Latest news with #Branden
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tonys: Sarah Paulson on the Truth-Teller Behind the Pulitzer-Winning Play ‘Purpose'
This past April, on a particularly balmy night, I walked down the aisle of the Helen Hayes theater, a storied old playhouse on 44th St. whose backstage I knew intimately but whose orchestra I wasn't fully acquainted with and took my seat. I held in my hand a Playbill with the title Purpose blazed across it and waited for the lights to go down. Turns out the experience of being inside a playwright's world when performing a play on stage and sitting in the dark watching a playwright's world come to life before you, can feel the same — if the playwright is Branden Jacobs-Jenkins. More from The Hollywood Reporter 'Beetlejuice' Returning to Broadway for Third Run Gotham TV Awards: 'Adolescence' Sweeps Limited Series Categories John Mulaney Explains Why He Declined Offer to Host 2024 Oscars Branden is a master of mood and the unspoken. He has the ability to set you on fire by placing you smack in the middle of a family dynamic that you seamlessly recognize and fear. Whether you like it or not, truths will be told — you might suffocate from laughter — and the earth beneath you will be scorched. But more remarkably, you will see yourself, your cousin, your mama, your daddy, your siblings, in all their messy human glory. Branden's writing will not apologize for showing you things about yourself that you would rather not discuss. He will, however, ask you to take it. Demand that you take it. It's not the job of the artist to ingratiate himself — the artist wants you to let it in, bear witness. To quote James Baldwin, 'The job of the artist is exactly the same as the role of the lover — if I love you, I have to make you conscious of the things you don't see.' Branden is the embodiment of this notion. There are few things of which I am certain in this life. We don't deserve dogs. Oreo ice cream is superior to strawberry. And Branden Jacobs-Jenkins is the playwright of our time. I know this in my marrow. I spent the fall of 2023, and the better part of 2024, immersed in a universe he created, and it was one of the richest, most artistically fortifying experiences of my life. I began my acting career in theatre but had left it behind for the bright lights and possibilities of film and television. I found myself living in Los Angeles, after having spent the last 20-some years of my youth in New York City. I was offered a play here and there over the years, but nothing pulled me back east. The rigors of an eight-show week, constant vocal rest, living an essentially monastic life, all meant that for me to say 'yes' to something, it had to be a piece of writing that burrowed itself into my bones. Ten years had gone by, and nothing took up residence, so I stayed away. PING. Sept. 10th, 2021 I looked at my phone. An email from my agent. The subject line: 'Appropriate.' I scrolled down. 'A play to be directed by Lila Neugebauer and written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins.' I felt a flutter in my belly. A play by a living writer and a director I had long admired… But. I live in LA. I have three dogs. I'm old, and I'm tired. 'Read it,' I thought. 'Just read it. Maybe it won't speak to you, maybe it won't be for you, maybe it will be the greatest thing you've ever read!' I don't want to sound hyperbolic here, but facts are facts: reading the play changed my life. I said, 'Yes' almost immediately, and after many fits and starts along the way, I at last found myself in New York to begin rehearsals in the late fall of 2023. That's two years later, folks. I refused to let this one go. The thought of another actress getting to say these words literally filled me with a red-hot rage I think can only be described as nuclear, and I probably should just leave it at that. I hadn't been in a rehearsal hall in a decade and hadn't done a play with a living playwright save for maybe twice in my career. Now, a living playwright can be both a blessing and a curse. When your author isn't present for you to pepper with questions about their original intentions, you can feel both free and compromised — free to make your own choices but compromised by your own thoughts of perhaps not executing what the playwright may have dreamt of. (Because let me tell you, if Tennessee Williams had been alive to see my interpretation of Laura Wingfield, I am certain he would have taken away my Equity card himself.) On our first day of rehearsal for Appropriate, I was sufficiently nervous. I had read the play, I believed it belonged in the canon of great American plays, and there was the writer of this masterwork sitting right across from me. But what came to be clear over the course of our rehearsal process was that, I — we, the company — had a partner in Branden. He spent as much time refining his own writing as he did helping us crack it. He was immersed with us. Branden was my lighthouse, guiding me to shore, discerning, relentless, tireless in his pursuit of truth. My time with him working — really working — on his play revealed something vital to our survival as a society. Sitting in a dark theater, with a room full of strangers, feels almost holy. The richness of shared experiences, for all of life's separateness, in that sacred place, brings a very potent togetherness. And everyone who goes to the theater does want something, is hoping for something. The artist is reaching, and the audience is reaching, we all want the same thing, and that is to feel seen. To be known. Sitting in that holiest of theaters, that balmy April evening, the same theater where I had the privilege of giving voice to Branden's words night after night, of being carried by their invincible wings, now I felt a current of joy that felt like a miracle, because there it was again! His fire, his inexorable brilliance. Purpose is the work of a fire-maker. When the smoke clears, you are down to ashes. Everything is known, and only what is indestructible remains. The truth. Sarah Paulson is an Emmy- and Tony-winning actress. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Seeing Double? 25 Pairs of Celebrities Who Look Nearly Identical From 'Lady in the Lake' to 'It Ends With Us': 29 New and Upcoming Book Adaptations in 2024 Meet the Superstars Who Glam Up Hollywood's A-List
