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The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan
Sarah Stortz

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor

Twitter: @sstortz_
Sarah Stortz is an Arts Editor at The Daily Iowan. She has been on staff since her freshman year, previously as a news reporter, digital producer, and arts reporter. She is a senior at the University of Iowa, studying journalism & mass communication with a certificate in nonprofit management and a minor in theatre arts.
All content by Sarah Stortz
Various sneakers are seen at Vice in Iowa City on Thursday, March 5, 2020.

The stories behind the shoelace: Sneakerhead culture and its economic rise in Iowa City

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
March 12, 2020
A new generation of burlesque: Rebellion Burlesque approaches performing with a political twist

A new generation of burlesque: Rebellion Burlesque approaches performing with a political twist

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
February 26, 2020
Plugging the Amp: Jayce Nguyen

Plugging the Amp: Jayce Nguyen

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
February 15, 2020
Jayce Nguyen poses for a portrait in her home on Feb. 11, 2020.

Iowa City poet and musician shares pain through ‘sweet’ stories

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
February 13, 2020
University of Iowa student Olivia Harter takes photos in the Visual Arts Building on Sunday, Feb. 9, 2020.

Student Spotlight: UI art student captures unconventional themes through storytelling

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
February 12, 2020
Plugging the Amp: In the Attic

Plugging the Amp: In the Attic

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
February 1, 2020
Hancher Auditorium is seen on Thursday Jan. 25, 2018.

Jon Lovett tackles the Iowa caucuses at Hancher Auditorium

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
January 31, 2020
Caleb Marx lights a candle during a Holocaust Remembrance Day vigil at Iowa Hillel on Monday January 27, 2020.

Iowa Hillel holds vigil in remembrance of the Holocaust and its victims

Sarah Stortz, Senior Reporter
January 27, 2020
Alynda Segarra, the front woman of Hooray for the Riff Raff, raises a fist during a performance for the annual Mission Creek festival at the Englert Theater in Iowa City on Saturday, April 6, 2019.

Englert releases lineup for its annual Mission Creek Festival

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor
December 10, 2019
Here Lies Man performs at Gabe's as part of the Witching Hour Festival on Friday, October 12, 2018. Former member of Afrobeat collective Antibalas, Marcos Garcia released his first project for Here Lies Man in 2017.

Englert, Little Village brew up another year of Witching Hour in Iowa City

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor
October 30, 2019
Audra McDonald Portraits. CREDIT: Allison Michael Orenstein

Audra McDonald to grace Hancher Auditorium with her signature soprano voice

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor
September 11, 2019
The city of Prague, Czechia, as seen on June 18.

Opinion: More women should consider traveling alone

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor
September 5, 2019
Bad Suns to play at University of Iowa Homecoming show

Bad Suns to play at University of Iowa Homecoming show

Naomi Hofferber and Sarah Stortz
September 5, 2019
Bringing Hogwarts to Iowa City: How Harry Potter has stayed true to UI students

Bringing Hogwarts to Iowa City: How Harry Potter has stayed true to UI students

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor
September 4, 2019
Molly Bagnall poses for a portrait in front of Film Scene in Iowa City on Monday, August 19, 2019.

Bijou Film Board director shares how she explores the mind, body, and space through film

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor
August 28, 2019
Witching Hour lineup released for 2019 program

Witching Hour lineup released for 2019 program

Sarah Stortz, Arts Editor
August 20, 2019
Hancher Auditorium is seen on Thursday Jan. 25, 2018.

Hancher announces 2019-20 season lineup, including 3 broadway shows

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
May 8, 2019
Clockwise from top right: Dr. Dawson the individualist, Zone, the “critical money inc.,” and Yung Trey pose for a portrait in the Voxman Music building on Monday. All four are rappers in Iowa City.

Hip-Hop from the Heartland

Sarah Stortz, Art's Reporter
May 1, 2019
University of Iowa student Josephine Beddor poses for a portrait on Tuesday, April 30th, 2019.

Finding therapy in a few lines

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
May 1, 2019
A rehearsal for 2PM in Faith, Nebraska takes place on Thursday, April 25th, 2019. 2PM in Faith, Nebraska is part of the University of Iowa's New Play Festival featuring works written and directed by University of Iowa graduate theater students.

