Q&A

Q&A: Brando Benetton ’15 revisits IC amid feature directorial debut starring A-list talent

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer • April 20, 2026

Writer-director Brando Benetton ’15 made it a point to reconnect with the Ithaca College community before the worldwide distribution of his indie crime thriller “The Girl in the River.” The film, which is Benetton’s feature debut, stars Emmy Award-winning actor Tiffany Haddish (“Girl’s Trip”) and Hollywood Walk of Fame-awarded Ralph Macchio (“The Karate Kid”). Benetton, who has already begun writing his second film, said he wants students to know that they can reach this level too, if they dream big. 

Q&A: Cinema and photography alum screens award-winning feature at Cinemapolis

By Parker Anne Devine, Life & Culture Editor • March 18, 2026

“Stationed at Home,” the debut feature film written and directed by Daniel V. Masciari ’15, premieres at Cinemapolis on The Commons on March 19. The screening will be followed by a Q&A with the filmmaker and several cast members.

Q&A: Retired professor on grief and identity in new book

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer • February 3, 2026

Cory Brown, retired professor in the Department of Writing, said he remembers being struck at a young age by how fleeting everything seemed. In his upcoming, award-winning poetry book, “My Mother’s Hands,” Brown is investigating that feeling through memento mori.

Q&A: Theater professor reflects on work for ‘Wicked’ Movies

By Abbi Puckett, Staff Writer • February 1, 2026

Robin Guiver, assistant professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance Performance at Ithaca College, had his work showcased in the recent two-part movie, “Wicked.” He was the lead movement artist in the films, embodying the animal characters, specifically Chistery, the flying monkey.

Q&A: Universal Pictures acquires horror script written by alum

By Sheelagh Doe, Life and Culture Editor • December 21, 2025

“Portrait of God,” a short horror film written and directed by Dylan Clark ’23, was released on YouTube in 2022 and now its feature film script by the same name and written by Clark, is hitting the big leagues. 

Q&A: Alum leaves legacy on Broadway in Mamma Mia

By Kaeleigh Banda, Staff Writer • November 20, 2025

Wallace made his Broadway debut in “Mamma Mia!” from 2012-2015, and now he returns to the Winter Garden stage 10 years later to revive Carmichael's character once again. 

Q&A: Dance performance professor directs film in France

By Sheelagh Doe, Life and Culture Editor • November 6, 2025

On Nov. 2, “Framing Ménerbes,” a film created, directed, filmed, edited and choreographed by Daniel Gwirtzman, associate professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance Performance, had its premiere in Ithaca at Cinemapolis. Set in Provence, France, the film highlights the beauty of dance against the picturesque landscapes of Ménerbes.

Q&A: Stephen St. Francis Decky reanimates horror with his first novel

By Georgie Gassaro, Staff Writer • October 25, 2025

Despite having written since the age of 12, the realm of published literature was relatively unexplored for Decky until his debut novel, “Werewolf Movie,” which was published Oct. 21 by Frayed Edge Press.

Q&A: First-year Morgan Hawkins reflects on her award-winning documentaries

By Hudson Healey, Contributing Writer • September 30, 2025

During high school, first-year student Morgan Hawkins, a documentary studies and production major, created five documentaries and entered them into numerous film festivals. She won awards at multiple festivals, including the 2024 All American High School Film Festival, the Anacostia Youth Media Film Festival and the Mosaic Experience’s Nourishing Narratives.

Q&A: Jesse Eisenberg talks college career before his visit to campus

By Sheelagh Doe, Life and Culture Editor • September 10, 2025

Jesse Eisenberg is coming to Ithaca College on Sept. 15 as a Park Distinguished Visitor. The Ithacan spoke to the award-winning screenwriter, director, and Emmy and Oscar-nominated actor in an exclusive...

Q&A: A night at the Nocturnal Café with Vicious Fishes

By Thuweiba J-Elmi, Staff Writer • April 12, 2025

Ithaca is no stranger to the DIY music scene. It is primarily dominated by college students hailing from all over, but one band has its roots in Ithaca: Vicious Fishes. Vicious Fishes formed in 2018,...

Q&A: Mat Fournier dives deep into gender constructs with new book

By Sadie Evans, Staff Writer • February 15, 2025

Mat Fournier, associate professor in the Department of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures and an affiliate member of the Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies Program at Ithaca College, published a book in November 2024 titled “Dysphoric Modernism: Undoing Gender in French Literature.”