International students part of Suffolk community
April 23, 2008
BOSTON — There are many international students at universities across the United States who have left behind families and friends in order to make a better life for themselves through resources offered in U.S. schools. Building a new life in the U.S. proves to be difficult for many of them, but most hope to earn degrees and be first generation graduates from college.
Paco De Aubeyzon, a sophomore at Suffolk University from Peru, says he is very thankful his parents were able to give him the opportunity to come and study in the U.S. Therefore, he hopes to do the best he can while studying here. “I hope that when I get my degree from the business school here that I’m able to find a well paying job that I can be proud of.” Read more
Questioning the customs of Valentine’s Day
April 18, 2008
BOSTON — Every year on February 14th, millions of Americans exchange sugary candy, colorful flowers, and squishy stuffed animals in order to show loved ones just how much they care. College students are skeptical about the importance of Valentine’s Day, yet many still participate in the traditional customs that come with this classic day of love. Sometimes referred to as the most romantic day of the year, and other times as “singles awareness day,” there is no question that this holiday is certainly controversial.
“Valentine’s Day is overrated,” said Dennis Gabriel, a single sophomore at Suffolk University. “I never actually did anything for Valentine’s Day, I don’t think it’s a big deal. I guess if you have a boyfriend or girlfriend you’ll go along with it, but, I don’t know, it’s just another reason to do things, just another excuse to celebrate.” Read more
Hair actor Bryan Daley is no stranger to performance
April 18, 2008
BOSTON – “I was always being annoying and singing Disney songs.” And so began 19-year-old Bryan Daley’s theatrical journey.
Daley, a sophomore at Suffolk University, is currently performing in the Suffolk Theater Department’s production of Hair: the American Tribal Rock-Love Musical. Hair depicts the era of the Vietnam War, and the youthful hippies who fought so hard for their bohemian lifestyle and against the war. Daley’s role, Berger, is a challenging role, one that is both dynamic and extremely demanding.
“Berger is a big cynic, but very sincere at the same time,” said Daley. Read more
The Gibson Girl: Re-drawing identity
April 14, 2008
BOSTON — “You belong simply because you are,” said Valerie, the character of an African American teenager in the play, The Gibson Girl. Valerie struggles with her self-image and sense of belonging. Only after studying the works of famous writers, such as Nikki Giovanni and Langston Hughes, did she become empowered and self-assured about her place in the world.
The theme of belonging is central in The Gibson Girl, written by Kirsten Greenidge and directed by Victoria Marsh. The play premiered at the Boston Center for the Arts Plaza Theatre, 539 Tremont St., Boston, on March 14-April 5, 2008. The audience was packed with people from all sexes, ages, races, and socio-economic levels, waiting to experience the captivating message of the play. Read more
Fashion designer Christina Defalco puts Boston in her designs
April 14, 2008
BOSTON — Local fashion designer Christina Defalco is known for taking her love of Boston and including it in her unique clothing designs. Many people associate the name Christina Defalco with the cute hand- studded Swarovski crystal T-shirts clad with pictures of Fenway stadium and other Boston trademarks, seen on many women after they have purchased an original Christina Defalco design.
Christina Defalco won The Improper Bostonian’s Boston’s Best Award for Fashion: Urban Chic Boutique for 2005, along with many other fashion awards and mentions. The Christina Defalco boutique, located on 343 Hanover Street in Boston’s North End, had been the longest standing boutique in the North End until the boutique’s recent closing. Defalco felt her designs would flourish more online and possibly on Newbury Street in Boston. Read more
HAIR: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical
April 13, 2008
BOSTON — The year was 1968. The Vietnam War was in full swing, along with an emerging American culture built on the principles of love, peace, and political protest. This culture was defined by a radical group known as hippies; their hair was long, their clothes were tie-dyed iridescent shades of the rainbow, and their symbol was the peace sign.
The movement spread world-wide, but was most active in large cities such as New York. Within this innovative society in New York City’s East Greenwich Village, the story of HAIR: the American Tribal Love-Rock Musical unfolded. Read more
A performing art lover’s dream
April 11, 2008
BROCKTON, Mass. — Have you ever heard of a person becoming an institution in what they help create? Carol Thomas, 67, has become an institution of the theater arts variety. She has become a legend. In Brockton, Mass., the city many call the City of Champions, Thomas’ tenure lasted 35 years. With her help, Brockton’s Drama program flourished.
Carol Thomas is a life-long resident of Brockton. She attended elementary and junior high school there and later graduated from Brockton High School in 1959. As a child, she was always interested in the arts, and that interest followed her in her formative years.
After graduating college, Thomas came back to her beloved Brockton and began to teach at West Junior High School. In 1971, everything began to happen in succession for her. She, along with Thomas Richards, produced the musical Brigadoon, which then led to a decades-long foundation for theater arts in Brockton. That same year, she established the Brockton High School Drama Club. Read more
Best Buddies Togetherness Dinner hopes to open eyes
April 10, 2008
BOSTON — On April 1, 2008 from 6-9 p.m., Donahue’s 4th floor was alive with laughter and the smell of great food, as Best Buddies held the Togetherness Dinner in combination with Unity Week 2008 at Suffolk University on Tuesday. Including a free family-style dinner for all that attended, along with dancing, arts & crafts, games, and most importantly stories from the buddies, the event was eye opening for many who attended, and proved to be another great memory for best buddies members and buddies alike.
