Craig J. Allison

As James Madison University starts the 2021 to 2022 school year, the COVID-19 Delta Variant continues to spread its reach over the world, and with it, comes a new mask policy for JMU dukes. The University released the following statement to encapsulate their conditions: “Beginning August 16, all JMU faculty, staff and students, regardless of vaccination status, are required to wear masks that cover the mouth and nose in indoor spaces on owned or leased university property when in the presence of others.” To see how thorough these policies are enacted, Breeze TV Co-Anchor, Craig Allison, went to investigate multiple JMU facilities without wearing a mask. With a Go-Pro, Pfizer Vaccination card, and mask at the ready, Allison discovered that he would only be stopped at two out of nine JMU facilities he visited. It's interesting to see this contrast from last year where there were faculty stationed at entrances across campus, using the Live Safe app as a safeguard to check if students are symptomatic. Hopefully moving forward, there might be a more physical and solidified system implemented.

Rich Hilliard, a graphic design professor here at James Madison University, has recently had some of his artwork chosen to be featured in the season two reboot of “Creepshow”. The announcement was released via the social media accounts of AMC Plus and Shudder, a streaming service tailored to horror movies. In this interview, Professor Hilliard breaks down how he was discovered by an Executive Producer of “The Walking Dead” Greg Nicotero. The reboot is a reference to the 1980’s version of Creepshow, which was also written by horror novelist, Stephen King. Aside from this latest announcement, the professor also went on to explain his humble beginnings in the valley and how he has also worked for a variety of graphic companies such as Marvel and DC. Even though his latest project was his personal ‘dream project’, he still sites teaching as his ultimate profession.

On the surface, this elaborate TikTok posted within the past week may seem like one choreographed dance number -- in reality is only one piece in the forty minute project by JMU’s Musical Theatre class of 2022 called "Play On: Artists Supporting Artists." Interviewing with collaborators/roommates Colie Vancura, who was the video’s co-choreographer and co-director, and Sam Sinnott who worked sound design along with being a co-musical director, broke down the process of what went into this elaborate work. “We basically spent the entire semester basically creating that, recording it, making music videos and what you saw was a clip from our group number "Play On" which I along with Mckenna Sturgeon, another musical theatre major, choreographed and directed and we recorded each vocal line separately. They came into our apartment, we would go upstairs, they would sing, they would lead, we would sanitize and do the whole process over again, and then Sam would mix that and put all of the music together, and then in terms of recording, everything was outside with masks and yeah, that was basically the process.” - Colie Vancura “So that song actually was from twelfth night the musical adaptation by Shaina Taub and we had done that last fall, so about half of us that were already in that production already knew that song and the other half were still kind of learning it, and I spent about maybe like two weeks mixing it all together and that was my main gist with "Play On" as well as I did a duet with Mckenna Sturgeon, who also choreographed play on with Colie. So that's also in that bigger video, that forty minute video.” - Sam Sinnott

Moving inside the Forbes Center for Performing Arts – I was given the unique privilege to sit in on a rehearsal for the upcoming virtual performance of "bellwether". A student-run play directed by senior theatre major -- Hunter Carrico. This show combines and explores tabletop theatre -- shadow puppetry -- zoom acting -- and many more elements. You'll be able to watch the virtual performance on Vimeo starting march seventeenth to the twentieth. "Bellwether" is presented by arrangement with concord theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, inc. What I think enhances this is like this is set in like suburbia and like Allen and Jackie's home and like this can be watched at home or someone else's home. Because it's timely -- there's a lot of themes that are concurrent with today: fear-mongering, groupthink, us vs them, and it was a show that had everything that I had really wanted. I wanted an ensemble, I wanted a living room drama -- but I wanted something that was not set in realism -- so it had checked out every box that I wanted. We're just doing a mixture of like some Gimbel-like iPhone videos because part of me was like -- well -- everyone has a cellphone for the most part and you can just use that to film something. So we're incorporating that as well as my DSLR camera -- so that I can make sure of multiple things -- and viewpoints. We've all lived in this political climate -- um -- and like the coronavirus that like we can relate to what is actually happening in this play." - Hunter Carrico

Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art. Although not as obvious to any Duke passing by on the quad, the School of Art Design and Art History resides behind the Music Building, and from now until March 7th, it’s the home of JMU’s latest art exhibit; Honey and Sweetgrass: by Skeena Reece, which is open Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s from 11am to 5pm. Probably one of the most impactful exhibits is this nine-minute video titled, “Touch Me”, which focuses on Reece’s home of Canada and the traumatic history of removing indigenous children from their families to attend residential schools. The haunting sound of water pouring during this bath is the only noise echoing around the exhibit. Tuesday, January 26th, 2021 @ 11:00 am – 5:00 pm Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art. The art exhibit is opening at Duke Hall. This runs through March 7th so we could really do it anytime between now and then. From DNR: "The Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Art welcomes multidisciplinary artist Skeena Reece for her exhibition "Honey and Sweetgrass", which will run from Jan. 25 thru March 7. Based in British Columbia, Reece is of Tsimshian/Gitksan and Cree descent, and her performances combine indigenous culture, myth and humor to address racial stereotypes and the effects of colonization. In Honey and Sweetgrass, Reece will exhibit a range of performance art, videos, photography and installation works."

