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Arts + Media = culture Fall/Winter 2012

FOR ALUMNI & OF 17 COLUMBIA

Dino-Mite! D ino Stamatopoulos (’87) oversees a prolific creative career with a cast of Columbia characters

DEMOI Fall/Winter 2012 17

features

Dino-mite! Creative force (’87) says he never set out to build a studio full of Columbia College alumni, but throughout a prolific 25- 10 year career, he’s found that like-minded colleagues make for the most rewarding work. By Stephanie Ewing (’12)

2012 Alumni of the Year Columbia honors cartoonist Art Baltazar (BA ’92), jewelry designer Lana Bramlette (BA ’97), and animator Marlon West (BA ’85) for their 20 innovative creative careers. By Audrey Michelle Mast (BA ’00) Thursday, September 27 – Sunday, September 30 Portfolio: Mark Laita (BA ’83) Throughout a career spanning 30 years, photographerMark Laita (BA ’83) has made a name for himself in the commercial world while Alumni Short Film Showcase 2nd Annual Alumni 5k 24 pursuing his passion for portraiture. By William Meiners (MFA ’96) Panel of super-awesome alumni Opening Gallery Viewing writers featuring: & Reception Spot ON Dino Stamatopoulos (’87) Diane Dammeyer (’01) Photographer 30 Len Ellis (BA ’52), aka DJ “Uncle Len,” pioneered country music radio Emmy Award-winning writer/actor/ and built a broadcasting empire. producer—Late Show with David Totally rad afterparty 32 E mmy award-winning broadcaster Bob Sirott (BA ’71) still calls on his Letterman, MADtv, , , Diving for Dynamite, featuring Material Columbia education for inspiration. ’s Frankenhole Issue’s Ted Ansani (BA ’90) 34 Sound engineer Tricia Huffman(BA ’03) carved out a brand-new

Student/Alumni Luncheon career for herself as “joyologist” to pop stars on the road. Art Baltazar (BA ’92) and Fashion Show Cover 36 Edye Deloch-Hughes (BA ’80) uses her marketing and 2012 Alumnus of the Year, Eisner Award- D ino Stamatopoulos (’87) lords over his TV communications skills to tackle another passion: game design. winning super-cartoonist machine and And of course, the fabulous company of puppet creations, from left to right: Apostle author of Tiny Titans, Patrick the Wolfboy, other cool alumni like YOU! Bartholomew, the Wolfman, and Death (from departments Super Pets, and more Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole); Orel Puppington and Clay Puppington (from Moral Orel); Jesus 5 Vision A question for President Carter and Dr. Jekyll (from Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole); 6 Wire News from the Columbia community For more information, visit colum.edu/AlumniWeekend or call 312.369.8640 Abed and Troy (from Community’s “Abed’s 38 Out There Our alumni section, featuring class news, notes, Uncontrollable Christmas”); and the Creature, and CAAN updates 45 Caught on camera around the country Times and locations to be announced. Program subject to change. Professor Polidori, and Dr. Victor Point & Shoot (from Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole). 47 Upcoming Events What’s happening on campus Photo: Anthony Chiappetta (BA ’95) 49 Backstory Columbia opens its first co-ed modern residence hall, 731 South Plymouth Court, in 1993. ladimir Zaytsev (’12) V hotos: P Fall/winter 2012 ALUMNIEVENTS C ontact the Office ofA lumni Relations for details Vibrant. 312.369.6987 / [email protected] September 18-November 13 October 6 CAAN Volunteers, Pinterest Workshop: Pinning with a CAAN LA will sponsor Carthay Center Purpose, Chicago Inspired. Elementary through the Young Journalism faculty member Barbara Storytellers Foundation. Alumni K. Iverson will present ways to use the

executive editor/vice president will mentor 5th graders in the art social media site Pinterest to build for institutional advancement 17 of screenwriting. Contact Sarah your brand and strengthen your online Eric V. A. Winston, PhD New. Schroeder at 323.469.0443. reputation. Contact Michelle Passarelli editor-in-chief at 312.369.6987. September 27-30 ShopColumbia features the best of student Kristi Turnbaugh 2012 Alumni Weekend, Chicago October 25 and alumni art, jewelry, fashions, accessories, editorial assistants Highlights include a panel of writers Career Workshop: Personal Stephanie Ewing (’12) with Emmy Award-winning Dino Branding for the Creative, Chicago stationery, music, media, and more. A learning Sean McEntee (’13) Stamatopoulos (’87) and Eisner For more information about this free workshop for alumni, contact Cynthia laboratory for student artists. A shopping Chris Terry (MFA ’12) Award-winning Art Baltazar (BA ’92), destination for customers. an alumni short film showcase, and an Vargas at 312.369.8640. alumni content managers alumni band featuring Material Issue’s December Michelle Passarelli (BA ’99) Ted Ansani (BA ’90). Visit colum.edu/ Visit us online at shop.colum.edu. Alumni Holiday Party, Los Angeles Amy Wilson AlumniWeekend or call Cynthia Vargas Party with entertainment-focused at 312.369.8640. CLASS NEWS EDITOR alumni associations from Gino Orlandi (’13) October Northwestern, University of , CAAN Networking, Nationwide University of , and others. creative director undquist (’12) L CAAN will host cocktail and networking Contact Sarah Schroeder at Ben Bilow rik

E receptions in Denver, , St. 323.469.0443. Louis, , and Minneapolis. 623 S. Wabash Ave. / 312.369.8616 January 18-20 Contact Sarah Schroeder at Columbia at Park City, Utah llustration: llustration: I chair, board of trustees Allen M. Turner 323.469.0443. Columbia will host three events at the president Warrick L. Carter, PhD October 5 Sundance Film Festival including an Alumni on 5 Opening Reception, Opening Night party. Contact Sarah Senior Vice President Warren K. Chapman, PhD Chicago Schroeder at 323.469.0443. vice president for Eric V. A. Winston, PhD The Alumni on 5 Opening Reception institutional advancement will kick off an exhibition of alumni art associate vice president of Diane Doyne in the library. public relations, marketing C onversations in the Asrt and advertising assistant vice president Mary Forde for creative services colum.edu/alumni/events Unless otherwise noted, all lectures start at 6:00 PM at the Film Row Aoss ciate director of Michelle Passarelli (BA ’99) Cinema of Columbia College Chicago, 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 8th floor alumni operations Registration begins 4–6 weeks before each event at colum.edu/conversations. 2012–13 Aoss ciate director of Cynthia Vargas (BA ’01) alumni events and programs

director of alumni relations, Sarah Schroeder (BA ’00) w est coast

DEMO (volume 7, number 2) is published by Columbia College Chicago. DEMO is mailed free of charge to alumni and friends of the college. The ideas and October 16, 2012 Faebru ry 2013 April 16, 2013 opinions expressed are those of the writers alone and do not necessarily reflect those of Columbia College Chicago. © Columbia College Chicago 2012. The La Bamba 25th Anniversary Debbie Allen Michele Norris Hours at Columbia Night during the Chicago International Film Festival Dancer, choreographer, actor, director, and Journalist, host of NPR’s All Contact us: The Museum is free and open to the public owith L u Diamond Phillips, Esai Morales, and Elizabeth PeÑa ambassador for arts education—best known Things Considered, and author. For address changes or deletions, email your first and last name, mailing address, M onday through Saturday, 10am - 5pm city, state, zip code, and phone number to [email protected] and specify if your Bringing together three stars of the 1987 biopic of singer Ritchie Valens. for her work on the TV series Fame. Thursday, 10am - 8pm / Sunday, 12pm - 5pm request is an address update or a request to stop receiving DEMO. For other inquiries, email [email protected], call 312.369.1000, or mail DEMO magazine, Location Note: This event takes place at 7:00 PM at the AMCR iver East 21 Theatre, 322 E. St. Columbia College Chicago, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60605. 600 South Michigan Avenue / Chicago, Illinois 60605 312 663 5554 / [email protected] DEMO is online Presenting Sponsor colum.edu/conversations Read at colum.edu/demo Become a fan! DEMO magazine is on Facebook. mocp.org

DEMO2 DEMO3 Announcing: The country’sfirst and only degree concentration in Comedy Writing and Performance. STUDY FUNNY a question for President Carter Besides being funny, what do , , Chris Demo: Like many colleges, Columbia has seen declining enrollment. Rock, and Louis CK have in ? They all work across media from stage and television to film and online, in the various roles What are some of the new recruiting strategies? of producer, director, writer, and performer.

Comedy Writing and Performance is an interdisciplinary program D r. Carter: We still have some challenges in enrollment, and we that provides the “cross training” necessary for our graduates have begun to do some important things that will help us to improve to navigate this fluidity. The program expands upon Columbia’s our enrollment. The Midwest is where the majority of our students popular, immersive Comedy Studies semester at Second City. have always come from, but we’re seeing a decrease in the number of 18-year-olds in this area. The places where we see growth of 18-year- olds are in , Texas, and the West Coast. So we have to go where the students are and be more active and aggressive in recruiting wson (’04) wson a

L in those areas, which means we have to spend more money in our For More Information colum.edu/comedystudies recruitment efforts there. At the same time, we will not pull back on our recruiting here in the Midwest and here in the city of Chicago. hoto: Jer P emy “ W e have to go where the students are and be more active and aggressive in recruiting in P hoto: Erika Dufour (BA ’97) Get your those areas.”

Columbia Gear. In May, Dr. Carter announced We also have started some international initiatives. We have T-shirts, hoodies, caps, his intention to retire in August partnerships and exchanges with schools in China that appear to be baby gear, gifts, accessories, 2013. For more information on opportunities to increase our international enrollment. We are doing and yes, books too! his career and the transition to some recruiting in South Korea. South Korea has been the country a new president, see page 6. from which we’ve gotten our largest number of international students. Shop in person And that’s been done without any recruitment. We’re going to begin to 624 S. Michigan Ave. do some recruiting there.

Shop online I predict that by fall of ’14, we will see some of the results of columbia.bkstr.com this new investment in enrollment and in recruitment and in admissions, both domestically and internationally. And we’ll begin 312.427.4860 to turn this tide and increase our enrollment numbers. a bookstore oll (’12) … and more! B hoto: Jacob P DEMO4 DEMO5 FASHION COLUMBIA RAISES

William Frederking William RECORD FUNDS hoto:

News from the Columbia Community P On June 8, the Fashion Columbia 2012 event raised more than $130,000 for the newly established Eunice W. Johnson Scholarship in Fashion Studies. More than 200 guests attended the fashion show, which featured menswear, evening gown, and dress designs from 15 fashion studies students, at the Columbia College Chicago Media Production Center.

Columbia alumna Lana Bramlette (BA ’97) was awarded the Alumni Achievement in Fashion Design award. The “queen of hoops” and founder of Lana Jewelry counts among her clients such celebrity fashion icons as Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, Kate Hudson, and . edia

M Fashion Columbia 2012 used green vendors, recycled er all post-event paper and other products, and composted eck B food scraps, making it the greenest event at the college

hoto: to date. (For more photos from the event, see Point & P Shoot, page 45.)

widely known for his work on the HBO TV series COLUMBIA HOSTS ADULT JAZZ CAMP Treme. Sessions discussed artists such as Fred Warrick L. Carter, PhD, president of Columbia College Chicago The fourth annual Straight Ahead & Other Anderson and Art Blakey, along with social justice, Directions Jazz Camp, an adult summer camp for dance, rehearsal and improvisational techniques, jazz lovers, took place July 23-26 at the Columbia and New Orleans jazz pre- and post-Katrina. College Chicago Music Center. PRESIDENT CARTER TO RETIRE IN AUGUST 2013 CHAPMAN “We’ve extended it way beyond what it ever was oll (’12) … so that arts educators and anybody interested JOINS COLUMBIA B A humanities festival for jazz enthusiasts, Jazz In May, Warrick L. Carter, PhD, president of Columbia College Camp featured four days of innovative, hands-on in jazz can see the connection between the AS SENIOR VICE music and other art forms,” said Lauren Deutsch, Chicago, announced his intention to retire in August 2013. sessions taught by professional musicians and OPEN DOORS GALA TO hoto: executive director of the nonprofit Jazz Institute of PRESIDENT P Jacob clinicians such as author–activist Timuel Black, BE HELD DECEMBER 7 “I have accomplished much of what Carter, who received his doctorate in bandleader–composer Douglas Ewart, and New Chicago, which presented the camp in conjunction University of Illinois at Chicago Vice Chancellor I came to Columbia College to do,” music education from Michigan State Orleans saxophone master Donald Harrison— with Columbia College Chicago and the Chicago Warren K. Chapman, PhD, has joined Columbia The Open Doors Gala said Carter. “This institution is poised University, joined Columbia College Jazz Ensemble. College Chicago in a two-year interim role as senior will be held on Friday, for greatness and positioned for Chicago in 2000. The college’s square vice president. Chapman will ensure a smooth December 7, at Columbia sustainability, and I know that our footage of campus classrooms, offices, transition between the presidency of Warrick L. Carter, outstanding faculty and staff will continue and residence halls doubled under his College Chicago’s Media who will retire in August 2013, and a new president. to provide students with the most cutting- leadership, and enrollment reached a ASL PROGRAM RECEIVES NATIONAL fit between the unified passion and purpose of Production Center at 16th the department and the mission of the college, edge media arts education anywhere.” record high of 12,500 graduate and To take this position, Chapman stepped down from and State streets. The Gala ACCREDITATION benchmarks for assessing student progress undergraduate students, an increase of the Columbia College Board of Trustees, where he will benefit the Open Doors To ensure a smooth transition between through the major … [and] solid administrative more than 25 percent since 1999. had been a member since 2003. Columbia College Chicago’s American Sign the current and future administration, skills of the program director and the clear Scholarship, which helps Language (ASL)–English Interpretation program President Carter hired Trustee Warren K. In 2010, Carter successfully launched administrative support from within the School of ’ As vice chancellor for external affairs at UIC, has received national accreditation by the Chapman, PhD, to serve in an interim role and oversaw Columbia College’s $100 Liberal Arts and Sciences, especially from graduates to attend Chapman oversaw community relations, public Commission on Collegiate Interpreter Education as senior vice president. (See sidebar at million fundraising campaign and the the Dean.” affairs, and marketing, and coordinated the efforts (CCIE). The department, created in 1993, is home Columbia. The 2011 event right.) To take this position, Chapman left completion of its first new-construction of the offices of development, alumni affairs, to the only BA-granting interpreting program within raised nearly $700,000. his position as vice chancellor for external building, the state-of-the-art Media The CCIE is a member of the Association of government relations, and access and equity. 100 miles of the South Loop. For more information, affairs at University of Illinois at Chicago, Production Center. Specialized and Professional Accreditors and was created to promote professionalism in contact Brent Caburnay at where he oversaw community relations, Chapman earned a doctorate degree in educational In its report to Columbia, the CCIE noted that the sign language interpreter education through public affairs, and marketing. policy studies from the University of Illinois at department has many strengths, including, “the [email protected] or Urbana-Champaign. accreditation. 312.369.8188.

