We’re excited to announce that tickets are now live for the Harvard Business School Media, Entertainment, and Sports Conference on March 26, 2023!

• Jamie Dinan (Owner, Milwaukee Bucks)
• Jon Ledecky (Owner, New York Islanders)
• Elizabeth Gough (Co-Founder/ COO of Puck News)
• Will Ahmed (Founder & CEO, Whoop)
• Bradley Edwards (Netflix, Head of TV Licensing & Director of Non-Fiction Series)

From traditional recipes to poisonous cupcakes to vegan surprises, this batch of films serves up delicious takes on human connections, with food as a star ingredient. This diverse set of shorts of narratives and documentaries, includes the US premiere of California Pie, a film by Nada Djordjevich (Ed.M. '96), that won best animated film at the City of Stockholm Film Festival.

Join Harvardwood and the Harvard Graduate School of Education for our Speaker Series: Entertainment for Educators 

Hear from renowned media industry professionals every day during the week of March 27th-31st.

Schedule below:

Monday, 3/27 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET: Producer, Director, and Writer Bennett Singer
Purchase Tickets here

Bennett Singer is an award-winning producer/director/writer whose films have been screened at The Smithsonian, The United Nations, The British Museum, and the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. His latest documentary, CURED, directed with Patrick Sammon, opened the 2021–22 season of PBS' acclaimed documentary showcase Independent Lens and has garnered more than 20 awards and accolades. A feature film based on CURED is currently in development, and a classroom edition is being produced in partnership with History UnErased. Learn more about his work HERE.

Tuesday, 3/28 at 4pm PT / 7pm ET: Documentarian Dan Sturman
Purchase Tickets here

Dan’s work includes the Sundance, Peabody, and Emmy-winning documentary Nanking, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award, released theatrically, and then sold to HBO Documentary Films: Soundtrack for a Revolution, which was also shortlisted for an Academy Award, released theatrically, and broadcast on PBS; and the 9/11 documentary Twin Towers, which won an Oscar in 2003. His films have shown at festivals around the world, including Cannes, Sundance, Hong Kong, Hot Docs, and Tribeca, and have received special screenings at the White House, New York’s Museum of Modern Art, and the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

Wednesday, 3/29 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET: Golden Globe and Emmy nominated Filmmaker, Playwright and Actor Mark Kassen
Purchase Tickets here

Mark Kassen is the founder of Like Minded Media Ventures and co-founder of the civic engagement platform A Starting Point (ASP). He is a Golden Globe and Emmy nominated filmmaker, playwright and actor. Mark has a history of cultivating new filmmaking technology, utilizing it to create the Trigger Street Independent film fund with Dana Brunetti. In four years, TSI’s films garnered 11 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes.

Thursday, 3/30 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET: Executive Vice President Naia Cucukov
Purchase Tickets here

Naia Cucukov is a dynamic, innovative and conscientious executive with over sixteen years of experience in the entertainment business. Since her start at Walden Media in 2013, Naia has cultivated a diverse slate of films and television projects. On behalf of Walden, she has overseen development and production for The Giver, Universal and Working Title’s Everest, Disney’s The BFG, A Dog’s Purpose and A Dog's Journey, Sony Animation’s The Star, Lionsgate’s Wonder, Paramount's live action Dora the Explorer and Playing with Fire starring John Cena. Naia has executive produced the critically and commercially acclaimed series, The Baby-Sitters Club, for which she won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Children's and Family Viewing Series.

Friday, 3/31 at 2pm PT / 5pm ET: Producer, Director, and Documentarian Danielle Parsons
Purchase Tickets here

Danielle Parsons specializes in making small subjects larger than life. She creates documentary and video art using microscopes and macro setups. Whether it be floating through lightscapes inside a precious gem, surfing sound waves, or swimming with microbes, her directing work transports audiences to immersive worlds of pure beauty and wonder. She has produced and directed content for TV and digital outlets such as The History Channel, Disney, WIRED, NPR, BBC, and Slate. Danielle's video art has exhibited at museums and galleries including SLOMA, IFP New Media Center, and the SPRING/BREAK art show, as well as on the blockchain as NFTs.

