Teaching artists at the Bartol Foundation’s recent workshop, “Theatre in Motion”, made this theatre piece together. Watch video below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=7gjIQEnKoaw
http://bartol.org/teaching-artist-programs/
About Me
- Alyssa Mulligan
- I am a theatre artist who is dedicated to integrating my dual passions: Theatre & Education. I am very devoted to helping students find their voice. It is my firm philosophy that creating theatre is crucial in shaping both individual and societal growth.
ARTICLE: Darlington Arts Center Preschool
Sandy doesn’t disrupt Darlington Art Center’s Halloween
In spite of threatening Hurricane Sandy, Darlington Art Center (DAC) preschoolers gathered in their Halloween best to celebrate the holiday on Wednesday. Dressed in costumes including spiderman, a dinosaur, and a bumblebee, preschoolers in the Wednesday class presented a dramatic play with teaching artist Lisa Eckley-Cocchiarale entitled “The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything” for parents and fellow classmates.Each student played the part of a spooky piece of clothing that challenged the protagonist to re-think her titular bravery: clomping sneakers, whooshing shirt, and a nodding hat, among others.
After the play, students from all preschool classes gathered for a Halloween parade and practiced “trick-or-treating” throughout the arts center.
DAC will hold a Preschool Open House 9 a.m.-noon, Thursday, Nov. 8 with a book reading by author Ariela Rossberg at 11:15 a.m. Rossberg will be reading her first storybook, “The Gray Days,” a story of child’s journey to rediscovering his imagination in a place where it no longer exists. All pre-school aged children and their parents are invited to attend. Thos e attending can sign up for the Winter/Spring Preschool ahead of the public registration date, Nov. 15. Light refreshments will also be served.
DAC is at 977 Shavertown Road, Garnet Valley. For more information, visit www.darlingtonarts.org or call 610-358-3632.
TEACHING ARTIST REVIEW: Theatre Horizon Camp
A recent review from a parent in regards to a week-long camp through Theatre Horizon:
"My daughter, L., was
enrolled in your theatre camp [through Theatre Horizon], August
13-17. What an incredible experience she had! Alyssa Mulligan and Erin
Frederick did an exceptional job with all of the kids, creating a
cohesive, happy group right off the bat. L. felt comfortable with the
other kids and with Alyssa and Erin -- who were wonderful about having
ice breaking activities that made everyone feel good about the process
-- from the minute she arrived on Monday morning. So, I was delighted
that she was having a good experience. The icing on the cake? A very
professional performance on Friday afternoon, more professional than
some of the plays L. has worked on for three months!
Thanks again for a wonderful week and, once again, hats off to Alyssa Mulligan and Erin Frederick."
ARTICLE: ArtsEmerson Blog
The Creator of THE ANDERSEN PROJECT: Robert Lepage
ROBERT LEPAGE
Born: December 12, 1957
Hometown: Quebec City
Career Highlights:
- In 1982 he joined Théâtre Repère
- In 1985 The Dragon’s Trilogy won him immediate international attention
- Artistic director of the National Arts Centre’s Théâtre français in Ottawa from 1989 to 1993
- In 1994, Lepage founded the multidisciplinary production company, Ex
Machina - In 1994, he was made an Officer of the Order of Canada”for his particularly imaginative and innovative work”
- For Quebec City’s 400th anniversary in 2008, Robert Lepage and Ex Machina created the largest architectural projection ever achieved: The Image Mill
- Lepage has been involved in many different art forms including directing a Peter Gabriel music tour, producing art exhibits and directing two Cirque du Soleil shows
Interesting Facts:
- At age five, he was diagnosed with a rare form of alopecia, which caused complete hair loss over his whole body.
- As a teenager he struggled with depression, and turned to drama classes to conquer his shyness.
- Lepage’s first interest was actually geography, which he says still influences how he creates work and his interest in touring and cross-cultural interactions
- Studied at Québec City’s Conservatoire d’Art Dramatique for three years before studying in Paris with Alain Knapp’s theatre school
- Still a self-proclaimed “shy person” despite performing many one-man shows
- When asking collaborators for help creating a name for his new theatre company, he had one condition: the name could not contain the word theatre
- The Andersen Project is both based on the biography of Hans Christian Anderson and the autobiography of Robert Lepage
Quotes:
“I think I’m what you may call an interdisciplinary artist, which is very, very 
complex and very, it’s more, it’s a fashionable term but I’d say it describes what I do quite well… I like being kind of vague in… how I define myself, and I believe in chaos very much. I believe that the only real invention comes out of chaos, and so it’s better not to know who you are, where you are when you start off if you want to accomplish something good.” (BBC Radio interview with John Tusa; read more & listen to the rest of the interview here.)
complex and very, it’s more, it’s a fashionable term but I’d say it describes what I do quite well… I like being kind of vague in… how I define myself, and I believe in chaos very much. I believe that the only real invention comes out of chaos, and so it’s better not to know who you are, where you are when you start off if you want to accomplish something good.” (BBC Radio interview with John Tusa; read more & listen to the rest of the interview here.)
“I think theatre naturally brings you to the spoken word, but you have to be ready for that and, and if it takes a whole career to get there then, and, and I prefer that because I think that unfortunately the word is too often the starting point of theatre and, and that gives way to one kind of theatrical expression. I think an image could also trigger theatrical expression and maybe the word is the final thing.”
“[Hans Christian Andersen] writes children’s tales, and we have an image of this tall, naive nerd who is inoffensive and all about fantasy, and actually he was very much about sexual fantasies.”