The Star
08-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Young artists with disabilities reach for their dreams through art
Education is often said to open doors, creating opportunities and empowering individuals to reach their full potential. However, children with disabilities and their families frequently face barriers instead of accessible pathways. With the aim of raising public awareness on this issue, local art platform Frienden Arts is presenting Doors Not Walls ( Pintu Bukan Dinding ), an exhibition featuring Branden Lim and Priyasagaran Sugumaran (who goes by Priya), two young artists with disabilities. The exhibition features 25 artworks and is running until May 15 at the Frienden Arts gallery in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. The gallery opened in January this year. Visitors view Branden and Priya's works at the 'Pintu Bukan Dinding' exhibition, which runs through May 15. Photo: The Star/Art Chen Upon entering the exhibition, the distinct styles of each artist are immediately apparent: Branden's abstract works flow with emotion, while Priya's pieces offer a unique perspective of the world and its wonders, seen through his eyes. Branden, 15, lives with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Type 1, the most severe form of the condition, which leads to muscle weakness and atrophy due to the degeneration of motor neurons in the spinal cord. Priya, 19, has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a progressive disorder that causes weakness in both skeletal and heart muscles over time. Both boys are wheelchair-bound, yet that doesn't stop them from doing what they love most: creating art. It's a labour of love, and one that allows them to freely express their thoughts and emotions. Branden (right) and Priya, alongside their families, at the exhibition in Petaling Jaya. Photo: The Star/Art Chen For Branden's parents, taking a proactive approach has always been the way forward. 'Education should open doors. But what about the children who never even get the chance at a proper education due to circumstances beyond their control? That is the question that is being asked through this exhibition,' says Yap Sook Yee, 50, who co-founded Frienden Arts with her husband Edmund Lim, 51. 'Education is meant to be the great equaliser, but for many children with disabilities, it often feels like hitting a wall. Branden's and Priya's art captures the experience of being on the outside looking in,' she explains. Throughout the exhibition, visitors will also find anecdotes shared from the artists' perspectives, as well as their parents, weaving an eye-opening narrative about their frustrations with the existing systems and their limitations. There are also their hopes for a better, more inclusive future – not just for them, but for other children and their families who are going through or will go through the same experiences. Falling through the gaps When Branden turned seven, Yap and Lim struggled to get him into public school due to most schools not having the capacity to accommodate his needs. 'Multiple schools turned us away. The infrastructure was inadequate, classroom structures were rigid, and special needs programmes were too broad to cater to his needs. Instead of inclusion, we found ourselves pleading, negotiating, and confronting a system riddled with gaps. 'At that time, there was also no policy to allow a caregiver to be at school with the child, so we had to look into homeschooling,' says Yap. Branden Lim is seen with an array of abstract works in 'Pintu Bukan Dinding'. Photo: The Star/Art Chen Luckily, they came across a group of mothers who had created a small learning community, comprising eight children, aged five to nine. 'Branden was the eldest and the only one in a wheelchair. But for the first time, he wasn't seen as different. He was just another kid, learning, playing, and making friends,' she adds. Ever since he was old enough to hold a paintbrush, Branden has been painting as a form of occupational therapy. However, it was only after seeing the positive response to his first solo exhibition BB_Lime at Temu House in Petaling Jaya in 2023 that Branden began to truly see himself as an artist. 'I feel happiest when I'm making art, because I simply follow my heart and create what I'm feeling in the moment,' says Branden. To paint, he lies on his side and his parents will help him mix colours and turn the canvas – all under his direction. Branden Lim's 'Harmony In Colours' (acrylic on canvas, 2024) incorporates the vibrant hues of the national flag. Photo: The Star/Art Chen 'He also likes to experiment and try new things, so he's painted using unconventional things, like flowers and long bamboo sticks with a string tied at the end to get the textures and effects he wants,' says Yap. This duo exhibition has given Branden the chance to build his confidence, particularly with visitors coming to view the artworks. With the Frienden Arts space, Yap also sees the potential to develop an exhibition series and initiate new collaborations. 