If you are not a Harvardwood Member or current HGSE student, purchase our all-in ticket pass HERE and gain access to all events for less than the price of 3!

Speaker Series Goals:

The power of a great story to educate, shed light on rarely discussed topics, and change hearts and minds draws millions of learners and storytellers to entertainment.

Produced in partnership with students from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Educators for Entertainment Speaker Series highlights leaders working at the intersection of education and entertainment who are using storytelling, media, and the arts to create educational impact around the world.

Through this series, we hope to bring together Harvard students passionate about the magic that happens at the intersection of education and entertainment and strengthen the bridge between the two industries within the broader Harvard community.

In celebration of the 25th anniversary of Ragtime, the Entertainment Community Fund is hosting a one night only benefit reunion concert, originally scheduled for 2020. The event will star original Broadway cast members including Emmy, Grammy and six-time Tony Award winner Audra McDonald ("Sarah"), two-time Tony Award winner Brian Stokes Mitchell ("Coalhouse Walker, Jr.") and SAG Award winner Peter Friedman ("Tateh"), with Tony Award winner Kelli O'Hara ("Mother") in the role originally performed by the late Marin Mazzie.

At this time, the performance is sold out*.

Additional cast members include Mark Aldrich, Shaun Amyot, John D. Baker, Dara Paige Bloomfield, Sandra M. Bonitto, Mark Cassius, Jamie Chandler-Torns, Albert Christmas, Dioni Michelle Collins, Jim Corti, Pierce Cravens, Larry Daggett, Bernard Dotson, Roberta Duchak, Donna Dunmire, Adam Dyer, Duane Martin Foster, Patty Goble, Darlene Bel Grayson, Elisa Heinsohn, David Hess, Rosena Hill, Adam Hunter, Mark Jacoby, Anne Kanengeiser, Judy Kaye, Mary Sharon Komarek (Dziedzic), Joe Langworth, Joe Locarro, Dan Manning, Michael X. Martin, Mary McCandless, Allyson Tucker Mitchell, Anne L. Nathan, Monica Patton (Richards), Lynnette Perry, Orgena Rose, Gordon Stanley, Steven Sutcliffe, Todd Thurston, Vanessa Townsell-Crisp, Rema Webb, Leon Williams, Bruce Winant and Eric Jordan Young.

For those who have retained their tickets originally purchased for the 2020 scheduled performance:

• If you are able to join us on March 27, no action is necessary. You will have the same seats you originally purchased. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer seat changes or upgrades. There are no electronic tickets; tickets will be distributed on the evening of March 27 beginning at 6pm ET at our will call table in the Minskoff Theatre lobby.  To all our loyal Ragtime ticket holders, we extend our thanks once again for keeping your tickets and supporting our programs and services.
• If you cannot attend on March 27, please email Stephen Joseph at [email protected] to receive a refund which will be issued via check. You may also request your purchase be transferred to a tax-deductible donation to the Fund.

All ticketing is handled directly through the Fund; please do not contact the Minskoff Theatre box office as they will not be able to assist you with this event.

We appreciate your patience, understanding and excitement for the show. Thank you for supporting a life in the arts!

* Limited sponsorship opportunities beginning at $25,000 are available by contacting Douglas Ramirez at [email protected].

For press inquiries, please contact DKC/O&M at [email protected].

More info HERE.