Make sure to catch Robert Lepage’s latest one-man show The Andersen Project MARCH 24-APRIL 1 at the Cutler Majestic Theatre.http://artsemerson.tumblr.com/post/19411468602/the-creator-of-the-andersen-project-robert-lepage
ARTICLE: ArtsEmerson Blog
Spoken Word: Defying Definition
By Alyssa Mulligan
Drawing inspiration from the Harlem Renaissance, blues and hip-hop music, spoken word cannot be simply defined: which suits this performance art and its fellow artists just fine, thank you. This lack of formal rules enables spoken word artists to experiment with structure, words and rhythm to provide social commentary on current events.
Spoken w
ord became popular in the 1960s with The Last Poets, an underground African-American community that sprung from the Civil Rights Movement. In 1970, Gil Scott Heron brought the art form to the mainstream’s attention with his piece The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, released on his album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox. In 1989, the Nuyorican Poets Café held one of the first documented poetry slams, a popular offshoot of spoken word where poets recite original work for a panel of judges selected from the audience.
ord became popular in the 1960s with The Last Poets, an underground African-American community that sprung from the Civil Rights Movement. In 1970, Gil Scott Heron brought the art form to the mainstream’s attention with his piece The Revolution Will Not Be Televised, released on his album Small Talk at 125th and Lenox. In 1989, the Nuyorican Poets Café held one of the first documented poetry slams, a popular offshoot of spoken word where poets recite original work for a panel of judges selected from the audience.
Over the years, spoken word continued to create a 
following, especially in the form of social activists and younger populations. MTV featured a very successful Spoken Word special in the 1990s, which featured established poets and musicians. The poetry slam movement continued to be popularized by Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry, an HBO television series that premiered in 2002. (Watch Universes, the company behind the upcoming production of Ameriville at ArtsEmerson, perform on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry here.)
following, especially in the form of social activists and younger populations. MTV featured a very successful Spoken Word special in the 1990s, which featured established poets and musicians. The poetry slam movement continued to be popularized by Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry, an HBO television series that premiered in 2002. (Watch Universes, the company behind the upcoming production of Ameriville at ArtsEmerson, perform on Russell Simmons’ Def Poetry here.)
Spoken word is visceral. Unstructured, rhythmic and socially charged, this surprising and dynamic art form refuses to be easily defined—you just have to experience it for yourself. 
Watch a clip showcasing spoken word from the upcoming performance of Ameriville.
Witness this art form for yourself as Ameriville’s Universes fuse spoken word with storytelling, jazz, gospel and hip hop. Ameriville is at ArtsEmerson for one week only! MARCH 13-18 on the Paramount Center Mainstage.
ARTICLE: ArtsEmerson Blog
A Whale of A Tale: The Journey of Conor and Judy Hegarty Lovett
By Alyssa Mulligan
Actor Conor Lovett began reading Beckett at the age of eighteen. Shortly thereafter, he performed the role of Hamm in Endgame. And his l
ove for the 20th century writer didn’t stop there… Today Conor is considered by many to be “the definitive Beckett performer,” bringing the culture of Ireland to cities around the world with his wife and director, Judy Hegarty Lovett. The actor-and-director married duo are the joint artistic directors of the Irish theatre company Gare St. Lazare Players Ireland (GSLPI). In fact, their theatre company has an extensive repertoire of Beckett works including nine prose pieces.
ove for the 20th century writer didn’t stop there… Today Conor is considered by many to be “the definitive Beckett performer,” bringing the culture of Ireland to cities around the world with his wife and director, Judy Hegarty Lovett. The actor-and-director married duo are the joint artistic directors of the Irish theatre company Gare St. Lazare Players Ireland (GSLPI). In fact, their theatre company has an extensive repertoire of Beckett works including nine prose pieces.
GSLPI grew from the original Gare St. Lazare Players, an international theatre company 
founded by Bob Meyer in 1983. Meyer’s company was first based in Chicago, and then found a new home base in Paris in 1988. Judy joined the company in 1991 as assistant to the Artistic Director, and a year later Conor joined the group as a performer. In 1996, Judy and Conor founded the Irish branch of the company with the intent to increase the Irish cultural footprint on a global scale. GSLPI continues to premiere their performances in Ireland and then tour internationally, having showcased their work in over twenty countries.
founded by Bob Meyer in 1983. Meyer’s company was first based in Chicago, and then found a new home base in Paris in 1988. Judy joined the company in 1991 as assistant to the Artistic Director, and a year later Conor joined the group as a performer. In 1996, Judy and Conor founded the Irish branch of the company with the intent to increase the Irish cultural footprint on a global scale. GSLPI continues to premiere their performances in Ireland and then tour internationally, having showcased their work in over twenty countries.
After their success with adapting the work of Beckett, the pair set their sights on an American piece: Moby Dick, written by Herman Melville. Neither Ju
dy nor Conor had actually read the novel until a couple of years ago. Connor explains, “Judy read it and immediately was taken by the confessional nature, which she thought would work well onstage with one person.” So they set to work, paring down the lengthy narrative into a one-man show, while still staying true to the writer’s voice. In a recent article, Conor describes the process of adapting the works of past writers: “Gare St. Lazare’s vision is about making the text your own so that you perform it as if it is your words, your story, your truth. In this way the actor and director appear to disappear and the audience is left, we hope, with a direct link to the writer.”
dy nor Conor had actually read the novel until a couple of years ago. Connor explains, “Judy read it and immediately was taken by the confessional nature, which she thought would work well onstage with one person.” So they set to work, paring down the lengthy narrative into a one-man show, while still staying true to the writer’s voice. In a recent article, Conor describes the process of adapting the works of past writers: “Gare St. Lazare’s vision is about making the text your own so that you perform it as if it is your words, your story, your truth. In this way the actor and director appear to disappear and the audience is left, we hope, with a direct link to the writer.”
