www.sota.ku.edu785-864-6159

Season’s Greetings from KU School of the Arts!

Since coming on board as Director of the school in July of this year, I have been amazed at the drive, talent and

accomplishments of the faculty, staff and students in the Departments of Dance, Theatre, Visual Art, and Film & Media Studies. Some of their recent achievements are featured in this newsletter, but their greatest single attribute is their tireless commitment to the creative arts. With over 600 students, more than 50 faculty, and 14 degree programs, the School of the Arts is KU’s primary site for creative

activity. Indeed, our studios, rehearsal rooms,

galleries and performance spaces are so active that one of my jobs as director this time of year is to remind the campus maintenance and security personnel to leave the heat and lights on in our buildings at night and on the weekends!

In the five years since the School of the Arts was launched as a division of the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, it has become clear that we offer KU students the best of both worlds: the small classes and specialized instruction of an art school, combined with the intellectual and social variety of a world class research university. We train our students to make art, of course, but more importantly, we prepare our graduates to create bright futures for themselves and for their

communities.It’s an exciting time of transition and

change for KU. With all the opportunities and challenges facing higher education, the interest and involvement of friends like you are more crucial than ever. Please stay in touch by visiting our website (sota.ku.edu) or following us on Facebook and Twitter (@KUSchoolofArts). Join us at one of our upcoming events, or show your support by making a donation. Help us to create the future of the School of the Arts.

Happy holidays,

Henry BialDirector, School of the ArtsAssociate Dean, College of Liberal Arts

& Sciences

Letter from the Director

Visual art students finish commissioned project for the Kansas City Federal Reserve Bank’s 100th Anniversary

For the past four semesters, more than 50 visual art students, faculty and staff have been working on a commissioned work for the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. The sculpture, “An Abounding Asset: A Diligent Reserve,” went on permanent display Nov. 15 as the Reserve celebrates its 100th anniversary.

This educational partnership began with students being tasked to develop 400 ideas that would be narrowed down to just three to present to the client. Led by Matthew Burke, visual art professor and sculptor, “Special Topics in Art: The Federal Reserve Commission” provided a rare professional opportunity for enrolled students.

“Art students are used to generating work for either their professors or themselves. But this commission project asked them right away, no matter their level, to address the parameters of the project in thoughtful and imaginative ways,” Burke said.

Students learned there is much more involved in a project of this scale than just creation, he said. It forced students to

think about how to pack, ship, document and record, along with many other things that go into placing an art piece into the world.

“This project has given me experience in finding the balance between my personal desire for expression and the obligation that I have to the bank to produce something that matches what they are expecting,” said Alex Case, visual art student. “I feel like it has given me a much better understanding of how this process works and how the field of art is run in the real world.”

Burke is considering pursuing more projects like this for students. Though met with challenges, the project opened up a new model for teaching and executing research.

“With this work, we hope to encourage people who normally would not encounter art outside of visiting a gallery or museum,” said Sarah Podrasky, graduate visual art student. “We brought art into the workplace.”

The sculpture is located at the bank, 1

Memorial Drive in Kansas City, Missouri. Because of the sculpture’s versatile design, versions of the piece also will be on display at the bank’s branches in Omaha, Nebraska; Oklahoma City and Denver.

December 19, 2014Issue 1

Only brave men danceThe department of dance currently has three male dance majors. Each of them started dancing for different

reasons and at different ages. Each of them agree that between the often revealing and tight outfits, the pressure of expressing part of yourself in front of an audience, and always being the minority, it truly does take bravery – and strength – to dance.

School of the Arts Newsletter Issue 1December 19, 2014

Andrew Hammes became a dancer later in his life, but is grateful to have found his passion regardless. Prior to his time in the dance department at KU, Hammes was a member of the U.S. Airforce, a jet engine mechanic on stealth bombers.

In spring 2013, Hammes transferred to KU from Johnson County Community College. Still searching for his niche, he decided to try out Dance 104 after seeing a post about it on social media.

“On the first day, I walk in wearing my button up, sweater and wing tip shoes to

find a bunch of girls and one other guy, all dance-geared up and ready to go. I thought about dropping it right then, but decided to try it out,” Hammes said.

Just a couple weeks later, Hammes found himself smiling uncontrollably in class and wishing he was able to dance all day. And now, as a dance major with his pre-requisites out of the way, he does just that.

“I love to dance, because I love to move. But more than that, I dance to express myself in much deeper ways than I could through any other means,” Hammes said.

A dancer since the age of seven, Brennon Madrid came to KU due to connections already held here, as well as offerings from KU’s dance program that are typically only found at a private school or conservatory. Not to mention that the moment he stepped foot on campus, he knew this was where he wanted to study.

Madrid dances for many reasons, but primarily he finds it a way to “express things that you cannot convey in mere

words and present something that makes people feel.”

