EMUCMTA
COMMUNICATION, MEDIA & THEATRE ARTS
2014-2015 Year in Review
The Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Department has a rich and robust history. This past year as old files were being purged or stored away, we came across photographs of various faculty members who were instrumental in establishing the solid foundation for this department. To honor their contributions and reflect upon the values and traditions that they left behind, we have inserted their photos throughout this edition of Year in Review. In addition to the look back, we take great pride in presenting the outstanding work that current faculty, students and staff have accomplished in 2014-15. This booklet is not large enough to share everything we do but it does try to capture many of the activities and achievements. We could not do all that we do without your continued support and for that, you have our deepest gratitude. As always, we take your investment seriously and be assured that it is directed to best benefit our students and programs. Please enjoy this year’s edition of CMTA’s Year in Review. Sincerely, Front cover features (top to bottom) Katie Strand-Evans, James Gousseff and Sally McCracken.
Kathleen H. Stacey, Ph.D. Department Head
Back cover features (top row l-r) Parker Zellers, and CMTA Ken Stevens (with then student Richard Hill); (bottom row l-r). George Bird, Annette Martin and Bob McElya.
Table of Contents
EMUCMTA
COMMUNICATION, MEDIA & THEATRE ARTS
2014 September
October November December
2015 January
BY THE NUMBERS 4-5 6-7 8-9 10-11
12-13 February 14-15 March 16-17 April 18-19 May 20-21 June 22-23 July 24-25 August 26-27 2014-15 Donors 28-29 2015-16 EMU Theatre Season 30 Donate to CMTA 31
2014-2015
1,502
Undergraduate & Graduate Majors
1
New Major Media Studies & Journalism
5,100
Air Hours ETV & Eagle Radio
41,779
Student Credit Hours
86
Students Served with Department Scholarships/ Awards
7,300
Patrons at 70 Performance Events in Quirk
675
Classes Taught
41
Years EMU Forensics Top 10 in Nation
4,620
Communication Capstone Student Service Hours
See what these numbers really mean ...
New student orientation ushered in the 2014 fall semester. Musical Theatre Professor Phil Simons (left photo) represented EMU Theatre to promote the upcoming Mainstage season and to make incoming students aware of the performance opportunities within our department. Communication Professor Doris Fields, (right photo) gave the faculty address to incoming students and their families at the Convocation Ceremony.
The inaugural EMUarts calendar was distributed as an interdisciplinary project to promote galleries, concerts, performances and programs in Communication, Media & Theatre Arts; Art; English Language and Literature; and Music and Dance departments.
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CMTA welcomed Dr. Deron Overpeck as an assistant professor in Electronic Media and Film Studies. Overpeck is a film historian and analyst. He received his Ph.D. from the University of California, Los Angeles and previously taught film courses at Auburn University in Alabama. EMU was happy to be a site for the Sundance Institute’s Film Forward touring program. On Thursday, September 25, AMP! and the Electronic Media and Films Studies program hosted a free screening in the Student Center Auditorium of Ryan Coogler’s Fruitvale Station. This film is a true story about a 22-year-old San Francisco Bay area resident and his encounters on the last day of 2008.
SEPTEMBER 2014 Sally Young, Emmy Award-winning producer on Modern Family and EMU alum ’72, spoke to students on Tuesday, September 23. She offered the students the unique opportunity to hold and inspect her Emmy award during Dr. John Cooper’s CTAT 333: Fundamentals of Electronic Moviemaking class. She closed the day with an inspiring public lecture, “Making a Living in the Television Industry,” for approximately 100 people in the Sponberg Theatre.
Dr. Mary Ann Watson gave a presentation, “The Legacy of Dick Clark,” at Syracuse University and was an invited symposium panelist on the life of Dick Clark and his legacy in American broadcasting. The event was held as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Newhouse School of Communication and featured the dedication of the Newhouse Studio and Innovation Center. The September 29 event included remarks by Oprah Winfrey. Watson remarked: “When you're hugged by Oprah, you stay hugged a good long while.”
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CMTA alumnus Patrick Barry, Jr. and EMU Photographer Randy Mascharka championed the installation of the McKenny Hall Gallery. The first gallery exhibit honored “A Tradition of Leadership.” Artifacts recognizing CMTA’s Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young program and EMU Forensics highlighting Judy Sturgis Hill as our first national Forensics champion were included.
Three hundred high school students and their teachers representing a total of 24 schools registered for the 2014 Drama Day making the event the second largest in its history. The faculty and student-led workshops introduced a variety of topics, including the popular make up workshop (right) led by Costume Design Professor Melanie Schuessler. The day closed with a performance of Dr. Faustus followed by a Q&A for the high school students to ask questions of the cast.
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The CMTA Alumni Chapter received Academic Chapter of the Year recognition (the 4th time in 8 years and the second consecutive year). The certificate was presented by President Sue Martin (center) to our chapter chair Drea ShippCaldwell (left) and former chapter chair, Pat Barry (right) at the alumni tailgate tent prior to the October 11 Homecoming football game.
