College of Communication, Fine Arts and Media
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Lockdown with the Bard

Grad still setting high standards

Calendar of events

Beginning scene of Sammie practicing his lines from the award-winning documentary film "Shakespeare Behind Bars." Courtesy Philomath Films

 

Lockdown with the Bard

Emerging from a research triangle of UNO Theatre Professor Cindy Melby Phaneuf, UNO English Professor Robert Darcy and Creighton University English Professor Brooke Stafford was the Nebraska Shakespeare Behind Bars Workshops in October.

About 250 students, faculty members and individuals from Nebraska's correctional institutions attended the three screenings of the award-winning documentary "Shakespeare Behind Bars." The film follows the work of Curt Tofteland, artistic director of the Kentucky Shakespeare Festival and the founding artistic director of the Shakespeare Behind Bars program at the Luther Luckett Correctional Complex in La Grange, Ky.

The SBB program is the only North American Shakespeare Company contained within the walls of a medium security adult male prison. The program is designed to allow the adult prison population an opportunity to examine relevant personal and social issues within the structure of an aesthetic experience.

The approach encourages the development of the interpersonal life skills that will contribute to the inmate's successful reintegration into society.

Screenings were held on the campuses of UNO, Metropolitan Community College and Creighton University. Following each screening Tofteland conducted a talkback session with a question-and-answer period. One of the goals of the workshops was to start a dialogue about the feasibility and benefits to starting an equivalent program in Nebraska.

 

Grad still setting high standards

Setting high expectations for herself was something Kelsey Archer said she picked up as a young girl.

Growing up in Omaha, Archer was driven to accomplish and exceed her goals. One of her biggest accomplishments was graduating from UNO in May 2004 with a bachelor's degree in public relations and advertising.

Today, Archer uses many of the skills she learned at UNO in her job as the assistant director of marketing and public relations at Clarkson College in Omaha.

"I use a lot from college. All of my public relations, advertising and marketing classes taught me a lot," she says. "They taught me about direct mail and organization."

Archer most credits two people for influencing her while at UNO.

"Karen Weber asks a lot of her students and she makes you write a lot, but she prepared me for after graduation," Archer says. "She was a role model. She is the leader of PRSSA and she helped me develop into who I am," said Archer.

While attending UNO Archer took part in many activities, several in leadership roles. She was president of UNO's Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA) and president of the Order of Omega. Archer also took part in the university's Ad Club, Real Estate Club and the Society of Professional Journalists and was a member of Chi Omega sorority.

Archer credits her experiences with these organizations with helping her become who she is today in the business world.

"I learned a lot from my experiences at UNO. I liked how all of the organizations were all professional and organized. My time with PRSSA taught me how important networking is. The Bateman competition helped me build skills and experience teamwork."

If Archer could give advice to underclassmen looking to walk in her shoes she would tell them how important it is to be involved while at UNO.

"Being involved in the professional organizations is a good way to network. It is also a great opportunity to build your career," she says.

Archer enjoyed her time at UNO so much she decided to further her education there as well. She is working toward her master's degree and is writing her thesis. Archer also has many more career future goals for herself.

"I want to build my career. I want to work more in marketing and I want to try different things. I want to build my foundations," she says.

She also wants to encourage others to get their education at UNO.

"I enjoyed the program at UNO. There at a lot of very talented people at UNO. I would encourage anyone to get their education there."

 

Calendar of events

Art & Art History Art shows held in UNO Art Gallery, 1st Floor, Weber Fine Arts Building. Open-ing receptions begin at 6:30 p.m.   Nov. 30 - Jan. 18 Brett Reif - In Digestion   Nov. 30 Opening Reception for Brett Reif   Jan. 25 - Feb. 16 UNO Art Student Exhibition with Hexagon Installation Program   Jan. 25 Opening Reception for UNO Art Student Exhibition   Feb. 29 - April 5 Printed in Omaha: A Retrospective Exhibition of the UNO Print Workshop Feb. 29 Opening Reception for Printed in Omaha   April 11 - May 2 Spring 2008 BFA Thesis Exhibition   April 11 Opening Reception for BFA Thesis Exhibition   Communication April 24 High School Journalism Conference, Milo Bail Student Center, 12 - 3 p.m.   May 1 Communication Week: Alumni Panel, Milo Bail Dodge Room, 1 - 4 p.m.   May 2 Communication Week: Award Luncheon, Thompson Alumni Center, Bootstrapper Hall 11:30 - 1:30 p.m.   Masters & Music Series A Series Blending Artistic Imagery and Musical Composition. Sunday evenings at 5 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery, 1st Floor, Weber Fine Arts Building. Reception with artists follow lecture/performances. Contact Shari Hofschire, 554-2402, for tickets.   Feb 10 Masters and Music: EVOLUTION OF A PRODUCTION.  Catherine Ferguson, Sculptor, Set & Costume Designer, Opera Omaha, 2008 "Aida", and Teresa Dody, Soprano.  5 pm UNO Art Gallery   March 30 Masters and Music:GOOD IMPRESSIONS.  Gary Day, printmaker, and Dr. Peter Madsen & the UNO Low-Down Brass Ensemble.  5 pm UNO Art Gallery   Music Music performances held in Strauss Performing Arts Center Recital Hall unless otherwise noted. Call 554-2335 for Ecoutez! and Resonate tickets.   Dec 16 Messiah Concert Choir Concert, 3:00 & 7:30 pm   Jan. 25 Resonate Series: Stephen Bouma, piano, 7:30 pm   Jan. 27 Ecoutez! Series: Herndon Spillman, organ, 3:00 pm   March 30 April Fool's Symphonic Wind Ensemble Concert, 3:00 pm   Theatre Performances begin 7:30 p.m. in UNO Theatre, Weber Fine Arts Building, unless otherwise noted. Call UNO Theatre Box Office for tickets, 554-2335.   January 20-26 UNO/Iowa Western host Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival   February 28 & March 1, 5-8 NU Ways/NU Works Festival   April 17-19, 23-26 The Birds, World Premier Musical, based on the play by Aristophanes                                                                                                             Writer's Workshop Readings start at 7:30 p.m. in the UNO Art Gallery, 1st Floor, Weber Fine Arts Building.   February The CROP celebrates National Poetry Month; various events around campus and Omaha.