Best Buddies is a non-profit organization on the Suffolk University campus that enhances the lives of those with mental disabilities. Run by volunteers, the dedicated members of Best Buddies host many events, like the Togetherness Dinner, where students and buddies can build friendships and become important parts of each other’s lives. Read more
Rams go unmatched
April 9, 2008
BOSTON — Suffolk University’s premier a capella group, The Ramifications, finished up the year with a fantastic festival of song this past Friday evening, along with three other a capella groups from neighboring universities.
The Rams held their annual A Capella Festival in the C. Walsh Theater, along with Northeastern University’s Distilled Harmony, and Boston University’s In Achord and Allegrettos.
The popular groove, Ready to Go, by Republica, was the first song of the night, featuring the lovely and edgy voice of Kaitlyn Flynn as soloist. The Ramifications started off the evening with an enthusiastic tone, as well as with a touch of class; all were dressed to the nines in an array of dazzling black outfits. Read more
PAO brings condemned to life
April 9, 2008
BOSTON — Suffolk University’s Performing Arts Office recently presented its Pioneer Performance Series, The Exonerated, which brought to life the tragedy of innocent inmates on death row.
As the play began, lights came up upon the entire cast sitting in chairs upon a multitude of levels on stage. The play went on to follow the story of six people–Kerry Max Cook, Gary Gauger, Sonia “Sunny” Jacobs, David Keaton, Delbert Tibbs and Robert Earl Hayes—all who were wrongly convicted of capital murderer charges and sentenced to death row.
In 2000, the authors of the play, Jessica Blank and Erik Jensen, attended an anti-death penalty conference at Columbia University. It was this experience that led them to write The Exonerated. They interviewed sixty people from different backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, locations, and religions. But all had spent time on death row, and all were innocent. Read more
I’m blue, and if I was green I would die
April 8, 2008
BOSTON — It is crazy, comedic and blue all over. It comes in three’s, and it can even perform tricks. What could it be? The Blue Man Group of course.
March 22, on a Saturday night at the Charles Playhouse on 74 Warrenton Street in Boston, Mass., three men in all blue paint gave their performance to an excited crowd of fans of all ages.
“They are phenomenal,” said Kerry Mooney of the North End. “The show was so different than anything else I had ever seen.”
That is the sentiment of many after leaving the Blue Man Group. During a typical show, the Blue Man Group throws toilet paper at the crowd, grabs volunteers from the audience and involves them in the show, and gets everyone pumped with the steady beat of their three giant drum heads. Strobe lights flashing at different intervals give an unearthly view and feel to the theater. Read more
Students gain valuable experience from studying abroad
April 7, 2008
BOSTON — Students at universities all over the United States are choosing to study in other countries across the globe. Most students who have studied abroad view it as a unique learning opportunity that they benefited from greatly.
“It is a constant learning experience,” said Suffolk University sophomore Ashley Parisa Sadrnoori, about her current studies in Madrid, Spain. Sadrnoori says she is having a more “hands on experience” learning in Madrid verses learning in Boston. “We have traveled to so many different places around Spain for different classes and it has been so exciting.” Read more
Mining your obsessions
April 7, 2008
BOSTON — “Write what you know,” the old adage goes. Finding connections between what you’re writing and what you care about can sometimes be a challenge for writers, no matter what format or genre you write in.
This was one of the many topics covered at Boskone, a regional science fiction and fantasy convention held at Boston’s Westin Waterfront Hotel every February. Genre writers from all over the country fly in to lead panels and discussions about all aspects of the genre and writing within it. Every writer, whether he or she is an author or a poet or a reporter, should learn to use his or her obsessions to craft well-thought out and interesting stories. One of the most interesting panels of the convention was on that very subject. Read more
Marilyn Plotkins: Actor, director, aficionada
April 7, 2008
BOSTON — “Do you want me to sing for you?” said young Marilyn Plotkins with a giddy smile and wide eyes.
This question was posed to every guest that walked through the front door of her large, middle-class family’s home. At a young age Plotkins knew that she loved to sing. Her challenge was to find the right outlet to express her joyful noise. After attending her first play, Gypsy with Ethel Merman, she knew theatre was her destiny.
Marilyn Plotkins is the Chair and Director for Suffolk University’s Theatre Department, founding Director of Boston Music Theatre Project, and author of The A.R.T. Reference Book: The Brustein Years about the American Repertory Theatre. Plotkins is involved with theatre on nearly every level as an actor, director, professor, and aficionada. Read more
The world is at your fingertips — study abroad!
April 7, 2008
BOSTON — The world is at your fingertips and it’s time to reach out and grab it. Studying abroad will tighten your grip on today’s world; educationally, culturally, and socially.
Suffolk University’s Center for International Education offers roughly 25 study abroad programs in over 55 countries around the world. Students have the option of studying in the fall, spring, or summer semesters. Regardless of the season or country selected, an expansive educational and rich cultural experience is guaranteed. Read more
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