4 pm PT /7 pm ET (Virtual)

Bennett Singer is an award-winning producer/director/writer whose films have been screened at The Smithsonian, The United Nations, The British Museum, and the Democratic and Republican National Conventions. His latest documentary, CURED, directed with Patrick Sammon, opened the 2021–22 season of PBS' acclaimed documentary showcase Independent Lens and has garnered more than 20 awards and accolades, including a 2022 Emmy nomination, the American Historical Association's John E. O'Connor Film Award for best historical documentary, the Jonathan Daniels Award, and a $50,000 award in the Library of Congress Lavine/Burns Prize for Film. A feature film based on CURED is currently in development, and a classroom edition is being produced in partnership with History UnErased. Singer previously co-directed BROTHER OUTSIDER: THE LIFE OF BAYARD RUSTIN, a "potent and persuasive piece of historical rediscovery" (Los Angeles Times) that premiered at Sundance, aired nationally on PBS' POV series, and won the GLAAD Media Award; and ELECTORAL DYSFUNCTION, a "frightening and enlightening documentary" (WBEZ Radio) that "lives up to its title" (New York Times). Hosted by political humorist Mo Rocca, the film aired nationally on PBS and won the American Bar Association's Silver Gavel Award; a classroom edition was distributed free of charge to more than 20,000 educators. Singer won a duPont-Columbia Award for his work on EYES ON THE PRIZE II, the landmark PBS series on the history of the civil rights movement. The former executive editor of TIME Magazine's education program, he has written curriculum materials to accompany dozens of film projects, including THE LARAMIE PROJECT and BAND OF BROTHERS for HBO and THE DIARY OF ANNE FRANK for PBS Masterpiece. Singer is also the author or editor of five books, including 42UP, the companion volume to Michael Apted's documentary series; and THE STUDENT BODY, a "wry, insider thriller" (Village Voice) that he wrote with three Harvard classmates. Learn more about his work at www.bennettsinger.com.

The power of a great story to educate, shed light on rarely discussed topics, and change hearts and minds draws millions of learners and storytellers to entertainment.

Produced in partnership with students from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Educators for Entertainment Speaker Series highlights leaders working at the intersection of education and entertainment who are using storytelling, media, and the arts to create educational impact around the world. 

Through this series, we hope to bring together Harvard students passionate about the magic that happens at the intersection of education and entertainment and strengthen the bridge between the two industries within the broader Harvard community. 

Register for this event at the link below. Harvardwood members, friends, and non-members are ALL welcome, but every attendee must register for themselves individually. So if you're inviting others to join you for this panel, please forward them the link to this page so they can sign themselves up. Thank you!

Members, Friends of Harvardwood, and Current HGSE students: Register Here

Purchase ticket  $1.00 for Members, friends, HGSE current students

Non-Member Ticket Options

To attend all 5 events of the Entertainment for Educators series, Register Here

Purchase ticket  $15 for access to all 5 events of the Entertainment for Educators series

4 pm PT /7 pm ET (Virtual)

Dan’s work includes the Sundance, Peabody, and Emmy-winning documentary Nanking, which was shortlisted for an Academy Award, released theatrically, and then sold to HBO Documentary Films: Soundtrack for a Revolution, which was also shortlisted for an Academy Award, released theatrically, and broadcast on PBS; and the 9/11 documentary Twin Towers, which won an Oscar in 2003. His films have shown at festivals around the world, including Cannes, Sundance, Hong Kong, Hot Docs, and Tribeca, and have received special screenings at the White House, New York’s Museum of Modern Art, and the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles.

The power of a great story to educate, shed light on rarely discussed topics, and change hearts and minds draws millions of learners and storytellers to entertainment.

Produced in partnership with students from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Educators for Entertainment Speaker Series highlights leaders working at the intersection of education and entertainment who are using storytelling, media, and the arts to create educational impact around the world. 

Through this series, we hope to bring together Harvard students passionate about the magic that happens at the intersection of education and entertainment and strengthen the bridge between the two industries within the broader Harvard community. 

Register for this event at the link below. Harvardwood members, friends, and non-members are ALL welcome, but every attendee must register for themselves individually. So if you're inviting others to join you for this panel, please forward them the link to this page so they can sign themselves up. Thank you!

