A Welcome Message from Laila Maher
Dean of Student and Alumni Affairs
Now more than ever it is crucial for artists to be supported as they pursue their craft. The life of an artist as well as that of a student involves much more than the classroom and the work itself, and this is where the Office of Student Affairs comes in. In addition to guiding new students through the process of transitioning to the School of the Arts, we plan the School-wide orientation, School of the Arts Convocation, and support student groups, events, and activities.
We also play a critical role in connecting School of the Arts students to the larger university and necessary services, and help students navigate many of the central offices including Health Services (which houses the Office of Disability Services, Insurance, Immunization, and Counseling and Psychological Services), Columbia Residential, Public Safety, University Life, the International Students and Scholars Office, and the Registrar's Office. Our office also helps to uphold many of the School and University-wide policies and we manage the School’s disciplinary procedures.
The Artists’ Resource Center, also part of our Office, maintains information on funding opportunities and career resources for students and alumni at the Columbia University School of the Arts, and provides consultations to students and alumni to help them look for professional development opportunities and more.
After graduation, the Office of Alumni Affairs provides more than 7000 alumni artists, creators, and leaders with opportunities to stay connected with the School of the Arts, the Columbia Alumni Association (CAA), and one another through alumni programming, benefits, a monthly newsletter, and collaborations with CAA Arts Access.
Our ultimate goal is to support our students and alums while they pursue their education as valued members of our dynamic community and as they navigate their time after graduation.
Student & Alumni News
Broadway News recently announced that Acting alumnus David Wilson Barnes '99 will join the cast of the production, Ink. After its critically-acclaimed run at London's West End, the show will make its Broadway debut in April. Barnes will star alongside Bertie Carvel as Rupert Murdoch and Jonny Lee Miller as Larry Lamb.
Acting alumna Heather Alicia Simms’ '96 recently appeared in By the Way, Meet Vera Stark by faculty member, Lynn Nottage. “[…] the style is much more cutting as Vera’s earthy roommate Lottie McBride (Heather Alicia Simms, great with gags) […]”, according to Variety. She also recently appeared in Nottage’s Fabulation, produced by Signature Theater.
Columbia University continues to have a strong presence at prestigious film festivals this year. Twenty three Columbia alumni, faculty, and current students including writers, directors, producers, actors, cinematographers, and post-supervisors, will showcase at this year’s Tribeca film festival which runs April 24–May 26.
This year, four films by Columbia students and alumni will head to the 28th annual Aspen Shortsfest, which will run from April 2-7, 2019.
The Immigration Game, a screenplay written by current student Asad Farooqui is one of three winners at the Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition in the Feature Film category. Farooqui’s feature script Bin and pilot script Brown Country were also semifinalists in the competition along with the short script, Circles, written by alumna Renee Marie Petropoulos '17 who was a finalist.
Alumna Carly Inghram '18 will have her first book of poetry, Sometimes the Blue Trees, published by Vegetarian Alcoholic Press on March 18, 2019. The collection is available for pre-order now.
Combat Obscura, a documentary directed by current student, Miles Lagoze, premieres on March 15th despite external efforts to suppress the film. The documentary is also edited by alumnus Eric Schuman '17 and associate produced by current Theatre student Ciara Ni Chuirc.
“Strikes a deep emotional chord. It offers a kind of authenticity no other American Fiddler ever has.” —The New York Times
Kanarí, a short film co-written & directed by alumnus Erlendur Sveinsson '18, co-written by current student Connor Simpson, co-produced by alumnus Daniel Raiffe '18, and edited by current student Brúsi Ólason, was shortlisted for the Shortfish award at the Stockfish Film Festival in Iceland.
Over the past couple of weeks, Writing students, faculty and alumni have been busy publishing new work. Read more in our weekly roundup.
For its 2019-2020 season, La Jolla Playhouse will present the world premiere of The Coast Starlight by Keith Bunin, directed by alumna Tyne Rafaeli '14, beginning August 20th thru September 15th at the Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre.