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Next MSLCE Speaker Series Event: Field Foundation President Angelique Power


By Jacob Nelson

On paper, Angelique Power’s career seems like a natural ascension from nonprofit management positions to her current role as President of the Field Foundation. The reality is more complicated.

“I fell into my career, like many of us do,” Power said during a recent interview.

Power, who will be discussing her professional trajectory at the next MSLCE Speaker Series event on Nov. 2, acknowledged that while “there is a presumption that folks know exactly the path they’re going to go on,” her experience has been less pre-determined. (more…)

Faculty Spotlight: Northwestern Professor James Webster Discusses the Future of Audience Behavior

For our first Faculty Spotlight of the 2017-2018 academic year, we interviewed Northwestern Professor James G. Webster about media audiences. Webster researches audience measurement, the behavior of media audiences, and media industries. In the responses below, he discusses misconceptions about audiences, how to determine “a hit,” and predictions for the future of audience behavior.

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Daniella Smith Aspires To Bring Young Audiences to Opera


By Jacob Nelson

Daniella Smith fell in love with opera when she realized she excelled at singing it.

The new MSLCE student and Seattle native originally began her artistic career in musical theatre, before realizing that her voice was better suited for classical.

“As I watched more opera, I really fell in love with it,” Smith said during a recent interview. She explained, however, that her ambitions have shifted from being on the opera stage to being behind the scenes. “Now, I’m more interested in producing it or being on the other side of it.” (more…)

CBS TV Studio VP of Drama Development Describes Getting His First Break in Evanston

By Jacob Nelson

Rob Luchow’s first break didn’t happen in Hollywood. It happened in Evanston.

As the Vice President of Drama Development for CBS TV Studio explained during the first MSLCE Speaker Series event of the academic year, Luchow was a Northwestern undergraduate working as a waiter at a pizza place near campus when he first opened the door to his career. He was waiting on a table of Northwestern alums who he had just seen at panel where they discussed their jobs as television writers.

“I told them, ‘It was really cool for you to come to campus, I loved hearing you speak, and I’m thinking of moving to L.A.’ They said, ‘Why don’t you come sit with us?’”

To which Luchow replied, “I can’t. I’m your waiter.” (more…)

Dominique Warren Aspires To Be Both Actress And Entrepreneur


By Jacob Nelson

Dominique Warren originally hoped to work in theatre, but now is pursuing a career in film. The reason? Close-ups.

“Theatre is different each night, but in film they capture that moment up close,” the new MSLCE student said during a recent interview. “Film is more intimate because the audience is the camera. The slightest subtlety is picked up on camera and that’s why I believe film is more challenging.” (more…)

CBS TV Studio VP to Speak at First 2017-2018 MSLCE Speaker Series Event


By Jacob Nelson

Before Rob Luchow worked in television, he watched it. Lots of it.

“This was the common routine in my house growing up: At 6 o’clock, my family would put on local news and start cooking dinner. At 6:30, Tom Brokaw. 7 was Jeopardy, and 7:30 was Wheel of Fortune,” Luchow said during an interview last week. He added, with a laugh, “I don’t know when I did homework as a kid.”

Years later, Luchow now works as the Vice President of Drama Development for CBS TV Studio. He will be discussing his career in television at the first MSLCE Speaker Series event of the 2017-2018 year, on Thursday, Oct. 5. (more…)

VP of Comedy Development at Warner Bros. Wendy Steinhoff Shares Words of Wisdom with MSLCE Graduates

By Jacob Nelson

The third cohort of MSLCE students crossed the stage to accept diplomas during the MSLCE Convocation Ceremony, held on August 24 in the Alice Millar Chapel in Evanston. 

Families and friends in the audience cheered as one by one the names were called by MSLCE Associate Director Kathryn Lawson and the students, dressed in purple gowns, walked towards Northwestern’s Communication Studies Department Chair Ellen Wartella to receive their degrees.

It’s amazing how quickly this year went past!” MSLCE graduate Quinton Sprull said after the ceremony. He explained that, throughout the program, students “evolved to richer, more analytical creative leaders… It was a great year of growth, accomplishment, and promise.” (more…)