New plays rise on local horizon

Sarah Stortz and Haley Triem
April 25, 2019
Remembering how to be a good neighbor: Mr. Rogers week

Remembering how to be a good neighbor: Mr. Rogers week

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
April 25, 2019
A June 2017 exterior rendering of the Stanley Museum of Art facility looking west from Gibson Square and Madison Street. (Source: State Board of Regents)

UI planning groundbreaking for Stanley Museum of Art

Sarah Stortz and Marissa Payne
April 25, 2019
Iowa City City Hall is seen on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.

City of Iowa City pledges $1 million to Englert, FilmScene fundraising campaign

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
April 23, 2019
From left, Billy Ray Cyrus, Tish Cyrus, and Miley Cyrus arrive at the 61st Grammy Awards at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 10, 2019. (Marcus Yam/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Stortz: Hate country music? You might not be looking hard enough

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
April 18, 2019
Performance artist Liz Howls performs at the Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company on Friday, April 12th, 2019. The Eulenspiegel Puppet Theatre Company is a performance space in West Liberty specializing in puppetry.

Pulling the strings: puppetry in Iowa

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
April 17, 2019
Characters Monica (Luli Gomez Teruel) and Luis (Anthonie Juarez) meet on stage and share a few passionate embraces at a rehearsal of Seven Spots on the Sun by the University of Iowa Theater Department.

Of vengeance, plague, and war: Seven Spots on the Sun

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
April 10, 2019
Leela Bassuk sits for a portrait in Thayer Theater on Monday, April 8, 2019.

Frontline and sidelines of comedy: Leela Bassuk

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
April 10, 2019
University of Iowa student Chosie Titus poses for a portrait in Java House on Tuesday, March 26th, 2019. Chosie Works as the design editor for Fools Magazine.

Graphic design from France to Iowa

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
April 3, 2019
A framed photograph of John Stortz. John died inside his home on Nov. 21, 2012 from natural causes.

The Missing Piece: Continuing life without my dad

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
March 31, 2019
UI Junior Dante Benjegerdes demonstrates stage combat choreography at the Theatre Building on Monday, March 25, 2019. Although a competitive niche, Benjegerdes plans to pursue stage combat professionally. (Alyson Kuennen/The Daily Iowan)

Student Spotlight: Crafting the perfect fight

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
March 27, 2019
Taxidermy mice, crafted by UI student Janiece Maddox, are seen at her apartment on Tuesday, January 22, 2019. Maddox started her taxidermy practice around a year ago. (Katina Zentz/The Daily Iowan)

The Art of Taxidermy, from a UI student’s apartment to a professional workshop

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
January 23, 2019
UI senior Ava Gripp poses for a portrait in Prairie Lights on Monday, January 14, 2019. Gripp serves as the editor of Ache Magazine, a collection of art and writing focused on the concept of ache and nostalgia.

Exploring the feeling of ache through print

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
January 16, 2019
Contributed

Lineup announced for Mission Creek Festival 2019

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
December 7, 2018
An employee prepares food at Oasis Falafel on Thursday, Nov. 8, 2018.

Around the World in 80 Bites: Take a look inside Iowa City’s ethnic cuisine

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
November 28, 2018
University of Iowa student, Wesley Estrada practices his breakdancing routine on Wednesday, Nov. 14, 2018. Wesley a.k.a. "Wild Wes" has been a member of the UI Breakers since spring of 2017.

Bustin’ moves in the ‘Wild, Wild Wes’

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
November 28, 2018
The Old Capitol building is seen in 2018.

Shivers responds to vandalism in Communications Center

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
November 1, 2018
Local band Younger displays mature harmonies at Gabe’s on Oct. 12

Local band Younger displays mature harmonies at Gabe’s on Oct. 12

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
October 13, 2018
Puddles Pity Party makes a splash at the Englert

Puddles Pity Party makes a splash at the Englert

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
October 13, 2018
Design by Naomi Hofferber

The art of the scream: How horror has impacted the cinema industry

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
October 3, 2018
Q&A: UI English professor reflects on seeing his book adapted to Broadway

Q&A: UI English professor reflects on seeing his book adapted to Broadway

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
October 1, 2018
Jaboukie Young-White: 'What happens in the cornfield, stays in the cornfield.'

Jaboukie Young-White: ‘What happens in the cornfield, stays in the cornfield.’

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
September 30, 2018
Pedestrians cross Clinton St. and enter the Pedestrian Mall in Downtown Iowa City on Monday June 27, 2016.

