Professional Directions: When All Feels Lost - Dark Night of the Soul with Kiana Cole
Kiana Cole will join virtually to discuss how student storytellers can face hardships in a challenging industry. Covering internships to first jobs, Kiana will speak with students about coping with rejection, pivoting when faced with adversity, and tuning into their self-worth. Hosted by PMA Visiting Assistant Professor, Juanie Fowlkes.
Thursday, April 25th, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Room 220
2024 Annual Spring Dance Presenting Series
In culmination of the yearlong Choreographing Justice Series and Cornell University’s Freedom of Expression Theme Year, PMA is pleased to announce the 2024 Annual Spring Dance Presenting Series.
This year’s series includes the premiere of an evening-length interdisciplinary dance project that reimagines and reclaims the Kiplinger Theatre, entitled This table has been a house in the rain, followed by a walk-through installation of body-based and dance-driven mixed media in the Schwartz Center atrium. All performances are free and open to the public.
Participants in this spring’s dance project laboratory had the opportunity to work with and be mentored by internationally acclaimed choreographers and dance artists: distinguished guests Eiko Otake, Ishmael Houston-Jones, and Keith Hennessy, and faculty Danielle Russo. In response to Poet Laureate Joy Harjo’s Perhaps the World Ends Here, these students generated, directed, and designed an original 75-minute work that builds upon legacies of dance and performance as freedom practice. Participants in PMA 3350 & 4350: Technology & the Moving Body I & II and PMA 1611-601: Rehearsal and Performance produced dance films, stills, and object explorations with faculty Olive Prince, echoing these questions: How can dance and performance be portals for embodied inquiry into power, collaboration, equity, and liberated imagination?
Read more about the event in the Cornell Chronicle: 'A place at the table': Exploring free expression through dance
This event is made possible through the generosity and support of Cornell University’s Freedom of Expression Theme Year, Cheryl Whaley and Eric Aboaf, and the Lisa Lu Foundation.
"Perhaps the World Ends Here" from "The Woman Who Fell from the Sky" (1994), with permission from the author Joy Harjo and publishing house, W.W. Norton.
Thursday, April 25th, 7:30 p.m. Get Tickets
Friday, April 26th, 7:30 p.m. Get Tickets
Saturday, April 27th, 7:30 p.m. Get Tickets
Kiplinger Theatre
Women in Film: A Screening of Shorts by Anna Evtushenko
Anna Evtushenko, PhD candidate in Information Science, has found joy and a home in the Department of Performing and Media Arts. In 2020-2023, she made 4 small-scale drama short films, which were selected for Cinequest, Beverly Hills Film Festival, and Chelsea Film Festival, among others. She learns by doing, and getting feedback. Come experience the work, share your thoughts on it, and learn about the production process.
For mature audiences only. Films contain material that may be triggering to some audience members.
Wednesday, May 1, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Screening of Cold Summer (10 mins) and can’t talk, a movie’s on (13 mins), Film Forum
Thursday, May 2, 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.: Screening of Stain (17 mins) and Intruder (7 mins), Film Forum
The event will showcase two Honors Film Projects by the Cornell Senior class; DOOMSCROLL, an honors thesis film by Kenny Aune ‘24, and REMEMBERING COLIN STALL, an honors scholar film by Peter Levine ‘24. Support great storytelling and hear from the student directors themselves in a Q&A session following the screening.
For mature audiences only. Films contain material that may be triggering to some audience members.
Friday, May 3rd, 7:30 p.m., Kiplinger Theatre
Sub-Basement Cinema is celebrating 35 years of student filmmaking! Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for the Student Film Screening, featuring the unique, beautiful, and empathetic works from Film I and Film 2 students. Let's come together and share a magical evening of storytelling through the language of cinema, 24 frames per second.
Free and open to the public. First-come, first-served.
For mature audiences only. Films contain material that may be triggering to some audience members.
