Shakespeare to Compaq By CHRIS WILLIAMS The times, they are a-changin’.
In addition to anticipated losses in the art department, the search
is now on to fill two completely different pairs of shoes in the theater
department next fall. Virginia Wesleyan College theater manager Jerry
Pope, and Professor of Theater and Communications, Rick Hite, Ph.D., are
leaving, creating a major void in the campus fine arts building.
Heading up the hunt for the new faculty and staff members is Professor
of Theater and Communications, Bentley Anderson. Two candidates for
Hite’s position have been interviewed and gave presentations on campus
to faculty and students.
“We hope to make a decision within the next two to three weeks,” said
Anderson.
While the new theater professor will no doubt have his or her hands
full teaching classes and actively participating in productions, the new
theater manager’s load will be just as heavy. Literally.
“They need to be able to lift 50 pounds and carry it 50 feet,” said
Anderson. “It’s a real hands on job that also involves a knowledge
of theater history, technology and artistry.”
Not to mention knowledge and expertise in set construction; lighting
and sound; equipment and costume maintenance; fire safety; and box office
skills. The theater manager will also act as supervisor to the work
study students in the theater.
But new personnel won’t be the only additions to the theater department
next fall. Anderson is currently working with Computer Services to
put together a course that will fulfill the computer literacy requirement
for theater majors.
“John Aird and his entire staff have been very helpful in getting the
bugs out,” said Anderson. The class will incorporate a computer-assisted
design program that will allow students to render virtual sets that will
assist in actual set construction.
While the future is still somewhat vague, it appears that the theater
department at VWC is gearing up for the new millennium with the new computer
class and professors.
Speculating on what the future may hold for VWC theater, some students
are uncertain, but optimistic.
“I’ll have a better idea of that when I meet whoever gets hired,” said
junior John Farrell. “It will be interesting to see how they become
involved in both the Wesleyan and local theater communities.”
Sophomore Cara King summarized her expectations by saying “it’s going
to be a big adjustment period, but at the same time, I think that’s part
of what the theater is about: evolving and adapting to different circumstances.”
Disturbing and funny, Vinegar Tom
closes this weekend By CHANDRA SMITH A silence fills the room. On stage are two women, hanged.
There is an air of uneasiness. How could this happen?
If you want to see a play that is sure to intrigue, “Vinegar Tom” is
the play for you.
Written by Caryl Churchill, “Vinegar Tom” is currently being directed
at VWC by Rebecca Williams. It has a fast pace sure to keep your
eyes following every move, your attention focused.
The play is set in the times of the witch hunts, and revolves around
several key characters who demonstrate how easily people can be manipulated
into grevious acts of persecution. The play shows how terrible and,
at times, how absurd the charges against these “witches” could be.
The thirteen member cast puts on a great show. Characters are
brought to life by some very talented actors and actresses who put their
all into these demanding parts.
James Molloy plays three roles: Man, Doc, and Preacher. As the
preacher he comes in to clean out the sin, and we see how people can be
led into following someone if he seems to be rectifying an injustice.
In one hilarious scene, John Farrell, who plays Jack, goes to an herbalist
with the complaint that “it is gone,” pointing at the crotch of his jeans.
Later he finds the “witch” responsible and demands it back.
Between scenes a chorus, consisting of alumnus Phillip Freidman on
guitar and students Cara King, Sara McQueen, Martine Green, Carly Daniels,
Shelly Stern and James Molloy, sings.
The hard work and long hours put in by cast and crew can be seen in
the outcome of this well acted and well directed play. It is definitely
worth the time to see it.
Final performances run April 16-17 at 8pm in Fine Arts 6. Admission
for adults is $8; students, seniors, and military is $6. Reservations
can be made by calling 455-5700.
Will you take ketchup with that .
. . sneaker??? By MICHELLE ROGERSON Swiss cheese tennis shoes. Licorice shoelaces. This may
sound like the world of make believe, but for students taking Advanced
Theater: Improvisation this world becomes reality for three hours every
Wednesday night.
In the world of improvisation, anything goes. Nothing is scripted,
and the scenes become whatever the actors make of them.
“Improvisation is acting without a script,” said Jerry Pope, adjunct
instructor of theater and communications. “The actor is both
the playwright and the actor simultaneously.”
Pope’s class is based on game play, which provides actors with a starting
point to create scenes. For example, a game called “Sixty Second
Expert” requires an individual to be an expert on any given topic for sixty
seconds — like edible tennis shoes.
There’s also a game called “Freeze Change,” where two people enact
a scene on stage and another person off stage yells ‘freeze,’ takes the
place of one of the actors and changes the scene completely.
Games like these require quick and creative thinking on the part of the
actor.
“You have to think on your feet,” said Anthony Fotinos, a senior taking
the class. “The actors have to adapt immediately,” he said. Pope
teaches that improvisation is like real life. He says that, just
like the games his students play in his class, life has similar games.
“We play games all the time in real life,” he said. “You can
play the ‘I’m Not Listening Game’ with your boyfriend, or the ‘I Don’t
Care Whatever You Say Game’ with your mom. Theater is based on real
life.”
But how is real life comparable to Swiss cheese tennis shoes?
“To me, it’s adult play,” said Fotinos. “It’s the adult in you
that’s allowed to be a kid, to be inquisitive and to explore.”
While things like lime green flowers, a purple sun or lavender-stained,
edible shoes may seem like only child’s play, there’s a lot more to it.
“It’s very challenging,” said Gilbert, “but the challenge makes it
more fun because you have to be creative. The most difficult part
of it is trying not to laugh.”
Just as students are facing the challenges of improvisation, Pope designed
a final project to take the class one step further — performing in front
of a live audience. On Sunday, April 11, a performance was held in
Village II Commons. Pope’s students played the improvisation games
they learned in class in preparation for a final public showing scheduled
later in the semester.
Don’t let the game play fool you. Improvisation may seem like
it’s only for fun, but the skills that actors learn from this class are
essential to portraying believable characters.
“It’s a good tool for students to learn how to make a character three-dimensional,”
said Pope. “It’s a tool for creativity.”
And while most actors will probably never portray characters who lace
shoes with licorice, the skills of quick thinking and giving immediate
responses that improvisation develops can make for more lifelike stage
portrayals.
