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Writers Theatre: An Intimate, Collaborative Experience

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by Samantha Sartori

 Growing up a “theatre kid,” I love getting a behind-the-scenes look at any artistic performance space. So when the MSLCE program and EPICS offered us a site visit to the Writers Theatre in Glencoe, I knew I had to jump on the opportunity.

 Writers Theatre was founded in 1992 with the core foundation that all productions would honor the written word and nurture artists. Over the last 27 years, it has become a vital member of the Chicago theatre community and regarded as one of the top half-dozen regional theatres in the country by The Wall Street Journal.
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Categories: Industry Immersion

Finding Big Creative Opportunities in Unlikely Places

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Daniel Grambow ’18 first discovered music in elementary school as he learned to play trumpet, piano, guitar, and sing. After injuring his knee in high school, he was no longer able to play sports—and he rekindled his love for the creative arts. As he spent more time in music and theater, he quickly realized that creative arts were where he belonged. (more…)

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Categories: Student Profiles

Tapping into the Five Styles of Leadership: Leadership Styles in the Media and Entertainment Industries Speaker Series

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by Samantha Sartori

Take a moment to picture someone you consider to be a leader. What is it about them that makes them stand out? Is it her perseverance and how she focuses on the group’s vision? Perhaps it’s his ability to keep his team aligned and accountable. Or maybe it’s their imagination and intuition when solving difficult problems. As students in the MSLCE program, we’re learning about our own personal styles of leadership and how to most effectively tap into them. (more…)

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Categories: Guest Speakers

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A Los Angeles Internship Experience That Started In Evanston

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By Alessandra Brown

This summer I was lucky enough to have two wonderful internships at K&L Productions and Madison Wells Media Universe.

K&L Productions is Kay Cannon (Pitch Perfect, Blockers) and Laverne McKinnon’s (Girl Boss) production company. I loved every moment of Professor McKinnon’s MSLCE class, The Power of Pitch and Persuasion, and knew that I had to work with them when I came to LA. Thankfully, the stars aligned, and I’ve been learning so much! (more…)

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Categories: Professional Experience

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Summer in the City: My Internship at The Madison Square Garden Company – Part 2

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By ALYSSA HOLCOMB 

The second half of my summer internship utilized a particular skill to drive home everything I have learned so far, both at The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) and in the MSLCE program: public speaking.

Since my last article, I’ve done a lot of deck-building, speech crafting, and rehearsal-organizing. The majority of this was done during a creative assignment that the MSG team developed specifically for the Student Associate program. The group of 50+ interns were divided into teams and given three varying topics. My team, composed of three interns from varying backgrounds, chose corporate hospitality as our theme and got to work.
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Categories: Industry Immersion

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Investing in Chicago’s 77 Unique Communities: A Summer Fellowship at the Arts & Business Council

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By Brenna C. Cronin

“To love our city is to love every community and neighborhood that belongs to her.

We know that there is no right or perfect way to confront inequity… but we are willing

to take risks and become the accomplice Chicago’s many communities deserve.

Injustice impacts all of us… and there is too much at stake not to take action.”

—Kristin Larsen, Executive Director

My approach to finding a summer fellowship came from a lot of discernment about where my MSLCE learnings could be best amplified. As a Chicago native committed to the mentality that “Midwest is Best”, finding a fellowship in Chicago was important to me. Knowing that I was looking for something more tailored than a general internship, I sought out organizations that could provide specific experiences in Development and Nonprofit Leadership, my two focus areas. After an email to the Arts & Business Council, it appeared to be a perfect match. What I would learn about A&BC’s work would defy all expectations and provide an experience that felt meant-to-be. (more…)

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Categories: Industry Immersion

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MSLCE Student Gets Hands-On Experience At 2112 Chicago

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By Matt Meade

As the first half of the summer has flashed by in the blink of an eye, I find myself suddenly at the last portion of the MSLCE program with graduation right around the corner. Luckily, as part of MSLCE’s experiential learning requirement, I sought out and secured a position with 2112 Chicago, a business incubator focused on the music, film, and tech industries in the city. This has put me into a vast network of creative industry professionals and has given me hands-on professional experience. (more…)

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Categories: Professional Experience

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Summer in the City: My Internship at The Madison Square Garden Company – Part 1

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By Alyssa Holcomb

As the poet Lin-Manuel Miranda once wrote, “There’s nothing like summer in the city…”

The day after spring quarter finals, I packed up and moved out of my apartment. The next day, I was on a one-way trip to New York City. Needless to say, it’s been non-stop since then. But based on my experience so far, I’ll keep it that way.

This summer, I am working as a Student Associate at The Madison Square Garden Company (MSG) – and it’s been a consistent “pinch me” moment these first few weeks. Since I was seven years old, I’ve dreamed of seeing a show at the World’s Most Famous Arena (thanks, NSYNC’s HBO special). Now, I get to WORK there. (more…)

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Categories: Industry Immersion

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How a January Speaker Event and February Fireside Chat Became a Summer of Opportunity for Two MSLCE Students

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by Thomas Wall

This past winter, Emmy-winning film producer and CEO/Founder of MWM (Madison Wells Media), Gigi Pritzker visited Northwestern’s campus, and left a big impression on many students over the course of her visit. In January, she shared stories from her life and her career with MSLCE students at a Speaker Series event, and followed that session up with a more intimate Fireside Chat in early February. The candid advice, colorful stories, and behind-the-scenes tidbits from the life of a Hollywood producer and self-made entrepreneur captivated all in attendance. But, for a few students, the experience helped to lead to a meaningful and productive summer quarter in Los Angeles. (more…)

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Categories: Guest Speakers, Industry Immersion

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In-Depth Projects + Presentations Highlight Key Practices + Takeaways in Leading Creative Teams Course

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BY ALYSSA HOLCOMB

Professor Gail Berger’s Leading Creative Teams course reinforced more than just class themes and curriculum. Through two group-based projects, as well as an individual leadership presentation, hard work was elevated through teamwork, resulting in a busy but rewarding course that made us all reflect on what truly makes a good leader. (more…)

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Categories: Faculty + Courses

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