Friday, May 10th, 5:00 p.m. Kiplinger Theatre
Past Events
Projects & Participation Kick-off
Join us for a general information session where you can explore various ways to participate in PMA's live and mediated productions. Meet directors and filmmakers who will share insights about their projects and casting requirements.
Watch the recording from our Projects and Participation Kick-off event on PMA's YouTube channel.
Wednesday, January 24th, 7:30 p.m., Kiplinger Theatre
Festival 24 features an array of plays written, directed, rehearsed, and performed by students in just 24 hours!
Saturday, January 27th, 7:30 p.m., Flexible Theatre
Chats with the Chair
"Chats with the Chair" invites PMA majors, minors, and those interested in the department to join the chair for food and fellowship. Come learn more about the department, give feedback, and talk about everything performing and media arts at Cornell and beyond! Food provided! RSVP by Feb. 6th to Steven Streetman, ss3549@cornell.edu.
Friday, February 9th, Noon-1pm, Room 220
Professional Directions: Women in Charge
Erin Jones-Wesley, Simone Harris, Chigo Menakaya, and Alexandria Whitner, four execs from Lionsgate, Proximity Media, Blackmaled Productions, and SpringHill Studios will join virtually to talk all things TV and Film development. They'll answer questions about developing taste, how to choose a good story, the process of taking a story from script to screen, and how they got started in the business. Hosted by PMA Visiting Assistant Professor, Juanie Fowlkes.
Friday, February 16th, 5:00 p.m. - 6:15 p.m., Room 220
A solo performance by internationally acclaimed Japanese-American movement-based interdisciplinary artist Eiko Otake.
Free and open to all.
Saturday, February 17th, 3:00 p.m. - 3:45 p.m., Mui Ho Fine Arts Library (2nd Floor, Rand Hall, 947 University Ave, Ithaca NY)
A Screening of No Rule is Our Rule
A 76-minute documentary film about the friendship of two fiercely independent, interdisciplinary Asian female dance artists, Eiko Otake and Wen Hui, and the embodied memories each willingly carries.
The film screening will be immediately followed by an Artist Q&A Session. Free and open to all.
Saturday, February 17th, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Film Forum
PMA Presents: Workshop and Talk Back with Film Composer Dyani Douze
Film composition workshop, 3 pm - 4 pm. Limited slots, RSVP to Steven Streetman, ss3549@cornell.edu
Artist Talk Back and Screening of Works, 4:15 pm - 5:15 pm, open to all
Friday, March 1st, Film Forum
CLOSER with Ishmael Houston-Jones & Keith Hennessy
Artist Talk | Live Performance | Q&A
Followed by an Open-Level Community-Centered Improvisation Jam
Saturday, March 2 from 7:00pm – 9:00pm
Black Box Theatre at The Schwartz Center
SB Level | 430 College Avenue, Ithaca NY
A play by Aaron Posner, directed by Fannie Massarsky '24.
Stupid F##king Bird, a modern-day, dark comedy adaptation of Chekhov’s classic 19th century play The Seagull, explores unrequited love, passion versus fame, and the toll of mediocrity. The story follows Con, a young writer who seeks validation from his successful starlet mother, Emma and his girlfriend, Nina, an aspiring actress. Posner’s work is equipped with songs, fourth wall breaks, dance sequences and explicit language.
Thursday, March 7th, 7:30 p.m. Get Tickets
Friday, March 8th, 5 p.m. Get Tickets
Saturday, March 9th, 2 p.m. Get Tickets
Saturday, March 9th, 7:30 p.m. Get Tickets
Flexible Theatre
Professional Directions with Filmmaker Jason Goldman '03 and Colorist Greg Reese '02
How do you make your first documentary? What goes into producing a tv commercial? What does a colorist do anyways? What is it like working with Taylor Swift? Join Cornell alums Jason Goldman '03 and Greg Reese '02 as they discuss their career paths in the film industry and share selections from their creative portfolios.
