New Theater Workshop Course this Fall 2017

There’s a great opportunity in the upcoming semester (F 2017) for students interested in making musical theater. 

Tony and Obie Award Winner, Greg Kotis (Urinetown) will be teaching the Music Theater Workshop, THEA 279. 

The course is described here. 

https://iasext.wesleyan.edu/regprod/!wesmaps_page.html?stuid=&facid=NONE&crse=014313&term=1179

There are prerequisites, but, as ever, there are also prerequisite over-rides for students who have the appropriate skill set. 

Greg Kotis’s webpage lists this for info about him: 

Greg Kotis is the author of many plays and musicals including Michael von Siebenburg Melts Through the FloorboardsYeast Nation (Book/Lyrics), The Unhappiness PlaysThe Boring-est Poem in the WorldThe Truth About SantaPig FarmEat the TasteUrinetown (Book/Lyrics, for which he won an Obie Award and two Tony® Awards), and Jobey and Katherine.  His work has been produced and developed in theaters across the country and around the world, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, American Conservatory Theater, American Theater Company, Henry Miller’s Theatre, Manhattan Theatre Club, New York Stage and Film, Perseverance Theatre, Roundabout Theatre Company, Soho Rep, South Coast Rep, and The Old Globe, among others.  Greg is a member of the Neo-Futurists, the Cardiff Giant Theater Company, ASCAP, the Dramatists Guild, and is a 2010-11 Lark Play Development Center Playwrights Workshop Fellow.  He grew up in Wellfleet, Massachusetts and now lives in Brooklyn with his wife Ayun Halliday, his daughter India, and his son Milo.

Anyone more interested in Kotis could check him out here: http://gregkotis.com/

Apply for New POI Course for Fall 2017: “The Art of Doing: Creative Project Production and Making It Happen”

Apply for New POI Course for Fall 2017: “The Art of Doing: Creative Project Production and Making It Happen”

Title: “The Art of Doing: Creative Project Production and Making It Happen”
Instructors: Michael Pope with Amanda Palmer

https://iasext.wesleyan.edu/regprod/!wesmaps_page.html?stuid=&facid=NONE&crse=015041&term=1179

Description:

Students learn collaborative creative super filmmaking powers before being dropped off on a metaphoric desert island with nothing but a camera phone and a song. Beauty Ensues.  This studio class will focus on non-traditional video production techniques towards a final project of a class-created music video featuring music and performance by Amanda Palmer. Students will co-create every aspect of this video, from conceptualization to editing to screening, with the final product being released to her Patreon community.

The course seeks to illuminate the creative process by way of mindful reflection, and physical training to promote creative cooperation between various artistic mediums. Students are expected to participate in team building physical exercises inspired by physical theater, Butoh and some physical meditations. Meaning:  Students will be expected to participate in physical activity that includes jumping, running, yelling, and the like.

The course will allow us to sketch answers to questions like these, among others: How do you forge creative collaborations that allow you to realize your projects and that create the best conditions for your creative work? How do you raise awareness about your creative projects?

Taught by director Michael Pope who has shot, cut and directed the music videos for The Dresden Dolls and Amanda Palmer’s first solo album (Who Killed Amanda Palmer), in collaboration with Amanda Palmer as visiting co-creator, the course will culminate in a screening of the class-created video that will be part of a Wesleyan-hosted Amanda Palmer concert on Dec 9.

No prior film or video-making experience required, though all students seeking admission to the course are required to submit an application.

Only serious, fully engaged and enthusiastic students should apply. Students must commit to shooting the weekend of Nov 17-18-19 and must be available all day Sat and Sun Nov 18 and 19.

Students will be required to apply for this course by August 15. They will be notified of admission to the course by August 31.

Course enrollment limit: 15 (all class years allowed)

Grading mode: Cr/U for final grades. Students will be given an indication of whether they are passing the course by midterm.

Major Readings: Course Reader.

Other readings may include: “The Five Rings” Myamoto Musashi; “50 Secrets of Magic Craftsmanship”, Salvadore Dali; ”Giovanni’s Room”, James Baldwin;

“Just Kids”, Patti Smith; “The Power of Movies”, Colin McGinn.

Assignments: Weekly assignments from individual students, collaborative assignments, final reflective essay of 5 pp.

Class meetings: W and F 2:40-4:10 pm

Additional information:

No prior film or video-making experience required, though all students seeking admission to the course are required to submit an application.

Only serious, fully engaged and enthusiastic students should apply. Students must commit to shooting the weekend of Nov 17-18-19 and must be available all day Sat and Sun Nov 18 and 19.

Students will be required to apply for this course by August 15. They will be notified of admission to the course by August 31.

Application to the “The Art of Doing”

Students are invited to submit this creative challenge for consideration for admission to “The Art of Doing”.

Applications should be submitted to this email address: artofdoingapplication@gmail.com

Only applications sent from wesleyan.edu email addresses will be considered.