What is next for GSLPI? Well for starters, the newest addition to their repertoire is a play written specifically for the company by American playwright Will Eno, who has been deemed “a Samuel Beckett for the Jon Stewart generation.” Title and Deed, a new play about
“finding your place in the world” had its premiere at the Kilkenny Arts Festival this past summer. Conor says, “[Eno] knows our work very well, and he knows how Judy and I operate and he knows what we’re interested in. He’s written something that’s right up our street.” Title and Deed is set to play in NYC next spring, as Judy and Conor continue to deliver powerful works to the world at large.
“finding your place in the world” had its premiere at the Kilkenny Arts Festival this past summer. Conor says, “[Eno] knows our work very well, and he knows how Judy and I operate and he knows what we’re interested in. He’s written something that’s right up our street.” Title and Deed is set to play in NYC next spring, as Judy and Conor continue to deliver powerful works to the world at large.
Be sure to catch the tale of Moby Dick as told by Gare St. Lazare Players Ireland NOV 7th-12th in the Jackie Liebergott Black Box in The Paramount Center!
ARTICLE: ArtsEmerson Blog
Living, Breathing Dolls
By Alyssa Mulligan
At the start of Henrik Ibsen’s iconic play A Doll’s House, Nora Helmer is portrayed as an empty-minded twittering “lark”: frivolously spending money, secretly nibbling on macaroons and endlessly looking for ways to please her husband. Much like her father considered her, Torvald Helmer views his wife as property, a plaything… in essence, a doll. Or as Nora phrases it, she was first her father’s “doll-child” and then Torvald’s “doll-wife.”
Of course, Ibsen’s play directly reflected his time when it was first produced in 1879. But are there still real-life doll-children and doll-wives today? Let’s look at popular culture and the many “celebutantes” that don our magazine covers and fill our DVRs. Current television programming is chock-full of reality star princesses. And interestingly enough, these business-savvy women have used the “doll” image to forward their careers. Among them:
1. Desperate Housewives of Orange County (and New York… and Atlanta… and Miami… and…)
This show peers into the l
ives of wealthy housewives as they shop, gossip, get plastic surgery and live “the good life.” The goal of many of these women is to look as young and hot as possible. One housewife in particular underwent breast augmentation surgery at the request of her husband, after he realized the majority of his friends’ wives were well-endowed. In Season 1, Jo’s boyfriend gifts her Mercedes cars and a mansion in exchange for her to be a housewife. In her own words, “Slade is pretty much keeping me.”
ives of wealthy housewives as they shop, gossip, get plastic surgery and live “the good life.” The goal of many of these women is to look as young and hot as possible. One housewife in particular underwent breast augmentation surgery at the request of her husband, after he realized the majority of his friends’ wives were well-endowed. In Season 1, Jo’s boyfriend gifts her Mercedes cars and a mansion in exchange for her to be a housewife. In her own words, “Slade is pretty much keeping me.”
2. Paris “That’s Hot!” Hilton
In this heiress’ heyday of The Simple Life, one could not escape the young socialite’s frequent “Paris-isms” (i.e. “Walmart… do they like, make walls there?”). With her accessory dog Tinkerbell in tow, this blonde-haired, blue-eyed fashionista claims, “I’m like my own Barbie Doll!”
3. Kim Kardashian & Co.
Never leaving the house without makeup on and Hermes bag in hand, Kim has been referred to as a modern day walking, talking Barbie doll. Along with her surgically enhanced sisters, Kim stays true to their reference toward the “Joneses”: she spends money like it’s her job. Hold up, maybe it is…
4. The Girls Next Door
This series showcases the happenings of Hugh Hefner’s girlfriends and their lives together in the Playboy Mansion. The girls pose, shop, travel, party, and try to please the shared man in their lives. Former girlfriend Holly Madison reported that at first she was not Hefner’s physical ideal, but that some plastic surgery, tanning makeup and hair treatment fixed that.
Don’t miss the last-chance ever to see the world-renowned reinterpretation of Ibsen’s A Doll House: Mabou Mines DollHouse is playing at The Cutler Majestic Theatre NOV 1-6!
ARTICLE: ArtsEmerson Blog
The Speaker’s Progress: A Journey Between Cultures
By Alyssa Mulligan
“Be not afraid of greatness: some are born great, some achieve greatness and some have greatness thrust upon them” (Twelfth Night, Act II Scene V).
Perhaps you are familiar with the 17th century script written by a renowned bard, or perhaps not. Regardless, The Speaker’s Progress will certainly provide a fresh outlook on this olden tale. The play is based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night- however, this is a Shakespearean production unlike any other you’ve seen before. What makes writer/director Sulayman Al-Bassam and the SABAB theatre company’s adaptation so unique? One must first examine their artistic mission and theatrical process.
