Rashida Anderson-Abdullah ’24, who now goes by HP Sherie (The Headbanging Princess) to symbolize her transition from politics and journalism to music and entertainment, grew up in a family that bonded through music, often watching awards shows together on television. Through those experiences, plus her fascination with a handful of rock and heartthrob bands during high school, she developed strong opinions about what quality music and artists are—and aren’t. (more…)
Blog
Professor of Instruction Rick Morris remembers the rise of cable television, the transition from analog to digital signals, and the first high-definition (HD) TVs, which sold for thousands of dollars.
Working for brands like NBC, Telemundo Chicago, and Disney ABC, he helped automate media plants, supervise productions, manage millions of dollars in technology development, and lead digital station conversions to HDTV. And he did it all through a legal lens with two law degrees: a J.D. and LL.M. (more…)
As a student majoring in communication at the University of Ottawa, Longhao Li ’25 quickly developed a passion for advanced film and sound techniques. As he worked closely with a professor, he learned even more about video and animation.
One of his first film projects involved interviewing First Nations people to create a short documentary that shared their unique culture and perspective. Even though Li got to do this hands-on work, he felt disconnected from the industry. (more…)
Graduate school was never part of the plan for Kay Cui ’24.
She did well in classes like math, history, and English, but she didn’t want to study those subjects in depth. Instead, she preferred immersing herself in the world of entertainment and spent much of her childhood playing piano, flute, oboe, and cello.
Her plan was to earn a BA in Communications from Northwestern University and then start working. (more…)
Elementary-school performances of established works on piano and in theater gave Samantha Westlake-Hart ’25 her first exposure to creative arts. Just a few years later, in high school, she realized she enjoyed behind-the-stage experiences just as much as being in the spotlight. (more…)
Dubbed the Hollywood of the South, Atlanta has a thriving arts and music scene. As James Young ’24 grew up there, he was surrounded by opportunities to participate in theater, music, and film.
His mentor, Cheryl Cardwell, taught him voice and piano. As she got to know his talents, she encouraged him to pursue acting, too. (more…)
Though her interest in entertainment began as a young child on the amateur stages of Los Angeles, it didn’t take long for Evan Pearl ’21 to start wondering: What goes on behind the camera—and behind the curtain?
As she prepared for college, Pearl knew she wanted to work in entertainment, but she didn’t know what that might look like, or what opportunities existed. (more…)
At the intersection of culture and creativity is where Peri Warren ’22 likes to spend most of her time.
Earning a degree in American Studies with a focus on Black Studies from Occidental College in 2019, she appreciated the interdisciplinary and intellectual experience of getting to explore topics like U.S. civilization and cultural studies all within one program. (more…)
Roberta Jafet ’23 says her enthusiasm for the arts began as a child in São Paulo, Brazil. She was involved in every arts-related activity possible, from theater to choir. When it came time for undergraduate school, she pondered a musical theater career but went a different direction, studying architecture and urban design at Fundação Armando Alvares Penteado instead. (more…)
 Jonathan Kwock ’23 grew up with some of the Midwest’s best regional musical houses in his own backyard. Surrounded by theater and the arts, he spent time at notable venues like STAGES St. Louis and The Muny, even performing with Muny Teens. When it was time to search for a college program, he chose Northwestern’s BS in Theatre with a Certificate in Musical Theatre. “Instead of being a conservatory, it was a well-rounded experience that lets you choose your path in terms of what you want to specialize in,” he explains. |