Who NU?

Contents- Biography- RecommendationsBiographyPaul is an entertainment executive, educator, and experienced stage performer who is passionate about all aspects of artistic and civic communication.  He graduated Northwestern in 2000 with degrees in Voice & Opera (B.Mus.) and History (B.A.). He also participated in the Musical Theatre Certificate Program. After getting his J.D. from U.C. Berkeley, Paul worked as a litigation attorney for two top San Francisco law firms before moving to Los Angeles with his partner of 21 years (also a Northwestern graduate!). As a business affairs executive in Hollywood, Paul has negotiated high-profile talent, rights, and licensing deals for NBCUniversal, Miramax, Warner Bros., and starting in July, Amazon Studios.  In addition to his legal and entertainment industry experience, Paul is an accomplished stage performer, with credits including: classical (LA Opera, SF Symphony, Chicago Symphony Orchestra),  jazz (Monterey Jazz Festival, numerous jazz clubs), theatre (Cabrillo Music Theatre, Glendale Centre Theatre, New Musicals, Inc.), and improvisation (studying with Groundlings, UCB, Impro Theatre, and Studio ACT).  As a teacher and consultant, Paul developed and taught Entertainment Law courses for U.C. Berkeley and Chapman. He frequently teaches improvisation, presence, and performance skills to executives and lawyers at conferences and law firms around the country.  Most recently, Paul conceived and taught a popular course at The University of Chicago entitled "Presence: Performance Skills for Lawyers", where he marries as many of his academic and professional interests as possible.Paul is also passionate about LGBTQ+ equality and representation, and has served on the boards of the National LGBT Bar Association and the organization that formed the foundation of the NU Pride Alumni Club (NUPAC).RecommendationsAfter the interview, Paul shared several fantastic recommendations:"For TV, I'll selfishly recommend "The Flight Attendant" on HBOMax, since that was the last show I worked on at Warner Bros.... it's great, and season 2 features Mae Martin, an amazing non-binary actor/comedian, alongside a wonderfully talented cast.  For unscripted, "We're Here" (HBO) is a fantastic and moving example of people working through LGBTQ+-related trauma and connecting over differences, particularly season 2. And I'll throw in two recent memoirs written by trailblazing queer artistic talents:  John Waters "Mr. Know-It-All: The Tarnished Wisdom of a Filth Elder" and Harvey Fierstein "I Was Better Last Night". "--Interested in updates and exclusive invitations from Northwestern's global LGBTQ+ affinity club? NUPAC is free to join!  Support the show

Alisha Gomez-Shah is a 2x Northwestern graduate and former sabre fencing student-athlete. They currently work in the Athletic Department at Northwestern with the fencing team, serve on the Communications Committee for the Department's Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion workgroup, and is the staff liaison for Athlete Alliance (LGBTQ+ and Ally affinity space for student-athletes). Interested in updates and exclusive invitations from Northwestern's global LGBTQ+ affinity club? NUPAC is free to join!  Support the show

Dr. James Andrew Ellzy, II is the MHS GENESIS Clinical Functional Champion at the Defense Health Agency, Department of Defense. He retired from the United States Navy in 2018.  James received his received his Medical Doctorate from the East Tennessee State University James H. Quillen College of Medicine. He received his Masters in Medical Informatics and Bachelor of Arts in Computer Studies from Northwestern University. James is also an avid ballet dancer! Interested in updates and exclusive invitations from Northwestern's global LGBTQ+ affinity club? NUPAC is free to join!  Support the show

Dr. Brian Mustanski is an international expert in the study, research, and practice of sexual and gender minority health and wellbeing.Brian founded and is the director of the world's largest LGBTQ+ health research center, better known as the Institute of Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing (ISGMH).Brian needs support funding programs that grants don't cover. NUPAC encourages Northwestern alumni to join us in making a financial contribution today. CLICK HERE TO HELP BRIAN AND ISGMH NOW! If you are a Northwestern alumnus and interested in joining NUPAC, please join our mailing list.Support the show (https://tinyurl.com/nupacdonate)

Alum Len Iaquinta sits down with New York entrepreneur and entertainment lawyer Tom Carpenter, '90. Tom is the founder of Huckleberry Travel and was instrumental in the merger of SAG and AFTRA unions as well as negotiating high-profile contracts in the news industry and on Broadway.Listen as Tom shares how he took on organized crime as an entertainment lawyer and sensibilities for queer travelers around the world.Tom Carpenter shares his story of taking on organized crime as an entertainment lawyer and how, after becoming the general council of the Screen Actors guide, he came to found Huckleberry Travel and was instrumental in the merger of SAG and AFTRA unions as well as negotiating high-profile contracts in the News industry and on Broadway.Support the show

It's not an exaggeration to say that every member of Northwestern's queer community has been impacted by the life of Art Johnston and his partner Pepe Mena in some way. They co-own a little Chicago watering hole called Sidetrack. With eight storefronts and multiple levels, Sidetrack is regarded as one of the top gay bars in the country. In addition to being a business owner, Art has also dedicated his life to activism. He was instrumental in a 1988 ban on discrimination based on sexual orientation as well as a 1993 passage of Chicago's and Cook County's Human Rights ordinance. A documentary about the life of Art and Pepe is currently under development. With the intent of accurately depict historical events, episode includes graphic and potentially triggering language. Support the show (https://tinyurl.com/nupacdonate)