'We plan to host more exhibitions now that we have our own gallery. Our goal is to collaborate with corporate companies to incorporate the artworks into their marketing campaigns, corporate gifts, packaging, and events,' she says. Resilience and art Priya, meanwhile, began painting at 12, and in 2022 he joined Art For Rare, an art programme run by Frienden Arts that enables people living with rare diseases to explore their artistic creativity by sending art coaches to participants' homes, as well as providing them a platform to sell their artworks and earn an income. Priya Sugumaran with his artworks in the 'Pintu Bukan Dinding' exhibition. Photo: The Star/Art Chen Priya was able to go to public school thanks to the Special Education Integrated Programme (SEIP), which offers dedicated classrooms and tailored curriculum for students with disabilities. However, now that he has finished school, he's faced with an uncertain future. 'Painting is the only time I feel free to express myself. My art shows my dreams, my struggles, and my determination. 'Even at school, it was the art classes that I enjoyed most, so I want to continue pursuing art. Right now, I'm looking into colleges that would accept me as a student,' says Priya. While he can hold a paintbrush, Priya's condition makes it difficult for him to paint without assistance. His mother, Maliga Arumugam, 44, is a full-time homemaker, splitting her time between caring for Priya and his younger siblings. Priya's artwork, titled 'Amma & Thangachi' (acrylic on canvas, 2023), carries a deeply personal family touch. Photo: The Star/Art Chen Priya's father Sugumaran Appanah, 44, who works two jobs as a car technician and a delivery rider, is supportive of Priya chasing his artistic dreams. 'It has been a challenge, because Priya needs a caregiver to help with the day-to-day activities, which we can't afford at the moment, but if Priya wants to keep going, I'm going to continue supporting him to the best of my abilities,' says Sugumaran. Yap adds that Branden and Priya's experiences are not isolated, and that there are many more children in Malaysia whose stories mirror theirs. 'Through this exhibition, we hope to highlight the urgent need to build a system that truly embraces inclusion so that every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and belong. 'Because they too deserve to live full lives,' she concludes. Doors Not Walls ( Pintu Bukan Dinding ) is showing at Frienden Arts, Atria Sofo Suites, Petaling Jaya in Selangor until May 15. Appointments are required for viewing. More info:
Forbes
06-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Job Hunters Feeling Burned Out And Ghosted? 5 Proven Strategies To Land A Job Faster
Exasperated job hunter who can't find a new job because his applications are being ignored by ... More employers. getty Feeling anxious, ghosted, or burned out from job hunting? You're not alone. I just spoke to Branden, a laid-off professional who wanted help with his job search. He was exasperated with his lack of success in a tough job market. He began, 'I'm doing something wrong. I've got good experience, and getting a good job has never been a problem until now. I have applied to dozens of positions, but nothing has happened. There are fewer openings, and lots of competition for the jobs I apply for. I'm getting nowhere.' He sounded defeated, saying, 'I'm just throwing my hands up, asking myself, what do I need to do to get a new job?' Most job hunters can relate. They complain about how hard it is to get hired right now. GenZ, Millennials, Xers, and even Boomers report that the search hasn't yielded a job offer. And the emotional toll and anxiety keep mounting up: discouragement, depression, and a reluctance to even try anymore. They feel like they must be doing something wrong or, worse, something is wrong with them. So, how can you cope? How can you turn this disappointing situation around when resilience and motivation are in short supply? The Emotional Rollercoaster You need to acknowledge your feelings. Job hunting today is far more emotionally taxing and stressful. It is taking its toll as job hunters face longer hiring timelines, fewer job openings, fewer responses, and more competition, which erodes confidence and adds to the emotional toll.. They are submitting so many applications that go into a black hole. This is demoralizing, leaving you feeling stuck, overlooked, or wondering, 'What's wrong with me?' It's easy to say it's not you; it's the ATS system. But repeated rejection -- or worse, silence -- can take a serious emotional toll, leaving you anxious and discouraged to the point you stop looking. It wears away at your confidence, chips at your motivation, and impacts your sense of self-worth. These feelings are normal. You can't avoid them; it's a sign that you're human and care about your career. You do have control over how you reassess yourself, change what you think, and reframe your actions. There is HOPE Emily was a computer science major and career counseling client, and her entire family was surprised when she hadn't landed a job right out of college. Twelve months later, she is still not working. She was struggling