Purposeful Entertainment</h1> <article> <h1>Purposeful Entertainment</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:01:20 +0000</p> <span>Purposeful Entertainment</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:01:20-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:01">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:01</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>“My goal is to always be a part of the entertainment industry in some capacity. I think it’s the most fascinating, awful, and influential industry in existence,” says Rosie Hertzman ’15. Currently, she is using that power and influence to promote social justice in her work as a production assistant at <a href="http://www.redthreadproductions.com/">Red Thread Productions</a>, an entertainment production company, and as the comarketing and advocacy coordinator for the theater production company <a href="https://www.darkmatterproductions.com/" target="_blank">Dark Matter Productions</a>. At Red Thread, she is working on an HIV/AIDS prevention and education program that combines Red Thread’s documentary, <em>The Last Ones</em>, and the <a href="http://www.aidsquilt.org/about/the-aids-memorial-quilt">AIDS Memorial Quilt National Display Program</a>, with the goal of promoting the film and AIDS awareness in schools, churches, and community centers across the country. At Dark Matter Productions, she is focusing on building the organization’s audience and highlighting the work of other socially-conscious theater companies.</p> <p>The New York City native says working at Red Thread Productions gives her the opportunity to work in the industry she has been dreaming about since childhood. She describes her role as a production assistant as an inside look into the way entertainment really works. “As a production assistant, you learn the ins and outs of the business firsthand. You learn what everyone’s job is, decide whose you like best, and hopefully work your way up to it.”</p> <p>She says she enjoys her work with Dark Matter Productions because she has the opportunity to help people feel seen. “Growing up, I so rarely got to see myself or my problems reflected in media. If I can change that in any way for the next generation, that’s reward enough,” she says.</p> <p>While at 91ֱ��, Hertzman majored in English and served as an academic ambassador to help the incoming class adjust to college life, wrote entertainment-related stories for the student-run publication <em>Fearless and Loathing</em>, and helped plan events as the secretary for the 91ֱ�� Harry Potter Alliance. She also worked as a production coordinator for the 91ֱ�� Musical Theater Association, cotaught an ExCo on fan fiction, and <a href="/news/behind-scenes">cohosted a podcast with her friends</a> called <a href="https://www.youtube.com/user/chicksdigflicks"><em>Chicks Dig Flicks</em></a>, where she discussed movie news and reviewed films.</p> <p>“91ֱ�� made me unafraid of my passion in all forms—whether that meant representation in the media or my love for musical theater. It taught me that my voice matters and can make a real difference. I really internalized that lesson and I use it in both my personal and professional life,” she says.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Releases</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-06-29T12:00:00Z">Wed, 06/29/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kasey Cheydleur</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25346">English</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/english" hreflang="und">English</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Courtesy of Rosie Hertzman</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Writer, Director, and Marketer</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:01:35 +0000</p> <span>Writer, Director, and Marketer</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:01:35-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:01">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:01</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Abigail Barr ’15 says she decided to major in theater because it was the only thing she could picture herself doing and minored in sociology to help her think critically. The New York native says the variety of theater classes the major requires, including arts management and technical theater, gave her skills that she still uses today. Those skills, combined with a killer sense of humor and an interest in comedy, led her to the many positions she currently juggles in the New York theater scene.</p> <p>Those positions currently include: writing comedy at the Upright Citizens Brigade; serving as the marketing assistant at the Peoples Improv Theater in New York; freelancing for <em>Full Frontal With Samantha Bee</em>; and serving as the artistic associate for Dark Matter Productions, a theater company dedicated to social justice and developing the next generation of philanthropists. As the artistic associate, her responsibilities include reading and developing new plays and coordinating meetings and events. She also directs plays on a freelance basis, which is fulfilling because “I get to make the art that I want to see in the world,” she says.</p> <p>She says her time at 91ֱ�� helped her clarify what she wanted to do and why. While at 91ֱ��, she ran the publicity unit of the 91ֱ�� Theater and Dance Departments, cochaired the 91ֱ�� Student Theater Association, and directed plays in the theater department and for student theater. She was also in a co-op for three years.</p> <p>Looking ahead, she says she is passionate about comedy writing, directing plays, and working at organizations she loves, but does not want to narrow down any possibilities yet. Instead she would like to enjoy the journey. “I think my life could go in so many ways, which is really exciting,” she says.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Releases</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-06-07T12:00:00Z">Tue, 06/07/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kasey Cheydleur</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25441">Theater</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25431">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/theater" hreflang="und">Theater</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/sociology" hreflang="und">Sociology</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Abigail Barr ’15 is making her mark on the New York theater scene. </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Patrick Taylor</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Politically Minded</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:01:35 +0000</p> <span>Politically Minded</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:01:35-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:01">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:01</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>Molly Brand ’15 spent the summer after her sophomore year as a <a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics/cole-scholars">Cole Scholar</a> working on John Connolly’s campaign for mayor of Boston. The politics major from Sandy Spring, Maryland, was so moved by the experience that she took the next semester off to continue working for the campaign. While his bid was eventually unsuccessful, Brand was hooked. She knew politics was where she wanted to be.