Costumes for a PPU's A Light in the Piazza

http://tothepointonline.net/?p=172

By Aldona Bird

Photography by Aldona Bird

As Michael Montgomery lays out and cuts yards of fabric, a cacophony fills the cluttered room—sewing machines whirr, a steam iron hisses, and a laptop plays songs from musicals– in the Pittsburgh Playhouse Costume Shop. Montgomery, Shop manager, has been designing and assembling costumes for Light in the Piazza, PPU’s latest theater production.

Montgomery, 46, began working with costumes when he was in Thomas Jefferson High School in Rockford Illinios. His mother had taught him to sew, so when a high-school theater production needed costumes made, he volunteered. He has been making costumes ever since, for the last 17-18 years as a costume designer. Montgomery began working at the Pittsburgh Playhouse 5-6 years ago, has designed a dozen odd shows there, and has been officially on staff for 2 years.

Montgomery loves what he does because “My work is always different, everyday. I have to spend a lot of time researching different things.”

While the process of building a show for a costume designer differs for each show, generally Montgomery goes through certain steps when working on a show. First he reads the script, then meets with the director, reads the script again, trades ideas with the director and breaks down the script. He then begins research, and finds out the time span and the type of people the characters are (how often they would change outfits), figures out the time of year/weather. After that Montgomery make lots of lists and puts pencil to paper and start sketching. After doing some planning he talks again to the director, considers the budget, decides whether to make, buy, or borrow costumes. Then he begins assembling “closets” for the characters, fits the costumes on actors, alters the costumes, gathers shoes, works on hair and the finally has the dress rehearsal.

For Light in the Piazza Montgomery designed and made costumes, chosen and customized accessories such as hats, shoes and jewelry, and organized the entire outfitting of the cast. He researched the time period, the 50s, what type of clothing, underwear, jewelry, people where wearing, location and weather of the play, and then incorporated individuality and a personal touch to each character’s costume

With the help of two other full time sewers and designers, one part time, one over-hire, 10-15 students, a wig department, and hair and make-up professionals, Montgomery began devoting all his attention to A Light in the Piazza about three weeks before it opened on March 26th. He started thinking about it, and doing minor planning last summer, taking inventory of what they had, what they might need to borrow, and what to make from scratch. Montgomery began concrete work on the show in January.

The Costume Shop already had most of the costumes needed for A Light in the Piazza, and borrowed a few from CMU’s theater department. Some, such as for the priests, cardinals, nuns and a few dresses, the costumers made from scratch.

Montgomery said his favorite costume was for the character of Fabrizio Naccarelli, a young Italian man, in a scene where he goes to a tie shop, and asks for something to make him look really good for his meeting with his crush. During the song and dance number the shop’s staff put pieces of clothing on Fabrizio and take them off again. Montgomery made conscious effort to make sure everything they put on looked good by itself, but not look quite perfect when on him with all the other items.

“…Until the very very end when they put a coat on him, and none of it really matches, but they put the coat on him and all the sudden the whole costume pulls together, just like that. And he suddenly looks just a little bit cuter than he did 5 minutes earlier” Montgomery said.

After weeks of sewing, gathering dresses suits and accessories, fittings, planning and meetings the cast and crew have their first dress rehearsal. The actors have about an hour to get ready before running through the show. Montgomery rushes between the Costume Shop, two levels of dressing rooms and the stage helping students adjust costumes, working out last minute difficulties, calling instructions to crewmembers, and checking how the outfits look on stage. The halls in the Pittsburgh Playhouse between the dressing rooms, stage and Costume Shop are full of student actors running around looking for parts of costumes, adjusting hats and wigs in the mirrors, practicing lines and talking to Montgomery about any issues they have with their costumes. Students mutter phrases like “Oh crap, I should go over my ad-libs… my Italian ad-libs” or randomly break into song as they put on gloves, 50s period dresses, suits, shoes and wigs.