OCTOBER 2014 EMU Admissions: Unplugged Live was a landmark event for the Electronic Media and Film Studies (EMFS) program. For the first time on October 21, a live television show was webcast from Ford TV Studio. A co-venture between the Admissions office and EMFS allowed prospective students, via Twitter, to ask questions to a panel of admissions counselors and receive answers online.
Dead Gallery was conceived, designed, and carried out by Players at EMU. The student group presented their annual Halloween extravaganza on Thursday evening October 30 and raised almost $500 to support special theatre projects.
EMU Theatre kicked off the 2014-2015 mainstage season with Christopher Marlowe’s tragic morality tale Dr. Faustus. Adapted and directed by Lee Stille, Dr. Faustus was our Associate Member entry into the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival and received favorable response from the ACTF respondent. Students Kiana Gandol and Matthew Webb were nominated to compete for the Irene Ryan Scholarship Auditions, held in Milwaukee where Matthew advanced to semi-finals. Two other students received honorable mentions for their contributions: Brittney Gillespie for stage management and David Koltunchik for projection design.
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Two students in a CTAC 495: Capstone Communication course as a final project organized a “Careers in Communication” panel. Four alums, Michelle Owen, Suzette Gray, Nicole Brown, and Suzie Staley, spoke to Communication majors about the careers they pursued with their Communication degree. These alumni represented a variety of professional occupations ranging from elected community official to director of a youth mentoring program. Earlier, alumnus Todd Palmer spoke to CTAC 495 students about starting his own business. Twelve Communication faculty, lecturers, and graduate assistants presented their research at the annual National Communication Association conference in Chicago. CMTA hosted a reception for alumni who attended the conference and for those who now call the Chicago area “home.”
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The New York Arts Venture group left on November 5 for a five-day journey through “The Big Apple.” Among the planned events were visits to Late Night with David Letterman, The Bill Cunningham Show, The Museum of Modern Art, The Museum of the Moving Image, Radio City Music Hall and much more. The group was led by Professors Henry Aldridge, Keith Damron and Colin Blakely.
“Kids” of all ages visited Quirk for the fall SaturQuack, a fun theatre experience that included puppetry, storytelling (graduate student Cathy Johnson pictured above), and more. The day closed with a full-house performance of the Velveteen Rabbit by the Applied Drama & Theatre for Young (ADTY) Touring Company directed by Emily Levickas. The touring company performed every Friday in November and December at elementary schools.
Director Mark Isler brought a magical elf village to life in Afternoon of the Elves (pictured left). Based on the Newbury Award Honor book by Janet Taylor Lisle and adapted by Y York, this production used a limited budget and a lot of creativity to tell the story of courageous Sara Kate Connolly. Performances garnered rave reviews.
NOVEMBER 2015
Ten CMTA graduate students presented at the Graduate Research Conference. The students were Kristin Danko sponsored by Susan Badger Booth; Crystal S. Campbell and Sarah Erlewine sponsored by Anita Rich; Doug Brinker, Kayla Krahn, and Elizabeth Terrasi sponsored by Sam Shen; and Sahimaa Fatani, Cathy Johnson, Eunkyung “Nana” Oh, and Chartonay “Cece” Sumpter sponsored by Darlene Leifson. Megan Gore (above), lecturer in EMFS and Ph.D. candidate in Educational Leadership, presented, “The Digital Self: A Qualitative Approach to Studying Female College Students Use of Social Media” at the Graduate Research Conference.
AMP! hosted “Java Jam.” These coffee house events provided open mic opportunities for EMU students to perform. Each Java Jam drew crowds of 75+ and received excellent press from the campus.
Dr. Dennis Patrick, professor of Communication, received the prestigious Teaching Excellence Award from the Alumni Association. Steve Stuglin who is an instructor of Communication at Georgia Highlands College wrote in his letter of support: “As an undergraduate, I found his classes engaging, challenging, and insightful. As a graduate student, I found his mentoring uniquely useful, kind, and encouraging. Dennis has a way of bringing out the best in his students.”
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Once a month the Interpretation/Performance Studies program hosted a Performance Hour focusing on a designated theme ranging from memories to identity, many of the themes explored the self. Performers (CMTA students, faculty and staff) chose from a variety of performative styles including: acting, dancing, singing, reading, slam poetry, and audience participation to tell their stories.
Director Wallace Bridges took audiences on a journey back in time with the musical revue Tintypes. Bridges focused on the historical relevance of the piece which is a kaleidoscope of America set at the turn of the 20th century.
CMTA Graduation Receptions celebrated undergraduate and graduate students on the day of graduation. Pictured are Pirooz Aghssa (left) and Jen Graham (right) with graduate Ben-’Ra Wright at the December reception.