Latino Festival welcomes all to experience the celebration of culture

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
September 19, 2018
Police cars block off Dubuque Street and direct traffic after student was hit by a dump truck on September 13, 2018. (Katie Goodale/ The Daily Iowan)

UI student hit in motor collision

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
September 13, 2018
Riverside's The Cake brings faith and love into the recipe

Riverside’s The Cake brings faith and love into the recipe

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
September 12, 2018
I.C. Kings performer Wiley Guyote sips on a drink during I.C. Kings present Netflix and Chill at Studio 13 on Thursday, Aug. 30, 2018.

Kings of Drag: The secrets behind the fake beards

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
September 5, 2018
Olivia Peters poses for a portrait on Thursday, August 30th, 2018. She is a freshman from Bettendorf, Iowa majoring in biology and minoring in art. She has been doing work with cosmetics since junior high.(Thomas A. Stewart/ The Daily Iowan).

UI student sees the human face as a blank canvas

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
September 5, 2018
Scamper performs at Blue Moose Tap House. The band will be competing tonight at Battle of the Bands.

5 bands of students face off in a musical battle

Michael McCurdy and Sarah Stortz
August 29, 2018
Contributed

Big Grove brings the blues back, with several Midwestern musicians

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
August 22, 2018
The University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics building is seen from the west on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2017.

New CEO announced for University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics

Sarah Stortz, Arts Reporter
August 20, 2018
Prairie Lights bookstore on Monday, Nov. 13, 2017.

Philosophy professor from Kirkwood reveals meaning behind suffering

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
May 9, 2018
Old Gold Acapella during UI Dance Marathon 24 at the IMU on Saturday, Feb. 3, 2018. (Shivansh Ahuja/The Daily Iowan)

Combining service and music, a cappella group remains gold

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
May 2, 2018
John Engelbrecht makes screen prints at Public Space One in Iowa City on Tuesday, May 1, 2018. Engelbrecht considers himself a novice printer and says he has been printing on and off since 2006. The Print Shop at Public Space One hosted the demonstration featuring political graphics provided by the Interference Archive in New York.. The demonstration was intentionally held on May Day in solidarity with the International Workers' Movement. (Nick Rohlman/The Daily Iowan)

Local printmakers create resistance images in open house

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
May 2, 2018
Models perform during the Flyover Fashion Festival on May 5, 2017. (Nick Rohlman/The Daily Iowan)

Celebrating art and culture in every form, Flyover Fest blossoms in inclusion

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
April 25, 2018
‘The Sopranos’ producers plan to teach screenwriting course at the UI

‘The Sopranos’ producers plan to teach screenwriting course at the UI

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
April 25, 2018
Circa serves up three shows at Hancher, giving a visualization to classical music

Circa serves up three shows at Hancher, giving a visualization to classical music

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
April 18, 2018
School of Music opera alumnus to perform

School of Music opera alumnus to perform

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
April 18, 2018
The writer Paul Kix (USA), New York, New York, August 11, 2017. Photograph © Beowulf Sheehan

Now working as ESPN deputy editor, Iowa native shares tale of French aristocrat

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
April 9, 2018
Sydney Kuhel performs as a fly in a rehearsal of "Visual Mixtape" on Tuesday, April 3, 2018, in the UI Theatre Building. Visual Mixtape, directed by Joe Osheroff, is a nonverbal, ensemble-based mask show. (The Daily Iowan/Olivia Sun)

Professional mask artist and actor creates a musical world

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
April 4, 2018
Mercy Hospital is seen in Iowa City, IA on September 25, 2017. Mercy is one of the two major hospitals in Iowa City. (David Harmantas/The Daily Iowan)

Residency spots in Iowa remain scarce, causing medical students to venture out

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
April 1, 2018
Graduate students in the Universtiy of Iowa's Department of Dance and guest artists perform in the Graduate Thesis Concert at Space Place Theater on Tuesday, Mar. 27, 2018. (David Harmantas/The Daily Iowan)

Finding a voice through movement

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
March 28, 2018
Former DITV sports reporter makes laughs for a living

Former DITV sports reporter makes laughs for a living

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
March 22, 2018
The Visual Arts Building at the University of Iowa. In 2018, this building was listed by Architectural Digest Magazine as one of the top new universtiy structures in the world. Mar. 19, 2018. (David Harmantas/The Daily Iowan)

Visual Arts Building ranked among best by Architectural Digest

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
March 21, 2018
Contributed

LUNAFEST visits Iowa City to lift girls up

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
March 21, 2018
The University of Iowa School of Music is being moved to the newly built Voxman Building. The building is located at 95 East Burlington Street.