“sabab (verb): to cause, bring forth, provoke, trigger, arouse, inspire, prompt; (noun): reason, cause, motive”
Born in Kuwait and now based in London, Al-Bassam is dedicated to c
reating a space for the Arab voice to be heard. He often uses a classic text as the “poetic starting point” for his work. In addition to Hamlet and Richard III, Al-Bassam has drawn inspiration from Molière, allegorical animal fables and a medieval morality play. The Speaker’s Progress is the final installment of Al-Bassam’s trilogy dedicated to reinterpreting Shakespearean works through a Middle Eastern lens. In an interview Al-Bassam shared, “Theatre challenges the accepted world views and breaks the mirrors of authority. Shakespeare understood that power very well.”
reating a space for the Arab voice to be heard. He often uses a classic text as the “poetic starting point” for his work. In addition to Hamlet and Richard III, Al-Bassam has drawn inspiration from Molière, allegorical animal fables and a medieval morality play. The Speaker’s Progress is the final installment of Al-Bassam’s trilogy dedicated to reinterpreting Shakespearean works through a Middle Eastern lens. In an interview Al-Bassam shared, “Theatre challenges the accepted world views and breaks the mirrors of authority. Shakespeare understood that power very well.”
SABAB theatre company, com
prised of pan Arab and international artists, approaches the text as a framework to engage audiences in a dialogue about Arab and Muslim culture, perspectives, and politics. Their work centers on a voice that is often disregarded, misinterpreted, or not represented in the English-speaking world.
Come share in their experience: The Speaker’s Progress is playing on the Paramount Center Mainstage from October 12-16! prised of pan Arab and international artists, approaches the text as a framework to engage audiences in a dialogue about Arab and Muslim culture, perspectives, and politics. Their work centers on a voice that is often disregarded, misinterpreted, or not represented in the English-speaking world. http://artsemerson.tumblr.com/post/11317665824/the-speakers-progress-a-journey-between-cultures
ARTICLE: AATE Conference
Theatre Ed Students Make a Splash in Chicago
This summer more than a dozen current Theatre Education MA students, faculty members, and alumni attended the American Alliance for Theatre & Education’s (AATE) annual conference in Chicago, Illinois. This professional development organization offers resources and networking opportunities for teachers, teaching artists, university researchers, artistic and education directors, playwrights, students, and more. The conference, which took place July 27-31, provided students with the opportunity to develop and host their own workshops and network with other theatre professionals.When I first arrived on campus in Fall 2010 I was thrilled by the energy and excitement surrounding the informational session we hosted about the AATE conference. Many of the Theatre Education graduate students who attended this session immediately began developing their proposals for the November deadline. Several graduate students shared information about the GSA travel grants and as soon as many of them put the finishing touches on their work, they started applying for funding.
Over the summer, we hosted the first AATE Workshop Pilot Session, in which presenters got to “rehearse” their sessions with students who came out to provide support and feedback for their colleagues. We even Skyped in one of our collaborators who works in New York City, making the most of our technology, resources, and time. This workshop provided a forum for students to apply the skills they were learning in their classes in a practical setting and assess, reevaluate, and head back to the drawing board (if necessary) before presenting at the national conference.
Theatre Education Program Director Bob Colby beamed, “Everywhere in the conference, people were coming up to me to talk about how impressive the Emerson students were, both leading and participating in the workshops.”
Several of these sessions included “Let the Seventy-Fourth Hunger Games Begin: Experiencing and Reflecting Upon Young Adult Literature through Dramatic Exercises. And May the Odds be Ever in your Favor!” facilitated by Jessica Batey and Daniel Mahler; “The Right to Play: Engaging Young People in a Reflection on Human Rights Issues through Theatre Games,” which I facilitated with Melissa Bergstrom, Lindsay Weitkamp, and our colleague Alex Sarian, who is the Director of Education at the MMC Theatre in New York City; and The Playwriting Network’s Debut Panel, which featured the work of Alyssa Mulligan.
We look forward to even more Emerson College participation at the “Charging Ahead in Theatre Education” AATE 2012 conference in Lexington, Kentucky next summer!
http://admissionblog.emerson.edu/graduate/index.php/2011/08/19/theatre-ed-students-make-a-splash-in-chicago/
TEACHING ARTIST REVIEW
At the end of April, Kristy Mandour & I co-taught a 60 min. Playmaking Workshop at Triton High School's Triton Original Play (TOP) Festival.
The description of our workshop in the fesitval program:
"Playmaking: We will be guiding the students through multiple playwriting techniques through collaborative and individual exercises. By using various sensory stimuli we will explore different avenues of inspiration. "
Feedback from TOP Fest Program Director, Sharon Riordan:
"Thanks again for all you did to make TOP Fest such a success. People raved about the oral critiques, and the kids really enjoyed the workshops... It was a great day!"
The description of our workshop in the fesitval program:
"Playmaking: We will be guiding the students through multiple playwriting techniques through collaborative and individual exercises. By using various sensory stimuli we will explore different avenues of inspiration. "
Feedback from TOP Fest Program Director, Sharon Riordan:
"Thanks again for all you did to make TOP Fest such a success. People raved about the oral critiques, and the kids really enjoyed the workshops... It was a great day!"
ARTICLE: Emerson Peer Award
Graduate students win first annual GSA Awards
Bridgit Brown
May 9, 2011
May 9, 2011
The Graduate Student Association (GSA) gave awards to some of the College’s most promising grad students on May 7 in the Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre. This year marked the first time that the GSA has ever awarded graduate students for their achievements, scholarship, and research activities.
Molly Martin took home one of three GSA Special Awards, each one consisting of $2,500. The award supports her Theatrical Therapy project, which aims to create an interactive program for Alzheimer patients at the Alzheimer’s Services of Cape Cod & the Islands.
