life (NYU Press, Award–winning musical’s national tour. Chatting with faculty and the National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and 2018) won the American Society for Theatre cast on stage, she discussed the value of a Northwestern education, her Cultures. Performance studies doctoral can- Research’s Errol Hill Award, which recognizes appreciation of the production’s student actors, why Fun Home spoke to didate Pepe Alvarez (right) presented the a work of outstanding scholarship in African her, and artists’ traits that the industry needs most. inaugural Resiliency in the Arts Award on American theatre, drama, and/or performance An acclaimed Broadway actress, Shindle returned to campus as the behalf of professor, department chair, and studies. In September, After the Party won the School of Communication’s 2019–20 Hope Abelson Artist in Residence in initiative founder Ramón Rivera-Servera to La Espectacular artist resi- Association for Theatre in Higher Education’s Outstanding Book Award, a visit coinciding with the Wirtz Center’s Fun Home production. Based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, the musical depicts the artist’s dency founders Nibia Pastrana and Gisela Rosario, who received a grant which honors a work showing the potential to interrupt, change, or childhood in a small Pennsylvania town, her coming out to her parents as a college student, and her discovery of the long-held secret that her through the Flamboyan Arts Fund and the NMPRAC to support their challenge theatrical practice and teaching. For the author, After the Party father was also gay but remained in the closet his entire life. work. The initiative helps preserve and recover the island’s artists and was a labor of love and grief. In 2014 he lost two close friends—both “There’s something to be said for being part of a show that’s just good,” said Shindle of her time playing Alison. “What makes Fun Home so art by supporting select Puerto Rican artists in developing their work queer men of color—to AIDS, and this stark reminder of mortality special and made me want to do it so badly is that I really felt compelled to be telling this particular story across America at that particular moment.” in contemporary performance. prompted a dialogue. “I began to write this book to them, as if I could Shindle was crowned Miss America in 1998 and wrote about her experience in the memoir Being Miss America: Behind the Rhinestone Curtain. write them back into existence by writing about all these millions of “In terms of what experiences served me well at Northwestern, they all did, including the stuff I didn’t get, including learning that I shouldn’t Carlos Montezuma Professor of Performance different ways that queers and women of color have used performance be a costume designer or that producing isn’t for me,” said Shindle. “I fundamentally believe that when you are in a place that makes you study not Studies and African American Studies to sustain their dead and to make a different world in which their dearly just theatre but all kinds of other humanities and sciences, that makes you a better artist. You cannot convince me, no matter how hard you try, that E. Patrick Johnson was awarded a $225,000 departed might have lived on,” he says. “The book is done now, and their taking a sociology class doesn’t directly relate to your work on stage.” Sawyer Seminar grant from the Andrew W. ghosts still cling to me. But I hope that the people who find it will find Shindle offered students a few key words of advice about acting: continuously work on technique, work harder than anyone else (because Mellon Foundation to lead the seminar it useful as they continue the everyday work of making a dying world someone has to get that role), and be a good teammate. “There’s this myth of a tempestuous leading actor who throws everything into chaos but series “The Black Arts Archive: The Chal­ more livable.” This was Chambers-Letson’s second Outstanding Book when opening night comes, they’re brilliant. But nobody wants to work with that person,” she said. “So be the person people want in the room.” lenge of Transition.” The 2020–21 series will Award; the first was in 2014 for A Race So Different: Law and Performance comprise three transnational seminars and a in Asian America (NYU Press, 2013). He is the only scholar to have won summer institute. The grant will additionally fund fellowships for the award twice. Communication studies professor earns prestigious honors two graduate students and one postdoctoral student. “The Black Arts Noshir Contractor—professor of commu­ One noteworthy effect of Contractor’s scholar- Archive” Sawyer Seminars will explore challenges in documenting Associate professor Marcela A. Fuentes con- Performance nication studies, the Jane S. and William J. ship is how it has lent credence to the field of com- black art production and will seek to create models to improve archival vened the Summer Institute in Performance Constellations White Professor­ of Behavioral Sciences in munication as a scientific discipline. His work often access and translation. Johnson is the founder of the Black Arts Initia­ Studies, “Bring It In: Transnational Feminisms NETWORKS OF PROTEST AND ACTIVISM IN LATIN AMERICA the McCormick School of Engineering, and straddles computer and social sciences, examining tive, an interdisciplinary effort to engage and involve artists, scholars, in Practice,” which received applications from Marcela A. Fuentes professor in the Kellogg School of Management how society affects technology and vice versa. By practitioners, and community members to strengthen Northwestern­ ’s graduate students worldwide and featured —was elected a 2019 fellow of the Association incorporating communication into what is often the involvement in black arts. Joining Johnson as Sawyer Seminars conve- scholars and artists from Argentina and for Computing Machinery, the world’s largest domain of the traditional sciences, he has contrib- ners are performance­ studies department chair Ramón Rivera-Servera; Puerto Rico. Her book Performance Constella­ educational and scientific computing society, uted to opening up the field—and is earning honors art history associate professor Huey Copeland, the Arthur Andersen tions: Networks of Protest and Activism in Latin and the American Academy for the Advance­ for doing so. Teaching and Research Professor in the Weinberg College of Arts and America was published in October by Univer­ ment of Science, the world’s largest multi­ “AAAS is what I would call pandisciplinary Sciences; Krista Thompson, the Mary Jane Crowe Professor in Art sity of Michigan Press. Also in October, she disciplinary science society. recognition—it’s not restricted to a single disci- History at Weinberg College; and Aymar Jean Christian, associate delivered the keynote address “The Light You Gave Us: Performing Contractor was one of five Northwestern faculty members named pline,” Contractor says. “The people who are making the decision professor of communication studies and radio/television/film. Constellations” for the University of Southern California’s First Forum to AAAS last year and was the University’s only 2019 ACM fellow. He is about this are saying that my scholarship or my engagement is 2019 graduate student conference, “Constellations: Connections, a leading researcher in the formation, maintenance, and dissolution of something that is not restricted to a single discipline but is being E. Patrick Johnson—along with his husband, School of Communication Disruptions, and Imaginations in Cinema and Beyond.” video producer Stephen Lewis—received the AARP Silver Circle Award social-knowledge networks, including those in business, science, pub- recognized for impacting people across disciplines. It also has the for their work on Making Sweet Tea, the companion documentary to lic health, and virtual communities. Head of Northwestern’s Science component of outreach built into it; that to me is significant.” Johnson’s seminal book Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South—An Oral of Networks in Communities (SONIC) lab, he has published hundreds Contractor and the other 2019 AAAS fellows—including North­ History. The award honors artists who advance positive representation of of scholarly articles, earned numerous awards and fellowships, and western faculty members Jennifer Cole, Vicky Kalogera, Michael LGBTQ people over age 50. AARP presented the award on September 23 received research funding from NASA, the Air Force Research Lab, the Miksis, and Farhad Yusef-Zadeh—were inducted at a February 15 at Reeling: The Chicago LGBTQ+ International Film Festival, where Army Research Institute, the National Science Foundation, the Bill ceremony in Seattle. ACM will recognize Contractor at its annual Making Sweet Tea premiered. and Melinda Gates Foundation, the MacArthur Foundation, and more. awards banquet on June 20 in San Francisco.