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Communication Professor Ray Quiel and Communication Lecturer Ethel Kluesner were honored as Most Valuable Professors (MVPs) by the women’s volleyball team.
DECEMBER 2015
Elapsing Cities, the graduate project of Arts Administration student Mei Mei, began in October with a workshop on global climate change for EMU students. Students were asked to propose a response to this environmental issue through their art. Nicholas McFadden-Keesling face painted images of the North American continent showing the loss of arctic sea ice and rising sea levels as predicted by scientists. EMU Students Chloe Keene and Elizabeth Smith photographed the face painting process. These photos were exhibited in the Science Center on December 11 and in the Design Expo at the Undergraduate Symposium.
Emeritus Communication Professor Tom Murray presented his analysis of the rhetoric used in the recent national elections during “Conversations Over Coffee” with students from Professor Ray Quiel’s CTAC 641: Rhetorical Theory and Dr. Anke Wolbert’s CTAC 460: Theories of Speech Criticism classes.
Tyler Calhoun and Jackie Odien were named the first student recipients of the Dr. James W. Gousseff Memorial Scholarship in Theatre. Tyler and Jackie had the opportunity to meet and share their career goals with Marla Gousseff over lunch.
Tom Murray and Willie Morgan are pictured in the halls of Quirk. “We don’t remember days, we remember moments.” Cesare Pavese
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Professor Judy Sturgis Hill, pictured left with Professor Jessica “Decky” Alexander, was honored with a Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award during the 2015 MLK Luncheon. Sturgis Hill is well known for her advocacy of human rights and understanding. EMU Forensics team member Tristen Taylor, pictured right, performed during the luncheon that was attended by CMTA family members Marla Gousseff, Sally McCracken, Bette Warren, Harry Bowen, Tom Murray, James Robinson, Lucy Liggett, Dennis Beagen and Ken Stevens. Emeritus faculty Gary Evans and Katie Strand-Evans were also in attendance to see the presentation of the Evans-Strand Diversity Award that they sponsor each year. The celebratory day included academic workshops. Graduate assistants Katie’B Jarvis and Mark Isler led the CrossTown Theatre Troupe in a workshop entitled “Devising Change: Developing Youth Voice Through Interactive Theatre.”
ETV students produced five episodes of their ongoing series Why We Write throughout the winter term. The episodes featured published faculty members and staff. CMTA emeritus professor Henry Aldridge was featured in the third episode, and Kate Pantelides associate director of EMU’s First-Year Writing Program was the featured guest in another episode. The show was a co-production of EMFS and Halle faculty staff. It aired on ETV and is archived on iTunes U.
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Dr. Don Ritzenhein, (left) Communication professor, was recognized by the Chippewa Valley Schools located in Macomb County as an outstanding community partner for his work with DECA students from the school district.
JANUARY 2015 Dr. Jack Kay, a highly esteemed colleague and communication professor, died on January 30 after a prolonged illness. Kay was a well-published scholar who also served EMU as Provost and Executive Vice President for two years before returning to faculty in our department.
“Some memories are unforgettable, remaining ever vivid and heartwarming!” Joseph B. Wirthlin
The department extends its congratulations to emeritus professor and long-time department head Dennis Beagen for his appointment to the EMU Board of Regents. His vast knowledge of the University and his strong commitment to students will be a tremendous asset to the Board.
Considered one of the nation’s experts on the power of language and communication strategy, he specialized in political communication, extremist communication, and communication and social justice. He conducted extensive research on extremist groups such as the Ku Klux Klan, Aryan Nations, and Neo-Nazi Skinheads. Kay will also be remembered by students as an excellent teacher and mentor. He believed in the power of language and told his students to use language “to do only good, not to oppress, stigmatize, or promote evil — instead to liberate, uplift, enlighten and promote social justice.” His presence and insight are deeply missed.
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EMU Forensics hosted the annual Tower Invitational with this year’s theme being “Saturday Night Live.” The responsibility of hosting and running the tournament was a team effort with each member assuming a character role from SNL. Later in February novice members of the EMU Forensics team traveled to Northwood University in Midland for the Michigan Novice State Championships. They were named Novice State Champions in overall Team Sweepstakes.
Written by Pulitzer Prize winner Harold Pinter and directed by Jennifer Graham, The Birthday Party allowed our students to shine as designers. For this production the set, lights, sound, props and costumes were all designed by students. Many of these students went on to be the first graduating class of CMTA’s new Entertainment Design & Technology major.
Lecturer Jenny Koppera and Dr. Nick Romerhausen received Most Valuable Professors (MVPs) by the women’s basketball team while Communication Professor Ray Quiel earned a MVP honor from the men’s basketball team.
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Kaitlyn LaBedz, an EMFS student received a Michigan Association of Broadcasters (MAB) Award. She received a $1,000 scholarship and the opportunity to intern with a MAB radio or TV station.