“I am always very particular about the kind of underwear” Montgomery said, because it affects the silhouettes of the actors. For this show he wanted to accentuate small waists on the women, so he made sure to pad all their hips and busts.

“I’m very happy with it. There were a couple of things I did that I’d never tried before” Montgomery said in regard to the outcome of and the overall success of the costumes for The Point Park production of A Light in the Piazza.

Aldona Bird works as a sewer in the Playhouse Costume Shop. She can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu

Changes to the Pell Grant Impacts Students

By Aldona Bird

Mary Eklund had little money and didn’t know she could use a government grant for summer education to complete her double major in photography and digital media. But changes in the federal Pell Grant programs now allows the grants to be used year\round.

“I haven’t been informed about anything” said Eklund
Many students nationwide may not have been informed that along with 12-month use of Pell Grants, The income eligibility requirements of eligible students has been expanded, meaning about 60 more Point Park University students will get funded. They will be informed as soon as the calculating software is upgraded.

This increase followed a previous one for last year which allowed students already receiving funding to continue getting aid in the summer if taking classes. Before 2009-2010 students could only get the grant in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Sandra Cronin, Director of Financial Aid at Point Park University, said the government’s consideration and decisions about funding for the Pell Grant are tied up with healthcare funding.

“I’m not sure why it was increased this time, but we just go with the flow” said Cronin. She added that the amount of funding given to students within the expanded income bracket will not a be huge sum, but students can use any help, and never turn down money.

Betty Davis, Senior Director of Student Financial Services, said the staff is going through the list of eligible students to see who is registered for summer, and so who will receive the Pell Grant for that term. Those students will be informed, however students who are not registered may not be informed of the available funds.

“If they are interested in Summer classes, come in… Every student is different, depending

where they are in this process” said Davis.
Students like Eklund who already receive funding from the Pell Grant should inquire at the Office of Financial Aid about summer funding, as should students who do not yet.

Students receive the grant automatically without application if eligible when they fill-out and submit a Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The deadlines for turning in the FAFSA form varies depending on the student’s state. It is May 1 for Pennsylvania residents.

The Point Park University financial administrators encourage students to fill out their FAFSAs, even if it is past the deadline because the information can be used to get aid for the next term, and to come in with any questions or for more information.

Peace Love and Little Donuts in the Strip District of Pittsburgh

A Ridiculously Good Donut
by Aldona Bird
Photos by Aldona Bird


Jeannie McGartland described the blueberry donuts at Peace Love and Little Donuts as “life changing.” McGartland, sophomore acting major, said she first saw the doughnuts when she went with friends to the Strip District “we saw people walking around with bags of little donuts, and I was like, ‘what are those? We have to get some.’”

Now she's sold on them because they are fresh, small, and she does not feel “gross” after eating them.

For Ron Razete, owner of the store at 2018 Smallman St., McGartland's endorsement is just another in a long line of positive feedback that has turned a whim into a business.

Ten years ago, Razete bought some doughnut making equipment that came without manual or directions. He set it up in his living room. “We thought, may as well plug it in and see if we can make a donut” Razete said. From there, the experiment grew to a doughnut concession business, working outdoor events. When costumers complimented them on their donuts Razete and his family “...just thought they were being nice.”

After the success of their first indoor event, a four day-long hockey tournament last year, Razete began to consider opening a permanent shop. His wife wasn't enthusiastic at first. They had already concluded that health regulations and the cost of equipment and rent made a shop not worth their while.

But, after looking at possible locations, they decided to give it a try at 2018 Smallman Street because “the Strip still has some of its vibrancy.”

Peace Love and Little Donuts opened in August, the day they got the health inspection, because Razete didn't want to miss even one sale. It has proved wildly popular. One Saturday last month customers lined up outside the door for five continuous hours. The Little and Mini Donuts range in price, from $0.75 for a simple single to $13.50 for a dozen fancier donuts.

Razete attributes the doughnuts popularity to their freshness- the same day as costumers wait, adding that he knows all the bakeries in the area, and none sells doughnuts as fresh as his. The bakers make and top doughnuts at Peace Love and Little Donuts while customers watch.

