STUDENT SPOTLIGHT

🎭 Meet Giulia Pagano and Alivia Bentley— CARHU Ambassadors Bringing RENT to Life!

This month, we’re thrilled to highlight Giulia and Alivia, two standout student leaders involved in the upcoming production of RENT. Alivia takes the stage as a member of the ensemble and serves as Co-Dance Captain, while Giulia plays a pivotal behind-the-scenes role as the show’s Props Master. Both also serve as dedicated ambassadors for the College of Arts and Humanities.

In our newest video, they share what RENT means to them in their own words—offering a glimpse into the heart of the show, their personal connections to its themes, and the experience of bringing such a powerful production to life. From navigating the emotional depth of performance to building friendships during rehearsals, Giulia and Alivia give us a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process and the community they’ve found through theatre.

As CARHU ambassadors, they embody the spirit of our college: bold, expressive, and dedicated to making meaningful connections through the arts. Their leadership shines both on stage and behind the curtain, and we’re so proud to feature them this month.

FACULTY FEATURE

Meet Associate Professor Juliet Wunsch!

We’re proud to spotlight another recipient of this year’s Provost Research Grants.

Juliet Wunsch, associate professor of scenic and lighting design and chair of the Department of Theatre and Dance, is an award-winning designer whose work has been featured at renowned venues such as the Walnut Street Theatre, Merriam Theatre, and Drexel’s Mandell Theatre.

Her project, Glimma I Mörkret (Glimmer in the Darkness), is an interactive exhibit that explores the intersection of Swedish theatre and pageantry—from 18th-century Stockholm to modern-day celebrations of St. Lucia in Sweden and the Swedish-American community.

Using theatrical techniques like staging, lighting, costuming, and sound, the exhibit highlights cultural traditions and the evolution of performance as a form of storytelling and social reflection. It will be showcased at WCU, the American Swedish Historical Museum, and presented at the Society for the Advancement of Scandinavian Study Conference.