DEMO6 DEMO7 SEMESTER IN Feind Mor CHINA provides News Online enriching STUDENT Read these stories and more EXPERIENCES at colum.edu/news. Check out all things Columbia College Chicago is Columbia College in partnering with Central China Reporter’s Normal University (CCNU) for a fall Top 25 Film Schools 2012 Semester in China program, Alumni online! In the August 3 issue, offering scholarships for 30 preeminent film industry Columbia students to spend 12 publication The Hollywood Like us on Facebook— weeks learning Chinese language Reporter honored Columbia Through the Semester in China program, students will be able to learn about Columbia College Chicago and culture. Chinese culture and customs. Photo: Lorraine Smith College Chicago as one of the Stay in theLoop, Alumni. top 25 film schools. As part of the “China Initiative,” the participating students will serve international leader as well,” update your info, college is forging partnerships with as ambassadors to students said Mark Kelly, vice president of and check out new several colleges and universities from China. student affairs at Columbia College And the Nominees Are… alumni events at Follow our tweets at Congratulations to Columbia in China, including the Beijing Chicago. “This is an incredible colum.edu/Alumni. .com/ColumAlum. colum.edu/Alumni College Chicago alumni for Institute of Fashion Technology, “Opportunities like this help to opportunity for our students to nominations for Primetime 600 S. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60605 Tongji University in , and position Columbia College not learn firsthand about an amazing Emmy Awards by the Academy We have more than 6,000 alumni networking on [email protected] / 312.369.7934 CCNU and Hankou University in just as a national leader in arts country and its culture.” of Television Arts and Sciences. LinkedIn in the “Columbia College Chicago ALUMNI” Wuhan. Upon returning to Chicago, and media education, but an The winners will be announced group page. If you’re not one of them, get there today! on a live telecast on Sunday, September 23, on ABC.

Rock to Beat the Clock across literacy, math, and science. With this grant, In record time, Columbia COLUMBIA Project AIM will provide arts residencies in four Pilsen students worked across schools as well as training for teaching artists. RECEIVES GRANTS disciplines to create and Columbia College Chicago recently National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) market an EP and performance received the following grants: awarded the following to Columbia: in only six days in July. The The U.S. Department of Education • $50,000 to the Center for Book and Paper Arts to project was part of the new renewed Columbia’s Upward support Expanded Artists’ Books: Envisioning the Music Industry Immersion Bound project, with a total award Future of the Book. This project aims to use mobile Class, which involves the of $1,739,170 for 2012 to 2017. electronic tablets to enable public access to a Music, Audio Arts and Upward Bound offers counseling and vital, but largely inaccessible, art form: the artist’s Acoustics (AA&A), and the tutoring, plus summer and bridge book. Arts, Entertainment, and Media Management (AEMM) G ive. Arts Matter. programs designed to generate the • $30,000 to the Dance Center for artist fees, TheM atch (up to $25,000) skills and motivation necessary for departments. production and marketing expenses, and direct In 2009, Columbia College Chicago began Scholarship DOUBLE THE DIFFERENCE: Any gift will be Chicago Public Schools’ students to administrative costs for a series of international Columbia, a five-year, $1 million challenge match matched 1:1. complete high school and succeed designed to immediately address the increasing financial contemporary dance engagement residencies TRIPLE THE DIFFERENCE: Any gift from a Colum in a postsecondary program. Upward needs of our students. Since then, Scholarship Columbia during the 2012-13 dance season. Alum will be matched 2:1. Bound will serve 78 students annually from Foreman has become the most successful fundraising initiative • $16,000 to Columbia’s Library for programs and High School and Benito Juarez High School. at the college, positively impacting the lives of so many Meet the challenge. Make an impact. book discussion groups featuring Julia Alvarez’s deserving students. The Alphawood Foundation gave $50,000 to support In the Time of the Butterflies, NEA’s Big Read book WCRX-FM and Radio No matter the size of your gift, it will now do a lot more. the Columbia Dance Center’s 2012-13 season, which for 2013. Students Win National Columbia College students are the next great generation will feature eight different shows from September of artists. Your donation to Scholarship Columbia is an • $15,000 to the Story Week Festival of Writers for Awards through April. investment in the future of the arts. the 2013 literary festival that will include readings, Congratulations to WCRX- JPMorgan Chase awarded $75,000 to Columbia’s performances, conversations, panel discussions, FM students, who won two Center for Community Arts Partnerships (CCAP) to and book signing events featuring some of the first-place awards for student support its Project Arts Integration Mentorship (Project best local, national, and international writers, work at the Intercollegiate For more information visit AIM) in Pilsen/Brighton Park Schools. The program publishers, editors, reviewers, and interviewers. Broadcasting System (IBS) colum.edu/scholarshipcolumbia or contact us at 312.369.8188 Annual Giving will train teachers and artists to collaboratively create 72nd Annual Student Radio standards-based curriculum that translates the arts P hoto: William Frederking Awards Ceremony in . DEMO8 DEMO9 DINO-MITE!

Creative force Dino Stamatopoulos (’87) says he never set out to build a studio full of Columbia College alumni, but throughout a prolific 25-year career, he’s found that like-minded colleagues make for the most rewarding work.

By Stephanie Ewing (’12) photography by AnThony Chiappetta (Ba ’95)

Dino Stamatopoulos, center, surrounds himself with Columbia talent at Starburns Industries, including (from left to right) Joe Passarelli (BA ’03), (’95), Jay Johnston (’93), and David Tuber (BA ’05). DEMO10 DEMO11 E ach weekday Inside, the castle reveals itself to Columbia classmates, Broadway It was Stamatopoulos’ father who Jay be a warehouse full of cameras, theatre director David Cromer (’86) suggested he attend Columbia. morning, Dino miniature sets, and hundreds and comedian (’89), Johnston (’93) of tiny puppets—the guts of have contributed to his shows. “I had a definite leaning towards the Stamatopoulos (’87) Starburns Industries, the stop- Stamatopoulos wrote for arts, and he brought the college to Jay Johnston (’93) is known for his acting and motion production with O’Brien with Conan’s my attention,” said Stamatopoulos. heads to work at his writing on Mr. Show and for his role as a police company founded in 2010 by longtime , “I was so excited to go that I officer onThe Program. Johnston Stamatopoulos, the executive (’90), and on the cult-classic sketch actually fantasized about dropping Burbank, , has worked with Stamatopoulos on Morel Orel and producer, and his colleagues Dan comedy, Mr. Show, with its creator, Bob out [of high school] and going early, Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole as a producer, writer, production studio, Harmon, James Fino, and Joe Odenkirk (’87). (See pages 16-17.) taking my GED. But my dad wanted or actor, and he made a guest appearance on an Russo II. me to finish and graduate like a beige stucco Columbia has been a fruitful source everyone else.” episode of Community. A Chicago native, he also castle complete with The company was named for of connections for Stamatopoulos worked in ’s touring company Stamatopoulos’ quirkily coiffed throughout a career that took him When he finally arrived at alongside (’89). climbing ivy and character from Harmon’s hit from the Chicago suburbs, to New Columbia in 1983 to study theatre, NBC show, Community, where York TV studios, to a castle in L.A. Stamatopoulos met one of his crenellated turrets. Stamatopoulos also worked as a guiding lights, comedy studies The Columbia professor Norm Holly. Holly became consulting writer and producer. of the theatre building, and of Chicago and seeing what other In 1996, Stamatopoulos College Years his “comedy mentor,” teaching him that’s where Stamatopoulos part of the world was out there,” moved back to L.A. to write and ThoughCommunity put the value of rewriting. The Norridge-raised Stamatopoulos met Andy Dick, Scott Adsit, Stamatopoulos said. act for Mr. Show, the sketch- S tamatopoulos Stamatopoulos in front of the became interested in comedy when and Mike Stoyanov (’88). Dick comedy brainchild of camera for new audiences, he’s “I was so arrogant that I never said he heard he was young, finding inspiration and Stamatopoulos became M aking It Big colleague (’87) and been busting guts behind the wanted to change anything ni Weekend in the work of , friends and played comedy clubs comedian , for which Alum scenes for 25 years as an Emmy I originally wrote,” said Stamatopoulos spent the next , Albert Brooks, David around the city, while Adsit and Stamatopoulos produced some of St award-winning comedy sketch Stamatopoulos. “Norm’s biggest three years working hard to earn D inoamatopoulos Letterman, and Chicago shock jock Stamatopoulos performed as an his most acclaimed and enduring would refer to him writer, and the creator and contribution was to acknowledge his big break, trying out all sorts of will be part of the Super-Rad, Steve Dahl. my talent while, at the same time, off-the-wall duo. Hollywood jobs, including working work. Mr. Show also reconnected Kick-Butt Alumni Writing Panel producer of animated shows Moral dismissively as letting me know I wasn’t perfect.” “We had a very similar sensibility,” as a production assistant for Stamatopoulos with Jay Johnston at Alumni Weekend, Orel and Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole. “Before that, the Scarecrow and said Stamatopoulos, “although Stoyanov’s filmFreaked and as an (’93), whom Stamatopoulos first “cartoon boy.” September 27-30, 2012. the Lion from the Wizard of Oz mniWeekend Alu “Dino’s sense of humor is dark, Holly and his students performed Scott is far more subtle than I am. extra in film and television. He even met in Chicago through Norm Holly. m.edu/ were definitely seminal,” joked colu and is absurd and comedy in the basement He’s the Dean Martin to my spent two months in the desert, Stamatopoulos. Between 2001 and 2006, full of rage and pain and love,” Jerry Lewis.” dressed as a knight in armor and he always looked for ways to bring Stamatopoulos wrote sketch said Chris McKay (BA ’91), one of a full beard for the campy Bruce animation into his sketch-writing In one memorable routine, they comedy for late-night shows Stamatopoulos’ directors. “The Campbell flick,Army of Darkness. jobs, sometimes to the frustration drew a sweeping mustache on a including Live and whole world is funny to Dino, even of his bosses. He said he heard that baby doll to parody a children’s Stamatopoulos’ moment finally MADtv. But he said this kind of work the crying parts.” David Letterman would refer to him TV show in Spanish-sounding arrived in 1992. After Andy Dick no longer inspired him like it used dismissively as “cartoon boy.” Stamatopoulos’ astute writing gibberish. “I remember doing that appeared in the episode of to: “I started to feel exhausted from and generous spirit have earned Duke on stage at the Funny Firm and TheB en Stiller Show, he convinced just writing sketches.” “Every show, I’ve always pitched him many friends and constant people yelling out, ‘Speak English!’” Stamatopoulos to send the a cartoon version of something. I collaborators, and whether by said Stamatopoulos. “They weren’t producers “a stack of writing [he’d] “ Cartoon Boy”: Johnson (’95) Life in Stop-Motion grew up watching Saturday morning coincidence or design, at least 16 into anti-comedy back then.” amassed in Chicago,” including a Animation cartoons—that was my childhood,” of them are fellow Columbia alumni. spec episode of . said Stamatopoulos. “When I was Though Stamatopoulos and friend Actors Jay Johnston (’93) and 30 Stamatopoulos’ foray into the on Letterman, I would constantly, Tom Bell (’88) eventually opened TheB en Stiller Show hired Rock’s Scott Adsit (’89) and director colorful world of cartoons started incessantly pitch animated bits which their own theater on Loyola Avenue, Stamatopoulos as a writer. McKay are part of Stamatopoulos’ in 2000, when he went to New York they didn’t want to do because they the pull of L.A. was strong. Dick Although the show was canned inner circle. Stamatopoulos’ to work on the animated series TV felt that it was too ‘Conan-y’… which had already gone west to look for after one season, it won an Emmy Funhouse, created by Chicagoan was interesting because when we a big break and found work, as for best writing, and propelled the and Show colleague pitched stuff onConan they called it had Stoyanov, who would get a 28-year-old into writing sketch . TV Funhouse began too ‘Letterman-y.’” gig playing Anthony on the NBC comedy—mostly in New York—on as shorts on and Duke Johnson (’95) is a director at Stamatopoulos’ production company, primetime Blossom. So in Late Night with Conan O’Brien, Late had since become its own show on Though sketch comedy writing Starburns Industries. He directed the animated episode of Community and 1989, Stamatopoulos and Bell Show with David Letterman, and The . was still paying his bills, in 2004, has also worked as an executive producer, writer, and director on Moral Orel; decided to hit the road, too. “It Dana Carvey Show. Stamatopoulos started meeting with its prequel, Beforel Orel; and Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole. was a change of pace, getting out Making cartoons had long been representatives from —a a dream for Stamatopoulos, and

DEMO12 DEMO13 programming block of adult- , which was sharing oriented cartoons on Cartoon studio space with Moral Orel. Joe Passarelli (BA ’03) is a cinematographer for Mary Network—to pitch his own shows, Shelley’s Frankenhole and Moral Orel’s prequel, Beforel Orel. “[McKay] is a great editor and including what would become his He has also done cinematography for Duke Johnson’s taught me a lot about how you can first animated series,Moral Orel. short filmsMarrying God and Passport. edit within a shot with animation, With Moral Orel, Stamatopoulos and he had some great ideas,” said wanted to create an inexpensive Stamatopoulos. “Essentially, he

