Bay State College Entertainment Management Students Drum Up Support for Artistic Causes

Students in the Entertainment Management Senior Practicum course are doing more than a typical senior project – they're giving back to the Boston community. 

"The Senior Practicum ties into everything students have learned. Their very first class, I have them write down every class they've taken at Bay State and every class they may have transferred in and what they learned in that class so they know they have to apply writing skills and accounting and business practices. It's not just putting on a show – you actually have to show that you've taken these classes and remember what you've learned," said Entertainment Management Professor Jess White. 

"Once they learn the logistics and have an idea for a show, there's also a service learning component. We talk about why it's important to have some sort of social conscious in the music industry and how it applies to what we're doing. Then the students research a cause or charity or organization and figure out what's the best fit for their show." 

This year, students in the Entertainment Management Senior Practicum class split into three groups and each planned and implemented a service learning event: 

• Mind the Gap Documentary: Students created a documentary film entitled "Mind the Gap" which explores gender discrimination in the entertainment industry. 
• Independent Film Festival: Students hosted a film festival at the Rockwell Theatre in Somerville, MA with a number of inspirational independent films. 
• Children's Creative Arts Workshop: Students ran a children's event focused on self-expression through art and donated the proceeds to Zumix, a local nonprofit arts organization. 

This Thursday, April 27th will be the premiere of the Mind the Gap Documentary. Stop by The Spot at 437 Boylston Street at 5:30pm to watch this thought-provoking documentary and learn more about service learning initiatives from other Bay State College programs!