January 20, 2021 marked another historical Wednesday in American politics following the capitol building storming and the second presidential impeachment. It was also historic, however, as Trump marked the fourth time in American history where a president snubbed their successor’s inauguration along with John Adams, John Quincy Adams and Andrew Johnson. This made the atmosphere in DC that morning all the more unique, Breeze TV reporter Craig Allison and I travel into the city and garner some insight on all that was going on. Good morning, JMU. I currently stand in Black Lives Matter Plaza in DC as the country waits with bated breath for Joe Biden to be inaugurated as the 46th president of the United States. In the distance behind me, you can see the White House, sealed off from any individuals without a White House press pass as DC police and the national guard remain on high alert following the storming of the Capitol Building not just two weeks ago. Throughout the day Breeze TV is going to follow this inauguration as closely as we can and give some first-hand insight into this historic day. We saw crowds of people from varying political backgrounds flock to the city to witness Biden take office. Some were thrilled, some were indifferent, some were dissatisfied, yet all there were united in their excitement to be in the presence of American history. We had Journalists from other outlets come up and interview us, and we even met up with YouTuber All Gas, No Brakes. It’s currently noon and emotions are high outside the capitol building here in DC. All around me Americans have come out to both support and protest their new president as he’s inaugurated in the distance behind me. In spite of COVID, in spite of all the tension we’ve seen these past weeks, It’s truly been remarkable to see the number of people that have come out to participate in our democratic transition of power. We then headed back to JMU to get some student’s perspectives following the inauguration. Reporting for Breeze TV, I’m Ian Welfley.

For Dr. Lucy Hoyt and Megan O’Brien, being involved with JMU’s vocal performance department is a very unique and personal working relationship. While talking with both of them about their most recent voice recital, Dr. Hoyt specifically emphasized how well she has known O’Brien, taking her on from her freshman year all the way into her fifth year. Although it may seem challenging to balance streaming and coordinating a recital with moving parts, the university actually has professional interns who check in between rooms to make sure that video and audio is all in sync. When talking to Megan about her teacher, she talked about how Dr. Hoyt was what motivated her to push forward through the program. She went on about how having a special one-on-one connection really cements how they’re able to intuitively learn from each other. Dr. Hoyt finished off by saying that ten recitals were successfully run this semester and a dozen more are set to happen this coming Spring.

With a series of cameras and projectors, JMU's newest faculty member, Matt Pardo, was able to pull off teaching dance during COVID-19.

SMAD Fest is what some Digital Video Concentration majors consider to be the culmination of their undergraduate career. This year, their films will be premiering online.

The next time you are at Warner Commons, don't be shy if you are asked by Dr. Tim Miller himself to join in with one of his weekly jam sessions!

Staunton, Virginia. Although teeming with rich history on the surface, the queen city also has a flair for the paranormal, generating tourism that explores the night life of this spooky site. Breeze TV got to sit down with paranormal investigator and Black Raven tour guide marty seible, who has been featured on whsv and covered staunton’s combination of legend, lore, history and mystery on his amazon prime series: “the black raven chronicles''. Through the streets, you can explore a haunted: clock tower, train station, court house, houses, and more. The tours have been conducted through Marty Sieble for the past thirteen years with his six person crew, and has been a paranormal investigator for the past twenty years. The Staunton walk through tours now have four different treks, including options that let tourists experiment with a spirit box that communicates with spirits on the other side. Although only thirty minutes south of the friendly city, don't be surprised if a chill creeps over you on one of Staunton's Black Raven Tours. To learn more go to blackravenparanormal.com. to get a first hand experience of the paranormal.

When dealing with any crisis situation in Harrisonburg, Fire Chief Matthew Tobia has seen it all. Well, until recently. As someone who recognizes the impact of generation defining events such as September 11th, 2001, Chief Tobia recognizes the impact that events such as the explosion that occurred this past Saturday in Miller Circle, can have on a community. After a routine change in guard in the early morning for fire stations across the valley, a natural gas explosion occurred in Miller Circle, setting off the chain of events to call upon assistance from every emergency station in the region to surge upon the scene. Chief Tobia of course was one of the first to arrive on scene. No evidence was found to link any criminal activities, but the accidental anomaly has triggered the city to go into rebuild mode for those businesses affected by the blast radius. Although his modesty on his leadership is great, his determination to inform, unite, and progress as a community is even greater.