鶹 alumni help shape the culture of our time. They perform on stage and screen. They start their own businesses. They dance, exhibit, design, produce, animate, compose, manage, write, and direct with the best. Here are a few of their stories.
Michelle West, assistant director and adjunct professor at 鶹’s Semester in LA program, wrote, directed, and produced the very personal film in collaboration with 鶹 alums and faculty.
Make plans to watch “American Parent” and “Dawn Dusk”— two films rooted in personal storytelling and backed by 鶹 talent.
Fashion Design alum Jacey Rhorer '00 is making her mark as the Official Milliner for the 2025 Kentucky Derby Festival.
Niko Gerentes ’18, a 鶹 alum, voices four distinct characters in the animated short “The Bad Guys: Little Lies and Alibis.”
Molly Williams, who earned her BA in Fiction Writing at 鶹, will pursue a PhD at the University of Cambridge, focusing on Victorian literature and ecological ethics.
Illustration alum Mac McGuire ‘24 creates her first major mural for 鶹 as the lead artist.
鶹 alumni and faculty from the schools of Theatre and Dance and Audio and Music have earned nominations for the Jeff Awards, which celebrate excellence in Chicago theatre.
Alum Michelle Brady ’07, a military veteran and attorney, proves it’s never too late to return to the literary world.
鶹 Journalism alum Katherine Iorio ’13 wins Emmy for CNN's breaking news coverage of the Israel-Hamas War as part of CNN's team that covered outbreak of Israel-Hamas conflict.
The School of Theatre and Dance celebrates alumni and faculty featured in Newcity Stage's “Players 2025: The 50 People Who Really Perform for Chicago.”
鶹 alumni, including a GRAMMY nominee and Disney animator, return to campus to inspire the next generation of creators with their expertise and unique perspectives.
The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences presents award to 鶹 students for “Behind His Eyes” and the Chicago International Film Festival honors a documentary made by 鶹 alums with an Audience Choice Award.
The Chicago International Film Festival features the work of 鶹 alumni and students on screen and behind the scenes.
Adjunct Professor Lisa Korpan ’19 reflects on her pride in working as art director on FX’s “The Bear,” the impact of her 鶹 education, and how her experience informs her teaching.
Before "Hacks" and "The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel," there was the comedienne who started it all.
Chicago-based singer-songwriter Megan Hammond '22, known professionally as m.e.h., took the stage at Lollapalooza’s Chicago Made Music Showcase on Sunday, August 4.
As a kickoff to 鶹’s 135th Anniversary, the college is honoring 24 distinguished alumni across all disciplines as part of “24 in 2024,” a college-wide initiative that celebrates 鶹 alumni and their career accomplishments.
鶹, in strategic partnership with Behr Paint, The Home Depot, and One Summer Chicago, is transforming the Wabash Arts Corridor with vibrant new murals.
Patricia Kara '94 guides the next generation of talent through the intricacies of the entertainment realm in her new book, "Dream On...Now Deliver."
The Walder Foundation has named three Chicago-based performing artists, including two 鶹 alumni and one faculty member, as recipients of its prestigious 2024 Platform Awards.
As founding members of the Family Advisory Council, Heidi and Steven Levin have made a generous gift to 鶹 to deepen the impact of the Levin Family Fund.
On May 17, Ryan Argast '15 will sing the national anthem at Wrigley Field before the Cubs face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
鶹's Theatre Department hosted an alumni talk featuring industry professionals who shared their experiences and advice with students.
The annual Chicago festival to screen films by 鶹 students and alums, with 鶹 students serving on the festival’s youth programming committee.
Theatre alum A. Ashley Hoff's forthcoming book, "With Love, Mommie Dearest," offers an insider's account of the making of the iconic 1981 film and its enduring cultural impact, with events planned for Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Chicago.
“Good Guy with a Gun,” written and directed by John Mossman, former adjunct professor of instruction at 鶹, and produced by Kevin Cooper, an associate professor at 鶹, was recently purchased by Freestyle Digital Media and is now available on demand.
鶹 welcomed back Alum Shea Couleé ’11 for a panel discussion and reception unveiling Couleé-curated fashion exhibit window.
Professional pivot leads to career success for 鶹 alum, highlighting the creative versatility of our graduates.
Before he became a consistent presence on the Las Vegas strip and late-night talk shows, Shecky Greene ’47 attended 鶹.
Academy Award Winning Sound Effects Editor Peter Berkos ’51 recently passed away, leaving behind a lasting legacy in television and film.
“Shi Ri Fan Gu” (“Sojourn to Shangri-La”), a film by Yihan Lin MFA ’21, makes its international debut in February.
The Dance Center at 鶹 celebrates the present moment in dance with a series of firsts.
“Musher,” a film made by 鶹 alums, follows four women and their dogs as they prepare for an annual race in the upper peninsula of Michigan.