</p> <p>After graduation, that desire led her to <a href="http://www.gmmb.com/">GMMB</a>, a Washington D.C.-based communications consulting firm which consults with campaigns as well as issue advocacy work. Brand says she applied for GMMB because one of the founders is an 91ֱ�� alum, Jim Margolis ’79, and because the company shared her values and is known for high quality work. Currently, she works in the media department at GMMB tracking competitive information about political spending on ads. The information she receives helps paint a picture of what is going on before ads actually run and helps the GMMB media buyers make decisions about where they want to place their own ads.</p> <p>While at 91ֱ��, Brand participated in College Democrats, Student Senate, Women’s Chorale, and was a member of Harkness and Pyle Co-ops. She says her time at 91ֱ�� taught her about how to connect with different people and ideas. “The way people care so deeply about things at 91ֱ�� was a huge part of my education,” she says.</p> <p>In the future, Brand says she would like to continue working in politics and take a more active role in shaping the message and policy goals of the campaigns and political leaders she works with.</p></div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Releases</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2016-05-18T12:00:00Z">Wed, 05/18/2016 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Kasey Cheydleur</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2368">Alumni</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2389">Young Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-programs field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?program=25416">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/arts-and-sciences/departments/politics" hreflang="und">Politics</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-caption field--type-string-long field--label-hidden field__item">Molly Brand (back row, third from the left) with the other 2015 GMMB summer interns.</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Molly Brand</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> <article> <h1>Aiming for the Orchestra</h1> <p>Anonymous — Mon, 07 Nov 2016 18:02:52 +0000</p> <span>Aiming for the Orchestra</span> <span><span>Anonymous (not verified)</span></span> <span><time datetime="2016-11-07T13:02:52-05:00" title="Monday, November 7, 2016 - 13:02">Mon, 11/07/2016 - 13:02</time> </span> <div class="text-content field field--name-body field--type-text-with-summary field--label-hidden field__item"><p>This year, Hunter Gordon ’14, psychology and bassoon performance double degree student, entered Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, aiming for a master’s of music in bassoon performance.</p> <p>Gordon says he dreams of being an orchestral bassoonist and chose Rice’s program because of the bassoon professor, Benjamin Kamins, many of whose students have gone on to win orchestral positions. “Additionally, Rice has a great orchestra, and playing with this group has greatly helped my ensemble skills,” Gordon says.</p> <p>According to Gordon, his prowess on the bassoon is due largely to his professor at 91ֱ��, George Sakakeeny. “Hearing him play bassoon and listening to his advice consistently inspired me to pursue a career in classical music. Without his guidance, I would be nowhere near the level required of a professional musician,” Gordon says.</p> <p>Participating in the double degree program was a huge factor in his decision to pursue a master’s degree in bassoon, says Gordon. Having a hand in each school, Gordon learned how to manage his time effectively, maintaining focus while working toward long-term goals. Exposure to both paths made Gordon that much more certain of what he wanted to do after graduation, he says.</p> <p>According to Gordon, Rice does a good job of training students for professional experiences “by allowing students to work closely with high-level faculty while giving consistent performance opportunities.” Gordon plans to use the skills he has gained at Rice, both professionally and musically, to audition for orchestras, expand his musical network, and start his career as a professional bassoon player.</p> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-type field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item">News Releases</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-date field--type-datetime field--label-hidden field__item"><time datetime="2015-03-13T12:00:00Z">Fri, 03/13/2015 - 12:00</time> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-author field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Rosalind Black</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-tags field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2360">After 91ֱ��</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2357">Double Degree Program</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2356">Conservatory</a></div> <div class="field__item"><a href="/news?tag=2974">Conservatory Alumni</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-departments field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__items"> <div class="field__item"><a href="/conservatory/divisions/winds-brass-and-percussion" hreflang="und">Winds, Brass, and Percussion</a></div> </div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-pin-school-page field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">Off</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-photo-gallery-top field--type-boolean field--label-hidden field__item">false</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-image-credit field--type-string field--label-hidden field__item">Sean Gordon</div> <div class="field field--name-field-news-media field--type-entity-reference field--label-hidden field__item"> </div> </article> </main></body></html>