L to R: Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole, Moral Orel, Community. Below: The puppet of Dr. Frankenstein from stop-motion parody of Leave it became the fourth Beatle [with] me, Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole, shown at larger-than-real-life size. “He’s about five inches tall--smaller to Beaver and , Jay, and Scott.” than most puppets because he was modeled after [actor] ,” said Stamatopoulos. chronicling the misadventures of Why Stop-Motion the citizens of Moralton, a fictional, McKay credits Stamatopoulos as hyper-religious Midwestern being generous with his time and small town. resources: “He’s really willing to Animation? give someone a shot if they have Once Adult Swim green-lighted the respect for the show. He’s great at project, Stamatopoulos started identifying what people are good D ino Stamatopoulos and company casting his friends and colleagues at, then giving them love, attention, as writers, actors, directors, and and ‘Atta boys!’” inject new life into an old medium producers. Scott Adsit became a producer and actor; so did Jay Stamatopoulos says he never set out to build a studio full of E ven with the increasing For Moral Orel and the 2010 Johnston. Columbia College alumni; he just prevalence of computer animation, Community Christmas special, Stamatopoulos drew on the talents finds himself drawn to like-minded stop-motion animation is Starburns Starburns Industries animated the of his broad Columbia network, people who can contribute to his Industries’ bread and butter. shows using clay puppets in the spirit hiring recent Columbia alumni shows. His unique comedy and of the 1960s “Claymation” Christmas Joe as directors, storyboard artists, animation medium have a way of “I’m just in love with ,” said programs Rudolph the Red-Nosed and editors on projects such as a self-selecting for a certain sort of Dino Stamatopoulos (’87), co-founder Reindeer and Santa Claus Is Coming to (BA ’03) 2010 animated special episode colleague. Passarelli and executive producer. “I did it as Town. Chris McKay (BA ’91), a Moral a kid. I’ve always been into model of Community, and his new stop- Orel director, said he thinks stop- Stamatopoulos met Duke Johnson building, and I just [love] all these little motion Adult Swim series, Mary motion animation evokes childhood (’95) in New York when Johnson sets and people. I’m obsessed with Shelley’s Frankenhole. memories and brings a refreshing was working as a waiter while the idea of making them real people innocence to the absurd and dark Connet c ing with attending film school. “I always with feelings and having the audience situations Stamatopoulos’ characters Columbia Alumni: The found him smart and funny,” laugh and cry at them.” encounter. Next Generation said Stamatopoulos. The two reconnected in L.A. a few years Stop-motion animation techniques The creative teams at Starburns As Moral Orel was renewed for later after Johnson finished grad have remained largely unchanged Industries have also innovated ways additional seasons, Stamatopoulos school, and Stamatopoulos offered since they were first used in 1897’s of delivering stop-motion animated started to pull in more crew, him a chance to direct Moral Orel. The Humpty Dumpty Circus. Animators episodes of Stamatopoulos’ Cartoon including Columbia alumnus Chris Scott pose objects or puppets (often made Network series, Mary Shelley’s McKay (BA ’91). Johnson then introduced of a wire skeleton covered with Frankenhole, on a tight schedule. Stamatopoulos to Joe Passarelli (’89) moldable foam, clay, or plastic), adjust McKay, who also grew up in the Adsit Because celebrities and historical (BA ’03), with whom he had positions incrementally, and then Chicago area, came onboard after figures often make their way into attended grad school. Passarelli photograph them, frame by frame. he ran into Stamatopoulos while Stamatopoulos’ scripts, puppet artists said that even though he didn’t Stop-motion animation is a laborious editing for the stop-motion show take pictures of the famous people Continued on page 18 process—what actor and Moral Orel and fold them, like origami, onto the producer Jay Johnston (’93) describes faces of the puppets, creating the as “one of the most tedious things distinct texture and angular look of Scott Adsit (’89) voices both the Creature (pictured) and Professor possible on the planet,” because one the comical characters populating Polidori on Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole, but he is best known for playing 23-minute program consists of at least the strange world surrounding Dr. Pete Hornberger on and for his background in improv theatre with 16,560 shots—but it can be done Frankenstein’s laboratory. The Second City. From Northbrook, Illinois, Adsit met Stamatopoulos while relatively inexpensively because all the attending Columbia College Chicago, and has since collaborated as an sets and puppets are miniatures. –Stephanie Ewing (’12) actor on Mr. Show and as an executive producer, writer, and actor on Moral Orel and Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole. In the 2000s, director Barry Levinson enlisted him, Mike Stoyanov (’88), and Stamatopoulos (’87) to work on a 30 Rock-style television show that never aired.

DEMO14 DEMO15 S teve Pink (’89), D.V. DeVincentis (’91), and Pat More Columbia Alumni in Dino O’Neill (’91) helped Stamatopoulos sell a script for Stamatopoulos’ Wacky World Who’s Who? a sitcom pilot, “a sort of modern-day All in the Family about a Desert Storm vet living next to Muslims,” Throughout his prolific 25-year career, Dino Stamatopoulos (’87) has earned the admiration and respect of countless creative friends and collaborators in the film and TV industry, many of whom are said Stamatopoulos. “We never made it.” fellow Columbia alumni. In addition to working regularly with Scott Adsit (’89), Duke Johnson (’95), Jay Johnston (’93), Chris McKay (BA ’91), Joe Passarelli (BA ’03), and David Tuber (BA ’05) (see pages 12-18), Stamatopoulos has teamed up with many Columbia luminaries over the years. Here are just a few. Pat O’Neill “ David’s a very hands-on director. He (’91) Pat O’Neill wrote the filmKnight didn’t really know much about stop and Day, which was produced by animation … but I thought that would be Andy Steve Pink (’89). He also acted Peter in the filmGrosse Pointe Blank, Blood an interesting experiment.” Dick from the team of Pink and D.V. DeVincentis (’91), who were also — Dino Stamatopoulos, on persuading David Cromer to direct an episode of Moral Orel (’89) (’89) Bob two of the writers and producers Andy Peter Blood is a musician Andy Dick acted on TheB en for the John Cusack filmHigh Stiller Show and NewsRadio in Odenkirk Fidelity. O’Neill also produced Richter who composes music for Dino D.V. Stamatopoulos’ shows Mary the early ’90s. He also acted (’87) several episodes of Mary Shelley’s (’90) Shelley’s Frankenhole and Moral DeVincentis on Stamatopoulos’ Mary Bob Odenkirk is an actor and Frankenhole. Andy Richter is best known as Orel. Blood composed a song Shelley’s Frankenhole and was a writer best known for his work Conan O’Brien’s sidekick. He is also (’91) in honor of his friend called guest on Community. Dick met with Stamatopoulos on Mr. Show, an actor and writer who has written “Dino Stamatopoulos,” a happy D.V. DeVincentis, Steve Pink (’89), Stamatopoulos while attending (for which the for Late Night with Conan O’Brien hard-rock tune that rhymes and actor John Cusack formed Columbia. Also at Columbia, Dick writers won an Emmy), and Late alongside Stamatopoulos, and has “Stamatopoulos” with acropolis, New Crime Productions, the earned an A on the final exam for Night with Conan O’Brien. He plays appeared as a guest actor on 30 animus, mischievous, esophagus, company that produced Grosse Stage Combat class, choosing to corrupt lawyer Saul Goodman on Rock, The Sarah Silverman Program, androgynous, and apocalypse, Pointe Blank and High Fidelity, spar with himself after his partner the AMC series and and Robot Chicken. From Yorkville, among other things. He also acted for which DeVincentis co-wrote. failed to show up. has made guest appearances on Illinois, Richter trained at The in two episodes of Mary Shelley’s DeVincentis is a frequent TheSarah Silverman Program, The Second City. Frankenhole as the voice of John David collaborator of Pat O’Neill (’91) Andy Dick Show, TV Funhouse, and Mike Hancock and a reanimated corpse. and Pink, through whom he met K.K. the series. He has Cromer Stamatopoulos. The trio helped written and developed shows for Stoyanov Stamatopoulos sell a script for a Dodds Adult Swim, including Tom Goes to (’89) (’88) never-made sitcom pilot, “a sort of (’89) the Mayor; Tim and Eric Awesome Steve Mike Stoyanov is known for his David Cromer is an award-winning modern-day All in the Family about K.K. Dodds has had a varied Show, Great Job!; and Let’s Do This! role as Anthony on the 1990s’ theatre director, best known for a Desert Storm vet living next to and successful television career, Pink NBC sitcom Blossom, and he productions of Angels in America, Muslims,” said Stamatopoulos. which includes recurring roles on (’89) also appeared in the The Cider House Rules, Our Town, FOX’s Prison Break, playing Susan Steve Pink is an Evanston native movie The Dark Knight. He met and The House of Blue Leaves. Hollander, and The Shield, playing best known for co-writing and co- Stamatopoulos, Scott Adsit, and Cromer met Stamatopoulos Kim Kelner. She did voice acting producing the John Cusack films Andy Dick while attending Columbia while attending Columbia College on Stamatopoulos’ Moral Orel High Fidelity with D.V. DeVincentis College Chicago and wrote with Chicago and worked with him and Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole, (’91) and with Stamatopoulos for TV Funhouse, Mr. as a guest director on Moral Orel including roles as Gandhi’s date DeVincentis and Pat O’Neill (’91). Show, Late Night with Conan O’Brien, in 2008. He taught theatre at and Katharine Hepburn. Dodds Pink also directed the comedy and . He also Columbia before moving to New also played Wendy in the filmB eing Hot Tub Time Machine and was a worked with Columbia TV students York in 2008. Cromer was named , written by Charlie a MacArthur Fellow in 2010 and producer on O’Neill’s Knight and in the 2011 production of Freq Out. Kaufman, one of Stamatopoulos’ Day. Stamatopoulos said he met Photos: Vladimir Zaytsev (’12) except a Columbia alumnus of the year Cromer (Steve Becker); Odenkirk (Mr. sketch comedy colleagues. Pink and O’Neill through student Show with Bob and David-HBO); and in 2011. She attended Columbia with Stoyanov (courtesy of Stoyanov). comedy events at Columbia and –Sean McEntee (’13) Stamatopoulos. they have periodically collaborated and Stephanie Ewing (’12) since then. DEMO16 DEMO17 “In a way, he recycled his own comedy David back to him. I owe him so much. The guy has fathered me into this industry.” Dino’s Top 6 Tuber (BA ’05) Over the course of his 25-year career, have previous experience lighting creator texted in and shooting animated shows, 2008 and told him to start growing Dino Stamatopoulos (’87) has written Stamatopoulos trusted his work out his facial hair: He’d be playing and his sense of humor and knew the strange, top-hat wearing, for—and often acted in—a slew of Passarelli would fit in well with the drug-dealing community college cult comedies. Here are some of his team. So he made Passarelli his student, Star-Burns. Two years director of photography. later, the stop-motion Christmas favorite creations. episode of Community, animated by D avid Cross and Bob Odenkirk (’87) on Mr. Show / Photo: Mr. Show with Bob and David-HBO David Tuber (BA ’05) met Stamatopoulos and company, put Stamatopoulos while he was Starburns Industries on the map. “ Young People and Companions” “The Audition” “Spite Marriage” working as an intern on Robot (Mr. Show, 1997) (Mr. Show, 1998) (Mr. Show, 1998) Chicken. Tuber admired the voice So now, as the executive producer A parody of a bizarrely worded local In this sketch, actor David Cross David Cross and Bob Odenkirk actors from Moral Orel, who were of his own production company, newscast, this sketch riffs on the auditions for an acting job and play two tough-guy types who get some of his favorites from Mr. Show. Stamatopoulos spends his days in vague description of four missing decides to perform a monologue into a confrontation in a bar. As Tuber was also fascinated by Moral a castle full of toys and cameras, 20-year-olds as “two young people from “a play titled The Audition,” both refuse to leave the other Orel’s Claymation-esque animation creating cartoons, surrounded and their companions.” Anchor which sparks confusion for the alone until they admit fault, the style. He knew it was where he by friends. The job isn’t without Bob Odenkirk (’87) and reporter casting directors, Bob Odenkirk two end up getting married to wanted to be. challenges, but people close to David Cross conduct interviews and Stamatopoulos, who are not show their commitment to this Stamatopoulos say the man has a with parents, rescue workers, and sure if Cross is acting or actually standoff. The two spend the rest “We had the same humor, because gift for creating a fun, collaborative community residents—always speaking to them. of their lives being hostile and I had been admiring his comedy environment and using people’s referring to “two young people” and aggressive until Cross’ character growing up,” said Tuber, now a greatest talents to maximum “two companions.” dies of old age. director and storyboard artist on artistic effect. Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole. “In a way, he recycled his own comedy Stamatopoulos describes success back to him,” he said. “I owe him so like this: “It’s all about just being > much. The guy has fathered me into passionate about your work. ... Be David Tuber (BA ’05) works this industry.” ready to be poor, and happy, and for Starburns Industries, creative—just love what you’re es Stamatopoulos got his own break Stamatopoulos’ production v doing and meet like-minded people Ex We clusib from a friend when Community ■ company, as a director, ino you can work with.” D , uber storyboard artist, and writer. vid T For interviews withDa He worked for Shadowmachine Dino Stamatopoulos hosts a weekly podcast called Sorry About Everything on the Steve Stamatopoulos, Films, which produces Mary Jay Johnston, and Dahl podcast network at dahl.com. Among his Columbia interviewees are Andy Richter, Moral Orel Star-Burns on Community Mary Shelley’s Frankenhole Duke Johnson, and Scott Adsit. To listen to the shows, you must be a subscriber. Shelley’s Frankenhole and Moral Duke Johnson, go to: (2005-2008) (2009-2012) (2010-2012) Orel, along with Robot Chicken Demo Orel Puppington is the main On NBC’s primetime comedy Stamatopoulos’ second stop-motion m.edu/ and Maximum. Tuber is the colu character in Stamatopoulos’ stop- about community college, animation series stars Dr. Victor owner of the production company animation show. The 12-year-old Stamatopoulos had a recurring Frankenstein and his family. -Town Toons. protagonist is a devout Christian role as Star-Burns, a middle-aged plot revolves around Frankenstein’s Chris living in the hyper-religious father, admitted drug dealer, and knowledge of immortality and town of Moralton, where his “cool study group” member who wormholes—or “Frankenholes”—that commitment to the church sports star-shaped sideburns. connect the Frankenstein family to (BA ’91) is the director of Robot Chicken and Titan (BA '91) Chris McKay McKay often leads him into absurd and people of the past and future who Maximum, and he directed and produced Moral Orel. McKay also disastrous situations. hope to benefit from Frankenstein’s served as an editor for The Sarah Silverman Program and is working with services. production company Animal Logic, applying his stop-motion animation directing experience to a photo-real computer-generated movie to –Sean McEntee (’13) be released in 2014. McKay says his animation appreciation started back at Columbia, when he took an animation class with Terry Miller.

DEMO18 DEMO19

Photo: Vladimir Zaytsev (’12) Each year, Columbia College Chicago recognizes three alumni who have parlayed the institution’s creative foundation into innovative and successful careers. This year, the college salutes a diverse group of artists: cartoonist Art Baltazar 2012 Alumni (BA ’92), jewelry designer Lana Bramlette (BA ’97), and animator Marlon West (BA ’85). of the Year by Audrey Michelle Mast (BA ’00) photography by Shane Welch (BFA ’10) ART BALTAZAR (BA ’92) Baltazar’s art education began at Chicago’s Now, after 20 years in comics, Baltazar is Curie Metropolitan High School, a public magnet applying his pint-size, boisterous aesthetic to Growing up on Chicago’s southwest side, comic school where he took art classes every day for the mythos with Superman Family artist Art Baltazar would often “stay home and four years. After enrolling at Columbia and taking Adventures. just draw.” While other kids played outside, both art and fiction-writing classes, he learned he’d perfect his renderings of Tom & Jerry, the invaluable lessons on art and life. Professor His formula for success: “Write all the time, draw Flintstones, and Magilla Gorilla on little notebooks Michael Defrancesco taught Baltazar to “seek all the time, show up on time, keep making new made from the dot-matrix printer paper his father your own truth” and to never, ever scrimp on the stuff, and go to every party.” brought home from work. quality of his art materials. In his early teens, Baltazar answered a teacher’s After self-publishing his work for years, query of “What do you want to be when you grow Baltazar flew to San Diego Comic-Con in 2003 up?” with “a cartoonist.” The teacher responded to convince the editor of Disney Adventures incredulously—“No, really, what do you want to do magazine that he was “the best cartoonist in for a career?”—and the young artist calmly, firmly ni Weekend ,” doggedly sending him samples of his Alum insisted that he would, in fact, be a cartoonist. work every week until he received a response. Art Baltazar will be Baltazar was eventually hired to draw a comic If only that teacher could fast-forward 30 years. part of the Super-Rad, Kick-Butt Today, Baltazar is the creative force behind dozens strip for Disney called Gorilla Gorilla. In 2007, Alumni Writing Panel at Alumni Weekend, of kid-centric comic-book titles, a two-time winner he received a call from DC Comics with an offer to create Tiny Titans, starring kiddie versions of September 27-30, 2012 of the Eisner award (the Oscar of the comic-book mniWeekend Alu DC’s popular superheroes. (A trade m.edu/ world), and the proud owner of a comic-book shop colu in the Chicago suburb of Skokie. paperback of the title landed him on bestseller list.)