to cope with this overwhelming situation. To help her turn this around, we needed to change her thinking and job search strategies, and that ultimately changed the outcome. There is no magic bullet, but changing your approach can rebuild your resilience and determination and turn this around. Emily did things differently and got the desired results — she recently landed a good job. With the right strategies and mindset shift, this could be your story too. You can make these changes, implement these strategies, and be on the road to success sooner rather than later. Beef up your resume As you examine several openings, review your background. Highlight the key duties and experience the employers are asking for. Does your resume demonstrate you have the desired skills they want? Mastering a new skill would be an excellent use of your time while job hunting. Read my article to uncover what employers are looking for. Top In-Demand Skills Employers Want In 2025—And How To Learn Them Fast (Without Spending A Fortune) Consider volunteering Experience is experience, whether it's paid or not. Carolyn was a career counseling client who took this advice to heart. She helped market a nonprofit's upcoming fundraising auction, implemented new ideas, and created an email campaign that sold more tickets than ever before. She stressed that the nonprofit use storytelling to encourage donors to be more generous. The event was a big success. As a result, Carolyn got an excellent reference for her volunteer work, which she added to her resume. The big plus was when the executive director passed her resume on to another colleague with a glowing endorsement that led to her landing a great new job. Set a schedule Spending endless hours applying for jobs will not improve your results. It's not the quantity of applications you make; it's the quality of the application. You need to be the right fit with the desired background - that approach is what is more effective. The number of hours you sit in front of the computer searching for a job can add to your discouragement, so set appropriate limits. If you're not working, 15-20 is ideal since anything more is just spinning your wheels and adding to the emotional toll. If you already have a job, cherry-pick. Spend 3-5 hours a week only applying to positions where you are an excellent fit for the organization and where you'd love to work. Network strategically Half of your job search time needs to be spent networking, reaching out to former bosses, coworkers, friends, and those you get referred to. Networking will help you hear about openings, learn about a company culture, and get valuable insider information. Change your mindset We want to counteract the negative emotions surrounding the job hunt. So, take on a personal project where you see a positive result. With so much out of your control, being able to start and finish a project helps your frame of mind. For example, plant a garden, or paint a room where you will see the transformation. Clean out the closet or the garage, cook a new recipe -- anything where you see a completed result. That helps improve your mindset, then reframe your thinking to envision yourself succeeding in the job search, knowing that you will get a job soon. Get professional help If you are not getting any responses, your resume may be the problem. Get expert assistance to write the best one possible. Focus on highlighting your results and accomplishments. That is what employers hire for – your results. Are your interviews not going well? Concentrate on interview preparation and role-playing. Be sure to develop good answers to tricky situational questions. Is your LinkedIn profile impressive? It should be. Employers scan LinkedIn daily for new talent or review an applicant before making a job offer. You want to put your best foot forward. To improve your Profile, my article will be quite helpful: How To Create A Compelling LinkedIn Profile That Attracts Recruiters.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Yahoo
‘He's a lifesaver;' High school senior saves choking man at Skyline Chili
A high school senior rescued a man while working at Skyline Chili. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Branden Barker was working his shift on Feb. 23 when Phil Hogan, a retired firefighter, started choking on a cracker, according to a Reading School spokesperson. TRENDING STORIES: Oscar-winning actor Gene Hackman and his wife and dog found dead in their New Mexico home 'Just like another day;' Neighbors react after pair reportedly kidnaps boy, pours bleach on his face 1 in custody after wrong-way pursuit ends in Montgomery County As a track athlete, the school said he was known for his speed on the track. But they added that 'his quick thinking and swift action off the track made him a hero.' 'Without hesitation, Branden sprang into action, using the first aid and CPR skills he learned in his Introduction to Healthcare course at Reading High School to dislodge the food and restore Hogan's breathing,' the spokesperson said. Hogan said that Branden had saved his life. 'He stayed calm, reacted instantly, and did everything right. I owe him everything—I truly believe he's my hero,' he added. The school said Branden has been on the track team for five years. Phil Hogan's words echo the sentiment of the entire Reading community: 'Branden is more than a student-athlete—he's a lifesaver,' the school concluded. He will be on the Indiana Tech track team next year. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
