PSFA E-CONNECT
February 2008
Welcome to PSFA E-Connect, an electronic newsletter for alumni and friends of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts (PSFA). We hope you enjoy this summary of SDSU and PSFA news.
Message from the Dean
In the upcoming issue of 360 magazine, SDSU highlights 7 faculty members to watch as leaders in their field. In line with the article, we've decided to share the work being done by young researchers in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. These young faculty have bright futures ahead of them. The series will start this month and continue through out the year. We hope you enjoy this spotlight on our rising stars. Stay tuned!
Joyce M. Gattas, Dean
College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts
FACULTY TO WATCH
Dani Bedau
Dani
Bedau is a director, teacher and facilitator. She has spent the past fifteen
years creating theatre programs that bring professional artists together
with high-school aged young people for artistic collaboration. She is the
founding program director of Shakespeare Festival/LA's Will Power to Youth
program. Will Power to Youth is a 2003 recipient of the nationally recognized
Coming Up Taller Award by the President's Committee on the Arts. Will Power
to Youth is a recognized national model arts program funded for replication
by the National Endowment for the Arts and the U.S. Department of Justice.
Replication sites include Richmond, VA in 2007, Miami, Florida and Milwaukee,
Wisconsin.
Dani is Assistant Professor at San Diego State University in the School of Theatre, Television and Film. She is the Head of the Theatre for Young Audiences area and the Director of the Theatre, Youth, Media and Education Center. Dani draws upon her years of experience as a human relations facilitator in her work as director and educator, emphasizing the importance of community building, safety, identity development, dialogue and growing emotional intelligence in the classroom and rehearsal space.
Dani holds a BFA from Calarts and MFA from UC Irvine. She has directed for Shakespeare Festival/LA, the Mark Taper Forum and Cornerstone Theater Company, and Indiana Repertory Theatre. Dani has designed youth arts programs for Shakespeare Festival/LA, the Mark Taper Forum, Encompass, and NCCJ/LA. Dani is the recipient of the prestigious Princess Grace Theatre Award. She lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two sons.
Bey Ling Sha
Prior
to joining San Diego State University in Fall 2004, Dr. Sha spent three
years on the faculty of the University of Maryland at College Park. Previously,
she also taught at the American University of Paris and the Institute for
Experiential Learning in Washington, D.C.
For five years, Dr. Sha was a public affairs officer for the U.S. Census Bureau. In recent years, she also served as research consultant to Microsoft Corp., Perrier-Vittel, the Urban Institute, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation, and other organizations. In addition to teaching undergraduate and graduate public relations courses at SDSU, she runs a private consulting practice in public relations research and strategy.
Dr. Sha's primary research program combines theories of mathematical physics with public relations scholarship. Her other research areas include international public relations, activism, cultural identity, gender, and health communication. Her research has been published in Journal of Public Relations Research, Public Relations Review, and Journal of Promotion Management, as well as various book chapters.
Dr. Sha won the 2007 Outstanding Faculty Award from the SDSU Associated Students. She also won the 2007 Professional of the Year Award from the San Diego chapter of the Public Relations Society of America (PRSA).
She holds a Ph.D. in mass communication from the University of Maryland at College Park and is accredited in public relations by the Universal Accreditation Board. Dr. Sha was the 2005-2007 accreditation co-chair for the San Diego Chapter of PRSA. At the PRSA national level, Dr. Sha serves on the advisory boards of the Educators Academy and the Committee on Work, Life, and Gender, in addition to being a member of the National Research Committee.
POLITICAL CAMPAIGN BOOT CAMP: HOW TO GAIN THE WINNING EDGE
If you have ever considered running for public office, Political Campaign Boot Camp is a unique opportunity to learn about the campaign process and understand what it takes to gain the winning edge! This two-day seminar features local experts, including elected officials, campaign consultants, and members of the media who will provide you with practical advice and tools to use in preparing for a political campaign.
Political Campaign Boot Camp
February 22, 1:00 pm - 5:00 pm and February 23, 8:00 am - 3:00 pm
San Diego State University, Extended Studies Center, 5701 Hardy Avenue,
Room 210
Cost: $75, includes Friday reception and continental breakfast and lunch
on Saturday
Visit www.sdchamber.org to register,
listed under the Candidate Training School.
Sponsored by the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce, San Diego State University, KUSI and LEAD San Diego
ALUMNI NEWS
Spencer Moses (above center) in front of the
theatre where his Broadway show
The Farnsworth Invention is currently running.
Spencer Moses on Broadway
Spencer Moses is currently starring in his Broadway debut "The Farnsworth Invention". Moses' credits include, The World Premiers: The Farnsworth Invention, Zhivago, Palm Beach (La Jolla Playhouse), Regional: How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (Old Globe), Company, Joseph..., Into The Woods, Smoke On The Mountain, Pump Boys And Dinettes, The Game Of Love And Chance. Moses graduated from SDSU with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Theatre Arts in 2003.
Citizen
Tanouye DVD released
Craig Yahata, co-producer and co-director, graduated from SDSU in 1992 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Television, Film and New Media. His film, Citizen Tanouye, is a kinetic "shoot-from-the-hip" style documentary that follows the three-day journey of eight ethnically diverse students as they search for the clues to uncover the lost story of local World War II hero Technical Sgt. Ted Tanouye of the highly decorated 442nd Regimental Combat Team.
Citizen Tanouye was an official selection of the 2005 International Family Film Festival, 2006 Newport Beach Film Festival, the 2007 Sprockets - Toronto International Film Festival and winner, the Chris Award, 2005 Columbus International Film and Video Festival.
SDSU Alums in Superbowl Ad
Chester Pitts and Ephraim Salaam attended San Diego State University in the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts. At SDSU, Pitts was an accomplished oboe player and worked bagging groceries at a local grocery store. Salaam approached Pitts and encouraged him to play football which led him to walk on at SDSU, resulting in his NFL career. Salaam told this story, which appeared in a NFL SuperAd commercial, during Super Bowl XLII. To watch the commercial, visit http://superad.nfl.com/.
CALENDAR
(For complete listings please visit each School's website)
http://artgallery.sdsu.edu/
http://music.sdsu.edu
http://theatre.sdsu.edu
Din Q. Le - After the War
University
Art Gallery
January 30 through March 1, 2008
This exhibition will feature ten large-scale photo-weavings completed by the artist in 2006 and 2007, as well as a four-channel video installation created in 2006. The photo-weavings examine the quickening pace of change in Vietnam, as the country negotiates between developing a free-market society and maintaining a socialist ideology.
The Gallery is open Monday through Thursday and Saturday from noon to 4:00 p.m. Information 619.594.5171
11th Annual Theatre of the World Festival
Performing
Arts Plaza
February 8 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm
February 9 from 10:00am to 5:00pm
Plays, music, mimes, jugglers, clowns, face-painting and treats make this an event for the entire family. Learn more about the festival by calling 619 594-6884 or visiting the Festival online at http://tyme.sdsu.edu
Jungle Book
Written
by Rudyard Kipling
Adapted for the stage by Margaret Larlham
Don Powell Theatre
February 8, 9, 14 at 8pm
February 10 and 17 at 2pm
Rudyard Kipling's tale of a lost child raised in the jungle by wolves. This classic favorite, imaginatively retold through song and dance comes to life on stage in this updated contemporary version to delight the entire family! Box Office 619 594-6884