“This project came out of two classes that I took last fall,” said Martin, who is studying Theatre Education. “One was on the study of Brazilian theater director Augusto Boal’s techniques that I took with Professor Gail Burton. The other focused on the use of story circle and it was with Professor Robbie McCauley.”
The second GSA Special Award went to Jessica Harms for her project on Drama Activities for K–8 students at the Edward Devotion School. Harms’s project will involve producing a seventh-grade fall musical staffed by Theatre Education students.
The third GSA Special Award went to second-year Creative Writing graduate students Sarah Ehrich and Meredith Jordan for their Poets of Place (POP) project, a program for high school sophomores and juniors.
The Graduate Student Association Council determines the GSA Special Awards winners after a selection process that involves reviewing the applications submitted for the award. This year, a total of 22 graduate students applied for the GSA Special Award. “It was really difficult for us to make those final decisions because all of the applicants were great,” said Paul Caron, president of the GSA and a Communication Management major.
The College offers 10 graduate programs to about 850 graduate students from more than 40 countries across the world.
Photo Credit: Frank Monkiewicz
View the article here
GSA Special Award winners (from left): Molly Martin, Meredith Jordan, Sarah Ehrich, and Jessica Harms
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“This project came out of two classes that I took last fall,” said Martin, who is studying Theatre Education. “One was on the study of Brazilian theater director Augusto Boal’s techniques that I took with Professor Gail Burton. The other focused on the use of story circle and it was with Professor Robbie McCauley.”
The second GSA Special Award went to Jessica Harms for her project on Drama Activities for K–8 students at the Edward Devotion School. Harms’s project will involve producing a seventh-grade fall musical staffed by Theatre Education students.
The third GSA Special Award went to second-year Creative Writing graduate students Sarah Ehrich and Meredith Jordan for their Poets of Place (POP) project, a program for high school sophomores and juniors.
The Graduate Student Association Council determines the GSA Special Awards winners after a selection process that involves reviewing the applications submitted for the award. This year, a total of 22 graduate students applied for the GSA Special Award. “It was really difficult for us to make those final decisions because all of the applicants were great,” said Paul Caron, president of the GSA and a Communication Management major.
From left: Graduate Studies Dean Richard Zauft with 2010-2011 GSA Executive Council: Paul Caron, president; Daniel Huynh, treasurer; and Mumbi-Michelle Kimani, secretary.
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The GSA Peer Awards, which provide $500 to graduate students, are selected based on nominating statements written by graduate students about their peers. Eleven students received this award. Several of the winners said that they plan to use the funds from their awards to celebrate each other’s success. “I’m planning to take all of the other Theatre Education representatives to dinner because the four of us really worked together and I wanted to do something to celebrate all of our success,” said Alyssa Mulligan, a graduate student in the Theatre Education program.
“I will definitely be doing something nice for the IMC-ers who have supported me throughout the journey of this last year,” said Integrated Marketing Communication graduate student Sedu Gokuglu.
GSA Peer Award winners with GSA Treasurer Daniel Huynh (second from left) are Cyril Urbano, Huynh, Morgan Bartolomeo, Aviva Schwartz, Melissa Rogers, Nicola Fairhead, Michelle Volz, Seda Gokoglu, Alyssa Mulligan, Paul Caron, and Greg Nichols.
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The Graduate Student Dean Service Award went to two recipients, GSA President Paul Caron and GSA Treasurer Daniel Huynh.
“I want to acknowledge the executive council of the GSA because they have been very active and have demonstrated a tremendous amount of leadership in helping to organize the GSA,” said Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of Graduate Studies Richard Zauft. “When this year started, we had three graduate student organizations out of the 10 programs. We went from awarding three grants a year ago to 77, and that’s a vision that the leadership organized and managed through great ideas that worked.” The College offers 10 graduate programs to about 850 graduate students from more than 40 countries across the world.
Photo Credit: Frank Monkiewicz
View the article here
ARTICLE: ArtsEmerson Blog
Finding Their Voice Through Theatre
As ArtsEmerson student employees and Theatre Education graduate students at Emerson College, Kristy Mandour and Alyssa Mulligan jointly taught an extracurricular theatre course at Citizen Schools in Roslindale this past semester. Here is Alyssa’s reflection on the experience.
By Alyssa Mulligan
“What do YOU have to say?” Kristy Mandour and I proclaimed, as the group of new faces blinked back at us. Through an association between 
ArtsEmerson and Citizen Schools, Kristy and I found ourselves at Irving Middle School teaching a ten-week Theatre Apprenticeship to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. “We want to hear YOUR voice,” we pressed on. We explained that instead of providing scripts for them to act out, they would have the challenging task of creating original material. Then at the end of the ten weeks, they would perform their original pieces for the Citizen Schools’ WOW! Performance. Our enthusiasm for the project was met with a variety of reactions: nervous excitement, mild indifference, and also straight-up resistance. We realized that in order for this to be a success, we would need to both expand their theatre skill-set and help build their self-confidence.
ArtsEmerson and Citizen Schools, Kristy and I found ourselves at Irving Middle School teaching a ten-week Theatre Apprenticeship to 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. “We want to hear YOUR voice,” we pressed on. We explained that instead of providing scripts for them to act out, they would have the challenging task of creating original material. Then at the end of the ten weeks, they would perform their original pieces for the Citizen Schools’ WOW! Performance. Our enthusiasm for the project was met with a variety of reactions: nervous excitement, mild indifference, and also straight-up resistance. We realized that in order for this to be a success, we would need to both expand their theatre skill-set and help build their self-confidence.