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New “Aesthetic Emergency” Alumni receive Emmy nominations series explores intersection School of Communication alumni were well represented among the 2019 of art and politics Emmy Award nominees at the 71st annual ceremony on September 22. • CBS’s The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, hosted by Stephen Colbert A dramaturg and opera stage director from Croatia. A scholar who explores (C86, H11), was nominated for outstanding variety talk series, outstand- the relationship between theatre, immigration, and national identity in ing directing for a variety series, and outstanding interactive program. Joseph Jefferson Awards Turkey. A filmmaker who captures New Yorkers’ fears of a future threat- Nina Kraus with former Northwestern football player In addition, frequent on-camera performer Jen Spyra (GC12), stand-up ened by climate change. These distinguished artists and scholars are just Chad Hanaoka (WCAS18, SPS19) comedian Emmy Blotnick (C10), and Colbert were among the program’s honor alumni and faculty a few of the dozen featured speakers presenting their work on campus nominees for outstanding writing for a variety series. Winners at Chicago’s 2019 Equity Joseph Jefferson this academic year as part of a new School of Communication initiative, • Ashley Nicole Black (GC08) and Nicole Silverberg (C13) were nominated Research breakthroughs in Awards included faculty member Amanda Dehnert Humanities on the MAP (Media, Arts, Performance). for outstanding writing for a variety series for their work on Full Frontal communication sciences (with Andre Pluess) for The Steadfast Tin Soldier with Samantha Bee, which was also nominated for outstanding variety talk (original music in a play) and alumni Lili-Anne Two recent studies by communication sciences and dis­ series. Black is now a writer on NBC’s Bless This Mess and a writer and cast Brown (C95) for Caroline, or Change (director, mid- orders faculty are making waves well beyond the scientific member on the HBO comedy series A Black Lady Sketch Show, created by size musical), Michael Mahler (C04) for Miracle community. Robin Thede (Medill01). (new work–musical), Bruce Norris (C82) for Hugh Knowles Chair Nina Kraus, professor of neuro­ • The TruTV series Billy on the Street, starring Billy Eichner (C00), was Downstate (new work–play), and Arnel Sancianco biology and otolaryngology, and her colleagues have found nominated for outstanding short form variety series. This was Eichner’s (GC17) for Photograph 51 (scenic design–large). that playing sports can give an athlete a quieter brain. The fourth nomination. Beyond the show, he enjoys a thriving career in TV Other Jeff nominees included faculty members study showed that athletes’ brains have less neural static, and film, including his recent appearance as Timon in Disney’s live- David Catlin (C88), Halena Kays (C96), Ana allowing them to tune out background noise better than action The Lion King. Kuzmanic (GC04), Todd Rosenthal, and Mary nonathletes. Working with nearly 500 Northwestern stu- • Fox’s Rent, produced by Kenneth Ferrone (C04) and directed by Michael Zimmerman (C82, GC85, GC94) as well as alumni dent athletes and 500 nonathletes, Kraus and her Brainvolts Greif (C81), was nominated for five awards, including outstanding variety William Boles (GC15), Dara Cameron (C06), lab measured and compared brain waves in response to the special (live) and outstanding production design for a variety special. Amber Mak (C03), Jess McLeod (GC14), Jordan sound syllable “da.” Suggesting that individuals struggling Greif won acclaim and a Tony nomination for directing Rent on Broadway. Ross (C79), Joe Schermoly (C07), Scott Weinstein with sensory processing may benefit from playing sports, • Jill Leiderman (C93) is the executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, a (C10), and Jonathan Wilson (GC83). Victory the findings also bolster Kraus’s ongoing efforts to detect nominee for outstanding variety talk series. Gardens Theater received three nominations and manage concussion through sound processing. “Making • NBC’s American Ninja Warrior, with David Markus (C95) as coexecutive for Indecent, which featured the work of faculty The initiative aims to examine current issues of urgency and impor- sense of sound is one of the hardest jobs we ask our brains producer and Anthony Storm (C92) as executive producer, was nominated member Cindy Gold and alumni Mara Blumenfeld tance; the theme for the inaugural series is “Aesthetic Emergency.” School to do,” she says, “because sound ingredients move in time, for the fourth straight year in the outstanding competition program (C92), Matt Deitchman (C12), Noah LaPook of Communication faculty are curating events for each quarter of the requiring the brain to make computations on the order of category. (C18), Catherine LeFrere (C08), and Andrew 2019–20 academic year and expect to present a new theme annually. This fractions of milliseconds.” • RuPaul’s Drag Race, with Bruce McCoy (C92) as coexecutive producer, White (C87). year’s series began October 25 at the Block Museum of Art with perspec- Assistant professor Elizabeth Norton, in collaboration was nominated in several categories, including outstanding competition tives on horror by scholar Robin Means Coleman, author of Horror Noire: with her LEARN lab and with partners in the Institute for program and outstanding directing for a reality program. Blacks in American Horror Films from the 1890s to Present. “These events range Innovations in Developmental Sciences and the Feinberg • Seth Meyers (C96, H16) and frequent on-camera contributors Jenny Hagel from talks to artist residencies, lectures, panels, and more, bringing School of Medicine, found a significant link between chil- (GC09) and Ally Hord (C05) were nominated for outstanding writing for in really interesting people from the US and abroad,” says Tracy C. Davis, dren’s severe temper tantrums and language delays. Tan­ a variety series for Late Night with Seth Meyers. He was nominated in the Barber Professor of Performing Arts and professor of theatre, English, and trums and language delays are both early risk factors for same category for Documentary Now!, also a nominee for outstanding performance studies. later-in-life mental health problems such as anxiety and variety sketch series with Meyers as an executive producer. In addition, The program arose through the School of Communication’s new depression. The study looked at more than 2,000 parents Meyers and Eli Bolin (C00) were nominated for outstanding original humanities council, which seeks to encourage cooperation among the and their children between 12 and 38 months old. “We knew music and lyrics for Documentary Now! doctoral programs in performance studies, screen cultures, and theatre and from many other studies in older children that language • NBC’s This Is Us, with KJ Steinberg (C95) as coexecutive producer, was drama. Although the 12 events slated for this academic year are of special problems and mental health problems occur together more nominated for the third consecutive year for outstanding drama series. interest to those programs’ students and faculty, the series is open to the frequently than would be expected, but we didn’t know entire community, and admission is free. how early this relationship began,” Norton told North­ “I hope the close connections between the practices of making art and western Now. This research helps Norton and colleagues the practices of analyzing and studying art in various ways will be clear assemble guidelines for parents and caregivers on “when through this series,” says Davis. “I would like to see it become one of the to worry” about language development and irritability. celebrated hallmarks of the school, something that people look forward to and privilege in their calendars.” —Katie Fretland

