News Briefs

Interlochen Center for the Arts has received a $4 million gift from the Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation—its largest non-estate gift ever. This gift will be used for the construction of a convertible residence facility, Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow House, which will provide housing for Academy students, summer faculty, and guest artists.

On Oct. 18, 2019, Interlochen Center for the Arts will break ground on a renovation and expansion of the Hildegarde Lewis Dance Building. The expanded facility will be ADA accessible and include new studios with higher ceilings, updated technology, fitness equipment, and other essential upgrades.

The Interlochen Arts Academy Creative Writing Division will once again present the Virginia B. Ball Creative Writing Competition. The competition, which was founded in 2001, is open to all students currently in grades 8-11 and offers a full-tuition scholarship to Interlochen Arts Academy as its top prize. For more information on rules, entry, and deadlines, visit write.interlochen.org.

Interlochen Public Radio is pleased to announce the second season of The Interlochen Collection! Hosted by Dr. Amanda Sewell, the weekly program features historic recordings by Interlochen Arts Camp and Arts Academy students and faculty. Tune in Sundays at 8 p.m., Tuesdays at 6 p.m., or any time at www.interlochencollection.org.

Chris Brubeck’s (IAC/NMC 64, IAA 65-69) new concerto, “Pas de Deux: Concerto for Violin, Violoncello and Orchestra,” premiered during the Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s season opener on Sept. 21. The piece was performed by VSO music director Jaime Laredo and his wife, cellist Sharon Robinson, for whom the work was composed.

Trish Sie (IAC/NMC 84-88) is directing a new live-action family film, The Sleepover, for Netflix. The movie will star Ken Marino, Sadie Stanley, and Maxwell Simkins, among others.

Emmanuel Pratt (IAC/NMC 87-89) was selected as one of the 26 2019 MacArthur Fellows. Pratt will receive a grant of $625,000, which will be distributed over the course of five years. Pratt is co-founder and executive director of the Sweet Water Foundation (SWF), a nonprofit organization that focuses on urban environmental, social, and economic renewal in “blighted” Chicago neighborhoods.

Susanne (Ebner) Powers (IAC/NMC 88) was named executive director of the Portsmouth Symphony Orchestra. Powers was previously the general manager of the Cape Ann Symphony.

Da’Vine Joy Randolph (IAC 03) was named one of Variety’s “10 Actors to Watch in 2019.” Randolph plays Lady Reed in Netflix’s Dolemite is my Name and is the star of the Hulu series High Fidelity.

Davóne Tines (IAC 04) was selected as one of three recipients of the 2020 Sphinx Medal of Excellence. The Medal of Excellence recognizes artists of color who demonstrate artistic excellence, outstanding work ethic, a spirit of determination, and an ongoing commitment to leadership and their communities. The award comes with a $50,000 career grant. He also recently spoke with The New York Times about the The Complex History and Uneasy Present of ‘Porgy and Bess’.