FEBRUARY 2015 February was a month of guest lectures by distinguished professors. The 2015 McAndless Distinguished Chair Annette Sadik, professor of English and Theatre at the New York City College of Technology and the CUNY Graduate Center Doctoral Program in Theatre, presented, “Sicker than Necessary: Tennessee Williams’ Theatre of Excess.” During Sadik’s appointment, she team taught a special topics course with Theatre Professor Pirooz Aghssa entitled “Page to Stage.” Emeritus EMFS Professor Dr. Henry Aldridge presented a lecture based upon his book, “The Michigan Theater: Ann Arbor’s Home for Fine Film and the Performing Arts Since 1928.”
Emeritus Professors Henry Aldridge and Lucy Liggett are pictured with a copy of the textbook they co-authored in 1989, Audio/Video Production Theory and Practice. “Memory is the treasure house of the mind wherein the monuments thereof are kept and preserved.” Thomas Fuller
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The Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young winter tour was Androcles and the Lion by Aurand Harris, a hilarious and touching adaptation of the Aesop fable, The Lion and the Mouse. The tour performed at elementary schools in the Ypsilanti and Ann Arbor area to over 1,500 children throughout the semester.
March 2015 featured another successful OneAct Festival. This year’s festival featured five original student written scripts directed by six student directors.
Emeritus Communication Professor Harry Bowen was captured in this photo for a news article published in a 1970s edition of the EMU Echo. “I love those memories that make me smile no matter what’s going on in my life right now.” anonymous
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The ETV crew was busy in production during March. The program “Meet the Candidates for EMU Student Body President” was presented as a campus public service and an opportunity for students to meet candidates in an interview format. The show was seen on channel 18 in the residence halls and on the ETV Youtube page, ETVatEMU.
MARCH 2015
CMTA was well represented at the 2015 Undergraduate Symposium with 50 students presenting research. Student Alexis Wells (right photo) presented her research as a poster. Mentored by Dennis Patrick, her research analyzed chat rooms, images, discussion boards, and online articles found on pro-anorexia and pro-bulimia websites. Our students were integral to the success of the Design Expo, an opportunity within the Symposium. Kevin Leistner, Brittney Gillespie and Rowan Barrie (left photo) are shown with their designs.
Alumna Jenny Koppera’s Spinning Dot Theatre Company performed at the March SaturQuack. The Company presented “Junkanoo!” and guest artist Kelly Fielder, pictured below, performed the story of “Sedna.” Quirk was filled with stories, laughter, creative play and the occasional Chinese Dragon. Look for SaturQuack to return to Quirk in November 2015 and March 2016. SaturQuack is a familycentered event that is geared toward children ages 2-8. Free admission; a lot of fun for everyone.
The championship tally continued for EMU Forensics with the team winning the Michigan Intercollegiate Speech League (MISL) State Tournament in individual events. This year’s state tournament was held at Wayne State University. Five of our EMU Forensics team members then traveled to Portland, Oregon (pictured left) to compete in the 2015 American Forensics Association (AFA) Tournament. EMU was named 12th in the nation for Team Sweeps!
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Congratulations Graduates! CMTA faculty and staff hosted a graduation reception with over 200 people enjoying the festivities in honor CMTA winter 2015 graduates. The photo captures a few of our happy graduate degree recipients.
On April 25 approximately 50 EMU theatre students celebrated the closing of the 2014-2015 theatre season. EMU Player’s produced a “Fauxny Award” ceremony. The company members from Legally Blonde are pictured receiving the award for “Best Show of the Season.”
Directed by Phil Simmons with music direction by R. MacKenzie Lewis, Legally Blonde left soldout audiences tickled pink with its high energy and bubbly score. Two dogs were used in the production so EMU held “Doggie Auditions” in early February. It was fun day with several wonderful candidates showing up, hoping to be part of the show. The two winning canines were Belle Phillips who played Bruiser Woods and Spencer Danke who played Rufus. The EMU Foundation hosted Mainstage members for an afterglow reception following the Saturday April 11 evening performance. The reception provided an opportunity to meet the cast and crew of Legally Blonde and to acknowledge the mainstage members who help make EMU theatre happen.
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APRIL 2015 The Judy Sturgis Hill Endowed Scholarship was announced during the April 9 program in her honor. Sturgis Hill, EMU’s first national forensics champion in 1972, has been a part of EMU for 45 years and a CMTA faculty member for over 20 years. This scholarship celebrates her spirit, passion and commitment to students, and is designated to provide financial assistance to future EMU Forensicators. The evening concluded with the annual Forensics Showcase as the team prepared to depart for the National Forensics Association Tournament in Athens, Ohio.
EMU’s Forensics Team finished 4th in the nation at the National Forensics Association (NFA) Tournament. Karen Bagoumian (pictured far left) was named the national individual champion in prose. EMU Forensics continues its record of placing in the top 10 nationally for more than 40 years. This photo shows students and coaches from the team receiving a proclamation at the EMU Board of Regents meeting congratulating them on their continued success.
