By John Hounihan
When it comes to the theatre industry – it doesn’t get much bigger than the smash hit musical Hamilton.
Currently playing on three stages worldwide, with another in the works, it has revolutionized the current state of commercial theatre. So, naturally, getting a chance to see the inner workings of the Chicago production would be an incredible experience for any aspiring performing arts professional. (more…)
By Leslie Zhu
Nothing in the Museum is ordinary. On Feb. 24, the MSLCE students were blown away by all the unconventional business strategies of the Art Institute of Chicago (AIC) at a panel held at Rubloff Fellows Lounge in the museum. (more…)
By Lauren Vernea
During a recent Entrepreneurship seminar, MSLCE students participated in an all day workshop with Northwestern Professor David Schonthal.
Schonthal teaches in Northwestern’s Kellogg School of Management, focusing on new venture creation, design thinking, innovation and creativity. The workshop for the MSLCE cohort was a detailed crash course in the foundations of entrepreneurship. (more…)
By Jacob Nelson
Before Jeff “Jake” Jacobs began working at Creative Artists Agency — where he’s been for nearly 30 years and now serves as the company’s Television Co-Head — he spent a few months on a bus with John Madden.
As he recently explained at an MSLCE Speaker Series event, after getting his undergraduate degree from Northwestern and his master’s degree from Medill in the ’80s, Jacobs tried pursuing a career in broadcast journalism. Part of that process included spending a season traveling by bus with the legendary former NFL coach and broadcaster. (more…)
By Lauren Vernea
Mara Brock Akil, a Northwestern alumna, successful writer, and TV showrunner, recently returned to campus for the EPICS Speaker Series to discuss her luminous career.
Akil, who has always been a role model for me, created iconic TV comedies and dramas such as Girlfriends, The Game, and BET’s first scripted drama Being Mary Jane.
Akil got her degree in Journalism from Northwestern’s Medill School. With a strong determination to be a print journalist, Akil was constantly advised by peers to be in front of the camera as an actress or model. It was at Northwestern, first in a writing class, then in a student drama group, that she began to see her calling as a screenwriter. When she was ready to move to LA to pursue a screenwriting career, she was sure to make connections with Northwestern alumni to secure her first job. (more…)
By Joe Giovannetti
On Tuesday, February 8th, Betsy Steinberg paid a visit to Professor Daniel Gruber’s elective course, Business Models in Creative Enterprises. Steinberg came to speak with the MSCLE cohort about her experience at Kartemquin Films, a film company with the mantra “Democracy through Documentary.” Betsy has spent her entire career in the realm of film and television. (more…)
By Lauren Vernea
During a recent Professional Development class, MSLCE students received a lecture from special guest, Northwestern Professor J.P. Sniadecki.
Sniadecki is a filmmaker and anthropologist who specializes in making experimental documentaries focusing on the collective human experience. His filmography is mainly based in China and the United States. (more…)
By Chip Potter
The MSLCE cohort visited Cinespace Chicago Film Studios on Feb. 10, where they met with Cinespace Studio Owner Alex Pissios, and several other film entrepreneurs at Cinespace’s film incubator, Stage 18.
Pissios offered an invaluable perspective on Chicago-based film and television content creation, and also shared lessons he’s learned during his 10 years of creating and running Cinespace Studios. (more…)
By John Hounihan
As winter quarter marches on, the MSLCE students have a lot on our minds.
Perhaps nothing is more center than our search for internships. No matter our corner of the sector, we are deep into applications and interviews at organizations across the nation. On Feb. 6, our performing arts focused students got an incredible opportunity to launch that search to other levels at the EPICS program Theater Speed Meet networking event (more…)
By Jacob Nelson
By all accounts, Glendon Palmer has “made it” in Hollywood.
A Senior Vice President of Development & Production at the renowned entertainment company IM Global, Palmer has the stability that comes with an executive position in show business, along with the ability to oversee creatively satisfying box office successes like last year’s Southside With You.
But for Palmer, “making it” is a process, and one he continues to work through. (more…)
