Professor Joel Schechter sheds light on the often-overlooked heyday of Yiddish theatre in America in his recent book “Messiahs of 1933.” Published by Temple University Press, it is the rare academic book to tell “a story that took place almost 80 years ago with a gasp of recognition at its relevance to contemporary experience,” according to a review in the journal Modern Drama.

Alumnus Patrick O’Sullivan returned to the city this month with a new muse that National Public Radio’s “All Things Considered” calls his labor of love. “All About Jack: The Impersonators of Jack Nicholson” is based on his favorite actor.

Two students make guest appearances this fall on the new NBC drama ”Trauma.” Whitney Thomas and Price Troche, both Drama majors, appear briefly on separate episodes.

Actress Annette Bening, one of SF State’s most famous alumni, has rediscovered the love for theatre that she kindled as a child. The three-time Academy Award nominee stars in the title role “Medea” at UCLA Live’s International Theatre Festival. In February, she stars in Joanna Murray-Smith’s “The Female of the Species.”

The new movie “Taking Woodstock” takes viewers back in time 40 years, going behind the stage to explore how the historic music festival became a reality. As the film’s production designer, Theatre Arts alumnus David Gropman is responsible for re-creating the world in which the story takes place.

Professor Rhonnie Washington makes a grand entrance in “El Otro,” the acclaimed Octavio Solis play enjoying a run through Sept. 20 in San Francisco. “As a first act closer, it’s hard to beat Rhonnie Washington’s entrance as El Charro Negro, one of Solis’ more fanciful and inspired creations and a consistent treat throughout in Washington’s hands,” Robert Avila writes in a Sept. 2 review in the San Francisco Bay Guardian.

Alumna Shaynee Rainbolt celebrates the four-trombone band swing of composer and arranger Russell Garcia on her latest album. With a voice “sweet as jasmine and honeysuckle, bold as brass and yet as seductive as a candlelit boudoir,” as Jazz Times has written, Rainbolt takes the 1950s–1960s style to Yoshi’s in Oakland on July 22.

A recently created video features some of SF State’s most notable alumni discuss the role that their higher education has played in their career success. “Alumni Reflect” features College of Creative Arts grads Jeffrey Tambor, Peter Casey, John Handy, Ken Bastida, Malou Nubla and Wesla Whitfield.