Communication Professor Byron Bond retired at the close of winter term. Bond taught several courses including CTAC 307: Teaching of Speech and served as the faculty advisor for students seeking a secondary education teaching certificate. His previous experience as a teacher at Three Rivers High School, where he taught a wide variety of speech and theatre courses, coached debate and forensics, and directed numerous theatrical productions, made him invaluable in this role. Bond came to EMU as the Dean of Continuing Education with a faculty appointment in our department in 2007.
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EMU Theatre rounded out its season with the heartfelt comedy The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas. Director Patricia Zimmer worked with EMU’s Autism Collaborative Center to create “Lights Up, Sound Down” matinees geared toward families with children on the autism spectrum. If you missed the show, you still have a chance to see the production as the show is being held-over for three special performances in September.
The Equality Research Center, under the leadership of Dr. Michael Tew, sponsored nine academic events that featured the work of over 60 scholars, practitioners, and advocates. Events included the Equality Leadership Series, Equality Knowledge Project Lectures, and the Equality Research to Action Conference. The Center exhibited at Motor City Pride weekend and marched in its parade (photo above). The Center also held its second annual banquet during which the first Timothy J. Dyer Community Leadership Award was presented to the Trust Theatre Ensemble (Fenton, Michigan) for their internationally acclaimed production, The Bullycide Project.
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MAY 2015
Theatre Professor Wallace Bridges (below) has been awarded a Fulbright Fellowship to teach African American Theatre and Play Direction, and to direct A Raisin in the Sun at the University of Ghana-Accra in Africa. The fellowship will be from January to June 2016.
Three outstanding individuals with ties to CMTA were recognized with Alumni Awards. Ryan Hershberger, ’97 telecommunications and film, received the Alumni Achievement Award. Hershberger is currently with Ford Credit’s European subsidiary in Brentwood, United Kingdom. Brenda Dempsey Alten, ’88 communication, received the Distinguished Alumni Award. Alten serves as Director of Corporate Communications for The J M Smucker Company located in Ohio. Emeritus Professor of Communication Sally McCracken was recognized with the Dr. John W. Porter Distinguished Service Award. McCracken retired after 43 years of service to EMU but remains active in the Ypsilanti community. She continues to teach with EMU’s staff and command program and is extensively involved in the Riverside Arts Center. The photo, above left, captures the current and former EMU Forensic Team members and coaches who attended the dinner to celebrate and honor our three distinguished award recipients. The photo, above right, honors all the recipients that evening: (left to right) Maria Bowles, Nathan Bomey, Jeff Tomschin, Debra Williams, Ryan Hershberger, Brenda Alten, Sally McCracken, EMU President Sue Martin, and President-Elect of the Alumni Association Board of Directors Patrick Barry, Jr.
When he returns, Bridges will direct the same play at EMU and produce a documentary to compare and contrast the directing experiences.
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In spring 1999, when Emeritus Communication Professor Gail Compton retired, this trio (Compton, center, with Emeritus Professors Gary Evans, left, and Sally McCracken, right) realized that they had collectively achieved 111 years of teaching at EMU.
“Science and technology revolutionize our lives, but memory, tradition and myth frame our response.” Arthur M. Schlesinger
Graduate student in Arts Administration, Alex Gilford won an “Experience Grand Rapids” contest. His painting “Modern Window Cleaners” was one of five selected. The work will be on a billboard along I-96 in Livingston County from June 29 - September.
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Kristin Danko, Arts Administration graduate student, developed a business plan for a new theatre company and launched it as part of First Friday Ypsilanti on June 6. Neighborhood Theatre Group was proud to present its first production directed by Danko: “Beaver’s Long Strange Trip,” a staged reading of a new musical with music and lyrics by Ypsilanti resident Aaron Dean performed by EMU senior Bradley James. “Beaver’s Long Strange Trip” leads you on a journey with characters based on the beloved TV show, “Leave it to Beaver.”
JUNE 2015 CMTA has enjoyed a 10-year partnership with the DTE Energy Foundation to send Louie the Lightning Bug out into the community to help young children throughout southeast Michigan to remember to “stop, turn around and go the other way” from downed power lines and other important safety rules. Student interns Matt Mundy and Sarah Hickman coordinated 133 shows that served 47 community programs and reached over 5,000 young students.
The Edge at Flint Powers High School was a four-day intensive program designed for students to gain skills for their 2015-16 high school forensics season. EMU Forensic Team members (right) literally took to “the edge” and provided instruction and one-on-one coaching to the 25 middle and high school students who attended.
The first endowed scholarship for EMU’s Entertainment Design & Technology students was established in honor of Eastern Michigan University Alumnus John Briggs. The scholarship honors his retirement from TLS Productions and from his extensive work in the field of theatre technology. Briggs spent his entire adult life working “behind the scenes” in theatre, film, and event production and was instrumental to bringing access to cutting-edge technology to EMU Theatre productions.