Early inspirations: Art Baltazar cites Tom & On his professional breakthrough: Jerry, the Flintstones, and Magilla Gorilla. After self-publishing his work for years, Baltazar finally found a hit withPatrick the Wolf Boy On pursuing his dream: Baltazar says he was “borderline homeless” a few times after (chronicling the misadventures of a young college as he sought consistent work as a werewolf), but he wasn’t yet paying his bills. He cartoonist. “It’s like being a musician or an worked other jobs—substitute teaching, graphic Art Baltazar, Lana Bramlette, and Marlon West actor. It’s difficult, but if you keep going, it’s design—until eventually his wife urged him to worth it.” quit and focus solely on his passion. Baltazar’s big break came in 2003, when he flew to San Diego Comic-Con and convinced the editor of Disney Adventures magazine to hire him.

DEMO20 DEMO21 MARLON WEST (BA ’85) After graduating and completing a brief stint “I was an in the Chicago film industry, West left for Los As a child, Marlon West saw a picture of Angeles with about $1,200, a few friends’ offers legendary animator Willis O’Brien animating entrepreneur to “sleep on their floors,” and a 1989 edition “a triceratops and a tyrannosaurus fighting of the annual directory issue of Animation from day in the Lost World. ...To my second-grade mind, magazine. His first big gig was a California this was a man who had a gig where he could Raisins commercial in which he animated one.” bring his toys to work,” he says. “That’s what I the “pixie dust” swirling around a Claymation wanted to do.” figure of . Another memorable After West spent years of experimenting with project was the video for the ’ song Super 8mm movies at home (often starring his “Shadrach,” directed by the late . Origins: Born in Moscow, Russia, G.I. Joe figures), Columbia was a logical choice Each project led to another, and by 1993, West Lana Bramlette and her family for the St. Louis native. Gravitating toward had landed an effects animation position at moved to the US when she was animation classes early on, West discovered Disney Animation Studios. 6 years old, settling in the satisfaction in learning the tricks of the trade. Chicago area. West has been at Disney for 20 years now. His first project was to create effects forThe Lion On discovering Columbia: “I was 18 years old when someone first handed Bramlette had hoped to move me an Acme peg bar,” says West, referring to an King, and he has since worked on Pocahontas, to New York after high school to industry-standard piece of animation equipment Mulan, and The Princess and the Frog, among “I honestly surround herself with creativity, LANA BRAMLETTE (BA ’97) After attending high school in Lincolnshire, that ensures proper registration of each hand- many others. Over the course of his career but as an only child, she says, Bramlette headed to Columbia to pursue her drawn frame. “I was like, ‘That’s how people keep at Disney, West has made the transition from think my When jewelry designer Lana Bramlette was in “my parents were quite adamant vision. “I loved the idea that Columbia’s professors their drawings down.’ A three-hole notebook traditional, hand-drawn animated filmmaking to fourth grade, she applied to her “dream job” in about me not moving away.” At were in the industry while they taught,” says didn’t do it! computer-generated (CGI) animation. career fashion, mailing in a (pretend) resume as part an orientation for Columbia they Bramlette, an Arts, Entertainment, and Media of a class project—and she actually received Today, West is busy working on two new Disney started at discovered that the aspiring Management major. Thanks to faculty guidance, “I honestly think my career started at a response from the company. As a teenager features, including the upcoming movie Frozen. designer could have the creative she had three internships in school and a job Columbia,” West says. “The people who were seeking babysitting work, Bramlette says her “Sometimes I can’t believe I work here,” he says Columbia.” experience she desired—“and before graduation. teaching [me] were professionals working in father taught her to canvass the neighborhood with a laugh. “I thought I was pretty good at what probably even better”—in Chicago. Chicago. I got an internship and a job from my negotiating deals by “creating demand.” “I was Bramlette believes the structure of her studies teachers at Columbia.” I did when I got this job, but I had to get so much On paying dues: After college, an entrepreneur from day one,” she says with at Columbia provided a window into the rhythms better. ... To me that’s the best thing about this Bramlette says, “I busted my a laugh. of the fashion industry itself. “It’s really how it job: You can’t rest on your laurels. It’s cool to be butt for years doing everything is in the real world,” she says. “In the fashion in an atmosphere where only the best will do.” ■ Bramlette is nothing short of a visionary. from making coffee to taking department, you had a project that was due at Known to her clients as the “Queen of Hoops,” notes before I was ready to take the end of the semester. In fashion, you have she creates delicate, minimalist, and wholly the plunge to start my business. collections every four months.” In both cases, she contemporary jewelry for her line, Lana Jewelry, ...I knew I had to start from the says, “You have to deliver, and the only person you which she launched in 2002. Her fans include ground up.” will ultimately answer to is yourself.” Jennifer Lopez, Cameron Diaz, , and On the creative process: “It’s At age 12, Marlon West days featuring “bronchial tubes filling with Kate Hudson, and her designs are featured in The entrepreneur’s next step is to expand the Early inspirations: very organic,” she says. “It’s began making Super 8mm movies at home mucus and oxygen molecules in a forest of films, TV shows, and magazines such asLucky brand. “I am a designer first. Right now my path is usually an earring that begins and soon realized that handling a cast and nosehairs,” West forged ahead as a freelancer and Glamour. Bramlette, who founded the jewelry, but we are really building a ‘house,’” she the ‘tree’ of an entire collection. crew was a challenge: “I couldn’t exert enough until he got his first big gig animating a company with her husband, Rob Bramlette, runs says, referring to the term given to an established I sketch everything myself and control and production value, getting other California Raisins commercial. the business out of Chicago with her partner and company designing many fashion products, such work with sample makers.” Her 12-year-olds to show up and do what I wanted father, Naum Fertelmeister. “I love the city—it’s as the House of Gucci or Dior. On rising above a job title: collections are manufactured my home,” she says. “There’s no reason I can’t them to do, so I started making films about By 1993, West had landed a position at in Italy (“the quality there is do this here.” If anyone has the drive to build a fashion empire in G.I. Joe and other action figures,” he says. Disney Animation Studios as a trainee in unmatched”) and the US with Chicago, it’s Lana Bramlette. “I’m a go-getter. I can After graduation, West effects animation. Because he already had stones sourced from Thailand. On paying dues: sell ice to an eskimo,” she says. “That’s my game.” worked at Encyclopedia Brittannica making nearly a decade of professional experience, But Bramlette emphasizes that educational films. After going “about as far West admits he had to “swallow his pride” business acumen is the true key as he could go” in the Chicago film industry, and accept the title. “It was one of the wisest to success: “It’s understanding the he left for Los Angeles. “I started calling moves I ever made,” he says. “I didn’t have to business of business. It’s about studios: ‘Hi, I’m Marlon. I do animation,’” he stay a trainee for long.” making sure you’re producing says. Armed with a reel from his Brittannica a powerful, sellable, wearable product, every single season.”

DEMO22 DEMO23 For his first book of noncommercial work,Created Equal (2010), Laita “In my mind, I was always a spent eight years traveling the country to capture the vast diversity of Americans. He says the project was driven by his “desire to remind portrait photographer. I just us that we were all equal, until our environment, circumstances, or fate molded and weathered us into whom we have become.” Pictured never promoted that work.” are “Polygamists/Pimp” (2004/2003) and “Baptist Churchgoer/ White Supremacist” (2004/2003). /

Mark Laita (BA ’83) shot portraits of homeless people on Those original missteps in academia helped convince his parents that He showcased that passion in his first book, 2010’sCreated Equal, Madison Street, west of downtown Chicago—subjects he says he an art school like Columbia could be the perfect fit for a budding young for which he traveled the lower 48 states, discovering America’s true found inexpensively as he began learning how to photograph people photographer. Laita says Columbia’s darkroom classes and instruction on diversity. Laita and an assistant talked to cops, mailmen, restaurant in a dignified way, regardless of their zip code. black-and-white printing helped round him out as a photographer, but the workers—anyone who could lead them to various subjects. He work itself is a maturation process he’s still going through at age 52. photographed people inside garages, up against houses, practically Mark Laita Growing up in Elmhurst, Laita conceded to his parents’ idea that col- everywhere. The “Baptist Churchgoer,” complete under bonnet with (BA ’83) lege and career should be about things like engineering, science, and In a career now spanning almost 30 years, the California-based Laita made Bible in hand, alongside the photo of the face-tattooed and handcuffed law. “I went to Northern Illinois for a year and studied biology and then a name for himself in the commercial world, shooting product stills for high- “White Supremacist,” are just two of many seemingly polar opposite went to University of Illinois and studied engineering,” says Laita, who profile clients such as Apple, Adidas, and Clinique. When given the chance, examples Laita found living in one nation. first picked up a camera with serious intentions around 14 years old. however, he returned to people. “In my mind, I was always a portrait Continued “I just didn’t fit in.” photographer,” he says. “I just never promoted that work.”

DEMO24 DEMO25 For 10 years, Apple used Laita’s photography in campaigns to introduce the iMac, iPod, and other electronics.

Nature’s colors, shapes, and movements have also inspired Laita’s fine art. Some of his flower photographs were made into US postage stamps. His book, Sea (Abrams, 2011), is a high-definition color exploration of marine life. His third book in three years, Serpentine, due out next spring, tested both his photographic eye and nerve for snake handling.

“It’s finding the balance with something you love to do with doing things that help you make a living.”

Though the fine art is freeing, it’s not designed to be a moneymaker, says Laita, whose work has appeared in US and European galleries. “When you’re working for a client, there are certain things required that you can’t budge on. There’s lots of compromising in advertising, but that’s part of business. With fine art, there’s almost no collaboration.”

It comes down to feeding yourself and feeding your soul. Whenever asked to speak with aspiring photographers, Laita suggests as much: “It’s find- ing the balance with something you love to do with doing things that help you make a living.”

And as Laita knows, whenever the two coincide, they can make for beautiful pictures.

—William Meiners (MFA ’96)

Above: Laita’s second book, Sea (2011), is When Laita’s mother was a collection of images of marine animals, diagnosed with breast cancer in including “Miniatus Grouper,” 2006. Right: His 2004, he photographed a series of upcoming third book, Serpentine, showcases flowers, which he printed and sent snakes, such as “King Cobra 2,” 2001. to her every few days throughout her chemotherapy and radiation treatments. Some of the images, including “Tulip” and “Magnolia,” were selected to adorn US postage stamps in 2007. DEMO26 DEMO27 sson ar L ndreas ndreas A

Chairman’s Circle hoto: P The Chairman’s Circle recognizes annual donors of $5,000 or more to any area of the college. Chairman’s Circle-level donors are integral partners in providing the necessary resources for student success. From January 1, 2012, to June 1, 2012:

Annual Giving Joshua and Ikram Goldman Desirée Rogers Robert M. & Diane S. Levy Brenda Shapiro David H. Mardigian

G . iv te e. ea Inspire. Cr President’s Club Individuals who donate $1,000 or more annually to any area of the college are recognized as President’s Club-level donors. Columbia College Chicago recognizes the following individuals who joined the President’s Club between January 1, 2012, and June 1, 2012. E very great dance Trish Rooney Alden Jaqueline Hines needs a choreographer. Orion Barnes Brooke Jackson Edmond Janice Barnes-Davis John T. & Frances J. Judd Every great song needs a Dennis A. Brozynski Walter H. Kirchner Nancy Brzezinski Julie A. Latsko musician. Every great artist Cathryn Bulicek William R. Loesch Gwendolyn L. Butler Vicki R. Palmer needs a muse. Tiffany K. Carter Maurice F. Rabb Nora Daley James N. & Sandra Reynolds Elaine B. Dockens Robert A. Ruby Allison Grant Williams Smita N. Shah The Columbia College Paul L. Gray (BA ’83) Dr. Cheryl R. Whitaker & Dedrea A. Gray Dr. Sylvia W. Wright Chicago family thanks you Akima R. Harrigan King Bruce and Michele Zanca & Caryn Harris for being an inspiration to our students. Manifest Club The Manifest Club recognizes alumni donors who make a minimum pledge of $10 per month or $120 per year to any area of the college. Columbia College Chicago recognizes the following individuals who joined the Manifest Club between January 1, 2012, and June 1, 2012.

Dennis J. (BA ’70) & Corinna S. Peter S. Cook (’09) G ive. Art Matters. Czechanski Gary A. Moffat (BA ’75) R. Herwig (BA ’94) Danielle E. Collura Austry (BA ’97) TO LEARN MORE: CONTACT BRENT CABURNAY, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL Lydija R. Kazlas (BA ’77) & Michael Austry PROGRAMS AND ANNUAL GIVING, AT 312.369.8188 OR Therese A. Slusher (BA ’91) Gregory G. Helmstetter (BA ’99) VISIT COLUM.EDU/GIVING. Jane S. La Rue (BA ’81) James C. Levins (BA ’99) Lawrence E. Schneider (BA ’93) Andrew R. Rush (MA ’08)

DEMO28 DEMO29 “ After a while, if you have your own ideas and your own thoughts, you need to go on your own.”

