‘Eurydice’ finds GRCC Players taking a new look at an ancient myth at Spectrum Theater

The GRCC Players will take a new look at an ancient myth in their production of “Eurydice” by Sarah Ruhl.

The play, which runs March 17 to 19, retells the myth of Orpheus’ journey to the underworld through the eyes of his young bride, Eurydice. Grand Rapids Community College students Emily Page, Jake Bieniewicz, Carlos Caracheo Trujillo, Jase Harris, Bryanna Lee, Gabi Salazar and Shannon Heldt comprise the cast, with instructor Jason Flannery directing.

This is Flannery’s second time directing a GRCC Players production.

“Working with college students can be very rewarding!” he said. “My approach as a director asks students to drop the pretense that often comes along with folks’ preconceived notions about ‘acting’ and find honest moments in their performances. This often clashes with what young performers are told about portraying an emotional story onstage, but my hope is always that the work that students find with this approach leaves them feeling a greater connection to their work, and feel more seen and real onstage.”

Flannery believes audiences will leave the theater impressed by both the play and the performers.

“I hope the audience walks away surprised and touched by this semi-autobiographical fairy tale that playwright Sarah Ruhl has given us,” he said. “I hope they’ll see the outstanding potential of Grand Rapids artists and GRCC’s student body – maybe invest some time into future productions, and maybe even audition!”

Trujillo, who portrays the father in the play, admits it took a little time to readjust to being busy again after the pandemic shutdown: He will be auditioning for Western Michigan University’s musical theater program on the same day as one of the “Eurydice” performances.

“I really hope that when people see ‘Eurydice,’ they gain an appreciation for those around them – be they family or friends,” he said. “I think family, especially, is something that my generation has taken for granted. I think the play gives a good perspective on how complicated yet beautiful those emotions can be.”

“Eurydice” runs at 8 p.m. March 17 to 19 at GRCC’s Spectrum Theater, 160 Fountain St. NE. Tickets, which can be purchased online, are $5 for students, $8 for GRCC faculty and staff, and $12 for the public. For more information, call 616-234-3387. 

GRCC Music Guest Artist Recital: Lily Guerrero, Soprano with Faculty Accompanist, Emily Grabinski Conklin

Lily Guerrero will be joining Emily Grabinski Conklin for a concert this Thursday evening at 7 PM in the GRCC Music Center. Tickets and details can be found HERE.

“Lily Guerrero is Assistant Professor of Voice and Director of Vocal Studies at Texas Lutheran University, where she teaches in both the School of Music and the Center for Women’s Studies. The daughter of Mexican and Cuban immigrants, her research focuses on advocating for Latinx voices in classical music and she has received fellowship funding for this endeavor from the Society for American Music. She is sought out as a lecturer and panelist on the topic of diversity, equity, and inclusion in the voice studio and serves as a member of the NATS DEI Task Force.  Guerrero also contributes her knowledge of underrepresented composers as an Art Song Advisor for the Institute for Composer Diversity. An activist-scholar, Guerrero’s research highlights the intersection of music and social justice in the United States.”

GRCC’s All Michigan Academic Team

It was my pleasure to travel with our students to Lansing to be recognized as GRCC’s members of the All Michigan Academic team.  All academic team members are nominated from their home institution, with up to two students in workforce pathways and up to two students in transfer pathways from amongst the numerous applications submitted.   This honor recognizes high achieving college students who demonstrate academic excellence and intellectual rigor combined with leadership and service that extends their education beyond the classroom to benefit society.

This year GRCC chose to nominate three amazing students who were chosen to be on the All Michigan Academic Team.  At the event in Lansing, two of our scholars received their certificate, medallion and gift.  These students will be forwarded on for consideration on the All USA Academic Team.

Ramesh Kafley is an outstanding scholar who is part of the Wyoming Early Middle College program. Originally from Nepal, he plans to go to University of Michigan in Business this fall.

Brent Yacks is an outstanding scholar who plans to attend Ferris State University to study Information Security and Intelligence. 

Amela Puskar is our final outstanding scholar who is graduating in business and plans to go out into the workforce.

Congratulations to these three outstanding scholars!

Lynnae Selber: Associate Professor/ Academic Advisor

Learn life saving CPR and first aid skills

Spaces are available for additional participants in the Friday, March 25, CPR/AED/First Aid training. The training will be from 8:00am-12:00pm in Room 108 Sneden.

A team member from HeartBeat LLC will be coming in to facilitate.

Heartbeat LLC, a certified American Heart Association Training Center, was founded over twenty years ago. Since that time tens of thousands of individuals have been trained in American Heart Association CPR and First Aid.

Members of the HeartBeat team are American Heart Association certified BLS instructors, current and former Firefighters, Emergency Medical Technicians, and members of the Kentwood Professional Firefighters Union. HeartBeat LLC has an outstanding track record serving businesses, churches, fire departments, and the private sector for all their emergency medical training needs.

Join us to learn life-saving information and skills! Register via the Professional Development tile of your Online Center account.

Please note: this session is a training and will not result in participants earning Red Cross or American Heart Association official certification.Have questions or need more information about this session – please contact angelasalinas@grcc.edu

GRCC In the News 03/15/2022

Sonya Renee Taylor to deliver GRCC’s Women’s History Month keynote address

3/14/22 WZZM

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — The Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ODEI) at Grand Rapids Community College (GRCC) welcomes Sonya Renee Taylor to deliver the keynote address for Women’s History Month on Tuesday.

SMTD Faculty, Student and Alumni News: March 2022 – 2022 – School of Music, Theatre and Dance – News – OU Magazine

3/14/22 Houstonian News

… Forum for Future Female Band Directors will take place on Saturday, March 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Watkins Hall in the Moore Music Building at the University of Michigan. This forum will help connect participants with other graduate/undergraduate female band directors throughout the state of Michigan, as well as host insightful presentations from women who have just entered the field. The panel includes female college band directors from Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids Community College, Oakland University, University of Michigan (Dr. Pam Klena) and Western Michigan University.

Connected, yet worlds apart: Unpacking the Ukraine-Russia crisis

Join the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (ODEI) for a roundtable discussion on the Ukraine-Russia crisis. A panelist of GRCC faculty will offer their expertise and perspective on the domestic and global impact.

This virtual program, exclusive to GRCC stakeholders, will take place on Wednesday, March 16 at Noon.
Use your GRCC email address to register at  tinyurl.com/ODEIroundtable
 
Guest Panelists:
Yan Bai, Ph.D.
Professor of Political Science
 
Matheta Righa
Professor of Business Administration
 
Robert Hendershot, Ph.D.
Professor of History

Susan Williams
Professor of European History

Gordan Vurusic
Professor of Language and Thought
 
Moderator:
B. Afeni McNeely Cobham, Ph.D.
Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer

Express Academic Advising hosted by Exercise Science and Athletics

Faculty and staff, please help get the word out.

March 22, 2022 from 10 am – 2 pm

Ford Fieldhouse Classroom 212 

(Virtual appointment options are also available)!

Snacks and drinks will be provided for the duration of the event, for free! We will also be giving away some GRCC Exercise Science swag! 

All students, regardless of major, are welcome to sign up to find out more about classes, programs, graduation, transferring, careers and more! Meeting with an advisor can be a great opportunity to talk to faculty about what you want to do in the future.  Whether it is talking about which classes you need to stay on track or selecting classes to align with your career interests, an advisor can help you make informed decisions. We hope to see you at the Fieldhouse on March 22! 

If you prefer to see an advisor virtually please use the link provided below to schedule an appointment. To secure your spot, scroll over to March 22nd to see available slots. 

Melanie Schiele-Gady