Former Roundup and The Bull editor talks journalism in the digital age Publicist Amy Hood takes on invitational Speaker Series

“Twitter is pretty much where I live,” Hood said. “It’s how I know what’s going on, and get coverage.”

The skills Hood learned as a journalism student helped her get into public relations but would have been valuable no matter what field she decided to go into.

“I really think the kind of writing you learn as a journalism student can help you in any career,” Hood said. “I think it’s very beneficial. I wish that everyone would learn how to write that way.”

Hood learned to write like a journalist at Pierce from teachers such as Media Arts Department instructor Rob O’Neil. O’Neil, a former Los Angeles Times reporter, said journalism is also about transferable skills that go beyond writing.

“She used the term at the very beginning, ‘critical thinking,’” O’Neil said. “That’s really what I think journalism is. Critical thinking is what’s news, what’s important, what goes at the top of the inverted pyramid, what people are interested in.”

Developing that thought process has typically been the foundation for journalists, but has also been essential for publicists, according to Jeff Favre, assistant professor of broadcasting and multimedia.

Scout (Elyse Hamilton) was able to channel her inner child. She honed in on childlike innocence and curiosity. Her small stature and the raise of her brow in juvenile wonder gave the character life. Hamilton was charismatic and believable.

Lighthearted humor, mostly delivered by Maudie Atkinson (Danielle Handel), provided moments of reprieve from the darker themes of racism and prejudice.

Atkinson also provided narratives throughout the play, and when she did different covers of the novel, “To Kill a Mockingbird” appeared on the large screen behind her.

Bob Ewell (Matt DeHaven) was played perfectly. The dirty overalls, the contemptible squint in his eyes and the drunken stagger in his step embodied the characteristics of a detestable, backwoods racist.

When Ewell shouted, “I seen that nigger yonder attackin’ my Mayella,” while being questioned at the court trial, it was an uncomfortable moment of truth that captured the deep-seeded hatred in his heart.

The roar of thunder and strikes of lightning were frightening, as Scout and Jem (Matthew Markham) were being hunted by Ewell in the dark. Lighting and sound design were able to inject the fear of the children into the atmosphere, which was infectious.

The Gospel Singers’ chants and songs were reminiscent of old negro spirituals that personified the way blacks from that time found strength, which was through faith in God and song.

The choice for them to sing “Lord Help Me to Hold Out” after Tom Robinson (Jean Hyppolite) was found guilty of rape was a smart use of song to express the mood of blacks whose feelings and thoughts were minimal in the play.

Their somber, harmonious songs hypnotized and added a supportive layer to the show.

This classic tale deserves to be seen. It evokes sadness, pity, hatred, laughter and hope. Senses were stimulated as sights and sounds incorporated them into the production.

The final performances of “To Kill A Mockingbird” will be May 8-10.