Len Ellis (BA ’52)

Fans of pioneering country DJ “Uncle Len” Ellis might be surprised In 1958, Ellis helped start the Country Music Association to to learn that he originally wanted to become a lawyer. After promote the genre’s growth. By the early 1960s, he decided that spending three years in the army in post-World War II , Ellis the best way to be his own boss—and to ensure that country music returned to Chicago in 1949, enrolling at John Marshall Law would stay on the air—was to start his own company, Porter County School via the GI Bill. Broadcasting, and build a radio station. In 1964, he and Bee established WAKE-AM in Valparaiso, Indiana. “After a while, if you “I was there for half an hour,” Ellis says, long enough to realize he have your own ideas and your own thoughts, you need to go on wasn’t cut out to practice law. While in Japan, Ellis had coordinated your own,” Ellis says. And he was happy to keep his operations in entertainment for fellow troops, and that experience spurred him Indiana: “It cost too much to park in Chicago,” he jokes. toward a career in show business. He found Columbia College Chicago in the phone book and, intrigued by the radio program, In addition to being member number one of the Country Music immediately enrolled. Association, Ellis was named Mr. Dee Jay USA in 1963 and the Country Music Association’s Small Market Disc Jockey of the Year One of his instructors was Clyde Caswell, a veteran program in 1978. He was elected to the Country Broadcasters Association manager and on-air announcer, who referred Ellis to his first radio DJ Hall of Fame in 1983. job as an announcer in Alma, Michigan—which paid a hefty $50 per week. But when Ellis and his wife, Bee, went on a cross-country Ellis’ Porter County Broadcasting, now called Radio One honeymoon road trip in 1950, he learned that local radio station Communications, holds four stations in Northwest Indiana: 1500 WVMI in Biloxi, Mississippi, needed an announcer. Ellis auditioned WAKE-AM (), 103.9 WXRD-FM (classic rock), 107.1 WZVN- and got the job. The owner charged the 21-year-old with overseeing FM (modern adult contemporary), and 105.5 WLJE-FM (country). a format change from big band and jazz to country, which was just WLJE is the highest-rated and longest-running country station in evolving from backwoods music into a commercially viable genre. Chicago, and the other stations boast high ratings and a long string of awards from the Indiana Broadcasters Association. Ellis is the Ellis returned to Chicago, resuming Columbia classes while longest-running country broadcaster in the Chicago media market. adopting the DJ name “Uncle Len” and DJing part-time at the country station in Hammond, Indiana, WJOB. After earning his Says Ellis: “People say to me, ‘You’ve been to school, you grew up degree in 1952, Ellis stayed in Hammond. He became known for in a big city—how come you love country?’ I tell them L-O-V-E.” It’s his devotion to country music, carefully preparing for each artist safe to say the country and broadcasting worlds love “Uncle Len” interview, promoting live shows, and broadcasting significant right back. moments in the genre’s history. When Hank Williams died, Ellis says, “We cried on the air. We were part of things happening.” —Ann C. Logue

Photo: ANJoshndrewolan H Wellsawkins Nelles ( BA(BA ’02) ’08) DEMO30 DEMO31 “ I was fairly focused on radio, but then I branched out into television and news.”

Bob Sirott (BA ’71)

Bob Sirott caught the radio bug as a teenager in the 1960s, Throughout his career, Sirott brought his radio background into listening to rock and roll on Chicago’s WLS and WCFL. An television studios. “Radio is great training,” he says. “You’re Albany Park boy and Roosevelt High School grad, Sirott seemed speaking very naturally, talking to thousands of people one at a particularly suited for a Columbia College education, an edification time, and being very personal, honest, and real.” that’s never far from the Fox Chicago News at 9 anchor’s mind. Starting in the mid-1980s, Sirott was part of West 57th, the CBS As a senior in high school, Sirott landed a job as a page at NBC, newsmagazine series he likens to a younger version of 60 Minutes. then in the Merchandise Mart. After he enrolled at Columbia, He won a national Emmy for feature reporting on the big-budget a combination of day and evening classes allowed him to keep show that brought him face to face with some of his favorite working, rising in the ranks from a “glorified gopher” to the public interview subjects, such as Paul Harvey and Peter Falk. Hunter S. affairs and production director for WMAQ radio by the time he was Thompson, the famed gonzo journalist, made Sirott shoot guns 19 years old. with him before he would consent to a sit-down in Colorado. Sirott still has one of the shell casings. In the turbulent late 1960s, Sirott says Columbia College may have been the one campus in America where the faculty was more Between 2002 and 2005, Sirott hosted two PBS shows, Chicago radical than the students. “I think about Harry Golden Jr. all the Tonight and the Friday Night Show, the latter a one-guest show that time,” Sirott says of the Sun-Times reporter who taught a class on afforded him long conversations with newsmakers such as Barack big-city politics. “He told very colorful stories about how he got Obama, Bob Costas, and . These days, the anchor’s stories at City Hall or uncovered facts that no one would give him— “One More Thing” segment onFox Chicago News gives him two sometimes by going through garbage cans.” minutes at the end of the program to share an essay with Chicago.

Sirott also recalls learning from other working professionals at Sirott maintains close ties to his alma mater. He organized, Columbia, including broadcaster Al Parker, poet Paul Carroll, and produced, and emceed a conversation between radio Hall of Robin Lester, who taught a course in international relations. “I was Famers Dick Biondi and Herb Kent at a Columbia packed-house fairly focused on radio, but then I branched out into television and event in 2010 and spoke to alumni about the broadcasting news,” says Sirott, a communications major who began his on-air industry in November 2011. His wife, broadcast journalist career at WBBM-FM in 1971. “I ended up getting a great liberal Marianne Murciano (who co-hosts WGN’s Sunday Night Radio arts base education from Columbia and those people. At the time Special with Sirott), has taken fiction writing classes at Columbia. I didn’t realize how handy it would come in, but it did. And I’m still And her son, Michael Zarowny, is majoring in film and video at the beneficiary of all that.” the college.

—William Meiners (MFA ’96)

Photo: Drew Reynolds (BA ’97) DEMO32 DEMO33 “ My intention is to keep the tour healthy on the inside and outside.”

Tricia Huffman (BA ’03)

When Tricia Huffman was a sophomore at Columbia College answer was to carve out a new path focused on well-being. She Chicago, she took a course called Philosophy of Love. “It turned already knew how unhealthy and stressed out artists could be on a switch inside me,” she says. “I already loved myself, but I had on the road. Because she’d become so good at caring for herself kind of an attitude about it.” during long, grueling tours, she decided to try taking care of other people in the same situation, to become their personal joyologist. Though the Cincinnati-raised Huffman was pursuing her dream job of sound engineering, the philosophy course, she says, planted the Huffman’s industry contacts helped her get in touch with stars seeds for her current work and broadened her understanding of such as pop singer Jason Mraz, now her primary client. Huffman humanity and humility. also has worked with other musicians including Colbie Caillat as well as TV performers and holistic veterinarians. Today, Huffman calls herself a “joyologist”—a title that started as a joke from a co-worker and stuck—but she might as well still be “My intention is to keep the tour healthy on the inside and living out a philosophy of love. She’s created a full-time career for outside,” Huffman says. “I energize the tour by vibing out the herself as a traveling life coach, touring with pop stars and helping dressing rooms, posting positive affirmations and quotes, leading to keep the singers (and sometimes their crews) healthy and yoga sessions, preparing energizing and healthy meals, and most grounded. importantly, being the loving, grounding energy on the tour that is always available for listening.” Huffman knows what she’s doing: She was diagnosed with fibromyalgia before she entered Columbia in 1999, and after a Despite having created a high-pressure career that takes her around cocktail of muscle relaxers and painkillers didn’t help, she decided the world, Huffman doesn’t take herself too seriously, and she to take charge of her health and began experimenting with considers it part of her job to remind her clients of the same thing. exercise and food to keep her pain in check. It worked. “I’m there to boost them up, but a huge part of my job is to call them out if they’re in a bad mood or being a jerk for no reason.” Huffman’s degree in audio arts and acoustics helped prepare her for the music business, and a gig with Sound Image of San She says having a positive mental outlook is key to everything in Diego—which she started while still a Columbia student, flying back life and that she’s living proof. “You are in charge of creating your to Chicago for her finals—introduced her to the rigors of being a own experiences. There’s no such thing as failure,” Huffman says. touring sound engineer for musicians such as Natalie Cole, Dolly “A job might not be a perfect fit, but aren’t you glad you found Parton, and Tom Cochrane. that out?”

Five years into her post-, Huffman felt she had fulfilled — Laura M. Browning her first career goal, so when she asked herself, “What next?” the

Photo: Brett Marynn Wulfson DEMO34 DEMO35 “Columbia gave me a well-rounded idea of the creative process, to really appreciate what goes into every aspect of creative thinking.”

Edye Deloch-Hughes (BA ’80)

Edye Deloch-Hughes graduated from Columbia College Chicago Hughes says other games are faith based and inspirational, and in 1980 with a marketing and communications degree with a are designed to be played by anyone, from children to adults. focus on advertising and writing. After more than 25 years in the advertising industry—as creative director, project manager, In addition to developing games, Deloch-Hughes and her copywriter, and producer for big-name clients including Wal-Mart, husband also present animation workshops to local schools and McDonald’s, Toyota, and Verizon—she now uses that experience to community centers in Oak Park and Chicago, and intend to branch tackle another passion: game design. out to teaching game design workshops as well. The sessions concentrate on building character and teamwork while exposing “It wasn’t hard to segue into games because I loved designing children to the field of animation. Deloch-Hughes also uses her them and I love playing them,” she says. expertise in advertising to teach children how to market their skills. Her mindset: “You play the games, why not make them?” In 2004, Deloch-Hughes and her husband, Darryl Hughes (BA ’80), founded Chicago-based Hughes Who, a game development Whether she’s in advertising or game design, Deloch-Hughes company specializing in the creation of slot machines. Calling says she always calls on her writing skills. She has published herself a “natural teacher at heart,” Deloch-Hughes channels her a children’s book, I Like Gym Shoe Soup, which her husband love for teaching through game design, which she started during illustrated. The poem tells the story of a goat named Jimmy and all her childhood. the bizarre things he likes to eat in his soup. Deloch-Hughes says the book’s message is that everyone has different interests and “When I was younger, I used to design board games just for fun,” that those differences should be embraced. she says. The first game she created was calledAm I Black Enough for You?, which explored black culture. Reflecting back on her Columbia days, Deloch-Hughes says that her education prepared her to do anything. Today, she designs games across a multitude of platforms, ranging from computerized and online games to hands-on, interactive “Columbia gave me a well-rounded idea of the creative process, to games. Hughes Who recently developed a children’s role-playing really appreciate what goes into every aspect of creative thinking,” game for the first phase of the DuSable Museum of African she says. American History’s “Discovering DuSable Digitally” project. Deloch- –Sean McEntee (’13)

Photo: Tim Klein DEMO36 DEMO37 neotesws&n C OLumbiaCOLLEGECHICAGOFall/Winter2012 What are you doing out there? We want to know! To submit your news, log in to the alumni community at colum.edu/alumni or email [email protected]. Class News information will be printed based on availability of space. Announcements that are incomplete or older than one year cannot be considered for publication. Deadline for the spring/summer issue is February 1. alumni / faculty news & notes Contact your local CAAN chapter leader: Chicago Serita Mendelson Stevens Duki Dror (BA ’91) screened Robert Miller (BA ’96) has Joan Hammel (BA ’86) classNEWS (BA ’81) recently put together Mendelsohn’s Incessant been appointed as the art [email protected] a script for domestic-violence Visions at Chicago’s Music department chair at Santia- thriller Unborn 15. Box Theatre in April. The go Canyon College in Orange, Atlanta documentary was part of the California. He is a professor 1970s Carmen Mormino (BA Dear Alumni, [email protected] Architecture and Design Film of studio art, art history, and A llen Edge (BA ’78), ’86) has been named, for Warren K. Chapman, PhD, joined Columbia College Chicago as senior vice Festival. digital media. Denver ordained minister, actor, a second year running, president on June 1. Pat Blum (BA ’84) director, producer, and stand- the number-one realtor for Ryan Greer (BA ’99) played Richard Oceguera (BA ’98) During his two-year term, the former vice chancellor of University of Illinois at [email protected] up comedian, conducted Rodeo Realty in Westlake New York City’s Metropolitan received the 2011 Business Chicago will ensure a smooth transition between the presidency of Warrick writing and stand-up comedy Village, California. Room in May with his trio, Leader of the Year Award for L. Carter, who will retire in August 2013, and a new president. workshops at the Karitos who are acclaimed for their his work in founding, and Patrick Duffy (BA ’02) Karl Ochsner (BA ’85) is Worship Arts Conference in reinvention of the Great successfully growing, the Na- Chapman, a Columbia College trustee since 2003, will also oversee the [email protected] maintaining his positions as West Chicago. American Songbook. tional & Cham- implementation of Blueprint | Prioritization, the college’s yearlong self- (BA ’10) seventh- and eighth-grade Julie Atty ber of Commerce, New York evaluation of programs and operations. The Office of Alumni Relations [email protected] Hank Grover (BA ’79) science teacher and associ- Scott Grenke’s (BA ’90) (NGLCCNY). Launched in Contact asked Chapman to share his insights about the prioritization process and recently coordinated Final ate professor while working feature filmSister Mary was Las Vegas 2008, NGLCCNY is the first- alumni involvement. Offer, a new TV series on the with NASA and ISTE to create released on DVD in January. the Office (BA ’00) ever chamber of commerce ’s (BA ’88) Sarah Schroeder Discovery Channel. educational artifacts for the He wrote, co-produced, shot, Thomas McNulty [email protected] serving New York City’s LGBT sixth book, Werewolves! A of Alumni MMS Satellite mission, which directed, and edited the film. business community. Study of Lycanthropes in Film, Alumni Relations: How will the prioritization process affect alumni? Los Angeles will measure and photograph His previous productions Relations 1980s Folklore, and Literature, was Sarah Schroeder (BA ’00) the reconnection plasma include Spaced Out (2009), Michael Orlove (MA ’98) S arah Schroeder Chapman: The process shows Columbia is concerned with improving the (BA ’88) published by BearManor [email protected] Michael Boudart lines of the magnetosphere. Carnivore (2000), and the joined the National Endow- quality of the institution. It’s a good school, and we want to bring students a Media. His western novel, (BA ’00) was named president of documentary Chasing Hol- ment for the Arts in May after better education, better experiences, better training. MINNEAPOLIS Priscilla Olson (’86) was Showdown at Snakebite Director of Lindemann Chimney Service lywood (2011). more than a decade at the Marie Chaiart (BA ’05) awarded the 2012 Best Creek, is scheduled for a Alumni Relations The next phase is to figure out how to implement all these recommendations. Company in Lake Bluff, helm of the Chicago Depart- [email protected] 2D Award in the 28th an- Eric Justen (BA ’98), sound paperback large-print release West Coast What the alumni will begin to see is some addition and subtraction of courses, Illinois. ment of Cultural Affairs. nual juried art exhibit of the engineer, was nominated in September. 323.469.0443 some combining of things, and the institution’s ability to be nimble. Many of the Kelsi Moffitt (BA ’03) (’86) directed David Cromer Midland Artists Guild for her for a CAS Award from the Jane Richlovsky (BA ’91) [email protected] programs should look to alumni to say, this is what we’re thinking about doing, [email protected] Our Town at the Broad Stage what do you think? entry, an oil painting titled Cinema Audio Society and was featured in a cover New York Metro in Santa Monica, California, Grandma’s Marbles. for a Motion Picture Sound story for the Seattle Times Michelle Passarelli blog in March, regarding Regarding career services, we should talk to the alums and ask, how can we Eric Wallace (BA ’09) January 3–February 12, as Editors Golden Reel Award Pacific Northwest Magazine, Debby Rabeor (BA ’85) Smoque, his “low and slow” (BA ’99) help you with your portfolio? There’s a lot of interaction that needs to happen. [email protected] well as Tribes, which ran for his work on the show reporting on her ’57 Biscayne was hired as a private BBQ restaurant in Chicago. Associate Director February 16–June 3 at New Breaking Bad. Artist Studio Project, which Alumni Relations: How can alumni get more involved with recruiting new James “Woody” Woodward (MA ’03) events manager by Berghoff Alumni Operations York’s Barrow Street Theatre. illuminates how a highway Sean Spencer (BA ’91) students to Columbia? [email protected] Catering & Restaurant Group Tyler Keillor (’94) was inter- 312.369.6987 He also directed Rent at the project displaced the tenants works as assistant chief in Chicago. viewed for the blog section of [email protected] Chapman: There are areas in the blogosphere we can use to help potential Phoenix American Theater Company of the West Coast’s oldest engineer at the Big Ten the Scientific American web- students contact alumni. How did a degree from this school help you do what Don Fox (BA ’85) in Chicago. Bob Reynolds (BA ’87) artists building, turning Network in Chicago. you’re doing now? Alums can tell us what we need to do to help our students site regarding his career as a Cynthia Vargas [email protected] Scott Friedman (BA ’86) was hired as director of op- residents into developers become better prepared for the world out there when they go out there and paleoartist at the University Caroline Stephenson (BA ’01) was promoted to vice erations at Colonial Square and entrepreneurs. find their place in it. Donna Jaglieski (BA ’90; MAT ’96) of Chicago. (BA ’93) produced Children Associate Director president of production and Realty in Naples, Florida. [email protected] Cynthia Sciacca Hooker (BA Go Where I Send You, a Alumni Events Kelly Koeppel’s (BA ’97) Alumni Relations: What do you suggest for alumni who would like to get alternative programming for (’88) landed ’99) was nominated for two 30-minute documentary Pittsburgh agency, k2forma, was chosen and Programs more involved? USA Network. a script on Franklin Leon- Broadway World Los Angeles that was screened at the Mike Moscato (BA ’94) by the Charlotte 2012 Con- 312.369.8640 ard’s Black List in 2011. Awards. Her show, I Love National Rosenwald Schools Chapman: I think you have to tell us as an institution how we can get you [email protected] Janusz Kaminski (BA ’87) vention Host Committee to [email protected] Lucy: Live on Stage, garnered Conference on June 14, in more involved in what’s going on out there. How do you want to become more was a 2011 Chicago Film help create Charlotte’s brand Portland, OREgon Hooker nominations in the Tuskeegee, Alabama. involved with us? We also need to establish a process of philanthropy with our Critics Association nominee 1990s identity and experience. alums giving back to the institution, even small amounts, in easy ways. Howard Shapiro (BA ’53) for Best Cinematography for local Best Featured Actress - Ted Ansani (BA ’90) Stephen B. Swayne (BA ’96) [email protected] War Horse. His work on this Michael Matthews (BA ’99) Musical category and in the released his solo debut, was named creative manager San Francisco movie also earned him an is the director of The Color Person-to-Watch category. The Throttles and Pistons. at Blick Art Materials in Gales- To stay more connected to Columbia and the alumni network, visit us at Beth Barnette (BA ’03) Academy Award nomination Purple: The Musical, which ran show was nominated for local burg, Illinois, in March. colum.edu/alumni or call the Office of Alumni Relations at 312.369.7934. [email protected] for Outstanding Cinematog- Lynda Bender (’91) was at the Celebration Theatre in Best Musical. raphy, Kaminski’s fifth Oscar appointed executive director Los Angeles from March 3 to Leonardo Vilar’s (BA ’97) Anna D. Shapiro (BA ’90) St. Louis May 26. Sondra Mayer (BA business C. Vilar Amplifi- nomination. His previous of the Maltz Museum of Jew- closed Steppenwolf The- Angela LaRocca (BA ’08) ’98) did the fight choreogra- cation was featured in a wins include Schindler’s List ish Heritage in Beachwood, atre’s 2011-2012 season by [email protected] phy for the production. ProSoundWeb.com article, and Saving Private Ryan. , in June. directing Anton Chekhov’s Matt Staed (BA ’06) which states that Vilar pro- William Leff (BA ’85) was Sean Chercover (BA ’91) Felicia Miller (BA ’93) Three Sisters. [email protected] vides quality production for hired as the full-time over- released his third novel, The graduated from National Barry Sorkin (BA ’96) was high-profile shows, tours, Louis University on June 23 night personality at WGN Trinity Game. interviewed by Atlantic Cities and festivals. Radio AM 720 in Chicago. with an MBA.

