Harvardwood Presents: An Exclusive Evening at THE ENGAGEMENT PARTY West Coast Premiere and Meet Playwright Sam Baum ’98!
When: Wednesday, October 18th at 8pm PT
Where: The Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90024
Join us for an evening at the theater. We'll be attending The Engagement Party, written by Harvard College alum Samuel Baum AB '98.
Samuel Baum is a playwright, screenwriter, and producer. He is thrilled to be collaborating with Geffen Playhouse on the West Coast premiere of his play, The Engagement Party, directed by Tony Award winner Darko Tresnjak. The play was originally produced at Hartford Stage, where it received four Critics Circle Awards, an Edgerton Foundation New Play Award, and grants from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Laurents/Hatcher Foundation. As a screenwriter, Baum was nominated for a WGA Award for the Emmy–nominated HBO Film The Wizard of Lies, starring Robert DeNiro. Previously, Baum created and executive produced the Fox television drama Lie to Me, which ran for three seasons. He also co-created and executive produced the ABC series The Evidence, as well as television pilots for Amazon, Netflix, Showtime, and CBS. He is currently an executive producer of the NBC series The Irrational, inspired by the work of behavioral psychologist Dan Ariely. Originally from New York, Baum is a graduate of Harvard College.
The show will run 80 minutes with no intermission. Post show, The Geffen is hosting a talkback with the creative team of the show. After this full-audience talkback, Harvardwood members will join writer Sam Baum for an exclusive meet and greet.
Play synopsis:
The champagne is on ice, the hors d'oeuvres are perfectly arranged, and the table is exquisitely set. At a swank Park Avenue apartment, a young couple is celebrating their engagement with an intimate gathering of family and friends. When a glass of wine is spilled, the night takes an unexpected turn, unleashing a spiraling sequence of events and revelations that will irrevocably change their lives.
Directed by Tony Award winner Darko Tresnjak (A Gentlemen's Guide to Love and Murder, Anastasia), The Engagement Party’s original production at Hartford Stage in 2019 was heralded as a "masterful piece of playwriting” and a “theatrical experience worth its 85 minutes in gold."
Tickets:
Member Price: $65
Non-Member Price: $75
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, Register Here
Purchase ticket $65 Members
If you can't access the RSVP button for dues-paying Harvardwood members, make
sure you're logged in. If you still have issues accessing the page, your membership
has lapsed, so renew your dues as a Full Member or Friend of Harvardwood.
Harvardwood Presents: In-Person 101 Info Session
Harvard Campus, Mignone Center for Career Success
Harvardwood invites current students to come learn more about Harvardwood and the annual Harvardwood 101 career exploration program, which takes place during the January term and offers a one-week “boot camp” portion (which will be in-person again for 2024) as well as optional 1-2 week “J-termships” (virtual and/or in-person opportunities).
Hope to see you there!
Harvardwood x Penntertainment Co-Present: Penntertainment x Harvardwood Fall Mixer
1400 N. Cahuenga Blvd (Godfrey Hotel)
Join us for the first Penntertainment x Harvardwood mixer since before times! Co-hosted by Harvardwood, Penntertainment, HCSC, HBSASC, PCLA and Wharton So Cal, this event is for all creatives and producers in the TV/Film/Music/Content/Tech worlds from both schools to find opportunities to meet and collaborate at a friendly, low key happy hour at the rooftop bar at the Godfrey Hotel in Hollywood.
Harvardwood Presents: Independent Film Distribution
Thursday, October 5th 5 pm PT / 8 pm ET (virtual)
Gene Pao (HBS '97) is currently EVP, Strategy and Digital at Shout! Studios, an independent film and TV distributor, where he oversees overall company strategy, production, marketing, distribution, and digital operations. Over the past several years, Shout has expanded its business to indie film distribution--having released a number new films this year including LINOLEUM (Jim Gaffigan), THE MAGIC FLUTE (F. Murray Abraham), WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT? (Shazad Latif, Lily James, Emma Thompson), and hitting theaters on 9/29, THE KILL ROOM (Uma Thurman, Samuel L. Jackson, Joe Manganiello). Prior to Shout, Gene spent 12 years at Disney, Fox, and NBCU in cable distribution, digital media, and live sports broadcasting/livestreaming. In 2022, Gene was named one of the Top 40 Most Important People In Streaming by Media Play News.
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, Register Here
Purchase ticket $5.50 Members
If you can't access the RSVP button for dues-paying Harvardwood members, make
sure you're logged in. If you still have issues accessing the page, your membership
has lapsed, so renew your dues as a Full Member or Friend of Harvardwood.
Harvardwood Presents: Creating Free Time with Alex Soojung-Kim Pang
Tuesday, November 14th 5:30 pm PT / 8:30 pm ET (virtual)
Join Harvardwood for a conversation with author and program director of 4 Day Week Global, Alex Soojung-Kim Pang!
