4A NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2007
THEATER
Travelling company finishes workshop with performance
BY MATT LINDBERG
mlindberg@kansan.com
Forget leprechauns and four leaf clovers — another Irish tradition made its way to the University of Kansas this week, thanks to the department of theater and film.
Mangiare Theatre Company, which is based out of Ireland, is playing host to a three-day workshop. It will end on Friday in Murphy Hall with a special performance from the two actors of Mangiare, including University theater alumnus Jaime Carswell.
Katherine Pryor, development manager of theater and film, said bringing Mangiare Theatre Company to the University involved getting funding from the Kansas Arts Commission and Student Union Activities. She said that she talked with Carswell about that the possibility of visiting, and he was able to secure more funding from the Arts Council of Ireland. She said she thought the workshop and performance would be beneficial to theater students.
"They bring a fresh perspective to our students. And even though our faculty might be teaching them the exact same thing, or from at least a similar perspective, the students enjoy learning from a variety of professionals," Pryor said. "Also, bringing back alums provides an opportunity for the students to develop relationships and begin to network with professionals around the world."
Carswell said the workshop would focus on the physical aspect of theater.
"It's a little more abstract. It's offering a different way of looking at something and delivering theater," Carswell said. "It's a very specific kind of movement to this type of theater."
Carswell, who was born in Ireland,
moved to Lawrence when he was six years old and grew up in the town, graduating from the University in 1994. He said his experience at the University was great because of the great staff here while he attended. Carswell said while he tried out for films, commercials and soap operas, he always had a strong interest in off-beat theater.
"I didn't really get a lot out of mainstream theater like others," Carswell said. "I didn't have any exposure to anything else but I was always fascinated with what was outside the mainstream." He said his studies at Jacques Lecoq School of Theatre in Paris also played a role in his career development.
Carswell spent nearly 8/12 years in theater before creating Mangiare with two of his longtime collaborators in the business three years ago.
"It was a very organic process of minds coming together to do something like it," Carswell said. "We had been working together and really had the same vision."
After the workshop on Friday, Carswell and fellow actor Joanne Mitchell will perform "A Play on Two Chairs," at 7:30 p.m. in William Inge Memorial Theater in Murphy Hall. Tickets to the show cost $5 for students and $10 for the general public.
Ben Meyers, Wichita sophomore, said he thought the show would be interesting and worth attending.
"It's something different that can be educating to actors and entertaining to others at the same time," Mewers said.
Carswell said the show would be unique for all those who attended and that it focused on physical theater.
"We have a couple actors, two chairs — it's very physical," he said.
Edited by Meghan Murphy
HONORS
School awards architecture professor
ccondron@kansan.com
BY COURTNEY CONDRON
University of Kansas professor Dan Rockhill, who established a hands-on program for architecture students that gained national attention, was awarded a distinguished professorship from the School of Architecture.
Rockhill started Studio 804 12 years ago. The program allows students to be involved in the design and construction of a home each year, one of which was named "Home of the Year" by Architecture Magazine.
"804 isn't absolutely unique in architecture education, but it has become one of, if not the, best known design program in the country," John Gaunt, dean of architecture and urban planning, said.
What makes this studio so unique is that students have to participate in the entire process of building a
"Virtually, all schools in the country are aware of the program."
Rockhill
home. The students deal with public officials, zoning laws and different types of technology. Students built nine homes in Lawrence and Kansas City, Kan.
"He's not going to do it for us," Lindsey Evans, Vellenezille, Ill., senior, said. "He always says we're the architect and we're the ones designing this project."
Rockhill's students are currently exploring sites in Kansas City, Kan., to build their home this year.
"The students are right in the middle of it, developing a real hands-on sense of what it takes to build a building and that's invaluable," Gaunt said.
Jenny Kivett, Victoria graduate student, said that because she didn't have experience working in a firm, Studio 804 acted as an internship for her.
being able to bring that into the classroom is important"
"He's always pushed me to the limit, to do more than I ever thought I could do," Kivett said. "That's pretty rare in a professor."
"If didn't have the experience with Rockhill and Associates, I don't think I would be doing what I'm doing." Rockhill said, "There's no [academic] subject for real world experience, so
Along with Studio 804, Rockhill works for Rockhill and Associates, an architecture firm that promotes progressive design. Rockhill said his experience with the firm went hand-in-hand with his teaching.
Rockhill, who has been at the University for 27 years, was awarded the J.L. Constant Distinguished Professor of Architecture award. He was nominated for his innovative architectural design and building practices and was honored at an all-school meeting. The University approved the professorship after going through a thorough review process.
"It's nice to be recognized locally no matter what extent of recognition you've received elsewhere." Rockhill said. "What we do is highly visible, and therefore controversial, so it's nice to have some recognition of it as an achievement."