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Applied Drama & Theatre for the Young founders, Virginia Glasgow Koste, who established the program, and Thelma McDaniel, who inaugurated the touring program are pictured sharing a laugh. “We didn’t realize we were making memories. We just knew we were having fun.” anonymous Electronic Media and Film Studies Professor Keith Damron and CMTA Engineer Steve Martin (above) worked throughout the 2014-15 academic year to transfer equipment and connections to the Ford facilities. The transition is complete and ETV programing is now fully overseen by EMFS faculty and students.
To better serve our students and to assist them with registering for fall courses, CMTA offered “Wander in Wednesdays” throughout the summer months. Communication Professor Dennis Patrick, who oversees general education advising for our CMTA students, along with Deanna Lewandowski from the Francine Parker Advising Center helped the students.
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Alumnus James Gordon Patterson, who is a Masters of Arts graduate in Communication and currently teaches at Paradise Valley Community College in Phoenix, Arizona, credits EMU for launching his career path into college teaching. In appreciation and to honor of his parents, Patterson and Marni Patterson established the James Gordon “Doc” and Aniceta Eidymt Patterson Endowed Scholarship. The scholarship is designated for an EMU student from Jackson County, Michigan public schools and who is majoring in the CMTA department.
JULY 2015 The Edge: Ohio Edition day camp, under the leadership of Assistant Director of Forensics Amy Johnson, was an outreach initiative for outstanding high school students from communities in and around Middletown/Centerville, Ohio. The camp enrolled 26 students from five different Ohio schools. Ohio has provided EMU Forensics with a wealth of talented team members over the years. Katie Taylor, from Ohio, is an incoming first-year student and soon-to-be EMU forensicator. She is pictured in the foreground below coaching interpretation at the Ohio camp.
CMTA student staff members are advancing their career opportunities with great summer internships. Vincent Hounshell, (left photo) a technology assistant for our department, honed his computer programming skills with an internship with Quicken Loans in downtown Detroit. Courtney Wagner, (right photo) student staff member in the CMTA main office for the last four years, had a retail management internship with Nodstrom in Novi. Courtney’s goal is to manage or buy for a retail giant.
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Terry Heck Seibert was awarded the 2015 Pulsar Award “Leading Actress” (Lansing Area) for her role in Sirens at the Williamston Theatre. She and John Seibert were also nominated for “Best Teamwork, Acting” for this same production. Terry Heck Seibert and John Seibert are pictured below sitting on the couch as they performed together in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at Northville’s Tipping Point Theatre. They are nominated for 2015 Wilde Awards for Best Performance, Actress– Comedy (Terry Heck Seibert) and Actor– Comedy (John Seibert). Wilde Awards will be announced in the fall.
Sadif Ali (left) and co-authors were awarded the Top Faculty paper, ranked 3rd out of 111 submissions, at the International Communication Association in San Juan, Puerto Rico. The paper was titled, Othered in the Classroom: Using Community Autoethnography to Better Understand Nonnative and Perceived Nonnative TeacherStudent Interactions. Ali also designed a new course CTAT 238: Mobile Technologies in the Global South which will be offered Winter 2016.
The new Media Studies and Journalism degree program will be available to students for fall 2015. This major is an interdisciplinary program between Electronic Media & Film Studies and Journalism and is designed to prepare future journalists for the changing news media landscape.
EMU’s Athletic Department entered into a agreement with ESPN3. EMFS students will be part of the production team for the 35 EMU sporting events that are scheduled to be televised on ESPN3 during the next year. This is a great opportunity for EMFS students to gain professional experience.
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AUGUST 2015
AND INTO THE NEXT YEAR
This summer featured one of CMTA’s biggest collaborations with the Michigan Shakespeare Festival (MSF). For the past several years, Professors Jeromy Hopgood and Melanie Schuessler have designed numerous productions with MSF. This year, Hopgood was an Artistic Associate, and served as the resident scenic designer and technical director for all three productions. Schuessler designed costumes for The Rivals. Eight current students or alumni of the Theatre and ED&T programs were members of the design/tech staff. Since MSF is the highest level of professional union theatre in the state, these students got firsthand opportunities to add professional credits to their resumes and work with professionals from across the US and Canada. This 21st annual summer festival featured performances at Jackson College and at the Canton‘s Village Theatre. bringing performances to thousands of patrons from across the Midwest.
Theatre faculty began their quest toward accreditation from the National Association of Schools of Theatre (NAST). A consultative site visit occurred in October. Faculty members continued writing and assembling documentation throughout the academic year in preparation for the official NAST accreditation site visit which will take place April 2016.
