Student Achievments: Lindsey Johns

Lindsey Johns, a senior in Sound Design, is presenting her work this week at the USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) Conference in Milwaukee.

She applied for and was accepted to the juried Young Designers Forum which is mostly graduate students. This presentation is similar to a poster session although almost all displays are three dimensional and Lindsey's will require audio and possibly video playback due to the nature of her work. 

Only 15 applicants were selected for this honor, 3 of which are sound students.  This is an incredible opportunity for Lindsey to show her sound design work and network with industry professionals from around the country.

Congratulations, Lindsey!

VPA Graduate Spotlight: Laura Larsen

Laura Larsen graduated from Michigan Tech in December with a degree in mechanical engineering and a minor in theatre arts.  She was involved (as a cast member) in seven productions while at Tech, starting with Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy in her first semester and ending with The Horror of H.P. Lovecraft in her last semester.

1.  Why did you choose to minor in Theatre Arts at Tech?

When it came time to choose what I wanted to do, I was very torn between doing something with math and science or in the arts.  In the end, I made the right decision for me to be a mechanical engineer but I was thrilled to find how much I loved the VPA department at Tech.  I was spending so much time there, and I realized how much more there was for me to learn about the different aspects of theatre, that I decided to become a minor.

2.  How did adding a minor in the arts enhance your experience as a Tech engineering student?

Adding the theatre arts minor was the best thing I could have done for my engineering studies because it allowed me to split my time between exercising either side of my brain.  When Mechanical Engineering courses were overwhelming, I could spend a few hours on theatre classes and come back to those other courses feeling more confident and refreshed.  Also, when you know more about a variety of subjects, you are able to approach any issues more creatively.  I am always amazed how much engineering and the arts lend insight to one another.

3.  What is the most important thing you learned from participating in theatre at Tech?

The most important thing I learned from theatre at Tech is how much I am truly capable of and that I should never doubt my abilities.  I became so many distinctly different characters and learned a lot about myself in participating in so many productions but more importantly, I learned that I could balance classes, homework, hours of rehearsal a night, and friends.  Not having to cut out any of those aspects, really enhanced the rest of my life and I never dreamed that I could be able to do it all.

4.  What inspires you?

I am inspired by the beauty and diversity of the people around me.  Everyone I meet has a different story to tell and they all find so many wonderful ways to be happy.  It is so inspiring to know that no matter what life hits me with, there will always be beauty and happiness to be found in the world.

5.  How will you use your theatre experience now that you have graduated and work as an engineer?   

I am working as a mechanical engineer but I hope to still remain involved in community theatre.  Even if I am not directly involved in a production, I will always use what I have learned from the arts: once you learn to work together and what you are personally capable of, with a little creativity, anything is possible.

6.  What advice would you give to other engineering students who want to participate in the arts?

To other engineering students, I would say there is no reason to think you can't participate in the arts; I have seen every type of person benefit from even minimal experience.  You may be forced out of your comfort zone, but that is quite possibly the best thing you can do for yourself because only then you will find out who you truly are and what you are capable of.

VPA Student Spotlight: John Watza

Photo by Lara Neves

John Watza recently earned an Honorable Mention at KC-ACTF (Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival) for his Sound Design Project of Shakespear's "Twelfth Night."

1.  Why did you choose to major in Sound Design at Tech?

I knew I wanted to go into music and specifically Sound Design because I wanted to learn the technical as well as the artistic side to music.  From a college fair I learned that Michigan Tech had a Sound Design program and I came to visit and really liked what I saw.  I also love snow and Michigan Tech sure has snow.

2.  What has been your favorite part of working in Sound Design?

Being able to collaborate with other creative students, whether its making radio dramas or composing music for a play, it is a lot of fun to work as a part of a team to create something bigger than you could have done by yourself.  It's always exciting to see a big project come together.

3.  What is the most important thing you have learned in your major?

Designing Sound is about telling a story or creating an emotion and there are countless ways to use sound to tell whatever story needs to be told, or create whatever emotion that needs to be created.

4.  What inspires you?

I love music and I love movies, that's why I chose to go into this field.  I also find working with a group of people on a project to be very inspiring because everyone is trying to create something and collaborating together which is a great atmosphere for creativity.

5.  What are your goals after graduation?

I want to work on movies, I really love composing music and to be able to do that for film is my goal for the future.  

