Visiting Artists & Scholars
The EPICS Office coordinates visits and workshops from alumni and professionals. Visitors have included:
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Emily Gerson Saines :: May 13, 2011 President of Brookside Artist Management and producer of 2010 Emmy-winning HBO movie Temple Grandin, Gerson-Saines discussed her journey from the Northwestern campus to Hollywood. |
 Leadership Journey - ABC 7 Studios :: May 11, 2011Students took a tour of the newsroom, studio, and design department, heard from ABC 7 executives, and learned about ABC 7's internship program. |
 Comedy Writers Panel :: May 6, 2011Panelists included Michele Ganeless, President of Comedy Central; Thomas Bradshaw, playwright; Luke Matheny, writer and actor of Academy Award-winning God of Love; and Holly Laurent, improv writer and actor. |
Leadership Journey - Chicago Blackhawks :: March 4, 2011 Students met with marketing executives, took a tour of the United Center, and attended the game. One student said of the experience: "it was informative, fun, and thought provoking." |
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Joe Purdy :: February 24, 2011 Purdy, writer and producer of children's programming including Hey Arnold! and All Grown Up, advised students to be prepared when going into proposal meetings. |
 Leadership Journey - Northwestern Memorial Hospital :: January 28, 2011Students toured Northwestern Memorial's Voice, Speech, and Language Service and Swallowing Center and heard from clinical speech language pathologists. |
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Whitney Kroenke :: November 10, 2010 Kroenke, co-founder of Playing for Change and current and Executive Director of the Playing for Change Foundation, spoke about launching the successful non-profit and her international work with the organization. |
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Stephanie March :: October 22, 2010 After attending the Q&A with Law & Order: SVU actress March, Theatre major Sam Barker applauded, "One thing that she told us that really stood out was the fact that, 'No audition is the end of the world.' It inspires me to keep moving forward even if I have a bad audition... the idea that this now-famous actor was once where I am makes my dreams feel that much more attainable." |
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Edward Burns :: October 15, 2010 Students had the opportunity to attend a screening of “Nice Guy Johnny” and Q & A with acclaimed actor, writer, and director Edward Burns. |
 Leadership Journey - Steppenwolf Theatre :: October 15, 2010Students received a backstage tour from Steppenwolf's production manager, heard from a panel of Steppenwolf executives (including Casting Director and NU alum Erica Daniels, Acting Associate Producer Kimberly Senior, and Director of Marketing John Zinn), and learned about the Steppenwolf Professional Leadership Program. |
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Greg Berlanti :: September 28, 2010 The EPICS office screened “Life as we Know It,” directed by Berlanti, to a packed audience. Producer of TV hits incuding Everwood, Dirty Sexy Money, Eli Stone, and the film Green Lantern, Berlanti met with students after the screening and advised them, " ... You can't control when [you'll make it], but you can control how ready you are." |
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Sutton Foster :: September 24, 2010 A Tony-winning actress and singer, Foster spoke to students about the importance of getting into character. She explained, "First I look at a character and try to find something in it that I can relate to. And when I get a different character, I can explore parts of myself that I wouldn't have otherwise." |
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Josh Shader :: April 20, 2010 Producer of American Wedding, My Best Friend's Girl, and the upcoming movie Mardi Gras |
| Heath Corson :: April 13, 2010 Writer for Warner Bros. Animated Peacock Project, Living with Abandon, Hooked, and Scary Godmother Halloween Spooktakular, Corson started a children's theatre in Chicago and became a succesful writer in LA. |
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Michael Berresse :: January 29, 2010 Tony-nominated actor, dancer, choreographer, and director who has performed in Kiss Me, Kate, Chicago, Fiddler on the Roof, Carousel, Damn Yankees, The Light in the Piazza, and A Chorus Line |
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Faith Prince :: November 20, 2009 Was nominated for Tony, Drama Desk, and Critics Circle awards last year for her role in A Catered Affair Won Tony and Drama Desk awards for her lead role in the Broadway revival of Guys and Dolls |
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Stephen Schwartz :: November 13, 2009 Composer and Lyricist, wrote lyrics for Godspell, Mass, Pippin, and Wicked |
| Erica Daniels :: November 5, 2009 Casting director for Steppenwolf Theatre Company |
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Raymond Lee :: October 23, 2009 Performer in the Broadway production of Mamma Mia! |
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Rachael Scholten :: May 29, 2009 Producer, Starcom Entertainment |
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David Kersnar & Larry DiStasi :: May 15, 2009 Founding ensemble members of Lookingglass Theatre Company. Kersnar also founded Shaking The Tree Interactive Productions in 2000. |
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Julie Kahn :: May 1, 2009 Transitioned from her school carreer to private practice instead of clinical research. |
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Brian Dickie :: April 24, 2009 General Director of Chicago Opera Theatre |
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Laverne McKinnon :: April 21, 2009 Founder and CEO of Shibui Entertainment; President of Television Production, 50 Cannon Entertainment; Senior Vice President of Drama Series Development, CBS |
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Betsy Steinberg :: April 21, 2009 Head of the Illinois Film Office, providing opportunities for young and ambitious filmmakers |
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Catherine Gottfred :: April 3, 2009 President of ASHA and founder of Leap Learning Systems, Gottfred is interested in the issues facing the pediatric and speech pathology industry. |
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Adam Kantor :: March 1, 2009 Star of the final Broadway run of Rent and 2008 Theatre alum |
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Sonja Nordahl :: February 27, 2009 Former national anchor and business analyst for CTV Newsnet, Canada’s premier all-news station |
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David Miller & Erica Levin :: February 13, 2009 Miller is an entrepreuner with 20 years marketing, general management, technology, and consulting experience, and also the founder of Snaphawk, an internet advertising company. Levin is the founder of CheekyChicago.com, a website for hip Chicago women. |
| Mollie Alexander Speer :: January 30, 2009 Director of Development of About Face Theatre, Speer helped students with resume techniques to increase their chances of landing jobs and internships. Speer added, "If you're so passionate about making theatre happen, the best place to be is Chicago." |
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John Scheinfeld :: January 23, 2009 Emmy and Grammy nominated filmmaker who created a documentary about the Chicago Cubs. Scheinfeld urged, "If you’re a storyteller, that will carry you across disciplines." |
| Andrew Damer :: January 16, 2009 Marketing Director for Broadway in Chicago |
| Marissa Bieschke & Claire Gilbert :: December 5, 2008 Bieschke is an O&C practitioner at Deloitte Human Capital who graduated from Northwestern (SESP). Gilbert, an SoC graduate, is also at Deloitte Human Capital. |
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David Hollander :: December 1, 2008 Writer of CBS's hit show “The Guardian” (2001-04) and the new film Personal Effects starring Ashton Kutcher and Michelle Pfeiffer. |
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John Cameron Mitchell :: November 20, 2008 Actor, director, writer, and producer; star of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, and Broadway’s The Secret Garden. Mitchell coached R/TV/F students in directing a scene utilizing Theatre students. |