22 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 23 Faculty focus

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Stephan Moore (PhD, Brown University) again curated the annual sound art exhibition Masi Asare (PhD, New York Sonic Innovations, which reopened Larissa Buchholz (PhD, Colum­ University) wrote Mirror of on June 15 at the Caramoor bia University) is spending Most Value: A Ms. Marvel Play for Center for Music and the Arts in 2019–20 on Northwestern’s Qatar Marvel Spotlight, a new series of Katonah, New York. Last spring campus, where she is teaching one-act plays aimed at teens. An his band, Evidence, released communication courses. Also exciting expansion of the Marvel its fifth full-length album, Go at NU-Q is assistant professor A scene from David Catlin’s adaptation of Frankenstein Universe, Asare’s play centers on Where Light Is, as a cassette Kamala Khan, a Muslim teenager João Queiroga (GC16), an MFA Tracy Davis (PhD, University of Warwick) organized a spectacular welcome for 99 first-year Northwestern­ and digital download on the in Jersey City who is contending documentary media graduate its annual convention in Orlando Field Foundation of Illinois grant theatre majors last October. “They enjoyed a backstage tour of one of Chicago’s largest and most complex Philadelphia-based label Dead with identity, tradition, and the teaching courses in documentary in November. ASHA’s highest by the John D. and Catherine T. theatres, the Lyric Opera House,” Davis explains. “Tours of the grid—located in the 12-story fly tower— Definition. An installation ver- fight for justice—and homework. media production. distinction, the Honors recog- MacArthur Foundation, honor- costume department, musicians’ pit, and dressing rooms gave insights into how the spectacles are supported sion of the album was created nizes members for distinguished ing him as one of 14 inaugural for the Katonah Museum of Art. David Catlin (BS, Northwestern) and coordinated.” contributions to communica­ Leaders for a New Chicago. Moore participated in an intense directed his adaptation Mary tion sciences and disorders. Announced in June, the no- two-week summer residency at Shelley’s Frankenstein at Chicago’s Representing Illinois, Cherney strings-attached award recog- Roger Ellis (MFA, San Diego Foster then headed to the students, Will Skrip (C11). Gold Amherst College with the group Lookingglass Theatre. The was additionally recognized by nizes leaders and organizations State University) is the 2019 West Coast as keynote speaker will be seen in season four of A Canary Torsi to prepare the spring-summer production fea- the ASHFoundation’s clinical in the fields of justice, art, and recipient of the Earle Gister for a National Association of FX’s Fargo. performance piece Last Audience tured scenic design by Daniel achievement awards, whereby media and storytelling. Christian Fellowship through the National Teachers of Singing conference for its mid-October premiere at Ostling (GC96), costume design state speech-language-hearing shares the prize with OTV | Open Alliance of Acting Teachers. The on “Singing Pop for the Musical Manhattan’s New York Live Arts. by Sully Ratke (GC16), lighting associations may honor one Television, the Chicago-based dis- fellowship is awarded annually Theatre.” In August, hosted by Also, he put together HearRing, design by William C. Kirkham individual from their respec- tribution platform he founded to to support the advancement of Broadway Evolved, she gave a a Chicago-centric version of (GC12), stage management by tive states. Cherney founded generate web series by emerging one exceptional acting teacher at master class with Broadway per- Unpopular Music, and presented Mary Hungerford (C11), dialect and directs the Shirley Ryan intersectional artists. an early career stage. In Chicago, former Betsy Wolfe. Foster has it through the Chicago Park coaching by senior lecturer Clayton Brown (MFA, North­ AbilityLab’s Center for Aphasia Ellis directed Get Out Alive, continued her work with Lyric District’s Night Out in the Parks Linda Gates, and a cast that western), with Monica Long Research and Treatment, which Stephen Cone (BA, University the final show of Steppenwolf Opera of Chicago, presenting the program; the final showing was included Cordelia Dewdney Ross (GC03), codirected the offers the specialized Intensive of South Carolina) wrote two Theatre Company’s LookOut workshop “Vocal Pedagogy for September 21. In November (C16) as Mary Shelley. documentary film We Believe in Comprehensive Aphasia program episodes for the second season 2019–20 series, after workshop- Contemporary Musical Theatre he performed a set with Sonic ping it on campus last May as and Pop Musicals” and preparing Dinosaurs, which will receive and weekly aphasia community of the Sundance series This Close, Kyle Henry (MFA, University Youth guitarist Lee Ranaldo and part of the school’s American for the Lyric-sponsored Empower its broadcast premiere as part of groups. Her credits include 5 the first television­ series created of Texas, Austin) won the Fiction noise-cellist Leila Bordreuil at Music Theatre Project. Ellis was outreach project. PBS’s Independent Lens series on published books, 14 book chap- by and starring deaf actors. Cone’s Feature Gold Award for Rogers Brooklyn’s Issue Project Room. also the movement director for February 17. The film depicts ters, 75 peer-reviewed scholarly 2017 film Princess Cyd, starring Park at the University Film last fall’s Atlanta premiere of The Cindy Gold (MFA, Professional the building of the $120 million articles, 3 aphasia treatment Jessie Pinnick (C16), was named and Video Association’s 2019 The new installation Fiber Curious Incident of the Dog in the Actor Training Program, Ala­ Noah’s Ark at rural Kentucky’s software programs, and a self- to Vanity Fair’s “The 10 Best conference in Minneapolis Optic Ocean in Virtual Reality by Night-Time, a coproduction with bama Shakespeare Festival) Creation Museum, designed to report aphasia assessment. Since Movies of the 2010s: Richard last summer. Ozge Samanci (PhD, Georgia prove the Bible’s scientific and 2000 she has given more than Lawson’s List.” Horizon Theatre Company and acted last summer in radio/tele- Institute of Technology) opened Aurora Theatre Company. vision/film adjunct faculty Kris historical veracity. In November 85 invited presentations and Bonnie Martin-Harris (PhD, last summer at SIGGRAPH Art Swanberg’s feature film I Used to the film won the St. Louis Film 127 peer-reviewed presentations The play Reborning by Zayd Northwestern) received the Gallery in Los Angeles. Her ear- Melissa Foster (MM, North­ Go Here, slated for a 2020 release. Critics’ Joe Williams Award Leora Cherney (PhD, North­ around the world. Dohrn (MFA, New York Univer­ American Speech-Language- lier installation You Are the Ocean western) presented lectures Gold also did voice-over work for for best documentary at the western), the Coleman Founda­ sity) played a limited run last Hearing Association’s Media was seen in the ACM Creativity and master classes on “Healthy David Tolchinsky’s horror short St. Louis Film Festival. Slated tion Chair, professor of physical Aymar Jean Christian (PhD, summer at New York City’s SoHo Outreach Champion Award for and Cognition Art Exhibition Singing of Contemporary Cassandra and professor Spencer for international distribution medicine and rehabilitation, and University of Pennsylvania), Playhouse on the 10th anniver- her efforts to foster media cover- Ecologies of Transformation last Musical Theatre: Legit, Mix, Parson’s short Dream Police. by Tel Aviv–based Cinephil, professor of communication sci- associate professor in the Depart­ sary of its off-Broadway debut age of communication disorders June at the University of Cali­ and Belt” last summer in Hong She played Bunny in Peninsula the film is available on iTunes, ences and disorders, received the ments of Communication at the Public Theater’s Summer and the professionals­ working to fornia, San Diego. Kong and Guangzhou, China. Players’ summer production of A Amazon, Google Play, Xbox, Honors of the American Speech- Studies and Radio/Television/ Play Festival. prevent and treat them. Playstation, FandangoNOW, Language-Hearing Association at Film, was awarded a $50,000 The presentations were filmed Murder Is Announced, performing for a televised documentary. with one of her former acting

24 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 25 Faculty focus Alumni achievements

Anna Shapiro (MFA, Yale School of Class notes are selected from stories 1970s Kim Kelley (C84) is the company Drama) will direct the Chicago run of Speech, swallowing, and of alumni featured in the media as manager for the musical Hades­ the new Elton John musical The Devil Parkinson’s disease identified by the University’s Office town, playing at Broadway’s Wears Prada before taking the show of Alumni Relations and Devel­op­ Walter Kerr Theatre. At the 2019 to Broadway for the 2020–21 season. Angela Roberts (PhD, University of Western ment and updates sent to Dialogue Tony Awards ceremony, the Ontario) authored the revised Parkinson’s Foun­ by mail or by email at dialogue show won eight Tonys, includ- dation Speech and Swallowing patient education @northwestern.edu. ing the award for best musical. booklet, published in 2019. Available to family Scott Tyree (C84) became the members, those living with Parkinson’s disease, 1950s world’s 257th master somme- and healthcare professionals, this internationally Actress and producer Allyson Elizabeth Son (PhD, Yale Uni­ lier and the first from Maine. A Rice (C86) directed and starred versity) won the 2019 Outstanding­ distributed publication serves as the primary edu- wine consultant, Tyree began Stuart N. Brotman (C74) is a in a music video for her comedic Book Award from the Organization cation source to guide care choices and symptom his career at Chicago’s Shaw’s 2019–20 fellow at the Woodrow “revenge rap” song “Fine, I’ll for the Study of Communication, self-management for the speech and swallowing Crab House, then was the wine Wilson International Center for Write My Own Damn Song”— Language, and Gender for Embodied issues affecting 90 percent of those living with director at Tru, and later moved Scholars in Washington,­ DC. He aimed at her rap-artist son, Zane Reckonings: “Comfort Women,” Per­ Parkinson’s disease. to Michelin-starred Sepia. His A paper by Michelle Shumate (PhD, is based in the center’s science Taylor, when he invited other formance, and Transpacific Redress. industry honors include Wine University of Southern California) Last fall, Roberts was the leadoff speaker and technology innovation family members to perform in In addition, the book was a finalist Spectator’s grand award and (above) was accepted by Nonprofit and for the Parkinson’s Foundation Expert Series, program, focusing on digital some of his songs but excluded for the Theatre Library Association’s an unprecedented three Jean Voluntary Sector Quarterly. Among the webinars for which are broadcast around the privacy policy issues. her. The video’s festival appear- George Freedley Memorial Award. other findings, Shumate and her world. The previous fall at the first Parkinson’s Banchet Awards as best somme- ances include the Hollywood Robert Conrad (C55) received lier. He was also a James Beard colleagues’ research concluded that Foundation Caregiver Summit, she delivered Felicia Shaw (C77) chairs the Reel Independent Film Festival, David Tolchinsky (MFA, Yale the Early Settlers Association of Award semifinalist for outstand- Chinese and US NGOs have very sim- a live keynote that was broadcast in Spanish board of directors of FOCUS St. which will also feature her son’s University) was named best director the Western Reserve’s annual ing wine service. ilar levels of capacity—a surprise in Louis, an area leadership orga- video for “Get Away.” of a crime short at Greece’s Anatomy: and English across seven countries and is now Herrick Memorial Award in light of the supposed lack of capacity nization. She is the executive Crime & Horror International available on DVD in both languages through July in recognition of his work in the Chinese civil society sector. director of the Regional Arts Kevin Gore (C88), who heads Film Festival in Athens for his film the foundation. promoting the city of Cleveland. Additionally, Shumate continues to Commission of St. Louis. Warner Music Group’s Arts Cassandra. The film also screened Roberts is collaborating with Alice Gabrielle Conrad is the president and work on a study of 26 cross-sector Music division, has partnered at Nightmares Film Festival in Twight Professor Bonnie Martin-Harris and engi- cofounder of northeast Ohio (i.e., business, government, and non- Matt Hamblen (C78) is the edi- with Warner Chappell Music Columbus, Ohio, garnering a best- neering professor John Rogers on developing classical music station WCLV, profit) networks—ranging in size torial lead at FierceElectronics, and Build-A-Bear Workshop to actress nomination for 13-year-old on the air since 1962. He has from 10 to over 300 organizations and piloting a wearable sensor for recording the latest addition to the Fierce­ launch Build-A-Bear Records. Ruby Dalton; Tolchinsky was inter- been the producer and commen- —that seek to make a difference speech, social interaction, and swallowing behav- Markets brands, which focus viewed about Cassandra and teaching tator of the Cleveland Orchestra in their communities’ educational iors in the Northwestern University Center for on websites and webinars in Todd Hartman (C89) was elected horror for the podcast Candy Coated radio broadcasts since 1965, outcomes. This is the largest study Speech, Language, and Learning and in home telecom, IT, and finance. to the board of the Retail Liti­ Razor Blades. Tolchinsky’s script for likely making him the longest- Rahm Emanuel (GC85), former of community networks and their environments. gation Center, the legal arm the in-development TV series Heal serving national classical music mayor of Chicago, has resumed outcomes ever conducted; some of of the Retail Industry Leaders won the best TV pilot grand prize at Last summer, four of Roberts’s student lab commentator in the history of his role as an investment the research was published in the 1980s Association. He is general coun- the Rhode Island International Film participants attended the 2019 world congress American radio. In 2013 he and banker, joining New York’s Stanford Social Innovation Review. sel and chief risk and compliance Festival and was nominated for best of the International Associa­ tion of Parkinsonism his stockholders donated WCLV Tricia Guggenheim (C82) joined Centerview Partners as a senior With Katherine Cooper