Alex Soojung-Kim Pang is program director at 4 Day Week Global, a nonprofit advocating for the 4-day workweek. His trilogy of books— SHORTER: Work Better, Smarter and Less— Here’s How (Public Affairs, 2020); REST: Why You Get More Done When You Work Less (Basic Books, 2016), and THE DISTRACTION ADDICTION (Little Brown, 2013)— shows how companies and individuals can better integrate rest, creativity, and focus into digital-age lives and work. Alex has been a consultant at Institute for the Future and Strategic Business Insights, and a visiting scholar at Microsoft Research Cambridge, Oxford University, Stanford University, and UC Berkeley. Alex received a Ph.D. in history and sociology of science from the University of Pennsylvania.
Coordinator, Events, Focus Features (NBCUniversal) - CA
Company: NBCUniversal
Location: Universal City, CA
Type of Position: Full-Time
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree (degree in media, journalism or communications is preferred)
Minimum Years of Experience: Minimum of 1-year direct publicity experience (at an agency, studio or network)
Job Description: This position will support the Focus Features Events department with a variety of projects such as promotions, communications, social media, on-lot event coordination/execution, and industry research. Additionally, assist with any projects as needed by management.
Read moreHarvardwood Presents: TV for Young Audiences
Join Harvardwood for a conversation about television for young audiences with Kari Kim, Sean Presant AB '93, Loni Steele Sosthand AB '97, Tone Thyne, and Maiya Williams Verrone AB '84.
Kari Kim serves as Vice President, Animation Development for Nickelodeon, based in Nickelodeon’s Burbank, Calif. headquarters. Kim is responsible for all aspects of original series and shorts development from concept to pilot, including all creative and production.
Prior to Nickelodeon, Kim was a development executive at King Features Syndicate, Inc., where she developed and produced content for many of the company’s properties, including CUPHEAD, POPEYE AND FLASH GORDON. Kim also worked as a development executive at pocket.watch, Vice President of Program Development at HLN, and was a founding member of the venture capital-funded production company, Worldwide Biggies. She has also held roles and produced content at Nickelodeon, Spike TV and SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE.
Kim resides in Los Angeles with her family, but in her heart she’ll always be a Midwest kid from the suburbs of Detroit.
Sean Presant is an Emmy nominated and NAACP Image Award winning writer, producer, director, and showrunner whose work has taken him repeatedly around the globe, writing about everything from European Nazi occupations to penguin inventory in Antarctica. His first film, SUBURBAN MONOGAMY, won the Art Institute of Chicago's award for Best Independent Film Comedy, played Cannes, South by Southwest, and Deauville, and sold to Canal Plus. Writing and producing credits since include ALMOST PARADISE, INSTANT MOM (TVLand), WIPEOUT (ABC), HAPPILY DIVORCED (TVLand), THE WAYNE BRADY SHOW (ABC), PLANET SHEEN (Nickelodeon), TAB TIME (YouTube Kids) and the Dean Devlin sci-fi film THE DEAL.
A firm believer that stories can change the world, Sean runs the Save Santa’s Home movement, which introduces kids to the issues of climate change and environmental activism.
Loni Steele Sosthand is currently a Co-Producer going into her third season on THE SIMPSONS. Prior to that, she was partnered with Jim Hope as Consulting Producers on Nickelodeon's COUSINS FOR LIFE. Loni has written for various multi-cam family comedies including LAB RATS, DOG WITH A BLOG and BEST FRIENDS WHENEVER. Loni also co-created, co-wrote, and co-produced KATRINA, a half-hour dramedy pilot for The-N (Teen Nick), executive produced by Warrington Hudlin. Loni is a graduate of Harvard University where she wrote a novel for her honors thesis. In addition to her writing life, Loni lives in Santa Clarita with her husband, a Stunt Coordinator/Stuntman, her ten-year-old triplets, two dogs, and one very abused minivan.
As VP of Moonladder, Tone oversees Development and Production of FableVision Studio’s original animated and live-action broadcast properties. He has acted in the role of Writer, Director, Showrunner and Executive Producer on several long and short form projects for Aardman Animation, Sesame Studios, The Dodo, SuperProd, The Boston Pops, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, SpinMaster, and Guru Studios. Tone was Showrunner/Executive Producer of SpinMaster’s hit preschool series SAGO MINI FRIENDS (Apple+); he was Showrunner/Head Writer for Emmy-award winning series GO GO CORY CARSON (Netflix); Executive Story Consultant on PIKWIK PACK (Disney); and the Supervising Producer for the Emmy award-winning WONDER PETS! (Nick Jr.) During his eleven years at Walt Disney Feature Animation, Tone contributed to blockbuster films including THE LION KING, POCAHONTAS, TARZAN, and TOY STORY, among others. He has produced animated projects for Mattel, Nickelodeon, PBS, and SyFy Channel and has personally animated segments for SESAME STREET. Tone is a former advisory board member of the Fred Rogers Center and the Co-Creator/Co-Executive producer of the CSA award winning series THE ADVENTURES OF NAPKIN MAN!