There are two required parts to the application. Please make sure each part the application clearly indicates your name.

Part I. Create a digital still-image Self Portrait (photograph, collage, rendering).

Choose and incorporate three items into your self-portrait.

One item to represent who you have been.
One item to represent who you are now.
One item to represent who you imagine yourself to be in the future.
Applicants are invited to interpret this exercise as best suits their creative strengths.

Part II. Please submit only one document that contains all the required elements A-D (detailed below). Please make sure this document clearly identifies you as the author.

A. In 200 words or less, explain the significance of each item in Part A.

B.  In 200 words or less, explain why your interested in taking the course “The Art of Doing: Creative Project Production and Making It Happen”.

C.  In 100 words, or less, describe your experience with Cr/U courses and your attitude toward Cr/U courses.

D.  Applications should include

List of current creative skills
List of additional interests
E. Optional

Applicants are invited to submit up to three samples of creative work jpeg and mov files.

Note: mov files may be no longer than 180 seconds.

Please do not purchase any books until you have been notified about admission to the course.

Thursday, July 6th @ 12:15 PM EST | Live Facebook feed with Q&A to address “First Steps for Fellowships”

Are you considering applying for a fellowship or scholarship this fall? Now is the time to prepare! There are early on campus deadlines and important facts to be aware of now. Please note that to access many materials and links on the Fellowships webpage, you must be logged into your Wesleyan University Portal.

Thursday, July 6th @ 12:15 PM EST | Live Facebook feed with Q&A to address “First Steps for Fellowships” – a short introduction to fellowships, online resources, and a few tips as you begin to prepare your application(s). Join the conversation on Facebook here: @wesfellowships

A few major fellowships & scholarships to consider as a senior:

Fulbright Grants

For graduate study, independent research and to teach English. Eligible to apply unless you hold a PhD. On campus priority deadline: July 12. Final campus deadline: September 12. Interested in Fulbright? Sign up for email reminders here: http://www.wesleyan.edu/cgs/fie/fellowships/nomination.html (scroll down to Fulbright and the drop-down will open with a link for you!)

Marshall Scholarship

For graduate study in the UK. Eligible to apply up to age 24. On campus deadline: August 31.

Mitchell Scholarship

For graduate study in Ireland. Eligible to apply up to age 30. On campus deadline: August 31.

Rhodes Scholarship

For graduate study at Oxford University. Eligible to apply up to 2 years after graduation. On campus deadline: August 31.

Watson Fellowship

Allows you to pursue an independent project around the world. Senior year is the only time you are eligible to apply! On campus deadline: September 15.

For more about each of these fellowships and scholarships, please visit: http://www.wesleyan.edu/cgs/fie/fellowships/nomination.html. You can also make appointments online for advising! Questions? Please email: fellowships@wesleyan.edu

Summer Session Registration-Still Open!

Summer Session Registration- Still Open!

Summer 2017 classes include Intro to Financial Accounting, Bio, Chem, International Politics, Writing with Anne Greene, and more.

More information is available in WesMaps and on the Summer Session website.

 

To register:

 

1) Print and complete the registration form (EP>Student>Summer Session>Registration Form). 

2) Meet with your faculty advisor to have them sign your form.

3) Bring your completed form with a check for payment to the Summer Session office (74 Wyllys) during business hours (8:30 am – 5:00 pm). You can also put the payment on your student account before bringing your form to the office.

 

Session schedule and deadlines are online at http://wesleyan.edu/summer/Calendar.html

 

If you need any additional assistance, please contact the Summer Session office at 860-685-2005 or summer@wesleyan.edu.

 

 

Dean’s Corner – Academic Advice for Final Exams and Papers

The Class Dean’s Corner

Greetings Wesleyan Community! In preparation for a healthy and successful end to the 2016-2017 academic year, the Class Deans Office Roving Reporters are pleased to share some tips and strategies that students use to prepare for final exams and other academic assessments.

Overall Strategies:

  • It gets to the point where I know I have to act like I am in a (Joey ‘18)
  • I’m trying to figure that out. My strategy is to pay attention in class and try to understand what’s happening when learning it and then remembering it is a lot easier. (Avi ‘20)
  • Whenever you get the chance, put any effort you can into studying. Don’t let it build up. Don’t wait for midterms. Be on the lookout at least a week ahead of time. (Ryan ‘18)
  • I look over all my notes and my syllabus to make sure I’m not missing any part of the class and to make sure that I at least know something about each portion of the syllabus. Then I just sort of spend time thinking about it and hope that I do well…and sleep. (Nathaniel ‘19)

Study Places:

  • I like to be in a quiet place where I don’t feel distracted. I also like eating a good meal before studying so you’re not distracted by hunger the whole time.  (Sarafina ‘20)
  • Vary your study locations. Just get up and move every couple hours so you don’t get tired. (Campbell ‘19)

Time Management:

  • Plan your time wisely. Make a daily schedule and a weekly schedule of all the things that you should be doing so you are using your time most efficiently. Also like not forgetting to get a meal and enough sleep. And to take care of yourself. (Steven ‘18)

Study Techniques:

  • Always carry a highlighter everywhere you go…put it in your back pocket. (Mackenzie ‘19)
  • I like to listen to really good music, like lots of rap…it has a steady beat, a set tempo for studying. (Parichat ‘20)
  • I use index cards, rewrite my notes, and review a lot ahead of time and as you go along. (Valerie ‘20)
  • I study in separate chunks with breaks rather than cramming. You should test yourself; don’t just look at the notes. Anticipate questions that will be on the exam; don’t just look at your study guide and say Ah! I know this, and then formulate it into a question.  (Kelly ‘17)
  • Because I am a sociology major, I read a lot of social theory. I have different color codes for each color of highlighter that indicate special things in the text and make it easy to hold onto, like words like therefore, hence, thus, or for questions or definitions. I use colors that contrast two things.  (Grace ’17)

General Advice:

  • Don’t study with your friends. (Willa ‘19)
  • Laugh a lot with your friends, take breaks with Netflix, and workout. (CiCi ‘18)

The Roving Class Deans:

These are terrific insights.  To learn more about the ways that the Class Deans Office can help you, please stop in during drop-in hours or schedule an individual meeting to see us. http://www.wesleyan.edu/studentaffairs/about/classdeans.html.

To meet with an Academic Peer Advisor for studying or test-taking tips or time management strategies, go to  http://www.wesleyan.edu/studentaffairs/resources/peeradvisors/index.html .

Remember:

Last Day to Withdraw from Full Semester & 4th Quarter Classes – May 3, 2017

Classes End – May 10, 2017

Reading Period – May 11 – 15

Final Exams – May 16 – 19

University Housing Closes – May 20

The GLASS (Gay, Lesbian, and Sexuality Studies) Prize

Announcing the 2017 GLASS Prize!

The GLASS (Gay, Lesbian, and Sexuality Studies) Prize is awarded for the best research and writing on a subject in queer, trans*, LGBT, or sexuality studies.

The prize is open to Wesleyan undergraduate students in all classes; senior essays and theses are preferred. The award includes no cash benefit, but the winner’s name will be published in the 2017 Commencement booklet.

Entries must be submitted in hard copy by 4pm on Thursday, April 20 to the Center for the Americas (look for the bin labeled “GLASS Prize” in the downstairs hallway).

If you have any questions, please contact the GLASS Prize chair, Prof. Margot Weiss (mdweiss@wesleyan.edu).

More info at: http://www.wesleyan.edu/queerstudies/glass.html

Fellowship Information Sessions – April 21, 25, and 26

WATSON FELLOWSHIP WEBINAR | Friday April 21 @ 12PM

Attend a webinar hosted by the Watson Fellowship program. Learn about the Watson Fellowship and stay for a Q&A after with campus advisor, Kate Smith.

FULBRIGHT INFORMATION SESSION | Tuesday April 25 @ 12PM

Juniors! Plan ahead and attend a Fulbright Information Session on Tuesday April 25 @ 12PM in Usdan 110 (feel free to pick up lunch beforehand – the presentation will start just after 12PM!).

FELLOWSHIP WRITING WORKSHOP | Tuesday April 25 OR Wednesday April 26

Thinking about applying to Fulbright or Watson? Maybe the Marshall, Mitchell or Rhodes Scholarship? And not sure where to start? Attend an upcoming Writing Workshop with Kate! Food will be provided, but registration is required. Register here: https://goo.gl/forms/v3mLOYgDd6WARl7P2

For more updates, deadlines & opportunities, please follow Fellowships @ Wes on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/wesfellowships/

Register for Housing Selection Immediately, Mondo Pizza, Dean’s List

Reminders!

  • Register for Housing Selection Immediately! This MUST be done before noon on Monday, April 17, 2017. Note, Housing Selection Drop-In Q & A tomorrow (Friday, April 14, 2017, 2:00 PM – 5:00 PM).
  • Sign up down for a Mondo’s Pizza and Salad dinner & Time Management/ Final Exam Prep Workshop Register Here
  • The Spring 2016 Dean’s List is updated for viewing

Shu Tokita Prize for Student of Color Studying Literature – Applications Due April 17

Shu Tokita Prize For Students of Color Studying Literature:  The Shu Tokita Prize, established by friends and relatives of Shu Tokita, ’84, will be awarded to one or two students of color (US citizens or residents), current sophomores or juniors, majoring in literature, in area studies or a language major with a focus on literature, who demonstrate need for substantial financial assistance

For further information, please contact the campus coordinator of the Shu Tokita Prize committee, Alice Hadler (Downey House 209, x 2832, ahadler@wesleyan.edu, campus mail: English Dept., 294 High St.). Please submit your application and essay as an email attachment to Prof. Hadler by the Monday April 17 deadline.