of DePaul officer at Best Buy. short sitcom at the Houston Comedy and Related Disorders in Montreal—the largest to Cleveland’s public broad- the board of directors of the counselor to establish a Chicago University, Shumate is working on Film Festival. student contingent of any lab represented at the caster Ideastream to preserve American Traditions Vocal presence for the firm. Emanuel a book, Networks for Social Impact, Mike Sands (C89, KSM96) is chief conference. Two won travel awards, and one won classical music radio in north- Competition. She has taught is also an on-air contributor for detailing how non­­profits, businesses, investment officer at Alpine Debra Tolchinsky (MFA, School east Ohio. in elementary and middle ABC News, a contributing editor and government agencies work a poster award. Consolidated, a Washington- of the Art Institute of Chicago) schools for 31 years. to the Atlantic, and founding together to tackle social issues and Roberts and Northwestern clinical faculty based investment firm. He most produced and directed the short executive chair of the National the strategies that most often result Kristen Larsen, in partnership with Pamela 1960s recently cofounded and served Contaminated Memories as part of Dwayne A. Gab (C83) is associate BAM Advisory Council, which in social impact. Palmentera and Linda Egan of the Parkinson’s as CEO of Signal, a software-as-a- her forthcoming Kartemquin Films Judi Sheppard Missett (C66), judge of the Seventh Judicial advances the national expansion Disease and Movement Disorders Center at service technology company. documentary True Memories and Other founder and CEO of Jazzercise, Circuit in Illinois. Previously of the evidence-based Becoming North ­western Medicine as well as with Chicago’s Falsehoods. The short was featured last authored the book Building a he was with the Sangamon A Man program, developed and Second City, are launching a speech and commu- June in the New York Times Op-Docs Business with a Beat (McGraw- County state’s attorney’s office implemented by the nonprofit 1990s series, prompting coverage in News­ nication intervention for those with Parkinson’s Hill Education, 2019), offering in Springfield. Youth Guidance. week, Latin Times, Metro UK, and disease that uses improvisational theatre tech- insights into how she pioneered Rebecca O’Grady (C90) serves on other international publications. On niques to teach speech and communication strat- the aerobic fitness movement. Peter Baskin (C84, KSM93) was the board of La-Z-Boy as a mem- August 27, Kelly Richmond Pope and egies. The program for people with Parkinson’s named chief product officer of ber of the audit and the nominat- ing and governance committees. Bill Kresse spotlighted Tolchinsky and their partners may help foster increased voice the newly merged Montage, a solution to engaging, interview- She has held senior leadership and Contaminated Memories on volume, improved conversation interactions, and ing, and hiring candidates, and roles at General Mills, Global their WGN radio show. The short better quality of life. screened last fall at the 2019 Chicago Shaker International, a provider Haagen-Dazs, and Yoplait USA. International Film Festival. of predictive talent assessment.

26 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 27 Alumni achievements

Booking Room in 2009 to offer Jordan Horowitz (C02), the Cassy Osterkamp (C05) was sexual orientations, the book audition coaching. “Between Academy Award–nominated appointed director of the per- is the most comprehensive working with people, attending producer of La La Land, is set sonnel division for the State of and diverse published study of friends’ shows, and my clients at to produce an untitled election Missouri. She was recommended women and infidelity to date. the Booking Room, I’ve already comedy for Amazon Studios by Governor Mike Parson and got some of the best talent I starring Ike Barinholtz, who confirmed by the State Senate. Lamis Eli (C07) joined the Taft could ever hope to find right in cowrote the script with David Stettinius & Hollister law firm my personal contacts. Alley Way Stassen. Horowitz is also pro- Kelly O’Sullivan (C06) wrote, as an attorney in its intellectual affords me an outlet to let them ducing I’m Your Woman, starring executive-produced, and starred property litigation practice. The Great Purple Way shine.” Folmar is copresident Rachel Brosnahan. in Saint Francis, an independent of the Northwestern University film directed by her partner, Blake Spence (C07) is the Playbill.com released its annual list of the 10 Most Represented Entertainment Alliance West Ryan A. Swift (C02) was sworn Alex Thompson. Winner of the director of musical theatre at Colleges on Broadway, and Northwestern again made the list, this and performs regularly with the in as an associate judge of the 2019 SXSW Narrative Feature Madison (New Jersey) High year at number eight. The cited alumni actors for the 2018–19 sea- Upright Citizens Brigade. Seventeenth Judicial Circuit in Audience Award, Saint Francis is School. The school’s 2019 spring son are Fred Applegate (C77) and Brian d’Arcy James (C90) (above) From left: Curtis Moore, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel’s “Silver Belles,” Illinois. He was previously affili- due for a 2020 theatrical release. musical, Bright Star, received (The Ferryman), Kate Baldwin (C97) (Hello, Dolly!), Antonette Leroy McClain, and Thomas Mizer Tina Ventura (C98), senior vice ated with Altamore & Associates O’Sullivan and Thompson were 11 nominations for the 2019 Cohen (C06) (Wicked), Jeremy Cohen (C04) (Ain’t Too Proud), Anna president for investor relations in Rockford. featured among Filmmaker Paper Mill Playhouse Rising Star Eilinsfeld (C08) and Brian Ogilvie (BSM03) (Pretty Woman), Ben Chuck Carey (C92) launched luscious language,” and the Wall at Horizon Therapeutics, was magazine’s 25 New Faces of Awards, which honor achieve- Estus (C13) (The Book of Mormon), Penny Fuller (C59) and Mary Compadre, a creative marketing Street Journal called it “atmo- honored last May as a 2019 Jeff Deutchman (C05) is execu­ Independent Film 2019. ment in high school musical Beth Peil (BSM62) (Anastasia), Adam Kantor (C08) and Katrina agency. Previously Carey was spheric.” Locke previously wrote Healthcare Businesswomen’s tive vice president of acquisitions­­ theatre throughout New Jersey. Lenk (BSM97) (The Band’s Visit), Erik Lochtefeld (C96) (King Kong), executive vice president and Blue Bird, Blue Bird, a 2018 Edgar Association Luminary at the and production for NEON and Bright Star won six awards, Scott Mikita (C88), Carrington Vilmont (BSM00), and Jim Weitzer managing director at the mar- Award winner; Pleasantville, win- 30th annual HBA Woman of previously held senior positions including outstanding produc- (C96) (The Phantom of the Opera), Kristine Nielsen (C77) (Gary), keting agency mOcean. ner of the 2016 Harper Lee Prize the Year event in New York. at IFC Films and Paramount Pic­ tion of a high school musical Ned Noyes (C00) (The Play That Goes Wrong), Amber Owens (C02) for Legal Fiction; Edgar Award tures. Over the course of his and Spence’s win for outstand- and Brad Weinstock (C06) (Aladdin), Shona Tucker (C85) (To Kill Thomas Mizer (C93) and writing nominee Black Water Rising; and career, he has championed and ing achievement by a teacher a Mockingbird), Jonathan Wagner (C01) (School of Rock), and Will 2000s partner Curtis Moore (BSM95) the national bestseller The acquired such films as the Oscar- or outside director. Paper Mill