DEMO38 DEMO39 Lidia Varesco Racoma’s Jacque E. Day (’08) is man- ville Chamber of Commerce able to attend thanks to scholarships. She said (BA ’94) blog, Typography aging editor for the literature last June. She exhibited her Hettie Barnhill (BA ’06) the college led her down the right path and en- in the City, was mentioned journal New Madrid. sculptures during Anderson- hanced her connection to her passion: dance. on the HOW Blog website. ville Arts Week in October, At age 28, Broadway dancer Hettie Barnhill Johnny Derango (BA ’02) “You were able to bring your own energy to Typography features images and her paintings are exhib- is a sensation, both on and off the stage. A produced and shot the the class and discover it for yourself,” Barnhill of Racoma’s typographic ited in a storefront at the performer in the Tony Award-winning and feature filmLost on Purpose, said, referring to courses instructed by Erica discoveries around Chicago, Berwyn CTA stop. Grammy-nominated show FELA! and the Tony- starring Jane Kaczmarek Wilson-Perkins, a source of inspiration. She which she compiled in the nominated Leap of Faith, Barnhill was honored (), C. Jess Godwin (BA ’05) learned both structure and improv at the same hardcover book Typography in with the NAACP Leaders Under 40 In The Field Thomas Howell Southland( ), released her newest mix time, which later shaped her dancing. Diversity the City—Volume 1: West Loop. of Arts and Culture award in 2011. James Lafferty One( Tree Hill), video, Out with the Old, on continues to be a part of Barnhill’s style, as she and Octavia Spencer January 21 at Mayne Stage She also received the 2011 Rising Star award performs modern, tap, jazz, and ballet. (The Help). in Chicago’s Rogers Park. from the Young and Powerful for Obama Group Aside from Broadway performances and for exceeding career expectations at such a dences on streets named for Dina DiCostanzo (BA ’02) Dan Goers (BA ’06) won community work, Barnhill dances with The young age, as well as for her devotion to com- King raised questions about was one of several alumni the annual Just Movement Collective and Balance Dance munity outreach, including work with A Long “lingering poverty in minority cast in Hairspray at The Drury Poster Design Competition in Theatre, and has choreographed for MTV, BET, Walk Home, a nonprofit organization that uses neighborhoods,” according Lane Theater in Oak Brook February. International Wow Theater, and NBC. She is art therapy and performing arts to end violence to the Milford Daily News. Terrace, Illinois. Other alumni also set to release her debut album, Stories of Kathryn Heidemann (BA against women and girls. Barnhill was the only included Nelson Green Vy Dixon, in 2012. Danny Bernardo (’03) held ’00) was appointed the award winner representing the arts. (’12), (’08), staged readings of his new Alex McCrary director of the Master of – Kristen Kuchar (BA ’11) and (BA ’09). The St. Louis native attributes her success to play, Mahal, at Silk Road Ris- Travis Porchia Arts Management (MAM) hard work and to Columbia, which she was ing June 8-10 in Chicago. Mike Dornseif (BFA ’08) program at Carnegie Mellon Marjorie Boyles (MAT ’08) had his character “Barry the University. Heidemann has was one of 32 teachers se- Skateboard Extraordinaire” served in arts organizations E duardo Vilaro (MA ’99) Up focuses mainly on classic lected in March to participate featured on Creative Bloq such as Old Town School of S. ean J S. Jourdan (MFA ’09) Jessica Lu (BA ’08) stars in Matt McGrath (BA ’09) has brought Ballet Hispanico to punk from the ’70s to today. in the Robert Rauschenberg during June 25. Folk Music, Chicago Academy The Dance Center in late for the Arts, IMG Artists, The was interviewed by Hollywood- the MTV series Awkward and been traveling the world as Foundation’s Power of Art Sean Fahey (’06) and March. Among the pieces Pittsburgh Cultural Trust, Chicago.com in April about his has appeared in Law & Order: the video editor and broad- 2000s Program in Washington, DC. Kevin Schroeder (BA ’07) performed were Espiritu Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and latest project, Teddy Boy. His LA, CSI, and 90210. You cast technician for Azamara screened Bailout, their muck- Vivo—organized by guest Ben Alagna (BA ’08) was Dan Brunelle (’09) and Tom Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival. screenplay was a finalist for can also catch her in Ryan Club Cruises, a company of etrozzello

raking documentary about P choreographer Ronald K. awarded the Automotive Ad Gavin (’11) of the band Gem- the Woods Hole Film Festival, Murphy’s () upcoming Royal Caribbean. the financial crisis, at the Ryan Heindl (BA ’05) Brown—as well as Vilaro’s of the Year for his work on ini Club played Chicago’s the Beverly Hills Film Festival, pilot, The New Normal, which Music Box Theatre. received a Joseph Jefferson Navid McIlhargey (MFA own piece. Chevrolet’s “The Salute” at Lincoln Hall as part of their and Cinestory, and was a premieres this fall on NBC. the 2011 Nielsen Automo- nomination for Supporting ’00) was named president of Here We Sit EP release. Steven Feinartz (BA ’07) semi-finalist for the Big Bear hoto: James Jay Vinitsky (MA ’95) was Actor - Play for his role as Wyona Lynch-McWhite FilmEngine Entertainment in P tive Awards in New York City. and his documentary The Bit- Lake International Film Fes- the post-production supervi- Eric Burgher (BA ’06) Chadwick Meade in Griffin (MFA ’01) became executive May. McIlhargey was most ter Buddha were featured in a tival and Visionfest Feature sor for Rock of Ages. As a Rachael Albers (BA ’06) received a Joseph Jefferson Theatre’s production of director of the Fruitlands recently the senior vice February issue of the Buffalo Screenwriting competitions. post-production supervisor, lives in Chiapas, Mexico, nomination for Supporting Punk Rock. Museum in Harvard, president at New Regency Grove Patch. Kevin Moss (’06) was nomi- CRAVE’s Chicago guidebook. Vinitsky’s credits include Hor- where she founded Las Actor in the Play category for Kyle Kinane (BA ’02) tours Massachusetts, in July. and was the 2012 Semester Justin Howard (BA ’07) nated for a 2012 American rible Bosses, , Jades, a nonprofit collective his role as Mervyn in Profiles Lauren Foster (’06) and the country performing at in LA Speaker of the Year. Carlos Javier Ortiz (’02) hosted the 2012 U.S. Air Michael Mara (BA ’08) Society of Cinematographers and New Year’s Eve. that runs free workshops for Theatre’s production ofA Christine Tseng (’05) comedy clubs, including Chi- was a featured speaker at Guitar Regional Competition is a senior writer/branch Carlos Mendez (MAT ’05) Outstanding Achievement local youth, using theater as a Behanding in Spokane. formed gaming applica- cago’s Lincoln Hall on July 13. the National Press Associa- Tim Walsh (BA ’97) is an in Chicago on June 29 at manager for the A Better was named interim principal Award in Cinematography way to help students explore tion development company tion’s Northern Short Course executive story editor on Nathan Carroll (BA ’01) and Metro as the competition’s Michael Kolar (BA ’02) and Resume Service division of for Bessie Rhodes Magnet in the Television Movie and issues such as violence, CatFoster Media. Their first in Fairfax, Virginia, this past the CW show Cult. Walsh’s Tom McGunn (BA ’09) were 2011 champion. He also per- his Soundscape Studios Harvard Oaks Enterprises, School, District 65 (Evanston- Miniseries category for his , and literacy. game, Zombie Burst, was March. His photography writing partner is fellow featured in the Boho Theatre formed the halftime show. worked with AEMM students Inc. He specializes in career Skokie) in May. work on Chicago Overcoat. released for touch-screen has been published in Time, alumnus, Craig Gore (BA Maximino Arciniega (BA of Chicago’s summer 2012 to produce the Class President development services and devices in Apple’s App Store. Christine Johnson (’07) Marc Menet (BA ’03) had Aaron Munoz (BA ’01) guest Newsweek, The New York ’99), who is an adjunct fac- ’03) guest starred on Fox production of the musical album. A release party was resume preparation for was promoted to full-time his feature-length documen- starred in the midseason Times, , ulty member with Columbia’s TV’s The Fringe on April 6. Collins. Harmony (’06) was held at the Quincy Wong clients ranging from entry to dance professor at Beloit tary, Defending a Monster, premiere of AMC’s The and EBONY magazine. Semester in LA program. one of several alumni cast Center on April 27. executive level. Ashley Badgley (BA ’09) Lisa Chavarria (BA ’05) College in May. featured in Ruth Rathny’s Walking Dead on February in New Colony and Baili- Vanessa Panerosa (’06) Jon Wellner (BA ’97) received her MA in women’s joined WFLD-TV 32 Chicago’s Michael P. Kramer (BM ’06) Drew Matott (MFA ’08) Reel Chicago this past Febru- 12. He also appeared with wick theaters’ Rise of the Rashid Johnson (BA ’00) is was cast as an understudy became a series regular on studies from George News as a general assign- earned a 2012 BMI Film/ continues to run Combat ary. The project is based Sam Munoz (BA ’99) in Two Numberless, which played one of six international final- for the role of Serena in the CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Washington University in ment reporter. TV Award on May 16 for his Paper Project, co-founded on the book John Wayne Households, a distillation of at the Collaboraction Studio ists for a 2012 Hugo Boss musical Legally Blonde, which in June. His character, Henry Washington, DC. composition work on Ninjago: with veteran Drew Cameron Gacy: Defending a Monster Shakespeare’s Romeo and Andrew Cottingham (BA 300. Other alumni included Award for significant achieve- ran from January 18 to April Andrews, joined the series in Masters of Spinjitzu. in 2007. The project offers by Gacy’s defense attorney, Juliet, at New York’s Fringe Kevin Bellie (’00) earned ’08) was featured in the May Michael Harnichar (BA ment in contemporary art. In 1 at the in veterans the opportunity to Sam Amirante. Festival in August. season five. a 2012 Joseph Jefferson 20 Aberdeen (South Dakota) Angela LaRocca (BA ’08) Lincolnshire. She has also ’11), Eric Martin (’06), and April, he also made the cover express and share their war (BA ’92) Award for his choreography News for his behind-the- lives in her hometown of St. Megan Mercier (BA ’08) Caroline Neff (BA ’07) was appeared in the casts of The Andrew Young Michael Peters (BA ’05). of Modern Painters Magazine, experiences through various opened his own photography of Urinetown: the Musical, scenes work in The Avengers. coinciding with the opening Louis, where she recently per- performed with the Neo- nominated for a Joseph Jef- Original Grease at the Ameri- Lindsey Gavel’s (BFA ’09) artistic mediums. studio, Andrew Young Pho- performed at Oak Park’s Cottingham is a coordinator of his first major solo exhibi- formed her one-woman show, Futurists in Too Much Light ferson Award for Supporting can Theater Company and performance in a production tography, in Saint Charles, Circle Theatre. with The Third Floor, Inc. tion at Chicago’s Museum of Undercover Undergrad, in the Brian McCurley (BA ’08) Makes The Baby Go Blind. Actress - Play for her role of Seven Brides for Seven Broth- of Romeo and Juliet at The Illinois. Contemporary Art. St. Louis Fringe Festival. will serve as associate Helen in Under the Blue Sky ers at Drury Lane Oakbrook Susan Berger’s (’09) photo Glennon Curran (BA ’08) Hypocrites in Chicago was Kelly Michale (BA ’03) is the producer for Wunderkind, an at Steep Theatre Company. Terrace. Christopher Zozaski (BA exhibition Martin Luther King returned to Columbia to Nicole Leinbach Reyhle (BA resident stage manager for praised in the Jesse Jordan (BA ’03, MFA action-thriller optioned by ’99) is the host of an online Boulevard was displayed at teach Law and Society. He ’00) launched Retail Minded, the Performing Arts Series at Karlene Olesuk (MA ’02) Oscar Pedroza (BFA ’05) has by theatre critic Chris Jones. ’08) had his first novel, and radio show that streams live the Griffin Museum of Pho- earned his BA in audio arts Gospel Hollow, published by a nationally distributed the Lewis and Shirley was featured, along with 150 “set out to change the look Kathryn Gemperle (MA J.J. Abrams. from Austin, Texas, every tography in Winchester, Mas- and acoustics and has a juris Casperian Books. quarterly trade magazine for White Theatre in Overland other female entrepreneurs, of quinceañera photography ’02) was named Volunteer Friday night. The Last Round sachusetts. Her photographs doctorate. fashion boutique stores. Park, Kansas. in the 2009 First Edition of in Kansas City, one keepsake of businesses and resi- of the Year by the Anderson-

