Redevelopment of Norris University Center’s East Lawn to begin this summer
April 5, 2024
Photo by Alexis Rakochy/Northwestern
First-year and transfer students had the opportunity to see “Hamilton” this month as part of the One Book One Northwestern program. The 2,100-strong cohort gave a standing ovation and was blown away by a stellar performance.
“What an amazing experience to see Northwestern’s first-year and transfer students attend ‘Hamilton’ as a community,” said Nancy Cunniff, director of One Book One Northwestern. “I hope this unique opportunity will inspire them to attend additional programming throughout the year as we explore the issues of equality, freedom and the founding of the United States.”
Eleanor Ellis is a first-year student at the Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences who attended the show.
“As a performer and long-time ‘Hamilton’ fan, finally having the opportunity to see the story come to life was incredible,” Ellis said. “From the moment the opening riff sounded, I was absolutely blown away.”
The loud cheers of students sprinkled the impeccable performance.
“It was a dream to see the show, and it was all the better hearing the cheers of my fellow Northwestern students fill the theatre at every interval,” said Weinberg College student Meredith Belloni. “The energy in the room was fantastic.”
Going to “Hamilton” was part of the One Book One Northwestern program, and it is a complement to this year’s all-campus read, “Our Declaration: A Reading of the Declaration of Independence in Defense of Equality” by Danielle Allen.
Allen will deliver a keynote address and sign books on Oct. 19.
The book brings an eyeopening perspective to one of the most studied texts in U.S. history.
The One Book One Northwestern Program is sponsored by the Office of the President and will include related films, lectures and other programming throughout the coming academic year. The campus-wide read is chosen by the One Book selection committee.
“‘Hamilton’ by itself was an extraordinary experience for our students, and it’s only more special as a primer for our One Book program,” said Gerry Cadava, One Book One Northwestern faculty chair and associate professor of history. “Lin-Manuel Miranda’s ‘Hamilton’ and Danielle Allen’s ‘Our Declaration’ will help us begin our conversations about the many meanings of equality and freedom.”