Carlyon (C13), Madeline Weinstein (C14), and Alex Weisman (C10) (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child). wrote five original songs for sea- Cutting Season, recipient of the Lin Classon (GC01) was named winning I, Tonya, the Oscar- Playhouse’s producing artistic son three of Amazon’s award- Ernest J. Gaines Award for to Crain’s Chicago Business’s 2019 nominated The Lobster, Palme director is Mark Hoebee (C82). winning series The Marvelous Literary Excellence. The former Tech 50 list, which highlights d’Or winners Parasite and Blue Mrs. Maisel. Three of the five radio/television/film major’s Is the Warmest Color, and docu­ Karen Attiah (C08), the global emerging Chicago tech stars. Ebony Utleys (GC06) (above) is fearless, and timely work.” In Johnson cofounded the TRiiBE, songs are featured on the third- screenwriting and producing mentary hits Three Identical opinions editor for the Wash­ Classon is the head of public the author of the 2019 book He addition, longtime CBS Chicago a Chicago-based media outlet season soundtrack, available on credits include Netflix’s When Strangers, Cave of Forgotten ington Post, was named 2019 cloud product at Ensono, a Cheated, She Cheated, We Cheated: reporter Dorothy Tucker (C78) with a mission of amplifying Amazon, iTunes, and more. They See Us and the upcoming Dreams, and Apollo 11. Every Journalist of the Year by the computer services firm. Women Speak about Infidelity was named the new NABJ pres- young African American voices. Hulu adaptation of Little Fires eight years he moonlights as National Association of Black (McFarland). Draw­ing on over ident, a post she will hold until Kiva Allgood (C95, KSM07) was Everywhere. Additionally, Locke creator-producer of the ongoing Journalists at its annual con- Russell Heller (C01) joined the 50 interviews with US women of at least 2021. Luis Sotelo (C11) was promoted appointed to the board of direc- will serve as showrunner and Election Day Series of feature ference in Miami in August. Burr & Forman law firm as an various ages, racial backgrounds, to vice president for diversity, tors of Synaptics, a developer of executive producer for the forth- documentaries shot all over the She was praised for her “bold, associate in its creditors’ rights educational attainments, and Tyler Beattie (C08) cowrote the equity, and inclusion at Doane human interface solutions. She coming Netflix limited series United States on presidential and bankruptcy practice group book, music, and lyrics for the University. Previously he was its serves as a global business unit From Scratch, adapted from her election days. in Wilmington, Delaware. new musical Bliss, which pre- chief diversity officer. head for Ericsson. sister Tembi Locke’s memoir. Brad Weinstock (C06) (left) miered in January at Seattle’s 5th Avenue Theatre. Jennifer Grace (GC12) was pro- Marcus Folmar (C96) has and Raymond J. Lee (C04) moted to clinical director of debuted the second season of his have come a long way since Ashley Nicole Black (GC08) the Newport-Mesa Audiology award-winning web series Alley the Dolphin Show. Last costars in HBO’s A Black Lady Balance & Ear Institute, where Way. The series follows Bernie summer Lee landed the Sketch Show, created by fellow she has served on the staff for (played by Folmar), a down-on- role of Iago in Broadway’s alumna Robin Thede (Medill01). eight years. his-luck TV writer who seeks Aladdin, costarring with The show premiered August 2 inspiration in the alley adjacent Weinstock, who plays Omar; to critical and viewer raves and Scott Kozak (GC12) was to his apartment. Winner of a Amber Owens (C02) is in the was promptly picked up for a appointed director of investor 2017 Los Angeles Web Series ensemble. Lee left Aladdin in second season. and media relations at Assure Festival award, Alley Way fea- September to join the cast Holdings, a Colorado-based com- tures John Marshall Jones (C84) of the critically acclaimed Soft Power at the Public Theater; the Attica Locke (C95) has won criti- pany providing intraoperative and Emmy nominee Naomi off-Broadway musical was written by David Henry Hwang, 2010s cal acclaim for her latest novel, neuromonitoring services. He Grossman (C97); Sharif Atkins composed by Jeanine Tesori, and directed by Leigh Silverman. Heaven, My Home (A Highway Morgan Elise Johnson (C11) was previously served in manage- (C97) directed two second- Lee can also be seen in the Oscar-nominated Noah Baumbach 59 Novel), published in Septem­ named one of Newcity Chicago’s ment roles at Children’s Hospital season episodes. “I didn’t do film Marriage Story, starring Scarlet Johansson and Adam Driver, ber. The New York Times praised 2019 Chicago Screen Gems. Colorado and FTI Consulting. any auditions for Alley Way,” Marcus Folmar, John Marshall Jones, and Naomi Grossman in a scene which premiered in select theaters and on Netflix last fall. its “bewitching story and With Tiffany Walden (Medill11), says Folmar, who founded the from Alley Way

28 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 29 Alumni achievements In memory

Roy V. Wood, the School of interviews with Robert Kennedy before his assassination. Vanocur Heroes of the Fourth Turning, Communication’s dean from may be best remembered as one of four panelists for the first a play by Will Arbery (GC15) that ran last fall at New York’s 1972 to 1988, died on October 1 general-election presidential debate—the first of the four tele­ Playwrights Horizons, was at age 80. Wood grew up in vised 1960 Kennedy-Nixon debates. selected in October as a New Colorado Springs, Colorado, Vanocur was born in Cleveland and raised in Peoria, Illinois. York Times Critics’ Pick. The play and earned his undergraduate, After graduating from North­western, he served in the US Army and focuses on four alumni of a con- master’s, and doctoral degrees attended the London School of Economics before beginning his servative Christian college grap- in communication studies at journalism career covering city news for the New York Times. He Katie Marovitch (C12) is the cre- pling with current events and The short documentary Stay Close, which premiered at the 2019 the University of Denver. At then made the leap to TV, spending more than a decade at NBC. ator, writer, executive producer, how to reconcile their education Sundance Film Festival, was selected for inclusion in the New York a retreat shortly after earn­ After news positions at PBS and the Washington Post, he served as and star of Kingpin Katie, a new with the broader culture. Times Op-Docs series and was one of 10 films shortlisted for an ing his PhD, Wood met—and a correspondent for ABC News until 1991. series that premiered in June Academy Award nomination in the documentary short subject cate- impressed—James McBurney, Vanocur was married to writer and fashion designer Edith Pick on Dropout, CollegeHumor’s This Party Sucks, a play by Sofya gory. Written and directed by Shuhan Fan (GC16) and Luther Clement then dean of Northwestern’s until her death in 1975. He later married Virginia Backus Vanocur, (GC17), produced by Nevo Shinaar (GC17), and coproduced by Ashley subscription comedy platform. Levitsky-Weitz (GC15), was School of Speech. McBurney invited Wood to join the Northwestern who survives him, along with his two sons, Chris and Nicholas, and The dark comedy follows the named to the Kilroys List of Brandon (GC17) with music by Xiameng Summer Lin (GC17) and faculty and in 1968 named him assistant dean. Upon McBurney’s his stepdaughter, Daphne Wood Hicks. hapless, inexperienced Katie as 2019 