The Theatre and Communication Arts Department hosted evening presentations for its senior students Nov. 27 through Nov. 29.

On Nov. 27 the seniors focused on communication arts shared their presentations. Seniors Elie Wiese, Takahiro Ishizawa, Stephanie Raso, Axel Cederberg and Alayna Martin gave professional conference-style presentations, displaying their senior seminar research projects.

Raso presented her research paper titled “An Examination of Gender and Race in Newspaper Coverage of Olympian Gabby Douglas.”

“I found it beneficial to take part in the presentations because it allowed me to have an opportunity to understand what a formal presentation is like,” Raso said. “The presentations were also a great way for me to share what I had worked on throughout the semester and show the implications of my research.”

On Nov. 28, theater students shared their portfolios. This year’s portfolios were made in an electronic format, so they could be easily presented for jobs or during an interview. Seniors Christopher Forrer, Megan Gear, Laura Haspel, Stephanie Mulligan, Paige Keith and McKenna Peterson all shared their portfolios.

“It is a digital portfolio that represents the culmination of my work as a theatre arts major, including course work, productions and other theatrical work outside of the department,” Forrer said. “We presented them in a public setting in the lobby of Ford Hall, trying to simulate a job interview environment or another type of professional presentation.”

The portfolios will be something each student will have for future jobs and interviews.

“This portfolio will be my lifeblood as an aspiring theatre artist, as will the ability to sell myself to theatre companies and graduate schools,” Forrer said. “Having an opportunity in a safe environment to practice this style of presentation and market my work is invaluable to me as a young theatre artist.”

The Nov. 29 presentations featured communication arts and intercultural communication majors. Seniors Crystal Galarza, Xiao Liu, Amy Bumatai, Maria Shwarz and Janelle Davis all presented their research projects in a similar style to the Nov. 27 presentations.

Chris Haddeland

Culture editor