SPRING 2019
WELCOME TO
Art, in all its forms, gives us the ability to express our own experiences and to explore and immerse ourselves in the lives of others, especially those with perspectives unlike our own. BabsonARTS is proud to present a range of perspectives in a variety of media through our spring offerings. Our spring season features art exhibits challenging how world news and representation of the sacred are viewed; the Global Film Series with two films that focus on the power of courageous individuals and communities across the world; and our Arts & Business Conversations series highlighting how media such as podcasts and virtual reality are not only influencing, but changing the way we tell our stories.
We invite you to curate a personalized journey through our distinct mix of programming that will be both familiar and challenging, but above all, inspiring. All the best, Steven Maler, Director Adam Sanders, Associate Director Danielle Krcmar, Associate Director, Visual Arts Leslie Chiu, General Manager Richard W. Sorenson Center for the Arts Support for BabsonARTS programs has been made possible through the generosity of Richard W. Sorenson M ’68,P ’97,’00 and Sandra L. Sorenson P ’97, ’00; Estate of Norman Dorian ’48; and Lee J. Belitsky MBA ’93,P ’17 and Janice Belitsky P ’17.
All events are FREE and open to the public unless otherwise noted. For more information, visit babsonarts.org or call the box office at 781-239-5880. Left Photo by Nile Hawver Cover Photo: “Krishna” by Sneha Shrestha
World News : Alternate Views by Nancy Jenner ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION Thursday, January 31, 5:00 P.M. EXHIBIT ON VIEW January 31–March 1, M–F 9:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M. Hollister Gallery
In today’s media-rich culture, we are beginning to learn that everything we see or read is constructed, shaped by the news media we favor and our political inclinations. In these two installations, Jenner provides alternate ways to view the news of the world—environmental pollution in one and the toll of political conflict on families in the other. The
pieces share references to art history but are as distinct as the issues, using different media and materials to build a visual narrative on the topic. The work doesn’t claim to have answers, only to provide perspective and, perhaps, cause us to be more circumspect in our conclusions and more motivated in our advocacy.
VR: Inside the Studio with Sensorium Thursday, February 7, 5:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M. Weissman Foundry Sensorium is an experiential studio working at the intersection of art, commerce, and technology. The team focuses on original content and interactive design that push the boundaries of virtual reality, augmented reality, and other new media activations. In 2018 they joined with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company and Google to produce Hamlet 360: Thy Father’s Spirit, the longest narrative virtual reality experience
to date. Join co-founders Matthew Niederhauser and John Fitzgerald for an interactive virtual reality workshop that demonstrates for participants the equipment and processes that they use to create experiences like this one—from filming to editing to viewing. Co-sponsored Weissman Foundry
Shakespeare and the Law Tuesday, February 12, 6:00 P.M. New England Conservatory, Boston MA Presented in partnership with McCarter & English, Shakespeare and the Law features staged readings of scenes from several of Shakespeare’s greatest plays, all centering on a current and relevant theme. The scenes are performed by local, state and national lawyers and judges alongside CSC’s professional actors. Performances are interspersed with a panel discussion by the participants about legal and political topics highlighted in the selected scenes featuring diverse perspectives from across the political spectrum. This year’s theme, “Belief and the Burden of Proof,” examines a variety of Shakespeare’s plays where either allegations against a person or group, or grounds supporting an action are put to the test. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Ixcanul DIRECTED BY JAYRO BUSTAMENTE Tuesday, February 12, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater “Ixcanul,” which means “volcano” in the Mayan language, refers both to the peak that overlooks the Guatemalan coffee plantation where the film is set and to the restless and ultimately eruptive emotions at the movie’s core. Focusing on the bonds between two strong indigenous women, a mother and a daughter, Ixcanul questions how, in all cultures, the powerful may prey upon the vulnerable. Its message is urgent: for a society to be just, women must be empowered with the freedom to make decisions about their lives and futures. Presented by the Global Film Series
Martin Luther King Jr. Legacy Day Wednesday, February 13, 5:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater The Babson community remembers, reflects upon, and celebrates the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This event, now in its 16th year, initiates and continues conversations about the realization of King’s vision of justice, equality, and peace in our own community and in the
Graham Sack:
Producer, Screenwriter, Director, Actor ARTS & BUSINESS CONVERSATION Friday, February 22, 12:30 P.M.–1:30 P.M. Sorenson Upper Lobby FREE, Lunch Provided Producer Graham Sack is an awardwinning screenwriter, director, and actor working in film, new media, and theater. He recently teamed up with Commonwealth Shakespeare Company to
produce Hamlet 360: Thy Father’s Spirit, which compresses Shakespeare’s narrative to a 60-minute journey. This groundbreaking work embraces virtual reality nativity to plunge the viewer into Hamlet’s harrowing journey. Graham will be discussing the project and the implications virtual reality will have on conventional artistic media.
world at large by recognizing students and faculty through leadership and creativity awards and a keynote speaker. Recent speakers have included Bree Newsome, Thomas Chatterton Williams, Michele Norris and Angela Davis.
ADAPTED BY NAOMI WALLACE from the novel by William Wharton DIRECTED BY STEVEN MALER February 27–March 2, 7:30 P.M. March 7–9, 7:30 P.M. March 3, 9, 10, 3:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater Tickets: $50, Senior (65+) $46; Babson faculty/staff and non-Babson students $15; Babson students $5 In a Philadelphia suburb before World War II, Birdy, a very smart but odd young man, spends his time collecting pigeons and canaries for his aviary. His best friend, Al, has more earthly interests like sports and girls, but is attracted to Birdy’s eccentricity, intelligence and commitment to his birds. But after both young men return from the war, they are forced to deal with the trauma of their experiences, both physical and psychological. Birdy examines the effects of war on young lives, a topic that is just as relevant today as it was decades ago. The story also offers hope in the possibility of powerful friendships to heal the psychological wounds of war after the physical wounds have healed. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company Presented by special arrangement with Knight Hall Agency Ltd and Spring Sirkin
Improv Workshop
Wednesday, March 6, 5:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M. Sorenson Black Box
with
Kristen Mazzocchi
Waterline Reading Series Showcase Wednesday, March 13, 5:00 P.M. Glavin Chapel Waterline features a fast-paced hour of literary works with readings by Babson College faculty fiction writers, poets, and essayists.
Past readers have included Ellen Argyros, Stephen Bauer, Melissa Leonard, Michael Martin, Carolyn Megan, Weston Miller, Mary O’Donoghue, and Mary Pinard. Presented by the Division of Arts & Humanities
Join visiting artist Kristen Mazzocchi for an introduction to the basic concepts of improvisational acting and explore how these techniques can make you a better leader and presenter. No prior experience is required.
Reflecting on the Sacred Hannah Burr Cynthia Kozdeba Thomas Matsuda Lilly Saywitz Sneha Shrestha ARTIST TALK AND RECEPTION Wednesday, March 13, 5:00 P.M. EXHIBIT ON VIEW March 13–May 20, M–F 9:00 A.M.–7:00 P.M. Hollister Gallery Using a wide variety of media, these five artists explore means of representing and experiencing the sacred across different faith traditions. Sanskrit mantras are the visibly elegant structure of Shrestha’s signature paintings that combine Nepali calligraphic script with American graffiti style, while Saywitz begins her paintings with diaristic text and mantras that are slowly effaced as she builds their surfaces. Elemental materials of clay, stone, and wood are used by Kozdeba, a ceramicist, and Matsuda, a carver, to represent the powerful presence of sacred architecture and iconic Buddhist sculptures. In collaborative works using everyday materials, Burr invites engagement with everyday materials (or the stuff around us) as a dynamic form of mindfulness, meditation, or prayer. Co-sponsored by the Office of Faith and Service
SEED: The Untold Story DIRECTED BY JON BETZ AND TAGGART SIEGEL Tuesday, March 26, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater In a world threatened by overpopulation and over-exploited land, is there a way out of the coming food crisis? For the makers of SEED: The Untold Story, the answer lies in the creation and maintenance of localized seed banks where the collection of traditional, often ancient seed species will ensure both planetary biodiversity and self-sustaining food supplies. This inspiring film tells the stories of courageous individuals and communities across the planet: tribal peoples, citizenactivists, farmers, and others all working to ensure the earth’s sustenance and survival. SEED: The Untold Story reminds us of the inherent and unstoppable power of community activism in pursuit of the preservation of our land, our communities, and our lives. Presented by the Global Film Series
The Business of Podcasting
Wednesday, March 27, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater
Since “Serial” debuted in 2014, there has been a sharp increase in the number and variety of podcasts available to consumers. There are now multiple platforms through which creators can launch their work and a wide variety of mechanisms through which creators can make profits. Furthermore, associated industries, such as conventions, consulting, and media about podcasts have blossomed.
