by Niki Acton '16

Rachel Abarbanell '02 was awarded a Young Alumni Achievement Award this year, but won't be able to accept it until next year. The Hollywood producer couldn't attend the awards ceremony because her presence was required at another ceremony -- the Academy Awards.

Abarbanell, who is the president of production at Lynda Obst Productions, most recently worked on the science fiction film Interstellar. The film follows the story of a crew of astronauts who travel through a wormhole in search of a new home for humanity. Interstellar was awarded the Oscar for Visual Effects.

Lynda Obst Productions has worked on many well-known films including The Invention of Lying (2009), How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003), and Sleepless in Seattle (1993).

In her position as president of production, Abarbanell juggles an array of roles in the production of television and film, from coming up with an idea and working with both the writer and studio in developing it, to casting, crewing up, and physical production. She works on about 20 film and television projects at a time.

"I'm balancing all of these different projects, in various stages of development and production all of the time, and that's what keeps my job interesting," said Abarbanell. "I never get bored, I am always challenged, I'm always learning something new, and that's exactly what my experience at Knox was like."

While at Knox, Abarbanell majored in economics and minored in directing for theatre. During her junior year, she became interested in film and eventually completed a post-baccalaureate fellowship in film studies.

Abarbanell wasn't the only person with a Knox affiliation to be honored at the Oscars. J. K. Simmons, son of Knox alumni Don Simmons '50 and Pat Kimble '51, won an Oscar for his supporting role as Terrence Fletcher in Whiplash. Simmons, who is known for his roles in Juno and NBC series Law & Order, has received universal acclaim for his portrayal of an abusive music teacher.

In February 2016, Abarbanell will return to Knox to accept her Young Alumni Achievement Award. Her last visit to Knox was in May 2014 when she was the Caxton Club speaker.