Friday, March 8th, 12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m., Film Forum
Performing and Media Arts Presentation Series (PMAPS) Colloquium
Sound, Structures, and Site by Mendi + Keith Obadike
In this presentation, Mendi + Keith Obadike will discuss recent site-specific sound installations and public art projects as well as new works in development.
The event is co-sponsored by the Department of Music.
Friday, March 8th, 3:00 p.m., Film Forum
A solo performance written and performed by Molly Carden.
On Friday, March 15, at 7:30pm, join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for I Came Back for Molly, a solo performance written and performed by Molly Carden, directed by Abigail Zealey Bess, and choreographed by David Maurice Sharp. The event will take place in the Flex Theatre, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts.
Writing workshops to follow, March 16-17, 11am – 3pm. Limited slots, apply to PMA@cornell.edu by February 22.
Download application form here: https://cornell.app.box.com/s/njywgn09o5sn4hbxvt0vg13b4ug0lrne
The Heermans-McCalmon guest artist fund was established at the bequest of Forbes Heermans (Class of 1878) and in memory of the late George McCalmon, Professor of Speech and Drama.
Friday, March 15th, 7:30 p.m. Flexible Theatre, Get tickets
Cornell in Hollywood Information Session
Come learn more about internship opportunities with Cornell in Hollywood.
This event will take place on Zoom.
Zoom Link: https://cornell.zoom.us/j/92829979429?pwd=UmxtQzhBYjN3NkpJSHhkQ2QxVkFNQT09
Tuesday, March 19th, 5:00 p.m.
Call for Actors: Film I & Film II Final Projects
Directors from Film I & Film II will present their ideas for short film projects.
Actors will sign up to be in the films (no audition required).
Production for these projects will begin in late March.
Film II Projects: Wednesday, March 20 at 5 pm
Film I Projects: Thursday, March 21 at 5 pm
Location: Reading Room 124
The Alien Commons: Dance and Performance Beyond Citizenship Artist Talk and Showcase
The Alien Commons is a two-day event bringing together seminal artists making performances related to themes of borders, citizenship, and (im)migration—both legal and “illegal.” Featured artists include Tanya Aguiñiga, Zoë Klein, Gabriel Mata, and Liliana Gomez. Activities include an artist symposium and performance showcase.
Co-Sponsored by the Migrations Initiative, Latina/o Studies Program, American Studies Program, Mellon Foundation's Just Futures, Society for the Humanities, Central New York Humanities Corridor, the Johnson Museum of Art, Department of Performing and Media Arts, and the Cheryl Whaley and Eric Aboaf Fund.
Symposium: Thursday, March 21st, 5:30 p.m., Film Forum
Performance Showcase: Friday, March 22nd, 7:30 p.m., Flexible Theatre, Get tickets
Professional Directions: All About Animation
Come learn all about the ins and outs of careers in animation. Jennifer del Rey, Chaz Bottoms, and Halima Lucas will be joining virtually to talk all about the process of animation and what it takes to make your favorite animated shows and movies! Students will have a chance to ask questions, learn more about animation production, and find pathways into animation as a career.
Thursday, March 21st, 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Room 220
Film as Ancestral Memoir and Origins: An Intimate Screening and Talkback with filmmaker Zhang Mengqi
The Department of Performing and Media Arts will host filmmaker Zhang Mengqi and her highly acclaimed film “Fairytale in 47 KM." After the screening Mengqi will have a talkback with students and guests.
Friday, March 22nd, 5:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Room 124
Art Workshop by Isaac I. Scott and a screening of BEFORE TIME / AFTER TIME
Art Workshop: Explore the transformative potential of strategic arts engagement in addressing justice involvement and economic disparities. Through interactive sections and discussions, discover evidence-based interventions and innovative approaches for fostering justice and economic empowerment. Presented by Isaac's Quarterly
BEFORE TIME/AFTER TIME is a film produced as the culmination of the Claiming the Justice Narrative media and advocacy project, which seeks to support recent incursions in the felony court space by furthering alternatives to incarceration policy shifts.