6.  What advice would you give others hoping to major in Sound Design?

Work hard at learning as much as you can.  Listen to everything, music, movies, everyday sounds--just listen.  Networking is huge, make as many contacts as you can and always be looking for opportunities.

Student Achievments: Katy Ellenich, Elizabeth LaRouche, and Morgan Nelson

Katy, Morgan, and Liz in the costume shop--their home away from home.

Three VPA students will be presenting at the USITT (United States Institute for Theatre Technology) Conference in March 2013

Elizabeth LaRouche, Katy Ellenich, & Morgan Nelson have each had their abstracts accepted for the USITT Costume Design & Technology Commission's Poster Session to be presented at the USITT Conference in Milwaukee, March of 2013.

This poster session is a professional session comprised mostly of faculty and professional costume designers and technicians. All entries were blind juried so it was not known by the jurors that these students were all from Michigan Tech, nor that they were students at all!

This is Elizabeth's second year in a row, a rarity. Also, never has a single institution had as great a representation in the session in its 18-year history.

Congratulations, Elizabeth, Katy, & Morgan!

VPA Student Spotlight: Paige Borel

Meet Paige Borel, a senior majoring in Theatre and Electronic Media Performance.

Photo by Lara Neves

1.  Why did you choose to major in Theatre and Electronic Media Performance at Tech?  

I chose to major in Theatre and Electronic Media Performance at Michigan Tech because I fell in love with every aspect of the Visual and Performing Arts Department. I love the small class sizes, it provides me with one on one feedback and attention from professors. The professors and faculty are truly here to help you succeed. They want to watch you grow. My fellow peers within the department are supportive of each other's work, always willing to help, and we always have fun whether in class or rehearsal.

2.  What has been your favorite part of being in the theatre division at Tech?

My favorite aspect of the theatre division at Michigan Tech is that I have been able to participate in extensive performer flying training, which is truly unique for undergraduate programs.

3.  What is the most important thing you have learned in your major?

The most important lesson I have learned in my major so far is to let go and be myself. No one else can be me and that is unique!

4.  What inspires you?

Music is my number one inspiration. I am a movement oriented performer and music helps me to develop movement and attitude for a character. 

5.  What are your goals after graduation?

My goals after graduation include moving to Chicago or New York to begin auditioning for theatre companies, cruise line theatre companies, Broadway. I am also interested in being cast in shows as an aerial acrobat.

6.  What advice would you give others hoping to major in Theatre and Electronic Media Performance?

My advice to future Theatre Performance majors is to be fearless. If this is your true passion in life, don't be swayed by other's opinions not to pursue this. I always believe that if you want something greatly, you will do anything to achieve it. And most importantly, be yourself!

KSO Fall Recital Series: November Recital

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra presents a free Fall Music Recital this Thursday, November 15, at 7:00 pm at Portage Lake United Church.  This recital's theme--Around the World in 80 Minutes--covers music from many different countries, and includes exciting performances by woodwind quintet, string quartet, flute solo, vocal solo, cello solo, clarinet duet, and classical guitar.

There is no ticket price for the recital, but a $5 donation toward the KSO and PLUC is accepted at the door. There will be a reception after the performance.

October Highlights

The Keweenaw Symphony Orchestra kicked off the fall concert season with To Russia, With Love, a program featuring all Russian music.

The Orchestra then left on its first-ever concert tour on October 25 and played at venues in Norway, Marquette, and Escanaba.

Dr. Neves was interviewed on the radio, and the orchestra was featured on TV6 news.
The orchestra had a wonderful experience sharing their music with the rest of the Upper Peninsula.

Tech Theatre started their season off with a bang (and a stabbing or two) with The Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.  Students successfully stumped and surprised their audiences with a whodunit that had twists at every turn and turns at every twist, and plenty of secret passages.

Photos from Closing Night

Also in October was the KSO's first recital in their fall recital series.  Something Wicked This Way Comes, a theme fitting for the Halloween season, featured several Tech Students and local musicians singing and playing their own versions of wicked (or just wickedly awesome) music.

Pat Valencia, Tech's guitar instructor, plays a spooky rendition of Koyunbaba by Domeniconi in October's KSO Recital

November has already kicked off around the VPA with a Superior Winds Concert and a film festival.

Much more to come!