Maiya Williams grew up in New Haven, Connecticut and Berkeley, California. She was the first black writer on the Harvard Lampoon and served as Vice President under Conan O'Brien's presidency. After graduating with honors she embarked on a writing career in Hollywood and has been writing and producing television shows ever since. Her more well known work has appeared on FRESH PRINCE OF BEL-AIR, MAD-TV, RUGRATS, FUTURAMA, and THE HAUNTED HATHAWAYS. She is also a writer of novels for middle-grade readers, and has five published novels. Maiya is currently in the process of earning a Masters degree in African American Studies at UCLA. In her free time, Maiya is a mentor at Write Girl, plays piano and harp, and hikes in the Santa Monica mountains. She is married to fellow TV writer-producer Patric Verrone, they have three lovely adult children and live with their very stubborn chow-husky, Leo. 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, Register Here
Purchase ticket $5.50 Members
If you can't access the RSVP button for dues-paying Harvardwood members, make
sure you're logged in. If you still have issues accessing the page, your membership
has lapsed, so renew your dues as a Full Member or Friend of Harvardwood.
Harvardwood Presents - From Cannes to the Oscars: Distribution and Producing for the Big Screen
Eric d’Arbeloff MBA ‘93 and Howard Cohen AB ‘81 are the Co-Presidents of Roadside Attractions, a specialty film distributor based in L.A. Roadside has released over 150 films in its near-20 year history, with combined box office exceeding $500 million. Their films have garnered numerous Oscar® and other award nominations and wins. Roadside is partially owned by Lionsgate, who distributes Roadside films in aftermarkets such as VOD and television. In 2022, Roadside announced a three-year deal with Hulu for the post-theatrical streaming window on its theatrical releases. Roadside’s recent releases include MOVING ON starring Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin, SOMEWHERE IN QUEENS starring Ray Romano, and the Independent Spirit Award winning EMILY THE CRIMINAL starring Aubrey Plaza. Upcoming releases include RETRIBUTION starring Liam Neeson. Notable releases in recent years include BENEDICTION from director Terence Davies, THE COURIER starring Benedict Cumberbatch, Matteo Garrone’s double Academy Award® nominated PINOCCHIO, Academy Award® winner JUDY, and the number one independent film of summer 2019: THE PEANUT BUTTER FALCON. Also in recent times were the highest-grossing independent film of 2018, I CAN ONLY IMAGINE, the Spirit Award-nominated BEATRIX AT DINNER, and double Academy Award® winner MANCHESTER BY THE SEA.
Howard Cohen is the Co-President and Co-Founder of Roadside Attractions, which devises innovative theatrical release strategies for outstanding specialty films. Before running the show with Eric d’Arbeloff at Roadside Attractions, Cohen was also an Executive Producer on Mira Nair’s film VANITY FAIR and was head of the Independent Film Department at United Talent Agency. Cohen’s early career included executive positions at HBO, Paramount, and TNT. Cohen is a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), in the Executive Branch. Cohen has a B.A. from Harvard College.
Eric d’Arbeloff is the Co-President of Roadside Attractions. His other credits include TRICK, which premiered in Sundance, LOVELY & AMAZON, which premiered in Telluride; LIFETIME GUARANTEE: PHRANC'S ADVENTURES IN PLASTIC, which premiered at Outfest and is currently available as part of the Masc curation on the Criterion Channel; and ALL IS LOST, which premiered in Cannes. He has a B.A. in Modern Studies from the University of Virginia and an M.B.A. from Harvard.
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, Register Here
Purchase ticket $5.50 Members
If you can't access the RSVP button for dues-paying Harvardwood members, make
sure you're logged in. If you still have issues accessing the page, your membership
has lapsed, so renew your dues as a Full Member or Friend of Harvardwood.
Assistant, Events (UTA) - CA
Company: UTA
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Type of Position: Full-Time
Minimum Education Level: BA or equivalent strongly preferred
Minimum Years of Experience: 1+ years’ experience in event production (particularly in a creative/entertainment industry)
Job Description: UTA is seeking to fill an Events Assistant position that is part of the company’s Global Corporate Communications department. The ideal candidate will bring previous events experience. Required skills include excellent organizational capabilities and the ability to manage multiple projects at once and thrive in a project-heavy, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate should also demonstrate a passion for the entertainment business and artists, high level attention to detail, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to navigate shifting situations and last-minute changes.
Read moreAssistant, Events (UTA) - CA
Company: UTA
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Type of Position: Full-Time
Minimum Education Level: Bachelor's Degree strongly preferred
Minimum Years of Experience: 2+ years’ experience in event production (particularly in a creative/entertainment industry)
Job Description: UTA is seeking to fill an Events Assistant position that is part of the company’s Global Corporate Communications department. The ideal candidate will bring previous events experience. Required skills include excellent organizational capabilities and the ability to manage multiple projects at once and thrive in a project-heavy, fast-paced environment. The ideal candidate should also demonstrate a passion for the entertainment business and artists, high level attention to detail, a commitment to excellence, and the ability to navigate shifting situations and last-minute changes.
Read more