The film is intended to center the lived experiences of people who have survived incarceration and some content may be triggering to some audience members.
The workshop and screening are funded in part through a grant from the Community Partnership Funding Board, a program of the Einhorn Center for Community engagement and is co-sponsored by The Partnership Funding Board, Art Beyond Cornell, The Phoenix Players Theatre Group, Arts Justice Safety Coalition, Engaged Cornell, the Department of Performing and Media Arts, and Paul Lincoln Sawyer.
Art workshop: Saturday, March 23rd, 10:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Black Box Theatre, Register here
Film screening: Saturday, March 23rd, 2:00 p.m - 3:30 p.m., Cornell Cinema
Chats with the Chair
"Chats with the Chair" invites PMA majors, minors, and those interested in the department to join the chair for food and fellowship. Come learn more about the department, give feedback, and talk about everything performing and media arts at Cornell and beyond! Food provided! RSVP by March 25th to Steven Streetman, ss3549@cornell.edu.
Thursday, March 28th, 9am-10am, Room 220
Mike Chin, Maxe Crandall, and Hope Mohr will join for a screening of their film Before Bacchae Before, followed by a discussion of their collaborative dance theater project Bacchae Before. This project is an interdisciplinary, trans-centered response to Euripides' ancient tragedy, The Bacchae.
Tuesday, April 9th, 7:30 p.m., Film Forum
Professional Directions by Stand-up Comedian Sam Morrison '17
Sam Morrison will take questions from the audience and discuss his work as a comedian, performer, and writer. The event will be hosted by PMA Associate Professor, Austin Bunn.
Wednesday, April 10th, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Film Forum
Performing and Media Arts Presentation Series (PMAPS) Colloquium: Victoria Pihl Sørensen
Victoria Pihl Sørensen, a PhD Candidate in PMA, will present her research surrounding the relationship between Danish social democracy and eugenics.
Friday, April 12th, 3:00 p.m., Reading Room 124
Front Office Fantasies: The Rise of Managerial Sports Media
A Book Talk by Branden Buehler '08, Assistant Professor of Visual and Sound Media at Seton Hall University
Front office executives have become high-profile commentators, movie and video game protagonists, and role models for a generation raised in the data-driven, financialized world of contemporary sports. Branden Buehler examines the media transformation of these once obscure management figures into esteemed experts and sporting idols. Insightful and timely, Front Office Fantasies reveals how sports media moved the action from the field to the executive suite.
Friday, April 12th, 5:00 p.m., Film Forum
Sixty Years of Theatre Studies: A Talk by Dr. Marvin Carlson '61
With this culminating lecture, PMA is delighted to celebrate our revered colleague Marvin Carlson on the occasion of his retirement from a decades-long career on both the CUNY Graduate Center and Cornell faculties. In addition to his talk, Marvin will be presenting the winner of this year's Marvin Carlson Award. A reception will follow.
Tuesday, April 16th, 4:30 p.m., Room 124
Dance on Camera Festival Shorts Program
As the longest-running film festival dedicated to dance, the Dance on Camera Festival screens ground-breaking, propulsive dance films from around the world. The Dance on Camera Shorts Program will showcase 90 minutes of powerful choreographic storytelling in exclusively short film. Curated and facilitated by Shawn Bible, President of the Dance Films Association.
Thursday, April 18th, 7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Film Forum, Get Tickets
Screening of student-directed short dance films – with prizes!
Facilitated by Shawn Bible, President of the Dance Films Association.
Friday, April 19th, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Film Forum
PMA student Paige Chung and Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Literatures in English, Lauryn Jones will present broadly about Black music and frame hip-hop and country music in modern time as a renaissance period.
Friday, April 19th, 3:00 p.m., Reading Room 124