DEMO40 DEMO41 portrait at a time,” according Jessica Spring (MFA ’02) Krista Wortendyke (MFA C ody Estle (BA ’11) directed dation’s 2012 Visual Arts According to Time Out Chi- to the Kansas City Star. Oscar received the Greater Taco- ’07) was acknowledged in the premiere of Chicago Competition. cago’s Emily Gordon, Stegall Pedroza studios was named ma Community Foundation’s Austin Talks for her Trans- playwright Jon Steinhagen’s “has an incandescent stage Julie Renee Jones (MFA Small Business of the Year fourth annual Foundation of forming Education through Dating Walter Dante at Raven presence and is so grounded ’12) contributed to the 2011 by the Hispanic Cham- Art Award. the Arts and Media (TEAM) Theatre’s West Stage. he seems to be holding down Voyeurism and Intimacy ex- ber of Commerce of Greater work with students at Hora- the stage with his feet.” Bartek Swiatek (BA ’03), Jeremih Felton (’10) is a hibit that ran at Rayko Photo Kansas City. tio May Academy. a professional production recording artist and producer Center in San Francisco from Pat Whalen (BA ’10) was Maya Peterson (BA ’01) sound mixer, was given a Zak Zeman (BA ’08) is signed to Def Jam Recordings. March 15 to April 6. named Jackalope Theatre started a jewelry-making Cinema Audio Society Award executive producer of the Company’s first ensemble Jamie Gallant (BA ’10) Ally Karrasch (BA ’10) business that has been seen nomination for Outstand- horror filmV/H/S , which member in January. He co- partnered with 51˚ South was hired as a promotions in JET magazine and on BET. ing Achievement in Sound premiered at the 2012 starred in their production of this summer to visit the Falk- coordinator at K-Hits WJMK Mixing for his work on the TV Sundance Film Festival. Lucas Neff’sThe Last Duck. Rob Polonsky (’06) land Islands and produce 104.3-FM. series The Walking Dead. launched a YouTube show, a documentary about the Brent Yontz (BA ’10) was Lauren Krum (’10) and her Call It a Show!, in late April. (MFA ’05) thousands of people who call a 33rd Annual Telly Awards Jen Thomas 2010s band The Grisly Hand ap- C arlo Treviso’s (BA ’06) short sci-fi film,Vessel , was selected The show is backed by AWTV opened Werkspace, a gallery the islands home. bronze winner in the Best N atalie Ancira (BA ’12) peared in the Kansas City Star as an Official Webby Award Honoree in the Online Film & Video and Fremantle Media, the and community arts work- Cinematography category Brad Chmielewski (BA ’05) was one of several alumni Zachary Green’s (BA ’11) magazine article “Between categories Best Writing and Best Drama at the 16th Annual production company behind shop space in Chicago’s for his Columbia College involved with the alumni- “I Will Send You This” was Rock and a Good Place.” . American Idol and America’s Ukrainian Village, offering Chicago cinematography and Ken Hunnemeder (BA ’05) driven Street Tempo Theater chosen for Plain China’s Best Got Talent. community arts programs Demi Lobo (BA ’12) of WGCI- Melisa Young (BA ’04), who performs as Kid Sister, released thesis, Nanuq. production of Little Shop of Undergraduate Writing 2011. When television major Brad Chmielewski (BA with a focus on book art FM Chicago had her song her EP Kiss & Tell on Fools Gold Records. Daniel Portincaso (BA ’02) Horrors. It opened in April. ’05) and audio arts & acoustics major Ken Hunnemeder and printmaking. John Gregory (’11) was “House Party” featured on earned tenure at Waubon- Other alumni included (BA ’05) met through a mutual friend at Columbia, it hired as sports anchor for the MTV show Made. ME ARRIAG S see Community College in (’07) was inter- Patrick Cannon (BA ’12), was more than the start to a beautiful friendship. It was Neal Tosi the Illinois Radio Network, af- Megan McEntee (BA ’11) about four young African- S teven Black (BA ’10) and Sugar Grove, Illinois, this viewed by Burg Weekly about Allyson Graves (BFA ’12), Jennifer Mauer (BFA ’11) the beginning of a fruitful joint venture celebrating their ter spending a year at Merlin served as an assistant edi- American bucket drummers Amanda Arnold were married past March. his 7 Hills Improv troupe. Evan Lasko (BA ’10), Krys- placed in the top 25 in shared obsession of craft beer. Media’s WIQI 101.1-FM. tor on the History Channel from Chicago’s South Side on May 19, 2012, at Im- tal Metcalfe (BA ’08), and the photography contest Michael Przygoda (BFA ’03) Jake VanKersen (BA ’08) series Great Lake Warriors, who embarked on a rite of maculate Conception Church In August 2008, the friends launched video podcast Hop Dani Parpan (BA ’10). Ed Hamel (BM ’11) opened for Tomorrowland 2012, a earned a 2012 Joseph Jef- produces and stars in the produced by Towers Produc- passage to Senegal, West Afri- in Morris, Illinois. Cast, in which they sample and review craft beer. Since for Alejandro Escovedo at music festival. ferson Award for his artistic online show Hank Frisco: Samantha Bailey (BA ’11) tions in Chicago. ca. Mallory Sohmer (BA ’06) then, the pair has completed more than 180 Hop Cast City Winery in New York on Andrew Carranza (’97) and specialization work on Moby Galaxy Defender, which mar- was featured in Pavement Alex Newkirk (BFA ’11) served as video producer. episodes and garnered more than 100,000 combined January 20. His work was Mary Jo Ola (BA ’12) joined Jennifer Lenhart were mar- Dick at The Building Stage. ries and Batman for Group Theatre’s production teaches high school students views through YouTube and Vimeo. selected to be played at the WTVO-Rockford, Illinois, Lindsey Romain (BA ’11) ried April 7 on the Brooklyn comedic effect. Catch the of Girl You Know It’s True. The about the process of audi- Katherine Ripley Frisoli Gaudeamus Muziekweek in news team as a reporter. moved from intern to full- Bridge. Carranza is an editor Produced by and starring Hunnemeder and Chmielewski next installment at play opened in April at the tioning and maintaining their (BA ’04) was a researcher on Amsterdam in September. time staff writer and editor at at the office of and edited by Maeve Price (BA ’02)—the mutual friend who hankfrisco.com. in Chicago. voices, bodies, and minds. Tiffany Pfingsten (BA ’11) the short filmThe Road We’ve Chicago’s Content That Works. Fotokem, a film and video introduced them and now Chmielewski’s fiancée—Hop Chris Hermer (BA ’11) in- Newkirk also served as as- was hired to portray Cin- Traveled, directed by Oscar (BA ’06) is a Nicolette Caldwell (’10) post-production company in Cast showcases beers from different states and breweries, terns at Chicago post-produc- sistant music director for the derella at Disney World and Tim Smisek’s (BM ’10) winner Davis Guggenheim. staff writer on the Nickel- and her nonprofit, Sixty Burbank, California. and shares tidbits about the brewing process, ingredients, tion audio facility Optimus. musical Let My People Come, moved to Florida in January band, Glass Petals, recorded The film was released in odeon show How to Rock. Inches from Center, helped and packaging. The hosts have also broadcast on-location and performed in The March, to ascend to her throne. its second album in June. March and covers President launch Galerie F, Chicago’s Ethan Jones (MFA ’12) interviews with high-profile guests including celebrity chef AJ Ware (BA ’09) was a new musical adapted by Obama’s presidential term, first open-door gallery. earned second place in Rahel Rasu (BA ’10) provid- Michael Stegall (BA ’10) Rick Bayless, Publican executive chef Paul Kahan, and Josh named artistic director of Tony winner Frank Galati. produced by Obama for photography in the Union ed public relations for Drum was in Bang the Drum Slowly Deth, owner of Revolution Brewing. In addition, podcasts the alumni-driven Jackalope Taree Chadwick (BFA ’10) America 2012. League Civic and Arts Foun- Beat Journey, a documentary at Raven Theatre in Chicago. have covered gatherings including Beer Hoptacular and the Theatre Company in January. was stage manager for The Festival of Wood- and Barrel-Aged Beers. Jacob Saenz (BA ’05) had Gacy Play, a Sideshow The- Courtney Weber (BFA some of his poems incorpo- atre Company production “People started seeing us, and we started solidifying our ’06) had her work, Other rated into Air, which ran as held at Theatre Wit in June presence in the Chicago beer scene,” Hunnemeder said. Flowers, exhibited at ACRE part of Live Wire Theater’s and July. Chadwick is also FACULTY & STAFF NOTES Chicago on January 15-16. The skills sharpened while pursuing their hobby have Vision Fest 4 in June. managing director at the The exhibit was composed helped Hunnemeder and Chmielewski to tackle more Jackalope Theatre Company. The Renaissance Society Andrew Chudzinski (Film Diane Doyne (Institutional Laura Heller (Journalism) Azar Khosravani (Science + professional creative endeavors. Hunnemeder works as Geoffrey Jackson Scott of a series of manipulated Carolina Cruz (BA ’12) presented an expansive ca- + Video) produced and di- Marketing) accepted a three- wrote an article for Forbes Mathematics) presented her communications coordinator for Goose Island Brewing (BA ’02) was named director cross-stitch patterns, hand- joined La Raza Chicago as a reer survey of photographer rected the short video Doing year appointment to serve on called “JCPenney’s Ron John- paper Transformation Invari- Company’s marketing department. Chmielewski started of new play development at sewn with embroidery floss in and dyed using a variety of reporter in June. Dawoud Bey (Photography) Good in the World: Growing Lo- the Council for Advancement son Is The New Steve Jobs.” ance of Benford Variables and the company LooseKeys, which makes explainer videos from May 13 to June 24. cal Economies (Jhoole), which and Support of Education Their Numerical Modeling at Chicago. plants found near the ACRE The Modern Language As- promoting companies to potential investors. He said his Stephen Danos (MFA ’11) received silver and bronze (CASE) Commission on Com- the 14th International Con- residence in rural Wisconsin. Bob Blinn (College Advis- sociation (MLA) appointed Hop Cast video skills have come in handy: “Podcasting Jason Sear (BA ’06) was and Dolly Lemke (MFA ’10) awards in the nonprofit and munications and Marketing. ference on Automatic Control ing Center) and Mary Blinn Dean Deborah H. Holdstein seemed like an interesting thing to do as a side project, hired as program director at Mike Wheaton (BA ’07), curated The DollhouseR ead- cinematography categories Modeling and Simulation in (Music) published the book Patrick Friel (Film + Video) (School of Liberal Arts and knowing that brands and businesses are going to want KDLG AM/FM in Dillingham, program and music director ing Series on April 13. of the Telly awards. Saint Malo, France. to put out content as well,” Chmielewski said. “It’s nice to Putting Creativity To Work, was the festival director and Sciences) to its Publications Alaska. at WXZO, Planet 96.7 FM Mike Danovich (BA ’11) know what you’re talking about if you’re trying to get work in Burlington, Vermont, was combining their knowledge Dan Dinello (Film + Video) programmer for the 24th Committee for a three-year Steven Lattimore (Televi- Evan Sears (BA ’03) was was featured in Light from them.” interviewed in early February and experience as successful presented Dr. Frankenstein’s Onion City Experimental Film term. The committee is sion) was featured in the Chi- promoted to photo editor at Opera Works’ production of by AllAccess.com, one of the artists in the Chicago area. Footsteps: A Critical Look at and Video Festival, which responsible for, among other cago Sun-Times for his work “[Columbia] opened up my eyes to different forms of Cars.com in early March. Camelot at the Cahn Audito- Some Key Films at Dominican took place at the Gene Siskel tasks, reviewing and authoriz- as the executive producer of media,” Hunnemeder said. “The video format was radio and music industry’s rium in Evanston. In July, he Rose Camastro Pritchett (MFA University in River Forest, Film Center. ing the MLA Handbook. documentaries My Business something that was completely new to me. Even though Kerry Skarbakka most-viewed resources. was also featured in Music (AEMM) exhibited her work ’07) earned an Excellence using film clips to show how Is The Blues: The Jimmy Reed I didn’t study it, it’s what I picked up from hanging with (BA ’05), in the Air at George Williams at the Harrington Mill Studios Dave Gerding (Interactive Daniel Jordan and Chris- in Teaching Award from Lindsay Wilbeck the mad scientist of popular Story (2010) and The Jimmy friends that went to Columbia, especially Brad.” an account executive for College, alongside alumnus Exhibition Space. She also Arts + Media) and his team topher Shaw (Science + the Center for Nonprofit culture often serves as a Reed Experience (2011). Clear Channel Outdoor, won Alix Rosenberg (BA ’11). presented a performance of students had their games Mathematics) were named For more information on Hop Cast, go to hop-cast.com. Excellence in Santa Fe, New lightning rod for contempo- an award in the firstEYES ON art piece at the Museum of and technology featured on editors of Illinois Mathemat- Mexico, founded to support Spencer Edwards (BA rary anxieties about science. —Jon Graef (MA ’12) Sales Case Study Contest. Contemporary Art. ABC7 news in a segment ics Teacher, a peer-reviewed photographers. ’12) was hired as a writer/ titled “Games for Good.” journal published by the producer at Chicago’s WIQI Illinois Council of Teachers of 101.1-FM this spring. DEMO42 Mathematics. DEMO43 Elio Leturia (Journal- the Chicago Public Library’s premiere at Edinburgh Inter- ism) visited The American 21st Century Award, which national Film Festival in Scot- University in Cairo to give honors significant achieve- land and its North American a comparative analysis on ment by a Chicago-area writer. premiere at BAMcinemaFest the educational systems in in Brooklyn, New York. Audrey Niffenegger (Fiction Peru and the Writing) collaborated with art Rosita Sands (Music) for the graduate program of collector Richard Harris on a represented the Alan Lomax International and Compara- June 15 discussion regarding Archive and the Associa- tive Education. As president death in art and literature at tion of Cultural Equity at the of the Fulbright Association’s the Chicago Cultural Center. ceremony for the repatriation Chicago chapter, he also vis- of the Alan Lomax Caribbean ited the Binational Fulbright Pan Papacosta (Science + Collection at the National 2 3 Commission to talk about a Mathematics) had his essay 1 Academy for the Performing Book Donation Initiative to “We Are Cosmic Nomads” Arts in Port-of-Spain, Trinidad. Egyptian universities. published in the April edition of Physics World, the official JeffS pitz (Film + Video) (Film + Video) Carter Martin journal of the Institute of served as a judge for the wrote and directed the short Mort Castle and Sam Weller (Fiction Writing) edited the book Physics of Great Britain. His Northbrook Youth Film Festi- filmSpoiled , which was Shadow Show: All-New Stories in Celebration of Ray Bradbury, essay explores Heraclitus’ val at the Northbrook Public named 2012 Best Indepen- which has been praised as a “beach read” by the Chicago premise that everything in Library. dent Short in the Ages 8-12 Tribune. the universe is in a constant category by the 2012 KIDS Paul Teruel (Center for Com- state of flux. Joe Meno’s (Fiction Writing) latest novel, Office Girl, was munity Arts Partnerships) was FIRST! Film Festival. Martin published by Akashic Books. The release party was at Lincoln (Journalism) honored as a community part- worked on the short with Teresa Puente Square bookstore The Book Cellar. Film + Video faculty and staff had her story Race Out Loud: ner by nonprofit youth arts 4 members Julie Mynatt, Where Are You From? featured organization Pros Arts Studio and on WBEZ 91.5 FM. at its annual fundraiser.

