A person on a stage
Image by Thomas Hoebbel Photography, featuring Taylor Janeen Pryor in “This Table Has Been a House in the Rain.”

PMA Podcast Episode 63 - Share In / Share Out

In this episode, we welcome engineering major and film minor, Jessie Jia as a co-host on the show, Jessie and Chris Christensen met with assistant professor of the practice, Danielle Russo and visiting lecturer Olive Prince, to explore the many aspects of PMA's upcoming dance event. Share In / Share Out, end of semester PMA dance showcase. Share In / Share Out, is a showcase of predominantly student devised dance works, specifically featuring Cornellians in the PMA dance studio courses this semester. This compilation of projects and portfolios is a part of MOVING FORWARD, new futurism in installation, intermedia, interactive and immersive dance.

A few dozen people stand in front of a movie screen

Town-Gown awardees foster business, community, sustainability

Partnerships aiming to minimize construction waste in Central New York, address isolation and cognitive loss through performance, and promote and nurture local startups received the annual Cornell Town-Gown Awards, announced Nov. 16 at Cinemapolis.

An illustration of a crankable camera, a director’s chair, and a few popcorn kernels against a green background.

Student Film Screening

Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for the Student Film Screening, on Friday, December 13, at 5:00 p.m., in the Kiplinger Theatre, Schwartz Center for Performing Arts. The Student Film Screening will feature unique, empathetic, and collaborative works from students in PMA 3570: Film and Video Production I, PMA 3571: Documentary Filmmaking, PMA 3580: Cinematography and Visual Storytelling, and PMA 1410: Media Production Laboratory.

Student dancer Taylor Janeen Pryor stepping forward with her back leg bent, reaching down towards the floor on a stage against a black background. Image by Thomas Hoebbel Photography, featuring Taylor Janeen Pryor in “This Table Has Been a House in the Rain.”

Share In / Share Out: End-of-Semester PMA Dance Showcase

Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for Share In / Share Out: End-of-Semester PMA Dance Showcase. The showcase will take place in the Class of ’56 Dance Studio Theatre, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts, on Friday, December 6, 7:30 p.m. – 8:45 p.m. and on Saturday, December 7, 2:00 p.m. – 3:15 p.m. Both performances are free and open to the public. Get your free tickets at pma.cornell.edu/tickets.

four people on a minimally set stage

New Feldshuh play premieres Nov. 1 at Schwartz Center

“Orlando’s Gift,” a new play written and directed by David Feldshuh, professor of performing and media arts, and inspired by Virginia Woolf’s novel “Orlando,” will premiere Nov. 1 at the Schwartz Center.

Orlando's Gift

PMA Podcast Episode 62 - Orlando's Gift

In this episode we take a deep dive into PMA’s upcoming production of “Orlando’s Gift” written and directed by Professor David Feldshuh. On rare occasion we take a different approach with an episode, remove the standard back and forth conversation, and capture a poetic narrative from our guest. Please take a moment to sit back, relax, and enjoy the words of David Feldshuh as he describes his upcoming production from its inception to present.

Book cover: Short Film Screen Writing

Short film screenwriting: a high-wire act of abbreviation

In his new book, filmmaker Austin Bunn delves into the mechanics of the short form by reprinting notable scripts and interviewing the films’ creators, as well as providing insights and advice based on his own screenwriting career.

Image from the Puppet show video

Shadow Puppet Show by Students in PMA 3633 - Out of Body Performance: Puppets & Animation

On September 30, 2024, students from PMA 3633 - Out of Body Performance: Puppets & Animation presented a unique class project: a six-minute shadow puppet show. This engaging performance, featuring crafted puppets and a storyline, was the result of collaboration between Pilar Gutierrez, Kisyl Housden, and Ben Mehler, who not only designed and built the puppets but also brought them to life on stage.

Left: Andy Colpitts, Right: Lexi Turner

PMAPS Colloquium: Andy Colpitts and Lexi Turner

This talk will feature works by two PhD candidates in Performing and Media Arts, Andy Colpitts and Lexi Turner.

One of Andy's dissertation chapters, entitled: "The Fool's Golden Age of Bread and Puppet Circuses", investigates the nostalgic framing and imagery employed in Bread and Puppet's yearly Domestic Resurrection Circuses to understand its political possibilities and pitfalls.

In a section from Lexi’s dissertation chapter “Thanatology of the Photographic Image: Ritual and Redemption in the Cinematic Avant-Garde,” Lexi engages with Luther Price’s controversial queer video piece Sodom, re-editing degraded and discarded gay pornography together with religious iconography and his own sculptural mutilation of the film itself.

You’re a PMA Major/Minor: What’s Next?!

You’re a PMA Major/Minor: What’s Next?!

In this series we call “What’s Next?!”, PMA faculty Dr. Kristen Warner will lead four workshop sessions that begin to help answer that question. The focus of each session will address a range of topics from internships and graduate programs (MFAs, critical studies MA/PhD) to the dreaded art of writing cover letters/personal statements.

Headshots of Lee Rosenthal ‘87 and Bob Clendenin ‘87

Professional Directions with Producer Lee Rosenthal ‘87 and Actor Bob Clendenin ‘87, The Co-Founders of Whistling Shrimp

Join us for a conversation with the co-founders of Whistling Shrimp, Cornell’s oldest improv comedy group. Lee Rosenthal and Bob Clendenin have gone on to lead prestigious careers in the entertainment industry. Lee Rosenthal is the President of Worldwide Physical Production for Paramount Pictures and Nickelodeon Studios, while Bob Clendenin has appeared in over 100 television shows and can currently be seen in Bad Monkey on Apple TV and Bookie on HBO. How did they get there? What can they share about their journeys? Their visit coincides with the 40th-anniversary reunion of Whistling Shrimp at Cornell.

