For the second year, students in Susan Needham’s ethnographic field methods class will assist Cambodian artisans in presenting the 2nd Cambodian Arts & Culture Exhibition in the Long Beach community of Cambodia Town, Inc. which will take place on Saturday, Nov. 20 at MacArthur Park in Long Beach. Along with discovering a new culture, the students have found connections to their own experiences through learning how seemingly obscure traditions are preserved and nurtured for the generations to come. Lillian Justice has been working with Dosokhum Roth, a former Buddhist monk, to present the art of yoan, sacred drawings that serve as protective talismans and prayers to be ... Read More
College of Arts and Humanities
Dance Students Perform Faculty and Guest Choreography in “Dancers without Borders”
More than 60 dance students will perform a variety of dance styles in original choreography by faculty members of the California State University, Dominguez Hills Department of Theatre Arts and Dance—and two guest artists— during the “Dancers Without Borders” concert on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 19 and 20, at 8 p.m. in the University Theatre. Dance program coordinator and assistant professor of dance Doris Ressl and dance lecturer Michelle Funderburk will present two new modern works with water themes. “River Currents” by Funderburk is a fast-paced athletic dance, while Ressl’s “Border Crossing” deals with the breaking down of borders in the spirit of peace and acceptance. Dance ... Read More
Gayle Elliott: Professor of Interdisciplinary Studies Brings Ethnic Literature to Life
When Gayle Elliott, lecturer of interdisciplinary studies at California State University, Dominguez Hills, shows a film to her students, she doesn’t just screen it, she invites one of the film’s stars to speak to her class. A Martinez starred in the 1989 “Pow Wow Highway,” the story of the struggles of Native Americans living on a modern-day reservation. The Emmy-winning actor is a regular visitor to Elliott’s classes when she shows “Pow Wow Highway,” and addressed students from her “Power of Myth” and Native American and Chicana/o literature classes again last month about his journey as the film’s protagonist and as an actor. Elliott says that while an instructor can help students ... Read More
Niecy Nash: Alumna Takes the Stage to Talk About Her Journey to Fame
On Nov. 3, California State University, Dominguez Hills welcomed actress/comedienne and theatre arts alumna Niecy Nash back to campus, where she spoke to students, faculty and the community at the Loker Student Union. Until last August, she has been the original host and producer of the Style Network’s number one-rated program, “Clean House.” Nash is also well-known for her role as Officer Raineesha Williams in Comedy Central’s “Reno 911!,” which aired from 2003 to 2009. She is currently a celebrity host on CBS Entertainment’s “The Insider,” for which she won a Daytime Emmy Award last summer. Nash addressed her audience at CSU Dominguez Hills with the story of her journey to a ... Read More
Digital Media Arts Alumnus a Winner at CSU Media Arts Festival
California State University, Dominguez Hills alumnus Todd Smaretsky (Class of ’10, B.A., digital media arts, television option) wasn’t going to enter the 2010 CSU Media Arts Festival film, video and interactive media competition. But now he’s glad he listened to the encouraging words of his professor, Dr. George Vinovich, coordinator of the Digital Media Arts Program. Smaretsky took home first place in the television category at the festival’s awards ceremony held at CSU Fullerton on Saturday, Nov. 6, for his public service announcement (PSA), “Letting Go of Anger.” He received a monetary prize of $500 and a Rosebud Award. The DMA program also received $250. “I’m honored and ... Read More