University of Iowa School of Music plans international music trip

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
March 8, 2018
The Elias String Quartet visits Hancher, exhibiting international collaboration

The Elias String Quartet visits Hancher, exhibiting international collaboration

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
March 6, 2018
Marqueta Senters performs during a dress rehersal for Apples in Winter at the Riverside Theatre on Monday, Feb. 26, 2018. Apples in winter tells the story of a mother whose son is on death row and requested a slice of her apple pie as part of his last meal. (Nick Rohlman/The Daily Iowan)

Riverside Theater plans to bake a mother’s love

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
March 1, 2018
The Iowa Memorial Union glows in the evening Monday, Oct. 9 2017.

The University of Iowa Museum of Arts presents Bac to the future

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
February 23, 2018
Liz Lerman will demonstrate how dance relates to several fields

Liz Lerman will demonstrate how dance relates to several fields

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
February 22, 2018
Finding proper closure in Theater Department's "Found"

Finding proper closure in Theater Department’s “Found”

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
February 14, 2018
Family Video officially closed, leaving no more video rental stores in Iowa City

Family Video officially closed, leaving no more video rental stores in Iowa City

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
February 12, 2018
Postmodern Jukebox swings into Iowa City’s Englert

Postmodern Jukebox swings into Iowa City’s Englert

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
February 8, 2018
Obermann Center for Advanced Studies Director Teresa Mangum (top right) poses a question during The Art of the Provocative Opinion Piece in the Obermann Center on Wednesday, Jan. 31, 2018. The event covered the structure and pitch of opinion pieces. (Lily Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Two UI professors teach the craft of controversy through a workshop

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
February 1, 2018
Emelia Asiedu and Randryck Lewis (L–R) perform in the play “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark” at the University of Iowa Theater Building on Tuesday, Jan. 30, 2018. (David Harmantas/The Daily Iowan)

Trying to break out of racism

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
January 31, 2018
Photo Credit: Oskar Enander/ Rider: Stephan Drake/ Location: Kagura, Japan

International, environmental film festival heads to Iowa City

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
January 25, 2018
High school students Ellie Stimmel and Veronica Fraley prepare frozen treats for customers at Rollipop Rolled Ice Cream at the Sycamore Mall on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2017. Rollipop is part of a trending theme for ice cream shops in which liquid is frozen at low temperatures, rolled, and decorated with a wide array of toppings. (Ben Allan Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Rolled ice cream sweetens Iowa City

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
January 17, 2018
Karen Meat performs at Gabe’s during the Witching Hour art festival in Iowa City on Friday, Oct. 20, 2017. Witching hour is an annual festival in October which features a variety of art and educational events. (Nick Rohlman/The Daily Iowan)

Witching Hour’s third iteration has ended, but is not forgotten

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
October 22, 2017
People gather in the Iowa City Public Library in October, 2017. (Ben Smith/The Daily Iowan)

Witching Hour: Director of Iowa Newspaper Association highlights media trends in Iowa

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
October 22, 2017
'Bob’s Burgers’ cast heads to IMU

‘Bob’s Burgers’ cast heads to IMU

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
October 11, 2017
Hancher Auditorium's ribbon cutting ceremony and open tour takes place in Iowa City, Iowa on Friday September 9th, 2016. (The Daily Iowan/Anthony Vazquez)

UI Symphony Orchestra starts off with first concert of the season

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
September 26, 2017
Englert gets its Goats

Englert gets its Goats

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
September 19, 2017
NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 14: Bernie Sanders Signs Copies Of "Our Revolution: A Future To Believe In" at Barnes & Noble, 5th Avenue on November 14, 2016 in New York City. (Photo by Theo Wargo/Getty Images)

Bernie Sanders to visit Hancher with new book

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
August 30, 2017
FILE - The crowd gives the performer an applause on the Weatherdance Fountain Stage in the Ped Mall in Iowa City on Saturday, June 17, 2017. (The Daily Iowan/ Alex Kroeze)

Cooking up a musical storm in Iowa City

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
August 25, 2017
A chef for many seasons

A chef for many seasons

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
May 11, 2017
Contributed, Photo by Abu Hurairah

Growing into her skills at the UI

Sarah Stortz, [email protected]
May 8, 2017
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