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Is comedy just a man’s game? Improv group begs to differ

In the quest for finding equality, sometimes one has to level the playing field.

That’s just what Work ‘n Progress, SVSU’s on-campus improvisational comedy troupe, did last Thursday night in the Alumni Lounge with its first annual “Ladies Night.”

The purpose of the event was to bring the female members of Work ‘n Progress into the limelight for the evening, sporting an all-women cast for their latest show.

Vanguard photo | Jamie Loubert

Work ‘n Progress cast members Amanda Moths, Mykaela Hopps, Libby Kronner and Ashley Schaar perform at the improv troupe’s first-ever “Ladies Night” last Thursday, March 19 in the Alumni Lounge. Over 50 students attended the event, making it one of Work ‘n Progress’ most successful shows to

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March 23, 2015 | Permalink

Compton rapper spreads his wings for phenomenal third album

It’s not every day that we, as consumers of music, get the opportunity to experience the first impression of a modern day classic.

However, once in a great while, an album of such magnitude will come along. It will push the boundaries of its genre. It will make us look at music differently. It will question the current system. And, most importantly, it will come at a time when listeners need it most.

The most recent example of this album is Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar’s brilliant third LP “To Pimp a Butterfly” – the first monumentally great record of 2015.

To begin, one has to wonder: How does one even begin to dissect a record lyrically dense, stylistically diverse, and … Read More…

March 23, 2015 | Permalink

The Core Ensemble celebrates the works of Latin America

Students and the public learned about the lives of three significant Latin American women from the chamber music theater work “Tres Vidas.”

The Core Ensemble performed the work March 17. in the Malcolm Field Theater.

The act celebrated the lives of Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Salvadoran peasant activist Rufina Amaya and Argentine poet Alfonsina Storni.

One actress portrayed the three different women while musical works including cello, piano and percussion accompanied. The actress performed monologues and sang Latin American folk and tango songs.

Positive and challenging aspects of each of the women’s lives were explored. Kahlo, an iconic painter, had an interesting relationship with painter Diego Rivera. Amaya was the only survivor of a massacre during the Salvadoran War and … Read More…

March 23, 2015 | Permalink

Disney does justice to live action version of timeless fairy tale

“Cinderella” is a classic story made popular by Disney from its 1950 animated release. This past Friday, Disney released a live-action remake with the same name.

Even though the American Film Institute selected the original film as one of the best American animated films ever made, as a child, I thought it was a boring movie. I felt the plot was bland, and, compared to my favorite animated movie, “Beauty and the Beast,” it was relatively uneventful.

However, the newest release captivated my interest with its impressive cast, setting, costumes and message.

Overall, the film stayed true to the original plot, but elaborated on the family back stories. In this version, Cinderella is a nickname later given to Ella by … Read More…

March 16, 2015 | Permalink

Cardinal finds inner beauty, purpose in Michigan pageant circuit

Being different doesn’t have to be a bad thing.

This is the message of current Miss Spirit of the State, Jaeleen Davis, who is now in the running for the Miss Michigan crown.

Davis is a communications and criminal justice junior and has been competing in pageants since she was 15.

“The local title holder was at an event for “Wigs for Kids” (Davis’ championed organization) and she put her crown on my head,” Davis said.  “After that I was hooked.”

This is the third time Davis has been in the running for Miss Michigan.

The first time, she was one of the youngest to compete the second time, she made it all the way to the top ten.

However, … Read More…

March 16, 2015 | Permalink

Five BFA students to host self-promoted art exhibit

After months of preparation, five SVSU students will culminate their creative endeavors in a BFA Seminar exhibition put on entirely through their own efforts.

The five students are Alison Bur, Logan Mooney, Miles Nitz, Myles Roznowski and Garrett Weslock.

The show came out of a course these students are taking: BFA Seminar.

Part of the requirements for the class was for them to put on a group show without any assistance from professors or the chosen venue.

“We had to do everything,” Bur said. “From vendors to PR to buying food. It’s really about helping us make local connections and establishing ourselves as professional artists.”

The show will take place at the Saginaw Art Museum.

A sixth member of the … Read More…

March 16, 2015 | Permalink

Theatre department brings Shakespearean drama to life

Shakespeare’s tragedy “Othello” came to the stage this past week, with eight actors playing a variety of roles in the adaptation.

Jordan Stafford starred as Othello, Carl Mizell as Iago, Lexee Longwell as Desdemona, Donte Green as Cassio, Zach Wood as Brabantio et al, Kristen Carter as Emilia, Cassie Graham as Bianca, and Devin Mott as the Duke of Venice.

Though theater senior Lexee Longwell has taken on many roles at SVSU, she said what was interesting about “Othello” was the incorporation of research.

“You’re always encouraged to research every character you’re playing in every show that you do, but this one was a lot more in depth than I had originally anticipated,” Longwell said.

Director Steven Erickson said the … Read More…

February 23, 2015 | Permalink

Pulitzer prize-winning journalist to visit campus thanks to grant

One final speaker will be brought to SVSU to close out the university’s celebration of Black History Month.

Isabel Wilkerson is a Pulitzer Prize-winning author and journalist, and will be speaking in the Malcolm Field Theatre at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 25. Wilkerson’s lecture is free and open to the public.

The Washington, D.C., author studied journalism at Howard University and interned at publications such as ‘The Washington Post’ and ‘The Los Angeles Times.’

Wilkerson won the Pulitzer Prize for Journalism in 1994 during her time as the Chicago bureau chief of ‘The New York Times,’ making her the first African-American woman to win this honor.

In the mid ‘90s, Wilkerson set her sights on writing about the three routes … Read More…

February 23, 2015 | Permalink

Stadium rock giants succumb to sophomore slump on second album

After the success of their first studio album, “Night Visions” (2012), I was excited to hear what Imagine Dragons would do for their second album. However, I was sorely disappointed with their Feb. 17 release, “Smoke + Mirrors.”

This pop/rock band from Las Vegas gained popularity quickly with their tracks such as “It’s Time” and “Radioactive,” which was named the biggest pop hit of the year by “Rolling Stone.”

Their first album built a very specific sound for the band, one that really showcased lead vocalist Dan Reynolds’ talent. I am still able to listen to “Night Visions” over and over because every song is catchy and flows into the next easily.

While their first album is a cohesive collection … Read More…

February 23, 2015 | Permalink

Schnabel’s saga full of purpose

A frequent participant in campus who plays despite not being a theater major, Keith Schnabel is maximizing his creative experience here at SVSU.

Schnabel is a third-year creative writing major with a minor in political science.

He came to SVSU on the President Scholarship, a decision he “respect[s] but intensely questions[s]” and has been an active member of the theater community both on campus and in the surrounding local area.

Vanguard photo | Jamie Loubert

Creative writing junior Keith Schnabel is set to take on the role of Mr. Biggley in Saginaw Valley State University’s production of “How to Succeed in Business without Really Trying” this April. Schnabel is on the President’s scholarship at SVSU, and is currently a political

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February 16, 2015 | Permalink