most-recommended plays sound mixing by Lianna Squillance (GC19), the film tells the story of retirement in 1972, 32-year-old Roy Wood became Northwestern’s she accidentally stumbles her by female writers. Brooklyn fencer Keeth Smart’s against-the-odds journey to a silver youngest dean. As dean he expanded faculty recruitment, Robert M. Rechnitz (C54), founder way up the drug cartel ladder. medal at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing. Stay Close was funded in addressed imbalances in faculty compensation between the and executive director of Two River The series concept arose from Nick Lehmann (C16) wrote Like part by the Tribeca Film Institute and is featured in PBS’s POV Shorts. a throwaway joke in a 2016 Son, Like Father, a gay father-son School of Speech and other University schools, and championed a Theater, died on October 12 at age 89. CollegeHumor sketch that comedy that is being developed more robust strategy to engage alumni. But he is best remembered After receiving his bachelor’s degree for a dramatic addition to the school’s facilities. in communication from Northwestern, caught on among the channel’s by NBC. The story centers on an Jesseca Ynez Simmons (GC16) The play They Could Give No fans and continued as a running out and proud young man who won the Documentary Short Name by Exal Iraheta (GC19) will Shortly after becoming dean, Wood spearheaded a campaign where he studied speech and theatre gag in subsequent sketches fea- must mentor (and live with) his Silver Award for her program be produced as part of the 2019 to fund what would become the Theatre and Interpretation Center, under Alvina Krause, the Colorado turing Marovitch. newly out father. Lehmann will thesis documentary Emerald Ice. Ignition Festival at Chicago’s now the Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing native earned a master’s degree executive-produce the show Victory Gardens Theater. Arts. This sprawling, beautifully equipped facility fundamentally in English lit­erature at Columbia Kimberly Nelson (C12) is presi­ alongside Matt Hubbard. Max Freeman (GC18) began a changed the school’s theatre education. To celebrate the center’s University, enrolled in the famed dent of the Kemin Textile Auxil­ tenure-track faculty position in Correction: The summer 2019 opening, Wood rallied faculty, trustees, administrators, and alumni Actors Studio as a student of Lee Strasberg, and earned a doctoral iaries business unit of Kemin Seeds, a film by Brittany Shyne communication sciences and issue of Dialogue misidentified to produce the 1980 televised gala The Way They Were. Cohosted degree in American literature at the University of Colorado Boulder. Industries, a global ingredient (GC16), was one of 25 nonfiction disorders at St. John’s University. the actress pictured on page 35 by Charlton Heston and Ann-Margret and featuring many other He then joined the faculty of New Jersey’s Monmouth College (now manufacturer. Based in San films awarded a Sundance Insti­ He conducts research on bilin- as Charlotte Booker. We regret celebrated alumni, it was syndicated nationally and seen in three University), where he taught for 35 years, eventually rising to full Marino, California, Nelson tute Stories for Change grant. gualism and typical and atypical the error. prime-time broadcasts. Northwestern’s eminence as a dramatic- professor. With his wife, Joan, he founded Two River Theater in Red was previously general manager child language development. arts powerhouse was beamed into countless American living Bank, New Jersey, in 1994. The company was itinerant until open­ of Kemin Textile Auxiliaries rooms, and the impact was immeasurable. ing its permanent home in 2005; Rechnitz directed the two-theater in India. Wood left Northwestern to become the provost of the Uni­ complex’s debut production and cowrote Lives of Reason, pro­ versity of Denver, where he retired at age 75. He also served on duced by Two River in 2016. He is survived by his wife, Joan; their Colorado’s Independent Ethics Commission and the Denver Board children, Adam (Elizabeth Fordi), Joshua, and former Cherub Emily NUEA West of Ethics, among many other affiliations. Survivors include his wife, (John Paladino); and their grand­children, Max and Flora Paladino Consuelo Bennett; daughters (with first wife Mary Alice Tudor) and Esme Rechnitz. On August 27 NUEA West members enjoyed meeting top-tier entertainment industry professionals at the New Hollywood Angela (GC98) and Shelley Wood; stepdaughters Alicia, Carolyn, Mentorship Event, a one-of-a-kind opportunity to join like-minded content creators in a small group setting and seek advice Jennifer, Monica, Courtney, and Meredith; sister Shirley Lohse Andrea Gronvall (C76), a film critic from professionals on career-advancing strategies. Director Richie Keen (C96) (It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Fist Fight) and her family; grandchildren Eliot Wood, Elizabeth Parker, for the Chicago Reader, died on was the event’s NUEA West liaison and one of the keynote mentors. Willoughby DeLisle, and Luca, Elsa, and Nico Rodriguez; and September 4 in Chicago at age 67. On October 1 NUEA West was one of the main hosts of Hollywood Now, a mixer that gathered alumni from top entertainment great-grandchildren River and Henry. Gronvall wrote for the Reader for 15 schools. Industry professionals from NYU, USC, Emerson, UCLA, AFI, and Chapman joined Northwestern alumni at Hollywood’s years, filing her last review shortly exclusive No Vacancy bar for an evening of drinks and socializing. Sander Vanocur (C50), longtime before her death. A Chicago film In an October 18 NUEA West theater outing, Hollywood’s Hudson Guild Theater presented a benefit performance of the new television journalist and NBC’s fixture, Gronvall previously served for musical Good Fishermen Know a Lot about Sex, cowritten by Alexa Karas (C11) and featuring NUEA West member Dorothy White House correspondent during 17 years as a producer (often medi­ Dillingham Blue (C96) in a lead role. Proceeds went toward opioid abuse prevention efforts in Los Angeles and Chicago. the Kennedy administration, died ating between battling critics) for At On November 7 NUEA West presented the 14th installment of its successful Storytelling Event series. Ten brave Wildcats on September 16 at age 91. As a TV the Movies, the syndicated Tribune shared true autobiographical stories live on stage, each story relating to the central theme “Scares!” Produced by Joe Hauler, newsman, Vanocur was especially Entertainment show that originally starred film critics Gene Siskel this edition of the biannual series featured performances by Jake Daniels (C19), Terry Franklin (C84), Zack Hall (C03), Bryan prominent during the turbulent and Roger Ebert. She left the show in 2003 and joined the Reader Holdman (C94), Lisa Kaminir (C82), Max Kliman (C19), Tim Smight (Medill75), and Chamblee Smith (C15) as well as stories by 1960s—reporting from the 1968 as a critic in her own right the following year. A native Chicagoan, the show’s directors, Rati Gupta (WCAS06) and Jackie Laine (C08, KSM17). The 90-minute show was followed by a reception Democratic Convention in Chicago, Gronvall (above at lower right) majored in radio/television/film at where the storytellers mingled with approximately 80 attendees, many of them NUEA West members. interviewing Martin Luther King Jr. at Northwestern before embarking on a career in public relations. Atlanta’s Ebenezer Baptist Church, and conducting one of the last She is survived by her brother, Jeffrey.