Edited by Megham Murphy
GAMING
Expectations high for Third Guitar Hero installment
REBEKAH SCAPERLANDA
editor@kansan.com
this by simply watching television, Meyer prefers to be involved in his entertainment. A self-proclaimed "gamer" since the age of five, Meyer owns five game consoles including his most recent
Coming home from a long day of classes Make Jame, Parkville, Mo., senior, wants nothing more than to just relax. While some might do
able for the PlayStation 2, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and Nintendo Wii consoles. A new wireless Gibson Les Paul guitar will also be available.
Best Buy has started a national presale for the upcoming release. Although Best Buy cannot announce
"The Wii focuses on fun instead of graphics. People associate Guitar Hero with fun; those will go together."
NICK HODGKIN
Game Stop assistant manager
addition, a Nintendo Wii.
"The Wii is unlike anything else. It is changing the game industry with its new controller. This makes games you play much more interactive," says Meyer, who averages 20 hours a week playing video games.
Meyer enjoys playing a variety of games, especially those with interesting storylines. He thinks it is important to keep up with the new games in the industry and enjoys renting games to test his interest in them. Although Meyer is aware of the increasing Guitar Hero trend, he has not been interested in the game until discovering recently that the game's new version will be Wii compatible for the first time.
pre-sale numbers it can discuss its expectations for the game.
"Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock is one of the more anticipated titles of the year. We think Guitar Hero will be one of the biggest video games that will launch this
On October 28 Activision will release Guitar Hero III: Legends of Rock. The new game will be avail-
year," Best Buy spokesperson, Brian Lucas, said.
Local stores are preparing for the release as well. Game Stop, previously known as EB Games, is also conducting a pressle for Guitar Hero III.
"We've already sold about 50 games. We're expecting it to sell out quickly once we get our shipment in. The only way to ensure owning a game is to reserve a copy now," Nick Hodgkin, Assistant Manager, said.
Guitar Hero isn't the only thing increasing Game Stop's sales. Game Stop is consistently selling out of their shipments of the Nintendo Wii. Hodgkin said Game Stop receives six to eight Wii's each week and it is likely to only have one left after the first day. He thinks these sales will increase once Guitar Hero III is released.
"The Wii focuses on fun instead of graphics. Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 went for better graphics, but Nintendo went for playability and fun. People associate Guitar Hero with fun, those will go together," said Hodgkin.
If past Guitar Hero sales are any indication, Best Buy's and Game Stops predictions will be correct. According to the NPD group, which tracks North American Video sales, Guitar Hero II sold 1.3 million in sales in 2006, making it the fifth best selling game in the US last year. MarketWatch.com said Guitar Hero accounted for about 30 percent of Activision's revenue in the recent quarter. These sales have increased
Activations revenue more than 160 percent to $495.5 million from $188.1 million, according to MarketWatch analysis.
Students at the University are adding to the sales of Guitar Hero. Matt Green, St. Louis.
Ben Whitsitt, Westwood Hills, sophomore, was initially excited about Guitar Hero but now played the game regularly. Whitsitt said he usually sticks to sports video games but after seeing a friend play Guitar Hero he thought it looked awesome.
"I bought the game on a whim and it turned out to be a great买! Everyone now comes over to play it. The instant gratification you get from playing a really hard, awesome guitar song by just pressing a few buttons is great. It's really cool to hear yourself." Whitst said.
Green is looking forward to the release of Guitar Hero III and has been impressed with the diverse
"I love the fact that my 50-year-old mom can play it and so can my little sister who's 12. You get the whole spectrum of people."
MATT GREEN St. Louis, Mo., senior
nature of the game so far. He said Guitar Hero make games more appealing.
Mo, senior, says one reason for the increase in sales is the close partnership with industries outside of video games.
"I love the fact that my 50 year-old mom can play it and so can my little sister who's 12. You get the whole spectrum of people. It's
"This game has partnered with the music industry. They had to get rights to the song, rights to the Gibson model of guitar. Within the game you can get new strings and get sponsored by different music affiliates. The entertainment industry has become more intertwined," said Green.
much more feasible for everyone to play," said Green. "It's like the Simon Says game where you just press the button when it's lit up. Guitar Hero is bringing back traditional style games while letting you rock."
— Edited by Meghan Murphy
COURT
Jurors hear 911 call during Montgomery's sentencing
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jurors deciding whether to recommend
the death penalty for a woman convicted of killing an expectant mother and cutting the baby from her womb listed Wednesday to a 911 call in which the victim's mother described the scene.
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The federal jury convicted Lisa Montgomery on Monday of killing Bobbie Jo Stinnett on Dec. 16, 2004, in the pregnant woman's
"It's like she exploded or something," a sobbing Becky Harper told the dispatcher in the recording. "There's blood everywhere."
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