Campus Connection

Composers, musicians, storytellers, poets and painters will be there. So will performers, photographers, printmakers and public speakers. “I didn’t realize how many talented people we have on this campus who can do so many creative things,” says UW-L Senior Chelsey Neitzke. [caption id="attachment_39170" align="alignright" width="240"] Chelsey Neitzke, UW-L senior and organizational and professional communications major, is one of six student coordinators of the event. Creative Imperatives is a collaborative effort among faculty, students and staff in the School of Arts and Communication.[/caption] The School of Arts and Communication festival March 1-4 on campus is about showcasing campus creative talent, as well as the work of distinguished guests. The second annual Creative Imperatives festival offers 40 events — twice as many as last year — including workshops, performances, exhibits and presentations. All events are free and open to the public. A Watch them Work series is a chance to watch or participate as faculty and students work on projects such as printmaking, blacksmithing or stage combat fighting. Neitzke is one of six students helping coordinate Creative Imperatives. Some of the highlights, she says, include the guest speakers. The list includes: Storyteller Kevin Kling, Pulitzer-Prize-nominated Composer Chen Yi, Artist Amaryllis Dejesus Moleski, and Performer Robert Rosen. Each guest will be featured in a public event as well as provide special instruction to students. Another highlight is Tales and Tunes. Jazz faculty and students from Music will trade sets with creative writers from the Department of English in an evening showcasing improvisation and original work at 8 p.m Tuesday, March 3, at The Root Note. The theme of the this year’s festival is Stories We Live – Stories We Tell, which explores storytelling as a way to share creative work and as an avenue to explore life and inspiration. “We wanted something the audience could relate to. You can share a story in so many ways through art, music, theater and communication,” notes Neitzke. “We all have our own stories and it’s cool to hear other peoples’ stories — to hear what drives people to do what they do.” [caption id="attachment_39176" align="alignleft" width="200"] Performer Robert Rosen[/caption] Storytelling is the work of an artist, says Robert Rosen, a performer and director who will be one of the featured guests. “To pass something on to others — the audience — is necessary for the work or why are we doing it?,” he asks. www.uwlax.edu/Creative-Imperatives/   Please note: Due to a conflict with his current filming project, TV actor Dulé Hill is postponing his trip to UW-L.  The hope is to have him on campus in April.