In this issue:

• Morrison Artists Series
• M.F.A. Exhibition
• The Bartered Bride
• Alum joins NBC News
• Applause for ‘Fruit Fly‘

Concert

Morrison Artists Series:
Cuarteto Latinoamericano and Manuel Barrueco

Known worldwide as the leading proponent of Latin American music for string quartet, the Mexico-based Cuarteto Latinoamericano has garnered several Grammy nominations. Classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco, also a Grammy nominee, contributes his unique artistry, seductive sound and lyrical gifts to the performance. Program: works by Guastavino, Daugherty, del Aguila, Frank and Piazzolla. Special thanks to University Housing and Conference Services for their generous support through the Hospitality Suite program.

Exhibition

Master of Fine Arts Thesis Exhibition

These artists, on the cusp of completing SF State’s rigorous graduate program, are prolific. Wendy Crittenden, Eilish Cullen, Tom Griscom, Michael Namkung, Rosie Sesler, Clare Szydloswki, Allison Tungseth and Tyson Washburn—all exhibiting actively in Northern California and beyond—display works in photography, sculpture, painting, conceptual/information arts, installation and more.

Opera

The Bartered Bride

Superb opera at an affordable price! Bedřich Smetana’s classic romp involves a Czech couple and their disapproving parents, resulting in a scheme involving the entire village, especially the marriage broker. Aided by Karel Sabina’s beautiful libretto, the production includes 50 cast members, a 12-piece orchestra, 40 crewmembers and one dancing man in a bear suit.

Tune In

Applause

Alum joins NBC News

Emmy winning alumnus Miguel Almaguer is NBC News’ newest correspondent. A graduate of the Broadcast and Electronic Communication Arts Department, Almaguer will contribute to “NBC Nightly News with Brian Williams,” “Today” and MSNBC. The journalist received an Emmy Award for coverage of the San Diego wildfires in 2007 and an Edward R. Murrow Spot News Award in 2004.

Student’s cat habitat tickles fancy in competition

Laura Urquiaga’s creative work project for her master’s degree in industrial arts has made cats and judges purrrr. “Cat a Tat,” her freestanding, modular cat habitat utilizing sustainable materials, was awarded a bronze medal at the 2009 Northwest Design invitational.

Getting down to brass tacks

Trumpet player and Lecturer Scott Macomber “is an exemplar of the kind of musician who makes up the solid backbone of any area’s musical establishment,” according to a San Francisco Examiner blog published March 27. Macomber, who performs with the Napa Valley and Santa Rosa symphonies, Sacramento Philharmonic and many others throughout Northern California, has a recital at SF State on April 13.

Dig This

Applause for indie film starring alumni

Less than two years after “Colma: The Musical” became an indie film sensation, much of the same singing cast returns for “Fruit Fly,” including breakout star and Theatre Arts alumna L.A. Renigen.

“Fruit Fly” won the Comcast Audience Award at the 2009 San Francisco International Asian American Film Festival. The film centers on Bethesda, played by Renigen (B.A., ’02), a performance artist who has just moved to San Francisco. It also stars Cinema alumnus Aaron Zaragoza.

Recalling her SF State professors, Renigen said she has gained the most inspiration from Yukihiro Goto and the late Camille Howard. “(Howard) instilled in me the importance of knowing where you come from, where you’re going and where you are now,” Renigen said.

Renigen compared Goto’s class to an “acting boot camp,” she said. “He teaches his students about controlling every movement of the body and every aspect of the mind.”

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Image Credits: Bosco's Living Room (San Jose, Costa Rica) by Allison Tungseth, Cuarteto Latinoamericano/Manuel Barrueco by Asgerdur Sigurdardottir, Bartered Bride by Claire Rice.