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Chicago production unites NU alumni BY ALIX KRAMER
Source: Barbara Danielson
The infamous “purple mafia” is everywhere. Frankie DiCiaccio (Communication ‘12), Judy Steele (Communication ’83) and Jeff Meyer (Communication ’12) are all Northwestern alumni working together on a production of “The Wedding Singer” at Theater Wit in Chicago. The show opens Oct. 20, with previews beginning Oct. 13. “It makes it easier to enter a rehearsal room and know that there are people there that you already have a bond with and can depend on,” Meyer said. “The whole cast is very warm and loving and funny and great to be around.” Meyer, an ensemble member in “Singer,” notes that many NU students are proud of their school, giving them a way to connect with alumni over common interests. Cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago are hotspots for artists, directors, dancers, choreographers and actors who are part of the NU network, said DiCiaccio, who plays an understudy to the character George and a male
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swing in the show. Even at his auditions he cites Alex Weisman, casting assistant, “insanely successful actor” and NU graduate, as “helpful in getting (him) into the show.” “It’s beautiful to be able to show up to an audition and see people you know and have a common history with,” DiCiaccio said. Meyer, DiCiaccio and Steele all discovered the NU theater program in their own way. Meyer arrived to campus with the intention of being a psychology major but found himself spending more and more time involved in theater productions as a freshman and decided to switch majors sophomore year. DiCiaccio chose NU because of its huge theater community and the availability of acting opportunities — with not only University-programmed shows but also 10 student » See THE WEDDING SINGER, page 2
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