We started each session with exercises to warm-up their body, voice, and mind. Then we began activities to help them learn about character, projection, 
setting, ensemble-work, and more. The students learned new theatre terminology, like “monologue,” “objective,” and “improvisation.” Another word that we delved into was “Metamorphosis,” inspired by the performance of ArtsEmerson’s Farfalle that they would be attending in May. They utilized the theme of metamorphosis as a jumping off point to write their own monologues. Each of their characters experienced a life-altering change, just like a caterpillar to a butterfly.
setting, ensemble-work, and more. The students learned new theatre terminology, like “monologue,” “objective,” and “improvisation.” Another word that we delved into was “Metamorphosis,” inspired by the performance of ArtsEmerson’s Farfalle that they would be attending in May. They utilized the theme of metamorphosis as a jumping off point to write their own monologues. Each of their characters experienced a life-altering change, just like a caterpillar to a butterfly.
Week after week, the students’ confidence in their work continued to grow. They started taking bolder risks in both their acting and written work. And they began to trust us more, and in turn, trust in themselves. Meanwhile, Kristy and I were fortunate to see our Theatre Education graduate studies in action. It was a wonderful balance of give and take: we guided their journey, as much as they shaped ours.
The Citizen Schools’ WOW! Performance is drawing near. And the reality is that 
once the students are met with a large audience, they might get cold feet or forget a line. That’s the beauty of live theatre: you never know what may happen. But for me, it doesn’t matter if they are word-perfect or even the next Marlon Brando. It has been a successful experience, and the proof is in the process, not the product. The students crafted their own voices, and we heard what they had to say. And that is an incredible thing.
once the students are met with a large audience, they might get cold feet or forget a line. That’s the beauty of live theatre: you never know what may happen. But for me, it doesn’t matter if they are word-perfect or even the next Marlon Brando. It has been a successful experience, and the proof is in the process, not the product. The students crafted their own voices, and we heard what they had to say. And that is an incredible thing.
Check out the article here
PICTURES: A Chocolate Affair
A Chocolate Affair
Directed by Joan Aniano
Beverly: Alyssa Mulligan
Mr. Goodbar: Rob Lemire
M & M: Summar Elguindy
ARTICLE: Emerson College Graduate Admissions Blog
Theatre Education Graduate Association—Bigger & Better Than Ever!
Emerson’s Theatre Education program has re-charged its graduate studentbase by re-activating TEGA, the Theatre Education Graduate Association. I sat down recently with Alyssa Mulligan, a first year graduate student and TEGA representative, to get the latest scoop:
TEGA Members, Photo Courtesy of Kristy Mandour
How did you become affiliated with TEGA?
I work in Performing Arts Department and heard about TEGA, and about how it had lost steam. A few other Theatre Ed grad students and I wanted to re-charge TEGA, and with Bob Colby (Theatre Ed’s Program Director), we got it back up and running. Kristy Mardour, Lindsay Weitkamp, Melissa Bergstrom and I are the TEGA representatives.
What is new about TEGA now?
We re-vamped the TEGA Constitution. Our current mission is to build a stronger community for theatre education graduate students. There are tons of clubs and groups for undergrads; not as many for grads. In addition to providing a social connection for grad students, TEGA also supports career goals and professional development needs. TEGA recently held a series of workshops for grads teaching grads. For example, Joan taught a dance class to other grad students, but at the same time, she learned leadership in the classroom. The students may or may not have a dance background, so they learn to dance. Grads in the Theatre Education Master’s program come from all backgrounds and used this opportunity to explore other areas of performance-related skills.
Another recent event was our Theatre Game Swap. We got together to share theatre games that we’ve used or seen in our experience. It’s a great way to pool our resources. Afterward, we went out for dinner to build community. We always include a social aspect with every event.
What’s on tap for TEGA?
Our TEGA End of Year Bash is coming up in May! We’re gathering to celebrate with the graduating students. We’re also inviting local artists & teachers [from] where grads have taught, so there will be a networking aspect, too.
We’re also planning an Orientation Welcome Event in the fall—we’re thinking of a clam bake or BBQ so that new incoming first year students and second year graduate students can meet and bond!
Future event ideas also include speaker events and discussion panels.
Tell me about TEGA’s First Annual Graduate Run Production:
It was actually Adam Wright’s idea—he’s a current grad student. Adam and TEGA are collaborating to launch an entirely graduate produced, directed, designed, performed production! We’re finalizing a Proposal Handbook with guidelines—it’ll be available later this spring. Proposal submissions will be due early September 2011, with a production tentatively scheduled for late Fall 2011 so that first year grads can participate.
What do you hope will come out of this event?
We hope to establish ourselves among Emerson’s student organizations and to set a precedent for future years. We will be creating a TEGA manual so that events can continue for future students. And with elections each fall, it’ll help with TEGA’s continuation so that we stay strong.
In regards to the First Annual Graduate Production, we’d like to offer all grads an opportunity to participate in the experience, add to their resume, build community, and have lots fun!
READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE!
EMERSON COLLEGE
I am currently pursuing my MA in Theatre Education at Emerson College in Boston.
My coursework includes:
Drama as Education I & II
Adaptation (Ensemble Play Devising)
Contemporary Issues in Education
Playwriting With & For Youth
Playmaking
Contemporary Women Playwrights
Theatre for Young Audiences
Literary Office/Dramaturgy/Outreach
My capstone project consists of Student Teaching & a Student Teaching Seminar.