This panel discussion; moderated by Arts and Humanities Division Senior Lecturer Kerry Rourke, brings to Babson three entrepreneurs and an analyst who have been successful in this dynamic landscape: Rebecca Lavoie and Kevin Flynn of Partners in Crime Media; Patrick Hinds of Theater Podcast Productions; and Nicholas Quah, creator of the Hot Pod industry newsletter. Panelists will share their stories of moving from an idea to a media product, competing in this growing and changing industry landscape, and current and future trends in podcasting. Co-sponsored by the Entrepreneurship Division
Tuesday, April 2, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater
Jericho Brown: Poetry Reading
“To read Jericho Brown’s poems is to encounter devastating genius.” —Claudia Rankine Jericho Brown is the author of three collections of poetry: The Tradition (2019); The New Testament (Copper Canyon 2014), which won the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award and was named one of the best of the year by Library Journal, Coldfront, and the Academy of American Poets; and Please (New Issues, 2008), which won the 2009 American Book Award.
Brown is the recipient of the Whiting Writers Award and fellowships from the John Simon Guggenheim Foundation, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Radcliffe Institute at Harvard University, the Bread Loaf Writers’ Conference, and the Krakow Poetry Seminar in Poland. He was a finalist for the Lambda Literary Award, the Thom Gunn Award, and the Hurston Wright Poetry Prize. His poems have appeared in The Nation, The New Yorker, The New Republic, and The Best American Poetry. Presented by the Charles D. and Marjorie J. Thompson Visiting Poets Series
Romeo & Juliet BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY ADAM SANDERS Friday, May 31, 7:00 P.M. Carling-Sorenson Theater Tickets: $20; Babson faculty/staff and non-Babson students $15; Babson students $5 Shakespeare’s drama tells the story of doomed teenage love between Romeo, son of the Montagues, and Juliet, the daughter of the Capulets, the children of Verona’s two feuding families. This production is part of CSC’s “Stage 2” series for young audiences, and features the CSC2 company of early-career actors. In addition to this public performance, CSC is offering weekday matinee performances May 23–June 4 for students from area middle and high schools.
Cymbeline BY WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE DIRECTED BY FRED SULLIVAN, JR. July 17–August 4 Boston Common
Cymbeline tells the stunning tale of a king and his three children, lifted into a nearly mythic realm of deception and intrigue with mistaken identities, twists and turns, and the allconsuming quest for true love. Babson College’s theater-in-residence has been performing free Shakespeare on the Boston Common every summer since 1996. This year, the Babson community and alumni are invited to attend a special “Babson Night” performance, with a special reserved seating section. Presented by Commonwealth Shakespeare Company
Workshops BabsonARTS workshops give participants the opportunity to explore their own creativity and build important visual and communication skills. Visit babsonarts.org for more information on these and other workshops. Workshops are open only to Babson, Olin, and Wellesley students, faculty, and staff of all levels of experience.