Madrid is responsible for the addition of “strong” in the statement above about brave men dancing.

“I would say only strong and brave men dance,” Madrid said. “It takes strength to get into touch with your artistic side and be able to explore your body in movement while still making it look natural and masculine.”

The final brave man, Daniel Xaysongkham, has been dancing since he was four. He credits his quick education in dance from observing his older brother breakdancing and watching the likes of Michael Jackson and Usher.

“Every day I think about dance. When I hear a great song, I immediately begin to choreograph something in my head and start moving,” Xaysongkham said. “Even when I stand at work, I am working on my stance and footwork behind the counter.”

Growing up in Salina, Xaysongkham was surrounded by KU and K-State fans alike, but he always felt an affinity with the Jayhawk. It seemed the Jayhawk was “unique and different – sort of like me, an

individual with no boundaries.”That individuality is one of

Xaysongkham’s favorite things about dance.

“No matter what movement we perform together on the stage, each of us will be different because of body type, posture and style variations,” he said.

Xaysongkham is also former military, having served in the United States Marine Corps, and knows a little something about bravery.

“Surely the bravest thing I’ve ever done was serving in the Marines and being under fire in Afghanistan, but being one of the few male dancers in the world has to rank right up there somewhere too.”

Each of these men plan to continue dancing well past their time at KU, either with professional companies, becoming a choreographer or opening his own studio. Regardless of where their futures take them, it is clear to see that their passion, bravery and strength will serve them well.

School of the Arts Newsletter Issue 1

Studying artistic traditions in Japan

Dividing their time among five locations over four weeks, a group of four KU art students were immersed in the history and culture of Japan. The students participated in the two major artist residency programs in Japan, MI-LAB and Awagami Factory, where they received hands-on demonstrations from Japanese masters and had time to make their own Japanese paper and prints.

Visual art associate professor Yoonmi Nam arranged the trip. She wanted students to interact with and learn from local craftspeople who are working to continue, preserve and appreciate traditional arts and crafts in contemporary Japan.

“Because of the nature of this class, we all traveled together and immersed ourselves in Japanese culture and lifestyle, so every moment became a teaching moment,” Nam said. “Even the most mundane experiences can become profound, and everyone we meet and spend time with can become a teacher.”

The students examined subject matter and themes in the traditional Ukiyo-e prints such as the city of Edo, Kabuki

theatre and Mt. Fuji. Nam wanted students to experience firsthand how other people around the world share universal and fundamental values, but perhaps think differently about who we are and how we do things.

“Being away from home, completely submerged within another culture, where the only thing required of me was to absorb was amazing,” said Audrey Hughes, study abroad participant. “In Japan, it felt like time was given to me. It reaffirmed how much I love to make art, and it inspired me to search out moments to just think and create.”

Nam has seen the benefits of study abroad from many of her students as they develop a real sense of understanding of

their work and their individuality through travel.

“It is not uncommon for a student in Kansas to have never been abroad, and being away in a new country for an extended period of time can be intimidating and uncomfortable at times,” Nam said. “But all of the effort and hard work becomes completely worth it when you see a student at ease and effortlessly interacting with the locals.”

“A study abroad trip is a great way to experience culture and grow as an artist,” said Jaime David, graduate study abroad participant. “This program was far more enriching than something I would have been able to achieve by just traveling on my own.”

The University of Kansas launched the inaugural season of the Kansas Classical Repertory Theatre this summer. With the theme of translation and adaptation as its founding mission, the Kansas Classical Repertory Theatre presented the classical drama “The Comedy of Errors” and its musical adaptation, “The Boys from Syracuse,” in rotating repertory.

“It was great to see the community attending both performances and marveling at how the same story was reinterpreted in such interesting ways,” said Peter Zazzali, assistant professor of theatre and director. “‘The Boys from Syracuse,’ for example, was presented in the Victorian 'steampunk' era, whereas ‘Comedy of Errors’ paid homage to commedia dell’arte.”

The mission of this new company is to bring Lawrence a professional repertory theatre company. KU students, alumni and faculty combine talents with equity guest artists and students from nationally

recognized actor training programs to form a company with exceptional skill and professional experience. The productions share the same casts and set, but are distinguished by costumes, directorial concepts and texts.

The second season is already in the works

with a program of suspense thrillers. Two murder-mystery melodramas, Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap” and a companion piece, will run in rotating repertory in July and early August of 2015.

Professional repertory theatre company debuts in Lawrence

December 19, 2014

Over the summer, five students in film and media studies, education and environmental studies embarked on a week-long study abroad trip, “Environmental Film,” in El Salvador.

The students participated in a community empowerment tour organized by EcoViva, an organization supporting environmental sustainability, social justice and peace for communities in Central America.

