Northern Today_Nov-2018

NORTHERN TODAY 13 FALL 2018 “The courses taught at Mike Miller Elementary provide NSU teacher candidates opportunities to practice implementing educational technology, apply course content and develop their confidence by teaching and working directly with K-5 students,” said Dr. Andria Moon, NSU assistant professor of elementary education. “This partnership also benefits the elementary school, because the teacher candidates provide extra help for students and teachers.” Hubert cites her professors’ support as a contributing factor to her own student success in the School of Education. “The sheer idea that every professor you encounter in the School of Education wants to see you succeed and be a part of your teaching success story means so much. I honestly wouldn’t be where I am without them. They continue to offer endless learning opportunities to take into the classroom.” Her own professors have some pretty great things to say about her, too: “Every few years you encounter one of those unique students who totally impresses you with tremendous skill, maturity, personality and talent, who excels so exceptionally that one thinks, ‘this student is awesome.’ Carly Hubert is one of those students,” said Moon. Wants to Impact Children’s Lives Hubert wants to impact children’s lives in a way that makes them believe they are capable and deserving of quality education, regardless of who they are, where they are from or what educational background they have. No matter where she goes, it is clear Hubert will do just that as she takes on the world this next fall, maroon and gold attire and Northern pride in tow. The success stories pouring out of NSU appear to be endless as the university continues to grow and set itself apart from other institutions and the pack couldn’t be prouder. The hard work and success of students like Hubert have set a standard of excellence that will inspire other students to become trailblazers in the years to come. YURGAITIS will retire at the end of this academic year after nearly 50 years of directing and theater work. “Man of La Mancha” was performed Oct. 17-20 in the Johnson Fine Arts Center Harvey and Cynthia Jewett Theater. “Dan is a very encouraging and creative director, who I’ve had the pleasure of working with for the past four years,” said Christine Powers, the actress playing Aldonza. “With the past production of ‘Man of La Mancha,’ he helped me connect with Aldonza’s past and her reasoning behind her actions by asking questions I hadn’t considered.” As one of the most honored musicals of the American theater, “Man of La Mancha” celebrates the perseverance of one man who refuses to relinquish his ideals, and who is determined to see life “not as it is, but as it ought to be.” Inspired by Miguel de Cervantes’ novel written during the Spanish Inquisition, “Man of La Mancha” is a story based out of cultural phenomenon in full throes despite socially oppressive downswings in Spain, in which society relied heavily on heroic derring-do stories for entertainment and escapism. The cast was comprised of 19 Northern students and 16 music students and community members, with musical direction and conducting by Michael Skyles. In addition to design and production work by NSU Theater faculty and staff, Tony Stoeri, guest lighting designer from Minneapolis, was in residence through opening night as a visiting artist. The production was directed by NSU Professor of Theater Daniel Yurgaitis. With a B.A. in speech and drama from DePaul University and an MFA in theatre/directing from United States International University in San Diego, Yurgaitis has directed shows like Drowsy Chaperone, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Phantom of the Opera, and Xanadu for Northern State; as well as community shows around the Midwest such as The Fantasticks, The Marvelous Wonderettes, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Chicago. “Stories like these really depict the kind of power plays have,” said Yurgaitis. “Despite covering a social state that happened centuries ago, it shows just how quickly plays and theaters respond to political situations– as well as how they help us understand them.” ‘La Mancha’ one of Yurgaitis’ last productions NORTHERN NEWS The Northern State University Theater Department’s fall 2018 musical, “Man of La Mancha” was one of the final Northern productions to be directed by longtime NSU Theater Director Daniel Yurgaitis. Photo courtesy Joshua John Frachiseur