Allen Porterie leaning against a sign that says AUDRA and GYPSY.

PMA Alum Allen Porterie ‘20 Awarded RCI Theatricals Company Manager Fellowship

PMA Alum Allen Porterie ‘20 has been awarded the RCI Theatricals Company Manager Fellowship, and will be working on the upcoming Broadway production of Gypsy. Porterie graduated from Cornell with an English major from A&S and a Theater minor from PMA, where they won the Drama Book Award in 2020. He also got his MFA in Performance as a Public Practice from UT Austin.

person wearing VR glasses

Art + tech exhibit looking for student work

Submissions are due Oct. 31 and should combine art and technology in any way: video games, fashion, sculpture, graphic design, virtual reality, AI collaborations, performance, music, etc.

An unspooling film reel against an orange background

PMA 1611: PMA Studios Info Sessions

An unspooling film reel against an orange background.

Introducing...PMA STUDIOS We invite you to join us on this exciting journey to movie magic! Information Session for PMA 1611: PMA Studios Tuesday, October 22, 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m., Film Forum, Schw
Introducing... PMA Studios
Learn More About PMA 1611: PMA Studios
Tuesday, October 22 from 5:00pm - 6:00pm in the Film Forum
Wednesday, October 23 from 5:00pm - 6:00pm via Zoom

You are invited Pumpkin Carving Party

PMA Pumpkin Carving Party

You Are Invited!
Please join us in the Schwartz Scene Shop for a Pumpkin Carving Party on Monday, October 28th 6pm-9pm
Bring your own pumpkin, carving tools, paint and snacks to be provided
All PMA students are welcome to attend

Headshots clockwise from top left: Tyler Young, Bryant Lydell, and Maura Chanz

Professional Directions: So You Think You Wanna Produce?

Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for Professional Directions: So You Think You Wanna Produce? on Monday, October 28, at 7:00 PM, on Zoom. The event will be hosted by PMA Visiting Assistant Professor, Juanie Fowlkes.

Orlando's Gift: A deciduous tree with some leaves attached and some floating away, with a person’s face in profile imprinted in the branches, against a blue sky and white clouds.

Orlando's Gift

Join the Department of Performing and Media Arts for Orlando’s Gift, a production by students, faculty, and guest artists, written and directed by PMA Professor David Feldshuh. This new play will have five performances in the Flexible Theatre, Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts:

Friday, November 1st, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 2nd, 7:30 p.m.
Friday, November 8th, 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, November 9th, 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 9th, 7:30 p.m.

BIOphelia, Saturday, October 19, A Performance-Infused Scholarship Symposium

PMA Podcast Episode 61 - BIOphelia

In this episode Chris met with Associate Professor Jessica Rosenberg and Cornell senior Tess Lovell to discuss BIOphelia: A Performance Infused Scholarship Symposium. The two part event will incorporate student-centered practice-based-research, performance workshops, scholar-led discussions, and communal engagement.

Jeffrey Palmer and N. Scott Momaday on the set of “Words from a Bear.” Photo courtesy of Jeffrey Palmer.

PMA Associate Professor Jeffrey Palmer to Speak at the New York Society for Ethical Culture

PMA Associate Professor Jeffrey Palmer will be giving a talk titled Earth Keepers: The Land Ethics in Kiowa Storytelling at the New York Society for Ethical Culture in NYC on Sunday October 13, from 11:00 AM - 12:30 PM. The talk will also be live streamed on the Society website. Following the talk, the society will be screening his film N. Scott Momaday: Words from a Bear.

Camille Norment headshot

Black Sound Series: Camille Norment Artist Lecture

Artist Camille Norment will be giving a lecture in the Abby and Howard Milstein Auditorium, Millstein Hall, on Wednesday, October 9, at 5:15 PM. This lecture is being co-sponsored by PMA and Art, and is the first in the Black Sound Series organized by Mendi Obadike and Keith Obadike.

Carolyn Michelle Smith

PMA Podcast Episode 60 - Carolyn Michelle Smith, Visiting Lecturer

In this episode Chris met with actress, educator, and producer Carolyn Michelle Smith, to discuss her recent arrival at Cornell and what she envisions for her classes here in PMA for the 2024 – 2025 academic year. Carolyn is currently starring in the Paramount Plus award winning series “The Chi” (seasons 5 &6) as well as the forthcoming Season 3 of the HBO Max series “And Just Like That”.

You may also know Carolyn from her TV roles in "Russian Doll", "House of Cards", "Law and Order", "Luke Cage", "How to Get Away with Murder", "The Oath", "Notorious", and "Cherish the Day".

Three stacked images against a black background: a film reel on a green background, a film camera on a yellow background, and frames of film on a red background.

Call for Scripts: PMA Studios

Introducing…PMA STUDIOS, a new collaboration of students, faculty, staff and guest artists to write, produce and direct a professional movie production! We invite you to join us on this exciting journey to movie magic!

We want to make YOUR script into a MOVIE!

Doorim Kim headshot

PMA Lecturer Doorim Kim’s Cinematography Class to Exhibit Photo Installation in Schwartz Center Lobby

This semester, PMA Lecturer Doorim Kim has asked students in her class PMA3580 Cinematography and Visual Storytelling to attempt a unique project -- creating a story using only 20 photographs. The completed work, a collection of all the students photo stories in a continuous sequence of frames, will be exhibited in the Schwartz Center for the Performing Arts Lobby from Monday, October 7 until Tuesday, October 15.

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