When the shop first opened, Razete and his family made only mini donuts with powdered sugar or cinnamon topping, with traditional vanilla dough. Now an expanded menu includes Old Fashioned, Blueberry and Devils-food, with a variety of frosting, sprinkles and other toppers, in both Mini and Little sizes. Razete said “I usually eat one donut a day, and that is the Blueberry.”
Razete said they go through hundreds of pounds of batter per weekend. His youngest son, 11, mixes the batter. The other four children also help their father in the donut shop, as does their mother when she is not working. “It is a family affair” Razete said.

Chelsea Carroll, sophomore dance major, noticed the family behind the counter, “smiling and waving” the first time she went to the shop. One reason she likes the donuts so much is that they are made by a local family-owned business.

Customers often praise the doughnuts at Peace Love and Little Donuts as the best they have ever had. Razete cites word of mouth as their only marketing. He says, “our only advertising is making a ridiculously good donut.”

Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
this article was published in the Point Park Globe.

Museums in the Pittbsurgh Area

By Aldona Bird

Tiffany Lee, freshman IT major, has visited many of the Pittsburgh museums, including the National Aviary, Andy Warhol Museum, the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh, the Science Center, and the Sports Center. Lee especially likes the size of the Carnegie Museums. “I really like the displays they bring to Pittsburgh” Lee said.

Many students visit only the Carnegie Art and Natural Science, missing out on the many museums and galleries in the Pittsburgh area, most of which offer student admission, ranging from $5-$8, and frequently rotating exhibits.

Pittsburgh museums offer a diversity of displays. The Andy Warhol Museum has over 12,000 paintings, drawings, videos, prints, sculptures, etc.;the National Aviary's walk-through exhibits contain over 600 birds representing over 200 species; the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh exhibit gems & minerals, dinosaurs, a World War II submarine, and paintings by old and modern great masters;the Science Center's many exhibits include roboworld (a show of robots and robotics), a laser light display, “kitchen theater” (a program devoted to the science of cooking), along with a number of others; and the Sports Center offers a sports & science exhibition.

The Pittsburgh museums host multiple traveling exhibitions, such as the Carnegie Museum of Natural History's current show on whales, showing enormous skeletons and multimedia presentations. The Heinz History Center will bring “The Real George Washington” back to Pittsburgh for first time in 250 years starting February 19th. Shantytown, images of Pittsburgh during the Great Depression, is currently on display at Photo Antiquities, along with Between the Battles, an exhibit about women in photography during the Civil War.

Theater tech sophomore Tim Bruno went just once to the Carnegie Museums in Oakland, with the fundamentals of design class. He “ loved the glass globes”, an installation exhibit. “I've heard of the Warhol... Science Center... and that's all” Bruno said.

The Andrew Warhol Museum, located in Pittsburgh's North Side, offers $8 student admission with ID, except on Fridays from 5p.m.-10p.m. when all admissions are half-price. According to the Warhol Museum's website, www.warhol.org, “The art collection of the Andy Warhol Museum includes over 8,000 works in all media- paintings, drawings, prints, photography, sculpture, and installation.” The museum's regular hours are Friday 10 a.m.- 10 p.m., Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday-Thursday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Mack Franz, senior biology major, also enjoys the Carnegie Museums of Art and Natural Science. “I love seeing the dinosaur section” said Franz, adding that he also likes the rock exhibit with an elevator that takes you down through the layers of the earth. Franz said that he enjoys looking at one of Monet's Waterlily paintings, among others in the Art museum, as well as local artists.

Admission to the Carnegie Museum of Art, including access to the Museum of Natural History is $11. The museums, located on Forbes Avenue in Oakland, are open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. The art collection consists of both classical and contemporary pieces, including film and video works.