Clay-Slab Vessel Workshop (2 sessions) February 6th and 13th, 5:00 P.M.–7:00 P.M. Trim 221/Babson Ceramics Studio Participants need to attend both sessions. Try out our amazing Ceramics Studio! Olin Visiting Artist Robert Wechsler will teach you how to make and glaze your own geometric clay planter using cut slabs and slip. Materials will be provided. No previous clay experience necessary.
Meditation through Art March 5th, 6:00 P.M.–8:00 P.M. Glavin Chapel As part of Leap of Faith Week, BabsonARTS and the Office of Faith and Service are co-sponsoring this workshop combining art and mindfulness. Visiting Artist Hannah Burr will lead a guided meditation followed by a collaborative art-making session. Participants will learn how simple actions can be transformed into a dynamic form of mindfulness, meditation, or prayer. No experience is necessary.
Student Artists at Babson Storying Our Selves Thursday, April 25, 7:00 P.M. Friday, April 26, 7:00 P.M. Sorenson Black Box
One person. One Story. One stage. Storying Our Selves is a production of original solo performance work written and performed by Babson, Olin, and Wellesley students. As one of the oldest art forms, with deep historical roots in America and beyond, solo performance is an intimate and exhilarating experience for performer and audience alike.
This performance is the capstone project of the Babson/Olin/ Wellesley course “Constructing and Performing the Self,� taught by Babson Professor Beth Wynstra and Olin Professor Jon Adler.
Babson Music Collective Spring Concert Monday, April 29, 7:00 P.M. Sorenson Black Box Using improvisation, creation, and collaboration, Babson Music Collective blends and performs modern pop and classic jazz music. Directed by professional trombonist Clayton DeWalt, the group is dedicated to the rigorous investigation, practice and performance of creative, improvised music. Join them for a night of jazz, blues, and more.
Student Performances Babson students have many opportunities to participate in the performing arts! These are just a few of the student-led groups that perform on campus:
AMAN: South Asian Student Association, Friday, April 5, 8:00 P.M. BAPSA East Meets West 2019, Friday, April 12, 8:00 P.M. Babson Dance Ensemble (BDE), Thursday, April 18–Friday, April 19, 8:00 P.M. Babson Players, Thursday, April 25–Saturday, April 27, 7:00 P.M. Rocket Pitches a cappella group, Sunday, April 28, 6:00 P.M.
Sorenson Scholars Sorenson Spotlight Reception Wednesday, April 17, 4:00 P.M. Sorenson Upper Lobby The Spotlight Reception highlights the work that Sorenson Scholars have produced over the course of the year. The artists focus on projects that explore a specific part of their artistic identity. Join us for enlightening cross-disciplinary presentations, lively discussion, and light refreshments as we celebrate the ongoing exploration of the arts at Babson. This year’s Sorenson Scholars are (left to right) Amara Ogukwe ’22, Logan Harris ’22, Joseph Nash ’20, Anneliese Glaubitz ’19, Maria Blanco ’20, Alexa Forgione ’19, Madison Adler ’21 (not pictured).
For additional information on how to get involved with these activities, visit babsonarts.org
Anneliese Glaubitz ’19 Capstone Project Presentation Tuesday, March 12, 4:30 P.M. Reynolds Campus Center, Global Lounge EXHIBIT ON VIEW March 13–May 19 Reynolds Campus Center, 2nd floor Empow(h)er is a photo series by Anneliese Glaubitz ’19 capturing women leaders and their paths to success. It looks at the reality of women in leadership today and hopes to inspire other girls and women to be confident and have the courage to lead. Photos will be displayed and accompanied by a Women in Leadership panel discussion, hosted by the Sorenson Center for the Arts and the Center for Women’s Entrepreneurial Leadership (CWEL).
The Babson Campus BabsonARTS events take place on the picturesque campus of Babson College, an independent college located in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Babson is a recognized national and international leader in entrepreneurship education, blending innovative, integrated, and applied business and liberal arts programs. The Sorenson Center for the Arts is located at 19 Babson College Drive. Free parking is available in the Trim Parking Lot, a short walk from the theater. Visit our website or Facebook page to view our helpful video to plan your trip to BabsonARTS.
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