|
Graduate student Ben Coolik is no stranger
to success. He is a collaborative artist in the field of performance
who has worked in some of the country's leading venues and
conferences. His work crosses and often combines multiple
disciplines including lighting design, music composition,
interactive multi-media design and programming as well as
performance. Ben is also an avid researcher and has recently
been published at the R.E.M. Web site and in Lighting
and Sound America magazine. His most recent collaborative
efforts, Paradise Hotel and E.L.I., were supported
by grants from ICE (Ideas for Creative Exploration) where
Ben is currently serving on the Interactive Performance Research
Task Force.
Expected graduation: May 2005
Degree Objective: Master of Fine Arts in
Theatrical Design
Other degrees:
B.S. in Finance; University of Georgia, 1997
University highlights, achievements and awards:
During the past two years as a graduate student, my achievements
have been more artistic and less academic in nature. I was
invited to participate in the Sydney Kahn
Summer Institute at The Kitchen in New York City (Summer 2003)
with 17 other artists from around the country. I was nominated
as the sole Graduate Student representative on the ICE (Ideas
for Creative Exploration) Grant Selection Committee. While
in New York, I helped create E.L.I.: an interactive performance
project. E.L.I. received a grant from ICE and we were invited
to present E.L.I. at The Kitchen's 5th Annual Street Festival
in NYC (2003) as well as the first annual IDMAA Conference
in Orlando (2004). I was also involved with another ICE funded
project: Paradise Hotel --a Richard Foreman play
adapted by Cal Clements. I am currently a member of ICE's
Interactive Performance Research Task Force. My research on
lighting designer, Willie Williams, was published on the R.E.M.
Web site in November, 2004, and my article on The Alliance
Theatre's world premier production of The Color Purple:
the musical was published in Light and Sound America
magazine in March 2005. This past semester (Fall 2004) I was
chosen for an internship at The Alliance Theatre in Atlanta
working in both the lighting and sound departments.
Current employment:
As a graduate student on assistantship, I work in the Theatre
Department's "Scene Shop" dealing with all technical
aspects of mounting departmental productions including building,
painting, lighting and sound work.
High School: Brookstone School
Hometown: Columbus, Georgia
I chose to attend UGA because...
I come from a history of UGA graduates so I have always considered
it as an option. My decision to come back here for graduate
school was mostly motivated by my infatuation with Athens.
This city has a close, hard-working, and diverse artistic
community. Because of Athens' size, it is easy to network
and find other people interested in collaborative work. As
a musician, I also love the vibrant music scene.
My favorite things to do on campus are...
I enjoy taking walks around campus and appreciating the contrast
between the magnificent architecture and the beauty of the
nature-scapes. I also really enjoy the UGA library. Because
of my work-load, however, I mostly find myself in the computer
lab at the department.
When I have free time, I like...
...going for long walks, playing my guitar and keyboard, listening
to music, shopping for food and cooking delicious vegan meals,
and visiting with my friends.
The craziest thing I've done is...
In the summer of 1995, I went to Manchester, England, and
I got a job reading tarot cards for a psychic hotline. That
was pretty crazy.
My favorite place to study is...
...in the comfort of my own home. This works for me because
I have control over my environment there. I can put on music
(or not), have some hot tea, and enjoy some sweet treats while
I work.
My favorite professor is...
David Saltz. He is extremely knowledgeable about the subjects
he teaches, and he is also very enthusiastic. He has helped
to shape my artistic direction through encouragement and advice,
and he has led me to discover a rich history of interactive
interdisciplinary performative work that has influenced my
own graduate/artistic work.
If I could share an afternoon with anyone, I would
love to share it with...
...my mother. Her life has had such a tremendous impact on
me. My creative nature, the values that I try to uphold, and
my personal philosophy about life and the interconnectedness
of all things can all be traced back to her own good and generous
nature.
If money was not a consideration, I would love to...
...spend my time helping bring the creative force of the arts
to the forefront of our culture and daily lives. By helping
to shed light on the many independent and important artistic
endeavors happening all over the world, I could hopefully
foster a greater appreciation for the role art plays in our
lives. Through this appreciation of art, I would hope that
people could fine their own creative nature and nurture it.
I believe this is one of the best ways to celebrate the gift
of life.
After graduation, I plan to...
...stay in Athens and be a part of the growing energy of our
artistic community. I hope to work on various artistic endeavors
including lighting design (especially for dance), music, artistic
management and promotion, and collaborative performance art
projects. I hope to launch a new company that will focus on
helping promote and manage independent musicians and artists
to whose work I am drawn.
The one UGA experience I will always remember will
be...
...the Saturday when Christian Croft and I took E.L.I. around
to all of the pre-game tailgate parties at the Auburn-Georgia
football game in the Fall of 2003. The reactions we got were
unforgettable.
|
