Tulsa is currently “having a moment” in film and TV, led by The University of Tulsa’s own Distinguished Visiting Artist Sterlin Harjo. But on a recent trip to Los Angeles, I was reminded that Golden Hurricane community members are no strangers to the silver screen. We started our day with Julius Tennon (B.F.A. ’78), who starred on the UTulsa stage in roles such as “Othello,” before a hugely successful career in Hollywood as an actor and founder of JuVee productions with his wife, Viola Davis. Julius told us about dozens of exciting projects they have in the works, including the thriller “Ally Clark,” which will be released by MGM studios soon, starring Davis, directed by Phillip Noyce (“Clear and Present Danger”), and produced by Irwin Winker (“Rocky,” “Goodfellas”). Julius and Viola have generously involved our students in this work through their internship programs, while their generous financial support is helping us to bring theatre back to campus and build an exciting program in African American Studies in the heart of one of the nation’s most historically important Black communities.
Later in the evening, we met with more alumni, including Sue Bea Montgomery (B.A. ’80), who got her start in film post-graduation working on “The Outsiders” and “Rumblefish” in Tulsa before taking her talents west. In the years since those landmark films – based on novels by by fellow alumna S.E. Hinton (B.S. ’70) – Sue has become an Emmy-nominated producer and assembled an impressive film and studio career, from Walt Disney Feature Animation to iconic films such as “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Great Balls of Fire” and “Tin Cup.” In my house, where four kids programmed our entertainment, her best-known work includes “Dinosaur Train,” “Lilo and Stitch” and “A Bug’s Life.” It was amazing to connect with Sue both to get her perspective on UTulsa’s programs, and to help put her in contact with recent alumni who are working in all aspects of the LA entertainment scene, from camera crews, to writing rooms to marketing. Some of them, like Chris Lastrapes (B.A., B.S. ’03, M.A. ’05), who worked as a strategist and developer for Warner Brothers and other major studios before starting his own company, are already helping us conceptualize new courses to prepare students for the ever-evolving world of media production.
We are grateful for engaged alumni and supporters – whether you are on screen or behind the scenes. So please stay in touch, let us know about the starring roles your TU education has made possible, and reign cane!
Sincerely,
Blaine Greteman
Dean of the Kendall College of Arts & Sciences
The University of Tulsa