Organized by film & media studies professor Matt Jacobson and environmental studies and geography professor Chris Brown, the group went to the Bay of Jiquilisco along the Pacific coast to document sustainable agricultural and fishing practices.

“I’ve always been a big believer in the positive power of video production. I want students to realize that their work and skills have inherent social value,” Jacobson said. “These students got to see this project make a difference in peoples’ lives on a

truly global scale.” Getting out into the field and working

within a community was empowering and eye-opening in many ways for the students on this trip.

“The boundaries of my skills were pushed further than ever before, and I found this new voice and independence in the film medium,” said Shalinn Starkey, undergraduate in film & media studies.

Upon the group’s return, they produced a series of short videos for use by KU, EcoViva, and the communities in El Salvador for their own purposes of education and raising awareness.

“There seems to be mutual interest between film & media studies and environmental studies to work together to make KU a place known for doing environmental film,” Brown said. “We hope this will show what great things we can do when we team up.”

Students create environmental films in El Salvador

School of the Arts Newsletter Issue 1December 19, 2014

A new initiative between KU film & media studies, The Nature Conservancy and ITC served as an opportunity for two talented students and an alumnus to create four informational videos that raise awareness of conservation issues in Kansas.

Over the course of 2014, the students completed 10 location shoots at Conservancy properties and project areas around the state and logged more than 50 hours of video footage.

“The Nature Conservancy partnership was challenging in its scope, extended timeline and number of pieces produced,” said Robert Hurst, associate professor and internship coordinator for film & media studies. “These challenges really helped the internship participants to grow as young professionals.”

The completed videos serve as a valuable tool to raise the profile of The Nature Conservancy, as well as an example of KU School of the Arts’ internship opportunities. The videos cover a wide range of Conservancy projects and endeavors including:

• the benefits of prescribed fire in the Flint Hills and how local communities celebrate and promote this springtime tradition;

• the creepy crawlers of the Red Hills featuring snakes and bats;

• the importance of the Cheyenne Bottoms on wetland bird populations; and

• a Nature Conservancy 25th anniversary retrospective with footage from all project areas.

“This partnership served a need in Kansas and exposed the students to parts of the state they didn’t know existed,” Hurst said. “This internship allowed the students to get a taste of the skills and discipline one needs to work professionally.”

Film & Media Studies interns raise profile of The Nature Conservancy efforts

Click HERE to view the videos.

Theatre group sheds light on diversity and social changeProviding a creative research outlet for

students to examine diverse world views and to improvise solutions for change in their environments, the Interactive Theatre Troupe is in its fifth year in the Theatre Department at KU.

The Troupe has 20 student members who meet weekly to learn about diversity and to create works that critically respond to acts of discrimination. Group members use Forum Theater, improvisation, film, sketch comedy and Hip-Hop Theater to write, perform, produce and direct live and recorded performances.

Begun by recently retired faculty member, Delores Ringer, in 2009, the Troupe’s current leader is Assistant Professor, Nicole Hodges Persley.

“Interactive Theatre Troupe creates “real life” scenarios that demonstrate the ways in which they can model new ways to dialogue about change to the KU community,” Hodges Persley said.

Aside from adding episodes to their web series, “What’s Wrong with This Picture?,” performing for KU Alternative Breaks,

visiting classes and writing scripts to fight sexual harassment, the troupe has been invited to perform at KU’s Martin Luther King Jr. celebration in January.

Theatre student Bianca Jimenez was excited to find Interactive Theatre Troupe here at KU. “I believe that theatre inspires people. When I found ITT, I was just beginning to form my vision of what theatre can be, and that vision had a lot to do with social change.”

Inspired by “TED Talks,” the group is also starting a monthly salon, “Freestyling Change: Improvising Solutions for Social Justice,” where students, faculty and staff will discuss a moment in their lives when they realized they wanted to be a catalyst for change.

“One of the things I have gotten out of this experience is a greater awareness of other people’s beliefs and lifestyles,” said Drew Stussie, a film major who has been a Troupe member for three years. “We all live in our own personal bubbles, and stepping out of them brings us a greater understanding of how the world works.”

The Interactive Theatre Troupe is sponsored by the Department of Theatre and the Office of Diversity & Equity and has a working partnership with Haskell University.

‘I Dream of Jeannie’ star gives theatre scholarshipA spring 2014 visit with students in the

Department of Theatre inspired alumnus Jon Eicholtz and his wife, actress Barbara Eden, of Beverly Hills, California, to make a $300,000 gift to provide one full-ride undergraduate scholarship for a student who plans to be a professional actor.

“I had a desire to do something for the university in acknowledgement of and return for what it had done for me. KU gave me a foundation for my life,” Eicholtz said. “It also was important to me that this gift be meaningful to Barbara, and that it be a reflection of her career.”

Eicholtz earned a bachelor’s degree from KU in architectural engineering in 1962. His career in construction management and real estate development, took him across the U.S.

