Smith College Club of New York City

September 2020 Book Club Meeting
Our new program year begins in September. We will meet virtually on the second WEDNESDAY of each month (a change from our prior meeting schedule).

Title: The Remains of the Day (1989) by Kazuo Ishiguro
Genre: Fiction
Wednesday, September 9th, 6:30 PM

The Zoom link and password details will be provided to registrants.
RSVP: Please email bookclub@smithclubnyc.org if you are interested in joining.

From Smith to Broadway to Yale - One Woman’s Journey

Thursday, September 10th, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM

Florie Seery ’83, a veteran of the New York theater world and an engaged executive leader for inclusion and diversity within the theater community will share her exciting journey from theater major at Smith to a 30-year career in theater management, working on over 100 productions On and Off-Broadway, and finally to her newest role as the Associate Dean and Managing Director of Yale School of Drama and Yale Repertory Theatre.

Highlights of this Alum profile Zoom session will include:

* Florie’s beginnings in the theater world facilitated and strengthened through mentorship and opportunity.

* Notes on theater production: What is theater management and producing? What does a general manager do? What are the differences between the commercial theater and the not-for-profit theater?

* Equity, diversity, and inclusion in theater: the formation of the EDI Committee at the Manhattan Theatre Club and the anti-racist work happening in theater at this moment.

Click here for details and to register

The Zoom link and password details will be shared on Wednesday, September 9th and again on the day of the event.

A School for Girls in Morogoro, Tanzania: Becoming Both a Teacher and a Student

Tuesday, September 15th, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Travel virtually across continents to Tanzania with Jean Merrill ’69, neuroscientist and award-winning photographer and volunteer teacher in the English Fluency Program at SEGA (Secondary Education for Girls Advancement) School in Morogoro, Tanzania. SEGA is a secondary school which focuses on educating promising girls whose futures are at risk due to poverty, disease, sexual exploitation, child labor, violence, and malnutrition. With a photojournalist’s touch, Jean will introduce you to Tanzania, its topography, history, British education system, and the SEGA School traversing the school’s cycle of learning, community service, traditions and joyous celebrations, including graduation. 

The English Fluency Program, started in 2015 by Smith graduate Sherley Young, was designed to solidify the students’ English language skills since English is required for their secondary studies of 11 different subjects. Jean discusses what lies ahead for these future women of Tanzania, including dreams of advanced education, at home and abroad, potentially including attendance at Smith College. 

Click here for details and to register

The Zoom link and password details will be shared a few days prior to, and on the day of the event.

From Script to Screen, with Betsy Alton, ‘90

Thursday, October 1st, 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM 

How DOES a script get made into a movie or a TV show? If you work in the film industry or are interested in doing so, or if you are just curious, please join the Smith College Club of New York City for this inside look at work behind the scenes in film and television. With 30 years’ experience as a Production Manager in the Film and Television Industry, Betsy Alton will reveal what it’s like to work on projects from the point of receiving the script to getting it “in the can”, sharing her experiences on TV shows and movies like “Sex and The City”, “Bad Moms", “Shutter Island”, “Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull”, “Power" and “City on a Hill”.

What is the Role of the Production Manager? Have you ever wondered what a gaffer is? What does a key grip do? What does craft service mean? During this hour-long talk, you will learn about the many roles required to realize productions, followed by Q&A, networking, and sharing film industry experiences.

Click here for details and to register

The Zoom link and password details will be shared a few days prior and again on the day of the event.