Cristina Pippa’s new musical, War Bonds, with music and lyrics by Sharon Kenny, is a finalist for the 2009 O’Neill National Music Theater Conference. Their musicalOrange Alert was recently nominated for the Weston Playhouse Musical Theater Award.
Gerald Nosich, professor, Philosophy and Humanities, presented “Working Smarter” and “Reshaping the Graduate School Curriculum” at the Graduate School of Eastern Kentucky University, in Richmond, Kentucky, February 16–17.
Eileen Merberg, retention and leadership specialist, Residence Life; Tim Gallineau, associate professor, Student Personnel Administration; and Mike Spence,graduate student, Student Personnel Administration, presented “Through the Looking Glass: Emerging Trends in Student Affairs” at the NASPA Region II Graduate and New Professionals Conference, held in Washington, D.C., February 27.
Carlos Jones, assistant professor, Theater, has been commissioned to create new works for two Northern California–based dance companies: TDC of the Bay Area and DAC PAC, a professional youth ensemble. Locally, Jones’s work is featured on the Jewish Repertory Theatre’s production of “Hello, Muddah! Hello, Fadduh!”
Bruce L. Fisher, visiting professor, Economics and Finance, and director, Center for Economic and Policy Studies, testified before the New York State Assembly Committee on Local Governments’ standing committee on industrial development agencies (IDAs). He addressed legal and economic questions raised by the failure of current IDA practices to meet cost-benefit criteria. His testimony also questioned the performance of multiple IDAs within metropolitan regions and noted that public subsidies delivered via IDAs within metros have the effect of undermining enterprise within older, densely settled municipalities. Fisher noted that claims of “job-creation” must be measured against federal and state data that show overall employment in upstate metros has fallen dramatically even while IDAs have delivered billions in taxpayer subsidies to favored enterprises.
Erica Fire, costume director and shop manager, Theater, will return to the Glimmerglass Opera, in Cooperstown, New York, this summer for her 11th season in their costume shop. She will work as a draper on Glimmerglass’s production of Verdi’s La Traviata, with costume designs by Isabella Bywater. Fire also built costumes for the Jewish Repertory Theatre’s production of Awake and Sing!
Ann Emo, assistant professor, Theater, presented “The Philosophy of Design: Theatrical Design for Antigone in a Modern World” at the Third International Conference on Design Principles and Practices, held in Berlin, Germany, February 15–17. The conference convenes designer practitioners, students, and educators in all areas of design from around the world. Emo’s presentation discussed the use of symbols, icons, and rituals to create a compelling environment where an ancient story can be told to a modern audience while remaining true to the essence of the original tale.
Carol Beckley’s proposal “Critical Thinking in the Design Classroom” was accepted for the 2009 International Conference on Design Principles and Practices. Beckley’s television and theater work can be seen in the exhibitionWomen, the Arts, and the Environment, on view in E. H. Butler Library lobby through March.
Julie Wieczkowski, assistant professor, Anthropology, was invited to participate in Tech Savvy 4, a program to encourage sixth- to ninth-grade girls in science, technology, engineering, and math. Tech Savvy is organized by the local chapter of the American Association of University Women and was held on the University at Buffalo campus on March 7. Wieczkowski’s session, titled “Primarily Primates,” introduced the girls to the methods of animal behavior research.
John Thompson, associate professor, Computer Information Systems, participated in the panel presentation “Blueprint for Green Computing” at the FOSE 2009 conference March 10–12 in Washington, D.C. FOSE is the largest information technology exposition serving the government marketplace.