CMTA’s Communication program has developed a new articulation agreement with Washtenaw Community College (WCC). Under this agreement, Washtenaw Community College students can take the specified Communication curriculum for two-years at WCC and transfer seamlessly into the Communication major to complete their bachelor‘s degree.
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Thank You! AIDS Partnership Michigan Stephanie N. Alderdice Jessica (Decky) Alexander Brenda T. and Kevin Alten Todd L. Ambs Erik J. and Martha Anderson Barry Avedon Donald J. and B. Joyce Baker David L. Balas Paul L. Bancel Marlene J. and John M. Barr Sr. Patrick J. Jr. and Cheryl L. Barry Alie M. Baydoun Dennis M. and Charline Beagen Carole A. Bennett and Anthony J. Wahlman Amanda L. and Wesley Bennett Rosalyn E. and Robert A. Benson Daniel J. and Lynne Bernard Wilbur C. Bigelow Paul G. and Laura C. Bird
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We extend our warmest appreciation to those who supported numerous Communication, Media & Theatre Arts initiatives and increased opportunities for our students to excel. Your contributions made a significant impact. J. J. Bishop and Nola M. Bishop Dena L. Blair David J. and Mary Lynn Bolger Byron and Alice Bond Barbara M. and Harry Boyce Nina R. Brennan Jeanette R. and Wallace A. Bridges Margie and Thomas Brooks A.P. Jr. and Cecelia M. Bulleri Maureen Burke Richard J. Byrd Pamela K. Cardell Cato and Cary C. Cato Charles A. Carver Chrisandy Inc – Tower Inn Ken Collinson Arlene J. Corriveau Lauren R. and Daniel D. Coupland Susan A. Davey Leighanne R. and Michael M. Denja Detroit Sports Broadcasters Association Vicki and Estilito Diaz Karen E. Dolle DTE Energy Foundation Aris K. Efthimides Elderwise
Gary L. Evans and Katherine E. Strand-Evans Thomas E. Fahlstrom Jason E. Fahlstrom Katherine M. and Steven H. A. Feltner William E. Fennel Fidelity Charitable Gift Fund Doris Fields Brian W. Filipiak Brian L. and Debra M. Fitzgerald Jon and Nancy Fitzgerald Chris J. and Terrance J. Foreman John C. and Marjorie A. Fountain Janice E. Franklin Wendy L. Geiger Bradley K. and Tina M. Glazier Kim M. and Steven W. Goffee Marla J. Gousseff Matthew J. Gravel Kerry Graves and Geoffrey D. Hammill Bert I. and Phyllis J. Greene Ann M. and Owen P. Hammerberg Audrey R. and Michael J. Hanzlian Roberta T. Hause Celia M. Haven Lorna Haywood
Alethea K. Helbig Gail L. and Alan G. Hering Dale E. and Gloria M. Heydlauff Kyle Hillman Tracy A. Hoffman Hartmut F. Hoft Margret Hoft Diane A. and Charles W. Jacobs Amy P. Johnson Norene E. Kanagy Susan R. and Ronald S. Kanitz Amanda I. Karel and Amanda M. Runyon Donna M. Keegan Brendan B. and Tressa M. Kelly Wendy and David W. Kivi Jenny A. and Prabhat Koppera Timothy W. Kowaleski Mary M. Krieger Russell J. Lamesfield Charles D. and Laura K. Leister Lucy A. Liggett Mary C. Linblade Steven F. Martin and Mary A. Landreth-Martin Daniel M. Mathis Douglas L. and Mary L. McCarty
Recognizing Our 2014-2015 Donors Sandra E. and Douglas McClennen Sally R. McCracken Mitchel R. McElya Timothy M. and Leslie S. McMacken Heather C. and Dave McMullen Alan McPhail Christopher Meloche Anne E. and Mark L. Michaels Glenna F. and William T. Miller Karen M. Miller Jack D. and Esther L. Minzey Joseph P. and Kerri E. Misiewicz Maggie M. Morawski Morgan Stanley Morley Foundation Steven J. and Lori J. Mosier Betty L. and Peter C. Mosshart Thomas J. Murray Christopher W. Nelson Paul A. and Mary Nucci John G. and Persephone Pappas Dennis G. Patrick James G. III and Marni Patterson Wade D. and Carol A. Peacock Joseph and Amanda Peck Michael R. Penrod and John A. Slater
Gregory and Alice L. Peoples Ralph R. and Barbara L. Powell Jill L. Price and John P. Maciejewski Christine E. Purchis and Tobin A. Hissong Raymond A. Quiel and Laurie L. Walker James H. Quinlan Mary K. Ramsey Debora A. Renner and Faith A. Robinson Renner Sophia and Nooraldeen M. Ridha Donald N. Ritzenhein and Katherine Grenda Riverside Kayak Connection LLC Faith A. Robinson Renner and Debora A. Renner Mark A. and Jeanne Rodan Kimberly J. Roe Amber M. Rose Sarah W. Ross Margaret J. Sandersen Mark H. and Zan Sawyer-Dailey Kim E. Schatzel and Trevor A. Iles Richard and Janet L. Schwarze Leon D. Shaner
