By Eric Preisler
Production Manager
Fresh off his performance in the summer hit “Baby Driver,” actor CJ Jones’ performance at Deaf Culture Night was among four events that received full funding at the Student Finance Board meeting on Sept. 13.
The Deaf Hearing Connection was funded $4,087 for its Deaf Culture Night, which is planned to be held at the College on Tuesday, Oct. 24, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Jones, a deaf actor, will be performing an 80-minute comedy routine at the event. Food and drinks will also be provided.
Explaining the significance of the event, Julianna Kamenakis said that, “(the event will) showcase Deafness as the culture that it is … rich with a gorgeously captivating language and its own beliefs and morals as well.”
Kamenakis also expressed excitement for the event saying that the organization looks forward to allowing “TCNJ students to gain awareness about Deafness as a culture and to provide students an opportunity to interact with people from the Deaf community — including our guest speaker CJ Jones!”
TCNJ Musical Theater was granted $4,800 for the rights and royalties to perform “Spring Awakening” during the spring 2018 semester.
Kelly Ganning, a junior graphic design major and co-production manager of “Spring Awakening,” explained that “Spring Awakening” was chosen by TMT’s members because of its mental and creative ,which differ from the family-friendly productions of “Legally Blonde” and the “The Addams Family” last year.
“‘Spring Awakening’ is a musical about coming of age and the navigating teenage sexuality, and deals with themes such as sexual violence, teenage pregnancy and censorship,” Ganning said. “It will definitely be a challenge TMT hasn’t faced in a while but I’m sure our actors and designers will grow from the experience.”
TMT is optimistic about the challenge of the production.
“In the upcoming months I can’t wait to see what creative minds will eventually be working with us, and what ideas they will come up with to make this a groundbreaking show for TMT as well as TCNJ,” Ganning said.
Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Society, Inc. was funded $491.75 for its Week of Wisdom Event, which will consist of a variety of events from Monday, Oct. 2, to Friday, Oct. 6. Funding will cover the expense of personal trainers for Cussie Bootcamp, which will provide instruction for intensive exercise and healthier lifestyles. Additional events will include DIY terrariums and the Cussie Luau.
The proposal explains that the Cussie Luau program will teach students the meanings and representations of certain movements in Hawaiian culture. Describing the significance of this, the application explained that participants will have a better understanding of the Hawaiian culture by being able to communicate using the important things that Hawaiians enjoy from their culture.
When asked what she is most looking forward to, Cenadra Gopala-Foster, a sophomore deaf education and biology double major and a sister of Chi Upsilon Sigma, said that, “the wide range of programs we are doing all in one week.”
While Chi Upsilon Sigma’s Week of Wisdom requires complex planning, the sisters are excited to participate in various programs throughout the week.
“When we were planning it during our retreat we knew it would be difficult, but we have really stepped up to the challenge and I’m excited to learn more about the programs and topics that I’m not personally running and bringing new topics and discussions to the campus community,” Gopala-Foster said.
Chi Upsilon Sigma hopes that students and community members will broaden their global perspectives by attending the event.
“I think students will gain a new perspective on a wide spectrum of topics that we decided to focus on, such as the Polynesian culture through their traditional dance, to creating an entire terrarium that can thrive within a dorm room, and in (a) way show the power human beings have over the environment and vice versa,” Gopala-Foster said.
The Class of 2019 received $8,741.25 for bussing, venue, food, parking, and security fees for their formal, which is planned to be held on Friday, Oct. 29, from 8 a.m. to 12 a.m. at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey.
“The Aquarium formal will be a class unity event for the class of 2019,” according to the event’s proposal. “(The formal) will build cohesion in a unique environment.”