Playwriting Retreat for Playwriting With & For Youth: Spring 2011
In addition to my coursework, I am also a Graduate Assistant to Dr. Robert Colby, Program Director of the Theatre Education Graduate Program at Emerson College. In addition, I am employed by ArtsEmerson in the Education/Outreach department. Through ArtsEmerson, I am also currently affiliated with CitizenSchools, teaching a 10 week Theatre Course at Irving Middle School.
Check out some of my blog articles for ArtsEmerson's website:
A Tug-of-War Between Two Cultures
Keeping Up With the Kennedys.
"Shylock is me."
"I'm more than Amadeus."
"Anything can happen. I'm proof of it."
Also, I will be returning to Walnut Street Theatre this July for my fourth summer with Camp Walnut. I am the Director of the 8-12 years Development group, and we will be creating a new musical together in the span of 4 weeks!
My coursework includes:
Drama as Education I & II
Adaptation (Ensemble Play Devising)
Contemporary Issues in Education
Playwriting With & For Youth
Playmaking
Contemporary Women Playwrights
Theatre for Young Audiences
Literary Office/Dramaturgy/Outreach
My capstone project consists of Student Teaching & a Student Teaching Seminar.
Playwriting Retreat for Playwriting With & For Youth: Spring 2011In addition to my coursework, I am also a Graduate Assistant to Dr. Robert Colby, Program Director of the Theatre Education Graduate Program at Emerson College. In addition, I am employed by ArtsEmerson in the Education/Outreach department. Through ArtsEmerson, I am also currently affiliated with CitizenSchools, teaching a 10 week Theatre Course at Irving Middle School.
Check out some of my blog articles for ArtsEmerson's website:
A Tug-of-War Between Two Cultures
Keeping Up With the Kennedys.
"Shylock is me."
"I'm more than Amadeus."
"Anything can happen. I'm proof of it."
Also, I will be returning to Walnut Street Theatre this July for my fourth summer with Camp Walnut. I am the Director of the 8-12 years Development group, and we will be creating a new musical together in the span of 4 weeks!
EMERSON
Good news! I found out that I have been officially accepted into Emerson's Theatre Education Graduate Program for Fall 2010!!
TEACHING ARTIST REVIEW
Another review from a recent workshop with Penn Charter:
“Thank you so much for the outstanding acting, directing, set & costume design, and publicity workshops. My students came back energized and so knowledgeable about their roles in the playwrights’ festival. It was a delight working with your talented teaching artists.” -Ruth Aichenbaum
“Thank you so much for the outstanding acting, directing, set & costume design, and publicity workshops. My students came back energized and so knowledgeable about their roles in the playwrights’ festival. It was a delight working with your talented teaching artists.” -Ruth Aichenbaum
TEACHING ARTIST REVIEW
A review from a recent pre-school workshop.
Teaching Artists: Lori Aleixo Howard & Alyssa Mulligan
“I really enjoyed the way the instructors got the children interested and kept their interest. All of the interactive activities were appropriate for our age group. The program was absolutely fabulous, well put together, very interactive. The children simply enjoyed it.” -Lorraine
Teaching Artists: Lori Aleixo Howard & Alyssa Mulligan
“I really enjoyed the way the instructors got the children interested and kept their interest. All of the interactive activities were appropriate for our age group. The program was absolutely fabulous, well put together, very interactive. The children simply enjoyed it.” -
PICTURES: Teaching
Here are a few pictures from my teaching experience at Chester A. Arthur Elementary School!
Lifeskills performance of "Where the Wild Things Are"
Lifeskills performance of "Where the Wild Things Are"
Autistic Support performance of "The Three Little Pigs"
6th grade performance at the Black History Month Assembly
Lifeskills performance of "Where the Wild Things Are"
Lifeskills performance of "Where the Wild Things Are"
Autistic Support performance of "The Three Little Pigs"
6th grade performance at the Black History Month Assembly
IMDB & WST FACULTY BIO
I just discovered today that I am on IMDB for "Neman."
Also, check out my bio on Walnut Street Theatre's website under Education: Faculty
http://walnutstreettheatre.org/education/faculty.php?id=60
Also, check out my bio on Walnut Street Theatre's website under Education: Faculty
http://walnutstreettheatre.org/education/faculty.php?id=60
VIDEO: Outlaws Playwright Workshop
Here is a sampling of some of the shows I've worked on for the Outlaws Playwright Workshop at Penn State!
Outlaws is:
Penn State University's All-Original, All-Experimental, Completely Uncensored, mostly Undergraduate, Late Night, Black-Box Theatre EVENT!
(Keep in mind that we usually had about 4 days to mount each show.)
Detached (actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/Detached.wmv
Wearing the Pants (Playwright)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/WearthePants.wmv
Six Degrees of Orientation (Director)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/Six%20Degrees.wmv
Cut! (Playwright)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/Cut.wmv
Working Title (Actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/WorkingTitle.wmv
Blue Genes (Playwright)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/BlueGenes.wmv
The Perpetual Motion Machine (Actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/perpetualmotion.wmv
Choices (Actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/8.choice.wmv
Enjoy!
Outlaws is:
Penn State University's All-Original, All-Experimental, Completely Uncensored, mostly Undergraduate, Late Night, Black-Box Theatre EVENT!
(Keep in mind that we usually had about 4 days to mount each show.)
