Every little kid, at some point or another, dreams of being in the spotlight. Whether it’s starring in a Broadway production, performing a hit music single in front of a crowd of 60,000 or winning an Oscar for best picture, every kid has a dream of stardom.

For most of us, the dream of having your name across the scrolling marquee is just that … a dream. But some NIU students will not let their dreams go by the wayside so easily.

Acting

Theater graduate student Mike Thrower has aspirations of appearing in the nation’s finest theater houses. Thrower grew up in Las Vegas, where he received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas. Thrower said he worked a little in the gambling city, but there wasn’t a lot of demand for the type of theater he’s interested in.

“In Vegas, it’s all about the spectacle,” he said. “There are really no opportunities to actually act in a production. People think that they can move out to California and just get work. It’s not that easy.”

Even though Thrower doesn’t have an agent, he stressed the importance of having one and the process that involves an agent.

Typically, the potential star compiles a resume featuring production appearances, gets some head shots taken and mails it all to an agency, who will call back when interested, Thrower said.

Still, it’s not that easy. In order avoid being underpaid and overworked, actors strive to get cast in parts in equity productions.

“Basically when you get a part in an equity play, you are guaranteed an minimal amount of pay, you get set breaks, and you can’t work over a certain amount of hours a week,” Thrower said.

Even though the business is hard, Thrower said he has no intentions of giving up.

“I love the craft … acting is what I do,” he said.

Thrower currently is working on his master’s of fine arts degree at NIU and will graduate in May. After he graduates, he intends to move west and look for work. Until then, people can see Mike play Huc in NIU’s production of “Hair,” which opens Oct. 23.

Kon-tro-ver-c

Sophomore computer science major David Watson is well on his way to making a mark on the music industry.

Watson and his group Kon-tro-ver-c signed a record deal two weeks ago. Lansing-based Six Figures Entertainment signed Watson and rappers Jermaine Blakemore and Eddie Culbreth to a multi-year deal. Culbreth and Blakemore are not NIU students.

When asked about the origins of the name Kon-tro-ver-c, Watson sai, “Because controversy sells, and that’s what we wanna do, is sell a lot of records.”

Even though Watson and Kon-tro-ver-c aren’t making any money yet, the record deal is a huge load off their shoulders and their pocket books.

“I have been producing and rapping for four or five years now, so when someone finally notices your talent and you get signed, it’s a huge burden off your back,” Watson said. “Plus, the record label pays for our time in the studio, which is also a perk.”

Kon-tro-ver-c got the record deal because of its members’ self-promotion skills.

“Jermaine did all the talking and put in a good word for me and Eddie,” Watson said. “We met with some people from the label at a couple different studios, and they were feelin’ our style … so we got signed.”

Because of their networking skills, the three have decided not to have an agent – for now.

“It’s more money in our pocket,” Watson said. “Agents are all about the money, and right now we don’t have any to pay them, so not having one is not that big a deal.”

Just because Kon-tro-ver-c is without an agent doesn’t mean people aren’t going to hear about the group, he said.

“Six Figures Entertainment is a family-owned label, and the whole family promotes us, not to mention we are going to promote ourselves, also,” Watson said.

Watson and the band are looking to get in the studio sometime in June, and are hoping to have the album finished by the following January.

Watson is currently working on completing his long-awaited compilation album, “Making the Campus.”

“Right now, I don’t have a studio set up on campus, but I am looking to set up a spot in Douglas [Hall], so I can get the album out there by Homecoming weekend,” he said.

Watson has 14 of the desired 18 tracks completed for the compilation, and is looking for some talent to finish the remaining four.

“If you have talent, let me know,” he said. “I have no problem having you on the album … as long as you are talented.”

To contact Watson, call 753-4765. For information about Kon-tro-ver-c, visit www.angelfire.com/band2/contro-ver-c.

Niagra Fell

Sophomore pre-communication major Sean Pheanis is trying to make it big in the music world as well.

He’s the frontman for ambient hardcore rock band Niagra Fell.

Pheanis and his bandmates of five years just finished recording a six-song demo for Arlington Heights-based record label Action Heights.

“We agreed to the deal because they agreed to pay for studio time and expenses,” Pheanis said.

The bandmates also chose to remain agent-free.

“Our bass player (Jason Thompson) sets up all the shows and is kind of like our manager, and my dad is a lawyer so he is going to look over the contract,” Pheanis said.

Action Heights hasn’t signed the band yet because it’s waiting to sign another band.

“The label wants to release both of our demos at the same time to get their name out there,” Pheanis said.

The deal couldn’t have come at a better time for Niagra Fell.

“We had been together for five years, and we hadn’t been signed, so we decided that if we didn’t make any progress, we wouldn’t know how much longer we would stay together,” he said. “The most important thing for any band is to act like you are the best and give a good show.”

Even though the group hasn’t released an album on the new label, the band members are seeing benefits from the deal.

“[The record deal] allows us to write better, because now it seems like we are writing with a purpose,” Pheanis said.

The band hopes to be done recording the new album by February. In the meantime, the band is interested in playing a show at NIU with The Ghosts.

The Silver Screen

Media studies majors Lauren Pollock and Casper Rice are looking to make their marks on the world of film. Their new documentary, “Please Wait To Be Seated,” chronicles the life of Sam, a teenager with cerebral palsy. The 20-minute film delves into Sam’s struggles, accomplishments and future.

“Please Wait to be Seated” won “Best in Fest” at this year’s Rockford film festival. More than 100 films were submitted, and of the final 11, Pollock and Rice were chosen as the best.

It’s the second year in a row that a NIU students have won “Best in Fest.” Last year, NIU graduate student Ryan Breen won the award for his documentary about anti-rave legislation.

The film experience has driven Pollock, who came to NIU not knowing what she wanted to do, into hopes of working in the film industry.

“I’d love to work for the Discovery Channel or the Independent Film Channel doing post-production,” she said. “It’s really brutal, but it is worth it.”

“Please Wait to be Seated” will be shown to Easter Seals on Oct. 29. Look for information on their documentary in a future issue of Weekender.