Diego Trejo, John edia ez (’09) M er

Cavallino. April 28 at the Green and selected as part of New City’s P Chris Richert (Journal- A Fast Life: The Collected er

Growing Fair at the Garfield “Lit 50,” which honors Chi- iles (HHSS) ism), general manager of Poems of Tim Dlugos, edited eck

RoseAnna Mueller’s M B chapter “Maria Eugenia the Columbia Chronicle, was by David Trinidad (English), Park Conservatory. cago’s literary community. aniel

Alonso: The Modern Iphige- awarded the JoAnn Daughtee won the Lambda Literary Sam Weller (Fiction Writing) David Woolley (Theatre) D nia Sacrificed to Society” Distinguished Service Award Award for Gay Poetry. was interviewed for multiple was featured in a Chicago hotos (1–2): hoto:

March 30 by the Executive P P is included in the book The Koch Unni (Science + publications—including the Sun-Times article about his Committee of the College Woman in Latin American and Mathematics) hybridized a Chicago Sun-Times, Bookslut, traveling comedy sword-fight- Spanish Literature: Essays on Newspaper Business & new variety of green pepper, The Huffington Post, Fox News, ing act, “Dirk & Guido: The 5 6 7 8 Advertising Managers. Iconic Characters, published which was named after him and The AV Club—on the death Swordsmen,” for the 25th by McFarland. Mehrnaz Saeed-Vafa’s and internationally patented. of Ray Bradbury, for whom anniversary of the Bristol Nami Mun (Fiction Writing) (Film + Video) Jerry and The peppers, KOCHTERRII, Weller was the authorized Renaissance Faire. has been selected to receive Me made its international were sold for the first time biographer. He was also

After graduating with a music degree in 1973, Albert “Bill” Williams Williams worked on various shows in Chicago and New York City. He returned to Columbia as a faculty

(BA ’73) member in 1985 to design and teach Singing for the ean Christesen (’13) D Theatre faculty member Albert “Bill” Actor, a course that instructs actors on the basics hoto:

Williams has called Columbia home for most of his of music and singing. Today, he is a coordinator of P life, so much so that in 2010 he was one of the the Theatre Department’s musical theatre program first alumni to make a generous donation to the and teaches Musical Theatre History as well as Singing for the Actor. In May 2011, he organized the Alexandroff Legacy Society, Columbia’s planned FASHION COLUMBIA – JUNE 8 [ 3 ] Semester in LA [ 5 ] CAAN National Bowling [ 7 ] CAAN Connect – June 19 giving recognition society. Columbia-hosted Symposium. On June 8, more than 200 guests crowded Awards – March 1 Tournament – May 12 Claudia Rosario Olvera (’12) and Williams didn’t hesitate when the college Williams also has written theatre and music reviews the Columbia College Chicago Media The event honored successful During the Columbia Alumni Kevin Greene (BA ’11) network at approached him about making Columbia a for the Chicago Reader since 1985, spending more Production Center for a show featuring leaders in the entertainment Association & Network’s first the student–alumni event. beneficiary in his will. As a Columbia graduate and than 15 years as the theatre assignment editor and designs by 15 fashion studies students. The industry, including Navid nationwide bowling event, alumni [ 8 ] Chicago Pride instructor, he understands the importance of the chief senior critic. In addition, he and former Music event raised more than $130,000 for the McIlhargey (MFA ’00) and Student in cities across the US bowled college’s mission and wanted to help continue the Department chair Bill Russo wrote, among others, Eunice W. Johnson Scholarship in Fashion of the Year Whitney Fox (BA ’11). simultaneously. Pictured is the Parade – June 24 legacy. Williams decided to donate in part because the off-Broadway production Isabella’s Fortune. Studies. New York CAAN chapter. Student and alumni marchers [ 4 ] SAA Alumni strike a pose. of his close relationship with late president Mike Williams said he’s delighted to continue to grow with [ 1 ] Student designer Braylen Barr [ 6 ] Printer’s Row oll (’12) Alexandroff. the college: “I think it’s a really important institution.” Guest Speaker, Dino

B (’12, right) walks the runway. Lit Fest – June 9-10 “Columbia trains people who will author the culture [ 2 ] Models capture the audience’s eyes Stamatopoulos – March 8 —Lindsay Welbers (’08) The 28th annual event took place of their times,” he said. “Mike would very much want and imagination. Emmy Award-winning writer/pro- ducer/actor Dino Stamatopoulos on Dearborn Street. Columbia

hoto: to keep with the times and to continue to influence

P Jacob writing students read their work the culture of the time.” (’87) shares his industry experi- ence with members of the Student/ throughout the weekend. Alumni Alliance (SAA). DEMO44 DEMO45 1 2 U vpcOMIngE ents See more and get more information at colum.edu/events aldeshi B

a 5 aur L hoto: P

3 4 atthews (’12) atthews M

ade- MANIFEST

ris W MAY 4 K Every year, Columbia caps

belman (’13) From Embracing the FARB: Modes of Reenactment. Damaged Spring, Johanna Drucker, 2003. Stephen Petronio Company. A off the spring semester with J See Galleries. Photo: Julie Rudder, 2012 See Galleries. See Dance. Photo: Sarah Silver A Manifest, the urban arts festival hotos (2,4 & 5):

hoto: that takes over the South Loop P P for one day in May, showcasing students’ work and creativity. Galleries Embracing the FARB: Modes of The following exhibitions are held at Jany Tich 6 7 8 [ 1 ] Performers entertain at Reenactment the Center for Book and Paper Arts, October 12 – December 23 the Great . The following exhibitions are held November 15 – February 9 1104 S. Wabash Ave., 2nd floor, Jan Tichy uses video projection to [ 2 ] Student puppeteers head to the Great Convergence. at Averill and Bernard Leviton colum.edu/cbpa: create physical and psychic spaces [ 3 ] Alumni of the Year Art A+D Gallery, 619 S. Wabash Ave., The following exhibitions are held at exploring concealment, obscurity, Baltazar (BA ’92), Lana colum.edu/ADGallery: C33 Gallery, 33 E. Congress Pkwy., Books and Projects: 40 Years and the seen and unseen. Bramlette (BA ’97), Marlon colum.edu/DEPS: of Druckworks West (BA ’85) with Michelle Solidarity: a memory of art September 6 – December 7 Dance Passarelli (BA ’99), associate director, alumni operations and social change Works from the Permanent While widely known for her [ 4 ] Fest goers fly through the September 27 – November 3 Collection contributions to contemporary The following performances are Pedal-Powered Amusement September 4 – October 19 art theory and history, Johanna held at the Dance Center, 1306 S. Park. [ 5 ] Student performers The 91st Art Directors Club Drucker is also a prolific creative Michigan Ave. bring down the tent at the Great Annual Awards Exhibition Hokin Honors Exhibition artist with more than four dozen Tickets: $26-$30 at 312.369.8330 Convergence. November 15 – December 15 November 1 – January 11 artist’s books to her credit. or colum.edu/dancecenter: This traveling exhibition from the CommencemenT Art Directors Club in New York The following exhibitions are held at Spotlight Exhibition: Afterimage Kota Yamazaki/Fluid hug-hug MAY 5–6 honors the best professional work the Arcade, 618 S. Michigan Ave., September 6 – December 7 September 27 – 29 of the year. 2nd floor, 9 10 2012 commencement was colum.edu/DEPS held in the historic Chicago The following exhibitions are held Gallim Dance Theatre on State Street. TheA lmost Metal Collective Albert P. Weisman Award at the Museum of Contemporary October 11 – 13 [ 6 ] Marquee at the Chicago January 10 – February 16, 2013 Exhibition Photography, 600 S. Michigan Ave., Theatre [ 7 ] Students perform September 4 – October 19 mocp.org: Double Edge Theatre onstage during the ceremony. The following exhibitions are held January 18 – 19, 2013 [ 8 ] Gospel legend Mavis Staples receives an honorary at Glass Curtain Gallery, 1104 S. WORD Peripheral Views: Co-presented with the Columbia degree. [ 9 ] Graduates Wabash Ave., colum.edu/DEPS: November 1 – January 11 States of America College Chicago Theatre celebrate at the Chicago ThroughS eptember 30 Department Theatre. [ 10 ] Valedictorian Machinations: Kinetic This exhibition brings together Tayler Westlake [ 11 ] Game 11 Sculptures in the Age of artists grappling with the difficulty of Stephen Petronio Company designer Warren Spector receives an honorary degree. Open Source picturing the United States in March 7 – 9, 2013 September 6 – November 3 our time. Continued

DEMO47 Photos (6-11): Robert Kusel (BA ’78) By Heidi Marshall

Upcoming Events, Continued

B ed Street, 2005, from the series The Great ShopColumbia Unreal by Taiyo Onorato & Niko Krebs. From Photo: Nicole Yoder (’12) Peripheral Views: States of America. See Galleries. Photo courtesy of the artists. 1993 became the 42nd president of the From City on the Make. See Theatre. Photo: Jacob Boll (’12) United States Gasoline cost $1.07 Literary Film Chicago ShopColumbia Holiday Market per gallon December 5 – 15 December 7 – 8 Creative Nonfiction Week Cinema Slapdown ShopColumbia Chicago Bulls won the Dates TBA Film Row Cinema Victor Victoria 623 S. Wabash Ave. Various locations 1104 S. Wabash Ave., February 13 –23, 2013 colum.edu/shopcolumbia NBA championship for colum.edu/cnfw 8th floor ShopColumbia is Columbia’s the third time in a row Creative Nonfiction Week presents Cinema Slapdown events feature Rocky Road student and alumni art boutique. a range of voices—familiar and a film screening and provocative March 13 – 23, 2013 During the Holiday Market, new, renowned and emerging—all pro/con debate. Films will be artists will be on hand to talk helping to define and redefine the announced. Special Events about their work. genre of creative nonfiction. . Laurels Open Doors Gala 2012 Columbia at Park City, Utah Story Week Festival of Writers October 9 December 7 January 18 – 20 March 17 – 22, 2013 Media Production Center colum.edu/parkcity colum.edu/storyweek Morals 1600 S. State St. Columbia will return to Park City Columbia’s Fiction Writing November 8 colum.edu/gala during the Sundance Film Festival Department presents the 17th The Open Doors Gala will honor and will host an open house, a Annual Story Week. Story Week Theatre John H. Bryan with the Chicago Chicago lunch, brunch with a From the early 1900s to 1928, dormitory space was offered Heidi Marshall is Columbia’s college offers free events open to the Legacy Award in memory of John Sundance Institute guest speaker, only to female Columbia students when the college was small archivist. If you have photos or materials public, including readings, The following performances are H. Johnson. Contributions will help and more. enough to be housed within private estates. From 1928 to you think might be of interest for the archives, conversations with authors, panels, held at the Theatre Center, restore the iconic EBONY-JET sign let her know! [email protected] / The 731 South Plymouth 1993, there was no campus dormitory housing. performances, and book signings. 72 E. 11th St. on the Johnson Publishing Building, Court building, 312.369.8689. Visit the Columbia archives Tickets: $6-$16 at 312.369.6126 provide scholarships for Chicago The South Plymouth Court building had previously been home online at lib.colum.edu/archives. to the Lakeside Lofts, a 96-unit apartment complex, renovated or colum.edu/theater_center: Public School graduates to attend purchased in 1993, served Can you identify anyone in this image? in 1984. The building also once housed an RR Donnelley Columbia, and establish the new as Columbia’s first co-ed If so, please contact the College Archives City on the Make museum space located in John printing plant, publisher of the annual Lakeside Classics book & Digital Collections at Columbia College October 24 – November 3 Johnson’s historic office. modern residence hall. series focusing on American history. The college converted the Chicago at [email protected] with names or any lofts to dorm rooms in 1993 with housing for more than 300 information you may have. Thank you! TheR esistible Rise of Arturo UI students. This image is from the first move-in day during the November 7 – 17 1993 fall semester.

DEMO49 DEMO48 Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Woodstock, IL Permit No. 58

600 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVENUE, CHICAGO, IL 60605–1996

For Alumni & Friends of Columbia College Chicago

THE ALEXANDROFF LEGACY SOCIETY Creating a Legacy for Learning

The Alexandroff Legacy Society was established to honor Mirron “Mike” Alexandroff, president of Columbia College Chicago from 1962 to 1992, and recognize and acknowledge those donors who have designated a gift to Columbia through their estate plans, or in other ways. Mike Alexandroff helped transform a struggling, unaccredited college into the largest arts and communications college in the country. He believed that everyone was entitled to a chance to succeed. The Alexandroff Legacy Society provides a way for you to give

a gift to Columbia and continue aLegacy for Learning. rchives A

For more information about The Alexandroff Legacy Society, please contact Ruby C. Schucker, Director of Planned Giving, Columbia College Chicago, at 312.369.7399 or [email protected]. colum.edu/plannedgiving hoto cour P of Columbia College Chicago tesy