Barbara Eden is an actress and singer. She starred in the popular 1960s television series “I Dream of Jeannie.” She has starred in 25 feature films, five network TV series and 19 top-rated network made-for-television movies. She has headlined at major hotel resorts and casinos, and she continues to perform for audiences in the

U.S. and abroad.Mechele Leon, chair of the Department

of Theatre, said the scholarship would be an asset in recruiting and rewarding students who not only demonstrate talent and academic achievements, but also have a proven commitment to a career as a performer.

“There’s no replacement for the inspiration that students get from speaking to a performer of that kind of international and national stature,” Leon said.

The inaugural recipient of the Jon T. Eicholtz and Barbara Eden Acting Scholarship is Jaclyn Nischbach, a junior theatre student from Wildwood, Mo.

School of the Arts Newsletter Issue 1December 19, 2014

Bequest of former director brings professional choreographers to dance

Created in 2010 upon the death of longtime Division of Dance Director, beloved teacher and colleague, the Janet Hamburg Visiting Artist Series is an endowed fund that supports intensive residencies by a professional guest artist each semester.

“These artists teach, set new work and share professional development advice with our students, said Michelle Heffner Hayes, chair and professor of dance. “These connections to professionals provide a network of support for our graduates as they negotiate their career paths.”

Film & Media Studies to move to Summerfield in 2017

The Film & Media Studies Department will soon have a new home. With the upcoming relocation of the KU School of Business, Summerfield Hall will be renovated to welcome Film & Media Studies and Career Services.

“Moving onto campus will be a great move for us, as it will provide more accessibility and visibility for our fantastic program throughout the University,” said Tamara Falicov, chair and professor of film and media studies.

The renovations will include a state-of-the-art soundstage, audio and animation labs, production studio, equipment room, editing bays, green rooms and other spaces dedicated to audiovisual production. Summerfield will also have more offices for faculty and graduate students, a lounge, meeting spaces and classrooms.

The department is beginning the process of hiring architects and raising an estimated $3.7 million for renovations.

“We are excited to enter this new stage in the life of Film & Media Studies,” Falicov said.

School of the Arts Newsletter Issue 1December 19, 2014

“Having a guest choreographer gives us a chance to see what’s happening elsewhere in the dance world and allows us to really expand our knowledge and vocabulary of dance.”

- Julie Ferrell, dance major

Visiting artists include:

• Talia Beck, Inbal Pinto & Avshalom Pollack Dance Company, Tel-Aviv, Israel• Autumn Eckman, Giordano Dance Company, Chicago• Carl Flink, Black Label Movement, Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN• Lane Gifford, LaneCoArts, New York City• Jennifer Hart, Ballet Austin, Austin, TX• Rodney Hill, Rennie Harris Puremovement, Philadelphia• Regina Klenjoski, Regina Klenjoski Dance Company, Long Beach, CA• Dusan Tynek, Dusan Tynek Dance Theatre, Brooklyn

School of the Arts Graduation!

Friday, May 15, 20156:30 P.M.

THE LIED CENTER

Save the date!

School of the Arts Newsletter Issue 1December 19, 2014

Scene from University Theatre’s “The Last Cyclist.”

Scene from University Theatre’s “Tovarich.”

Tate Foley, visiting artist in printmaking, critiques student work.

Rowland Ricketts, visiting artist in textiles.

Art & Design Gallery during Visual Art faculty exhibit.

Film & Media Studies Professional Advisory Board meeting.

Chris Strompolos, visiting artist in Film & Media Studies.

Rodney Hill, visiting hip-hop artist in dance.

University Dance Company fall concert.

Share your adventures with the School of the ArtsEngaging with the School

of the Arts alumni is an important aspect of my position in the School. I’m pleased to share the many exciting things that are going on with the students and faculty in the School of the Arts. And this is really only

scratching the surface of the research, opportunities, events and creative projects happening here.

I want to hear from you! Your post-grad journeys demonstrate the power and flexibility of an arts degree.

Help me share your stories in order to inspire the next generation of creative professionals by filling out this quick form on our website.

Heather AndersonMarketing & Communications Coordinator Writer & Editor of Newsletter

handers@ku.edu(785) 864-3667

Semester Snapshots

College of Liberal Arts & SciencesStrong Hall1450 Jayhawk Blvd., Room 200Lawrence, KS 66045-7535

KU School of the Arts is in the midst of an ambitious campaign to make a great university even better. We need your support to reach our aspirations. We invite you to take pride in all that KU has achieved and join with us to build our future. Your contributions, whether in private gifts, service or opportunities for students, can make a transformative difference.

To contribute to the School of the Arts or one of the arts departments, visit www.sota.com for more information or click on one of the links below.

Invest in tomorrow’s artists today.

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