Members, Friends of Harvardwood, and Current HGSE students: Register Here

Purchase ticket  $1 for Members, friends, HGSE current students

Non-Member Ticket Options

To attend all 5 events of the Entertainment for Educators series, Register Here

Purchase ticket  $15 for access to all 5 events of the Entertainment for Educators series

At a time of increased anti-trans sentiment, propaganda, legislation, and violence, how can storytelling help us materialize the necessary conditions for trans people to survive and thrive? Furthermore, how can storytelling help compel cisgender people to show up for transgender people? In conjunction with the Trans Possibilities Intensive, and moderated by Sundance Institute Equity, Impact, and Belonging Manager and Trans Possibilities Intensive Founder, Moi Santos, this exclusive conversation with esteemed filmmakers Sydney Freeland (Drunktown’s Finest) and Aitch Alberto (Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe) interrogates trans cultural production and representation – its limits and its liberties, its comforts and its confines. 

If you have a disability and require accommodation in order to fully participate in this event, please complete this form, contact us at (435) 776-7790 or email us at [email protected] to discuss your specific needs. Every effort will be made to accommodate advance requests; requests made within 5 days of the event may not be guaranteed.

More info HERE.

This 8-week support group for Black-identified performing arts and entertainment industry professionals fosters restorative dialog and peer support while centering on experiences of racial injustice, discrimination and bias within the industry and community as a whole. Participants will discuss how they’re evolving and moving forward as creatives with a better understanding of themselves and their purpose.

Please note that this is not a psychotherapy group and does not provide mental health treatment. If you are in need of mental health support, please learn more and reach out to the Entertainment Community Fund: entertainmentcommunity.org/mentalhealth.

These support groups are available to Black-identified people living in the United States, Puerto Rico and US territories.

Meets weekly on Wednesdays, 2–3:30 pm ET / 1–2:30 pm CT / 11–12:30 pm PT.

More info HERE.

2 pm PT /5 pm ET (Virtual)

Mark Kassen is the founder of Like Minded Media Ventures and co-founder of the civic engagement platform A Starting Point (ASP). He is a Golden Globe and Emmy nominated filmmaker, playwright and actor. Mark has a history of cultivating new filmmaking technology, utilizing it to create the Trigger Street Independent film fund with Dana Brunetti. In four years, TSI’s films garnered 11 Emmys and 4 Golden Globes.

Kassen’s Like Minded Media Ventures is the parent company of Like Minded Entertainment and Like Minded Labs, bringing together talent and technology to empower, create and connect. The innovative tech venture is led by artists, engineers, technologists, and humanitarians from a range of acclaimed organizations and companies across the globe.

His feature film directing and producing credits include Puncture starring Chris Evans, Bernard and Doris starring Ralph Fiennes and Susan Sarandon for HBO, and Chris Evans’s Before We Go. Mark has produced and been showrunner of multiple scripted, reality and documentary series across networks such as FOX TELEVISION, MTV, IFC, AMC and SUNDANCE CHANNEL. Mark also starred in the Tony Award winning Broadway production of The Last Night of Ballyhoo, as well as wrote and starred in the critically acclaimed off-Broadway, multi–media play Little Willy.

The power of a great story to educate, shed light on rarely discussed topics, and change hearts and minds draws millions of learners and storytellers to entertainment.

Produced in partnership with students from the Harvard Graduate School of Education, the Educators for Entertainment Speaker Series highlights leaders working at the intersection of education and entertainment who are using storytelling, media, and the arts to create educational impact around the world. 

Through this series, we hope to bring together Harvard students passionate about the magic that happens at the intersection of education and entertainment and strengthen the bridge between the two industries within the broader Harvard community. 

Register for this event at the link below. Harvardwood members, friends, and non-members are ALL welcome, but every attendee must register for themselves individually. So if you're inviting others to join you for this panel, please forward them the link to this page so they can sign themselves up. Thank you!

Members, Friends of Harvardwood, and Current HGSE students: Register Here

Purchase ticket  $1 for Members, friends, HGSE current students

Non-Member Ticket Options

To attend all 5 events of the Entertainment for Educators series, Register Here

Purchase ticket  $15 for access to all 5 events of the Entertainment for Educators series