Lee said she has heard of, but not yet visited, the Mattress Factory Art Museum. According to its website, www.mattress.org, the Mattress Factory displays room-size installations of contemporary art. Built on the spot by national and international artists, all its exhibitions include interactive and educational components. The Mattress Factory, located at 500 Sampsonia Way in North Side, charges $7 student admissions, and is open Tuesday through Saturday 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., and Sunday 1 p.m.- 5 p.m.

Several other Pittsburgh museums, infrequently visited by Point Park students, display interesting exhibits, and offer easy accessibility and student admission. The Senator John Heinz History Museum documents 250 years of Pittsburgh's history, from before the French and Indian War to current developments in Steelers' history The History Museum, located in the Strip district, is open daily 10 a.m- 5 p.m, and charges $5 student admission.

Photo Antiquities has a collection “... dedicated to the preservation, presentation and education of the history of photography. The museum's collection includes images, cameras, and accessories that capture the earliest days of photography” according to their website, www.photoantuquities.org. Student admission is $6.50, and the photography museum is open Monday, and Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Other local museums and galleries include the Carnegie Science Center, Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens, Pittsburgh Children's Museum, and the Frick Art and Historical Center, among others.

Pittsburgh's many museums, most with student discounts, can be reached by public transportation. Others such as the Andy Warhol and Heinz History Museums are a short walk from downtown. Local museums, many with rotating or traveling exhibits, represent a central part of Pittsburgh history and culture.


Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
This article was published on the Point Park Globe's website, as well as on To the Point's website, and printed in To the Point.

Doug Heuck Speaking at Point Park University

By Aldona Bird

Award winning writer Doug Heuck's started in journalism at a weekly newspaper in Brooklyn, but was fired after two weeks.

The young editor didn't like his work and told Heuck “you need to find a new line of work. You'll never make it as a journalist,” adding that the young would-be reporter had no curiosity about things.

Heuck, just graduated for college, took the firing as a challenge and not only overcame that lay off but went on to a 30 year career in journalism, winning numerous awards and most recently, starting his own magazine, the Pittsburgh Quarterly.

“Good things happen when you get out of the newsroom.” Heuck said. Heuck will speak to students about his successful career, magazine writing and journalism in the JVH auditorium, at 4 p.m. on March 11th. Heuck's presentation will be open to all students, and useful to journalism majors, and anyone interested in news media.

“I'll give the students the 25 year tour” Heuck said in reference to his 20 years at the Pittsburgh Press and Post-Gazette, and 5 years of Pittsburgh Quarterly.

A difficulty similar to being fired after two weeks on his first post-graduation job lead Heuck to write one of his best known pieces. “I was disgusted with my progress at the paper” he said in reference to being stuck writing weekly about the North Hills. When told that more off-beat stories were expected of him, Heuck informed his editors that they wouldn't know an off-beat story idea if they saw one.

Heuck proceeded to take a walk downtown, and noticed a homeless man lying in the street. He wondered what being homeless would be like, and was inspired to do a secret, undercover series on being homeless, in which he would spend a month living in the Pittsburgh streets.

He pitched the idea, and his editors gave him two weeks to be homeless. During the two weeks Heuck panhandled his co-workers and competition, all of whom, not recognizing him in the guise of a homeless person, avoided him. Even the photographer assigned to the story, who knew that Heuck was working on it, crossed the street when approached.

Heuck's homeless series caused a sensation when published. “When you are willing to take a calculated risk, interesting things can happen” Heuck said.

Senior print journalism major Katie Hildman said she plans to go to Hueck's presentation because “I think he is a pretty interesting guy... I hope to learn more about magazine writing from him.” Hildman prefers magazine style writing to newspaper writing, and hopes that she will learn more about the field from Heuck.

Jessica Chapman, senior broadcast and print journalism major, graduates this May, prepared for the changes and digitalization in media. Recently she wrote a story and created an accompanying multimedia presentation for her internship at the Post-Gazette. But she still looks for advice about getting into the journalism workforce, and therefore she plans to attend Heuck's presentation on March 11th. Chapman said after reading his I am Homeless series, she thinks he is a “very talented and awesome writer” and would like to know about other things he has written, in addition to hearing his advice for up and coming journalists like herself.