Detached (actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/Detached.wmv
Wearing the Pants (Playwright)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/WearthePants.wmv
Six Degrees of Orientation (Director)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/Six%20Degrees.wmv
Cut! (Playwright)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/Cut.wmv
Working Title (Actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/WorkingTitle.wmv
Blue Genes (Playwright)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/BlueGenes.wmv
The Perpetual Motion Machine (Actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/perpetualmotion.wmv
Choices (Actor)
http://www.outlawspsu.com/videos/8.choice.wmv
Enjoy!
Become a fan!
On Facebook, search for "304"- Penn State's Student Sitcom to become a fan of the show!
View links to all of the episodes, media coverage, and more! Also, by becoming a fan you can stay updated on this season's progress.
Thanks!
On Facebook, search for "304"- Penn State's Student Sitcom to become a fan of the show!
View links to all of the episodes, media coverage, and more! Also, by becoming a fan you can stay updated on this season's progress.
Thanks!
ARTICLE: Comm Blog from Penn State
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Sitcom Tapings Open to Public
Open tapings of a sitcom project that combines the talents of students from the College of Communications and the College of Arts and Architecture will take place at 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 13, and 8 p.m. Friday, Feb. 14, in the Pavilion Theater on campus. Subsequent tapings are set March 20 and March 21.The project, known as "Sitcom 304," combines the talents of Penn State from the two colleges to to produce a sitcom that will make its debut online and on Penn State Network Television (PSN-TV) later this semester.
With guidance from faculty advisers Naomi McCormack, an assistant professor in the Department of Film-Video and Media Studies, and Dan Carter, director of the School of Theatre, both film and theatre students have been in charge of writing, filming, producing, editing and acting in Penn State’s first continuing episodic situation comedy.
“I’ve been trying to get this idea off the ground for almost 20 years at three different universities,” Carter said. “It originally was conceived as a television series, but was fraught with difficulties because television has such specific requirements. Then Thom Woodley, a 2000 graduate of both film and theatre at Penn State, pioneered Web-based series, and that model made this suddenly doable.”
“Sitcom 304” is about a group of college students living together in a house at an unnamed university. Described as a college-level “Friends,” the show revolves around six roommates who all have quirky characteristics and are learning to deal with the problems of men and women living together. The title, “304,” comes from the address of the house.
“This is a very big part of something we’d like to develop -- a collaboration between theatre and film,” McCormack said. “This is beneficial for both colleges, and we’re hoping to see the idea develop and continue.”
Students from both colleges involved in the sitcom can receive independent study credits, and McCormack is working on making the project into an official cross-listed communications and theatre course.
“Film students need good actors and usually can’t find them, and theatre students love acting in front of cameras,” said Joseph Buszka, a senior science major, film studies minor and executive producer for the show. “All the film classes I’ve taken have been extremely beneficial, but this is the most hands-on and the biggest challenge to organize. It’s really come a long way, and there’s a lot of experience to be gained from this as a class.”
http://psucommblog.blogspot.com/2009/02/sitcom-tapings-open-to-public.html
ARTICLE: Onward State
Distraction of the Day: ‘304′ Sitcom Pilot
You may have read about the sitcom ‘304′ in the Collegian or on the College of Communications’ blog, but I bet you haven’t seen it yet. Thanks to the wonders of embedding, we are able to present yall with the pilot of Penn State’s own sitcom.
It’s pretty funny… watch out for Onward State writers Ryan and Brad.
Link to the article and the pilot episode:It’s pretty funny… watch out for Onward State writers Ryan and Brad.
http://onwardstate.com/2009/03/21/distraction-of-the-day-304-sitcom-pilot/
VIDEO: The Nightmare Box
The Nightmare Box on Youtube!
Directed by Ryan Kroboth
CLICK ON LINKS (BELOW):
Part I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCB7q7-gweU&feature=related
Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ia-2Ssn7ck&feature=related
Directed by Ryan Kroboth
CLICK ON LINKS (BELOW):
Part I:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCB7q7-gweU&feature=related
Part II:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Ia-2Ssn7ck&feature=related
VIDEO: Got Mold?
Promotional Video for Mycelium Holdings LLC 'Got Mold?' Campaign.
Directed by Mike Kelly
CLICK ON LINK (BELOW):
http://siriuslink.com/client/mycelium/video/
Directed by Mike Kelly
CLICK ON LINK (BELOW):
http://siriuslink.com/client/mycelium/video/
PRESS RELEASE: Student Marshall
Alyssa Mulligan (Student Marshall- Theatre) and Penn State President Graham Spanier.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEApril 30, 2009
College of Arts and Architecture Students Honored for Academic Achievement
UNIVERSITY PARK, PA- Seven College of Arts and Architecture students were recently named spring 2009 student marshals, in recognition of earning the highest overall grade-point average in their respective academic unit.
THEATRE
Alyssa M. Mulligan, daughter of Michael and Carol Mulligan of Hatboro, is the student marshal for the School of Theatre and will earn a bachelor of arts degree in theatre. She has received several honors, including the President's Freshman Award, which presented annually to undergraduate students who have earned a 4.0 cumulative grade-point average during their freshman year, Evan Pugh Junior and Senior awards, and several scholarships. She is a member of Phi Kappa Phi and the National Scholars honor societies and participated in the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon. After graduation, Mulligan will be the education apprentice at the Walnut Street Theatre in Philadelphia. Mulligan plans to pursue both master's and doctoral degrees in theatre and eventually teach at the collegiate level.
http://www.artsandarchitecture.psu.edu/news/2009/may/06_studentmarshals.html
PICTURES: The Nightmare Box
Pictures from the student film, The Nightmare Box, directed by Ryan Kroboth.
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