Joan M. Sheard and Myrna A. Yeakle Tsai-Shan S. Shen Kimberly A. Sheridan Kenneth R. and Loretta Showich Diane M. Showich Maria Showich-Gallup Philip E. Simmons AnnMarie and Jeff Simonson Susan K. and Geoffrey A. D. Smereck Tricia A. Smith David W. Smith Claire E. Sparklin and Jason A. Karas Kathleen H. Stacey and Robert E. Sneddon Suzanne L. Staley Keith and Marilyn K. Stanger Christina M. Stansell-Weaver Kerri L. Stephenson and Charles D. Stephenson Jr. Kenneth W. Stevens and Wuanita M. Delaney Lee A. Stille Betty L. Stremich Juanita L. and Patrick J. Suchy Rocky M. Sulfridge
Christine S. Tanner Carolyn Y. Tatum Robyn L. Tennison Michael A. Tew and Dale A. Domke The J M Smucker Company The John & Genevieve Dyer Educational Foundation Inc The Mueller Gault Charitable Foundation Daniel F. Thompson Ilona L. Tobin Gloria J. and Jeffrey V. VanAlstine David R. VanderVelden Barry VanDoren Anthony J. Vehar Thomas K. and Anne M. Venner Shirley and Larry Wentz Kenneth J. Widmayer Debra J. Williams Diane L. Winder and David B. Orlin Anke T. Wolbert Courtney J. Wright Yvonne A. and Paul D. Zenian Terry F. and Marilyn Zerlak
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Communication, Media & Theatre Arts Department
presents
2015-2016 Mainstage Season Head Full of Snakes: Exploring Medusa Innovative, literary adaptation
The Boy Who Loved Monsters and the Girl Who Loved Peas Family-friendly comedy
Sept. 11 & 12 at 7pm Sept. 13 at 2pm
Little Shop of Horrors Dark, musical comedy
Oct. 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 at 7pm Oct. 31 at 10pm Oct. 25 & Nov. 1 at 2pm
Nov. 13 & 14 at 7pm Nov. 15 at 2pm
Anne of Green Gables Spunky, literary classic
Inspiring, magical allegory
One Man, Two Guvnors
6:30 p.m. Cocktails 7:00 p.m. Dinner
Mar. 11 & 12 at 7pm Mar. 13 at 2pm Raucous, slapstick comedy with music
Apr. 8, 9, 14, 15, 16 at 7pm Apr. 10 & 17 at 2pm
The Piano Lesson
The Last Five Years
Feb. 10, 11, 12, 13 at 7pm Feb. 13 & 14 at 2pm
June 3, 4, 10, 11 at 7pm June 5 & 12 at 2pm
Powerful, intimate musical
Info: www.emich.edu/emutheatre - Tickets: 734.487.2282 or www.emutix.com
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Spirits
&
A FUNDRAISING EVENT Saturday, October 10, 2015
Lily Plants a Garden
Dec. 4, 5, 10, 11, 12 at 7pm Dec. 6 & 13 at 2pm Haunting, poetic drama
Suspense
EMU Homecoming
EMU Student Center Ballroom Strolling dinner, entertainment, fundraising activities and dancing. LIVE Music by Accidentally Hip. Individual tickets $100 Table (of 8) sponsorship $750 Proceeds to meet technology needs in CMTA.
Save the date, before it‘s too late! Call 734.487.3198 for more information.
After reading through our 2014-2015 Year in Review, we ask you to consider a gift to support our programs and EMU/CMTA students.
Payment Method:
I would like to set up a multi-year pledge as follows:
Donor information (as you would like this gift acknowledged):
Total pledge amount: $
Name: ____________________________________________________________________________
Over years
Address: __________________________________________________________________________ City/ST/Zip: ________________________________________________________________________
I would like to pay by credit card.
Gift amount:
Mailing address: EMU Foundation PO Box 972057 Ypsilanti, MI 48197
I would like to make the gift via check. (Payable to Eastern Michigan University Foundation)
This gift is eligible for a match from my employer. (Please include the Matching Gift Form)
Phone: ________________________________Email: ______________________________________
$ ________Communication, Media & Theatre Arts (CMTA) 00576
at $ per year
Credit Card Type: Visa _______
MasterCard _______
American Express _______
Discover ________
Number____________-____________-____________-_____________ Expiration Date: _________/__________ Name as it appears on the card: __________________________________
Gifts can be made online: www.emich.edu/foundation/give
Signature: ________________________________________________
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Good times + Good friends = Amazing memories
EMUCMTA
COMMUNICATION, MEDIA & THEATRE ARTS
124 Quirk Ypsilanti, MI 48197 734.487.3131
www.emich.edu/cmta
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