Heuck said students should become good writers-- both by reading good writing and by reading books on how to write well. He also said that making connections with journalists working in the field is very helpful. But most of all, Heuck said he would advise students to do two things. Because of lack of experience new reporters must be willing to work hard-- harder than anyone else. In addition they should do it without complaining, because a good attitude is also very important for fresh journalists.


Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
this article was published in the Point Park Globe, the student newspaper, prior to Heuck visiting Point Park University.

Squirrel Hill Coffee Shop- 61C

Romance, ambiance, and cappuccinos

By Aldona Bird
Photography by Aldona Bird

While working at 61C Cafe in Squirrel Hill, Jamie Flannick began to notice a “really great,” and “charismatic,” repeat customer, Rebekah Laslow, a Point Park University senior.
One day Laslow ordered a tea that the cafe had run out of. The staff found one last bag, so Flannick wrote a note with his number on it, and gave it to Laslow as she left. They have been dating since October 2008.

The 61C, where Laslow and Flannick found friendship and romance, is a place for students to study, hang out and relax, get a really good cup of coffee, and listen to music. The Port Authority’s 61C bus, which runs past the café, can be picked up at 5th and Wood Street. The 61A and 61B also stop at 5th and Wood Street, and can be taken to the 61C Café.

According to server Kjerstein Pugh, the 61C, opened by Kate Knorr and Gary Kaboly 15 years ago and named for the bus line that goes past, predates all other Squirrel Hill coffee shops. The cafe at 1839 Murray Avenue, which replaced the diner George Aikens, is one of the oldest in Pittsburgh.

The cash-only cafe offers a varied menu, ranging in price from $1.40 to about $4: fresh, espresso drinks, hot chocolate and steamers, about forty-six types of tea, Italian soda, smoothies, and regular coffee. A glass case by the door displays several kinds of cheesecakes, and glass jars on the counter contain flavors of granola. More glass jars hold fresh cookies, muffins, and other on-site baked treats. Between 7 and 8 am, when the baking gets done, the 61C is “the best smelling place in Pittsburgh, I promise” said Pugh.

The coffee shop has a special ambiance. Pugh, a regular customer before she started working there in 2000, said “I've always appreciated how it is just a place for people to come and be.” Flannick enjoys watching the diversity of “great people” who come in; even if he does not know them, the friendly atmosphere makes it seem as though he does.

Jason Choorapuzha, dental medical student at Pitt, enjoys studying in the 61C Cafe once in a while for the change of scene. Choorapuzha said he likes that the customers are not “the typical coffee house crowed,” but a mix, from families to “hipsters.”

Dan Licata, computer science graduate student at Carnegie Mellon University, goes to the 61C “at least once a week, maybe more often than that.” He studies there, meets with his research adviser, girlfriend, fellow students, or just hangs out. His favorite drink is the $2.00/$2.50 soy hot chocolate, because the servers often make nice designs on top. Both Flannick and Pugh said their favorite drink to make is the cappuccino. Pugh enjoys making the foam, and Flannick likes how pretty it looks when done.

Many of the customers at the blue and red topped wooden tables read or use computers while sipping drinks and nibbling chocolate chunk, M&M, chocolate peanut-butter or one of the other many types of cookie or scones. Both Choorapuzha and Licata said they like to hang out and study at the cafe because of the atmosphere and the soft, unobtrusive music. One wall, facing busy Murray Avenue, consists of floor-to-ceiling windows. The natural light, supplemented by soft, cone shaped wall sconces and hanging lights adds to the mellow feel of the 61C. The espresso machine and milk steamer whir softly under the background off-beat pop music and friendly chatter of customers.

Just down the street from the corner coffee shop are several boutiques, restaurants, a movie theater and numerous shops, making the 61C Cafe the perfect place to stop for coffee, tea, or a cookie after shopping or enjoying all that Squirrel Hill has to offer.



Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
this story was published in the Point Park Globe, the student newspaper, and nominated for best feature story.

Heat Nightclub opens in the Strip Distrct, Pittsburgh

By Aldona Bird

Pittsburgh students, like Point Park freshman Chris Kennedy who cannot wait to celebrate his birthday at the newest, Vegas style, 18+ nightclub in the 'Burgh, can look forward to Heat Nightclub opening in the Strip District on January 29th.

Kennedy said that he and his friends plan to go Heat, on 19th street in the Strip which in the past held other night clubs and restaurants, not only for his birthday but also after because the cover charge is reasonable ($10 for 18+ and $5 9 pm - 11 pm, $7 after 11 pm for 21+.), and because its brick walls, wood floors, and low ambient lighting make it a classy place to party.

Heat Nightclub will open from 9 p.m.-2 a.m. with a big deal bash, hosted by MTV Real World's Ruthie (Hawaii) & JD (Brooklyn), with DJs Shawn and Xavier. Dance music will range from top 40 hits to hip hop to R&B.

Club director Ryan Skyy, a Point Park University alum, says that his club offers a good time and entertainment to both sexes and sexualities, with a goal of bringing all types of people together. The club has two floors, multiple bars, VIP sections, as well as dance areas with lights, lasers, and poles for pole dancing.

Located on 19th St. between Penn Ave and Smallman St, Heat Night Club helps fill a student consumer demand niche as one of Pittsburgh's very few 18+ clubs. Freshman broadcasting major, Matt Desmond said that before Heat, “There wasn't really any place to go, other than Club Zoo...” adding that it will be nice to dance and party with people his age.

The appearance of Heat Nightclub reflects careful attention to detail. The elegant interior includes exposed brick walls, ambient lighting, rafter ceilings, large framed mirrors, wood and tile floors, cozy corners, and plush bar chairs in the downstairs Inferno Room. The upstairs Rapture Room has a stage, music video projection screen, bottle service sections for private 21+ parties, cushy VIP areas, and, according to Skyy, a strong Las Vegas vibe.

Skyy, who developed the Saturday blowpop, weekly themed nights, at Privilege Nightclub, has planned a number of different entertainment events. On Wednesdays, 18+ will be admitted into the Rapture Room to participate in the talent show Next!, with a monetary prize for the winner, and an end of the month competition between weekly winners. “We're not going to stop the music and clear the dance floor,” rather the shows will be integrated into the atmosphere of the club, said Skyy. Fridays are Babylon nights, with reference to the Pittsburgh-filmed TV series Queer as Folk. Skyy also plans to continue Saturday blowpop at Heat by presenting monthly themes, varying each week slightly. In addition, Heat Nightclub intends to collaborate with the City Paper, sponsor charity happy hours (during which 100% of the proceeds from the $5 cover charge will go to different non-profit charities), and, come early summer, add “Sushi in the Strip”. The hours of sushi and dance club will overlap, so “you can come and get your sushi, and dance” said Skyy.

Skyy advises students to arrive early for the grand opening. Without advertising, relying on word of mouth and social media, Heat had a huge turnout for the New Year's Eve preview party. The Facebook invitation showed only 200 confirmed guests, but 800 turned up, and there was a three-hour waiting line outside the building. The Facebook invitation for the official grand opening already has over 1400 confirmed guests.

Freshman intelligence and national security major, Kennedy said he has some doubts about getting in. He said that he and his friends plan to go after the opening as well, because “It is something to do in Pittsburgh...”

Several buses stop within a block of Heat, including the 86A, 86B, 77F, 77D or 77G. Any of the other buses that go through the Strip District also pass close by (get off at 18th and Liberty).

Heat Nightclub's motto indicates the all-inclusive nature of the up and coming nightclub for college students and 21+; “Wear what you want, be who you want.”


Aldona Bird can be reached at ambird@pointpark.edu
This article was published in the Point Park Globe, the student newspaper.