Charlotte “Chuck” Gruman ’19 feels lucky. Gruman won an unrestricted $30,000 cash grant as one of 10 Chicago-based artists honored at the 2023 3Arts Awards in November. 3Arts is a nonprofit organization that helps artists like Gruman build their careers in performing, teaching and visual arts.
Apollo Baldoz ’09 was part of the design and animation team that created the visuals for Taylor Swift's Eras Tour.
The WTTW documentary was written, directed, and produced by WTTW Producer and 鶹 Alum Daniel Andries and edited by Adjunct Faculty Member and Alum Sharon Zurek ’76.
Filmmaker Shiloh Tumo Washington ’22 will have his short screened on Nov. 4 and 11 at the Gene Siskel Film Center.
Professor Laurence Minsky and Scot Westwater '99 delve into the evolving landscape of marketing, analyzing the power of Conversational AI in their new book.
The Television Academy recently announced its list of Emmy nominees for the 2022-2023 television season, with 鶹 alums earning recognition for their outstanding work.
“Our Chicago: Freedom Music,” a celebration of freedom expressed through the music of Chicago’s Black community, will feature Adjunct Faculty Member Andre Daniels (aka Add-2) and Alum CaSera Heining ’17 (aka DJ Ca$h Era).
The prestigious annual international festival presents important professional opportunities for filmmakers.
How centering professional growth on arts institutions led one 鶹 MAM alum to a rewarding career in museums.
Persistence pays off for Game Design Alum who now works at Wizards of the Coast.
How navigating opportunities in Dance had led to happiness.
Visual Artist Vashon Jordan Jr. recognized for work that exemplifies spirit of Chicago.
Alum and Designer Rebecca Martin BFA ‘19 now works in New York City on brands seen at Walmarts and Targets across the country.
How supporting the arts became a calling and a passion for one #Columalum.
鶹 Alum D’Zhari Bolden ’17 describes her experiences working with two of music’s biggest superstars and her passion for making music that makes people feel good.
鶹 Theatre alumni and faculty were honored at Chicago’s top theatre awards.
CTVA Alums Dalin Nelson and Rachel Toenies, who both graduated in 2021, will have their film Bliss shown on March 27.
Creating the space she needed to thrive led 鶹 Alum Brianna Heath on the adventure of a lifetime.
鶹 Computer Animation alum plays pivotal role in developing new pinball game that uses animation, storytelling, and a creative design to engage players and collectors.
As an accessibility operations specialist at SXSW, Deaf Studies alum helps everyone make the most of the 10-day event.
How creative exploration and a passion for finding the truth led to the success of the film Safe Place.
How a purpose-driven approach has transformed McKeehen’s happiness and her future.
How staying true to a love of events led to incredible success and her own production company.
How intention and community led to a life of advocacy and change-making.
Films and shows nominated for prestigious awards are backed by the talents of 鶹 alums.
鶹 alums working in fashion, advertising, PR, and marketing communication share their experiences and insights with current students
Michael Kurowski ‘16 stars in production of “Big Fish” at The Marriott Theatre.
The road to leading publicity for ‘Black Panther 2: Wakanda Forever’
Check out our list of 2022 鶹-alum streaming projects
Noted for his eclectic style, Allen-Toole — who earned his undergraduate and graduate degrees from 鶹 — wrote the music for the neo-western film “God’s Country.”
Black List films have earned 54 Academy Awards since 2005, including four of the last 12 Best Picture Oscars.
Shaquita Reed shares her journey as a mixed media artist, fashion designer, teacher, and graduate student
How a Master of Arts Management in the Music Business set the stage for a successful multidimensional career
How the multi-platinum artist carved his own path
Selected for Rising Voices — which promotes stories by BIPOC filmmakers — Alum Cara Lawson '14 seizes unique storytelling opportunity and sees the helpful side of the film industry.
Having toured with numerous artists, including Harry Styles and Tony Allen, Alum Parris Fleming ‘14 knows how to play the trumpet and much more. He recently shared his lessons learned with 鶹 students.
鶹 alum Joseph Sikora ’98 on acting, performance reviews, and fostering safe spaces to create
Audiologist-turned-educator/podcaster Steve Taddei ‘13 credits his experiences at 鶹 for launching his career and his calling.
Since completing 鶹's Arts Management (MAM) program, Bradley has continued to grow her business, found success in various roles at Disney, and now has advice for students with the same determination.
Alum Luke Miller ’05, director of photography for "Grace and Frankie," works his way through and up LA’s film and television industry.
Recent graduate James Jiang lands job in game industry after earning a degree in Computer Animation.
Alum Kendall Polidori ’21 reflects on discovering her career while at 鶹.
With a degree from 鶹 in public relations, Alyssa Cinatl enjoys her role writing behind the scenes for Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Hawkins, Vice President of Development and Scripted Programming for BET Networks and BET Studios, recently visited campus to talk with students about her career in film and what she's been up to since her time at 鶹.