30 Dialogue winter 2020 winter 2020 Dialogue 31 In memory Communicating gratitude

Constance Ratcliffe (C41, Gilbert E. Erickson (GC56) GC45) on June 13 at age on June 23 in Wisconsin A Cherub legacy 100 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Robert Hiatt never forgot his first summer at Northwestern. Florida Diana D. Norlander (C56) on July 14 at age 86 in “The Cherubs program launched him,” says his widow, Kaye Hiatt Mary Jean Waddell (C41) Hilton Head Island, South (WCAS57). “The opportunity that afforded him made all the difference.” on June 8 at age 99 in Carolina Bob Hiatt (C57) grew up a middle-class kid in Evanston, where North­ Grand Rapids, Michigan western loomed large but wasn’t a viable option for him financially. Then he Louise Fidel Pongetti Virginia Boyd (C44) (C56) on May 30 at age 84 spent a summer as a Cherub, winning an Edgar Bergen Scholarship to attend on May 31 at age 95 in Albuquerque the University, where he studied radio/television/film and served as president in Chicago of his fraternity and a member of the student governing board. Janet M. Eason (C57) on Right after graduating,­ Bob was hired by Procter & Gamble. “They said Mary Frances (Larsen) October 23 at age 84 in King Meer (C44) on July 6 Zionsville, Indiana they really never hired at age 96 in Bellevue, undergraduates who didn’t Washington Valda H. Carter (C59) on have business degrees,” July 10 in California Kaye recalls. “That was the Lyla M. Anderegg (GC47) on September 17 at age 96 Carol Mikedes (C59) beginning of his career, in Minnesota on May 28 at age 81 in and he attributed so much Morristown, New Jersey of it to his time at North­ Mary J. Baumer (C47) on western.” He moved up September 16 at age 94 in Susan Maria Vardon (C62) Arlington Heights, Illinois on July 29 at age 78 in the marketing ladder Auburn, California to positions at Playtex, Al Burton (C48) on Kentucky Fried Chicken, October 22 at age 91 Marjory H. Catoire (GC63) American Cyanamid, and Maybelline Cosmetics, where he served as CEO until in San Mateo, California on July 7 at age 90 in Overland Park, Kansas his retirement. Bob went on to share his expertise as a member of the School of Roger C. Hill (C48, GC50) Communication’s National Advisory Council. Clifford M. Hunter (C63) on October 13 at age 93 in He reconnected with Kaye Karlan Chapman at a 1993 Northwestern Asheville, North Carolina on October 24 at age 78 in Santa Maria, California reunion. The following year they were married in Northwestern­ ’s Shakespeare William B. Branch (C49) on Garden. They moved to Mill Valley, California, in 2002 and traveled extensively November 3 at age 92 in Scott L. Lange (C68) on until his death in 2018. August 1 at age 73 in New Rochelle, New York Kaye earned a JD at National University in 1994 and previously ran a Cincinnati Jack D. Clay (C50, GC54) small San Diego–based manufacturing company. Passionate about philan- on September 2 at age 92 Sally O. Robinson (C69) thropy, she has devoted time to women’s and children’s causes as well as the in Seattle on August 14 at age 72 California Historical Society, the Marin Community Foundation, and the in Columbus, Ohio Marin Theatre Company, where she served on the board of directors. Anne Crane (C51) on September 29 at age 90 Mary (Casey) Pastore In 2017 the couple established the Robert N. and Kaye Karlan Hiatt in Des Moines, Iowa (GC70) on July 28 at age 71 Endowed Cherub Scholarship Fund to support students enrolled at Evanston in Loves Park, Illinois Township High School and/or residing in Evanston. The gift was made in Joan Sorgel (C51) on honor of their 60th class reunion. July 10 at age 89 in Celeste Canham Jr. (GC81) Brentwood, Tennessee on June 23 at age 61 in “We think about having an impact, and we want this to make an impact Warwick, Rhode Island on the right students so that this may make a difference in the rest of their Beverly I. Klein-Simon lives,” says Kaye. “Cherubs, for Bob, was extremely meaningful, and I hope this (C53) on June 1 at age 88 Mark E. Leipold (C82) on would be equally so for future recipients.” in Chicago October 12 at age 59 in Oak Park, Illinois In addition to the Cherubs fund, in 2007 the couple instituted the school’s Ann Kronick Lebed (C55) Robert and Kaye Hiatt Fund for Research on Media, Technology, and Society. George C. Nelson (GC00) on August 15 at age 85 in More recently, Kaye established a comedy-arts bequest in her name and that of Scottsdale, Arizona on September 1 at age 60 her late daughter, Cynthia Maryl Chapman, who was known for her quick wit in Evanston Robert I. Maurais (C55) on and one-liners. For students interested in comedy, the fund will help provide July 6 at age 88 in Mount the kind of transformative experiences the Hiatts enjoyed on campus. Dora, Florida “Northwestern,” she says, “is a place we hold dear.”

32 Dialogue winter 2020 Cherubs in the 1944 dramatics division on the steps of Annie May Swift Hall winter 2020 Dialogue 33 Northwestern University Nonprofit School of Communication Organization 70 Arts Circle Drive U.S. Postage Evanston, Illinois 60208 P A I D Evanston, Illinois Permit No. 205

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