Tuesday, February 22, 2000
The University Daily Kansan
Section A · Page 3
Characters in production lose dreams, imaginations
By BriAnne Hess
writer@kansan.com
Kansas staff writer
Imagine a person who has no imagination. Now pretend to be that person.
That was the task for Patrick Pugh, Omaha, Neb., junior, who plays the character Frank in the University Theatre production of Fen.
"The whole lack of imagination is hard to relate to — and I have to imagine him having no imagination." Pugh said.
The drama, which opened Feb. 17, will be performed at 8 tonight through Saturday at Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall.
The play is set is in the English countryside 100 miles north of London in an area called the Fens. Becky Lake, Stilwell sophomore, plays Val — a woman torn between Frank, her lover, and her children. Lake said the major conflict was that everyone living in the Fens couldn't see beyond their lives outside of the Fens.
"They've lost the capacity to dream and are content with the status quo." Lake said.
Her character, however, wants to move to London, but Frank balks at the idea.
Lake said she could relate to her character because Val was the only person in the town who was willing to go for what she wanted.
"I find that I choose to do risky things that aren't what everyone else is doing." Lake said. "I like to think I have the ability to define what I want and go after it like she does."
Fen is the first play in which either Pugh or Lake was cast in a major role. The acting bug may have caught, however, because both said they would like to pursue acting as a career instead of their respective business and journalism majors.
Delores Ringer, associate professor of theatre and film, said she suggested the play because she was interested in the theme, the playwright Caryl Churchill and the large number of roles for women in the play.
Casting was in November, and dialect tapes were sent home with the students during the winter break. Pugh said Paul Meier, associate professor of theatre and film, researched the Fen dialect extensively to make the characters sound authentic.
Rehearsals started Jan. 11, and the cast and crew worked six days a week for five hours a day the week before classes started. Rehearsal time then was cut back to four hours a night until it opened. Lake said the rehearsals were intense because cast members had only five weeks to prepare instead of the typical six.
Ringer said the set, which consists of doors, represented the
"I find that I choose to do risky things that aren't what everyone else is doing, I like to think I have the ability to define what I want and go after it like she does."
Becky Lake
Stilwell sophomore
doors people went through and the ones people were afraid to go through.
Lake said the play was relevant to students because students always were being confronted with opportunities.
"We're all at a point where we don't know what to do with our lives, and we have so many options — some of which are riskier than others," she said. "We have a lot of doors opened for us, and seeing other people not exercise their options is kind of sad."
Running time for the play is one hour and 40 minutes. General admission tickets are on sale at the box offices in Murphy Hall, the Lied Center and through Student Union Activities. Tickets are $4 for students, $8 for the public and $7 for senior citizens.
By Erinn R. Burcomb writer@kansan.com Kansan staff writer
Student Senate candidates can learn about Senate's position on campaign spending at a workshop given by the elections commission today.
Election code changes detailed in workshops
Zora Mulligan, elections commissioner, said contracts would be given to independent candidates and candidates running with a coalition.
Although each coalition member will be asked to sign, Mulligan said the commission would monitor spending for a coalition as a whole rather than for the individuals within a coalition.
The workshop, which is at 12:15 p.m. at the Jayhawk Room in the Kansas Union, is one of three workshops offered on the 2000 Student Senate Elections Code. The candidates must attend one of the three workshops in which details of the Elections Code will be explained.
The elections commission agreed with Student Senate that campaign spending limits should be voluntary. When Senate voted last week to make spending limits voluntary, sponsors of the bill cited a University Judicial Board ruling that said limits were unconstitutional. Changes in the Elections Code include clauses that require candidates to comply with spending limits only if they voluntarily sign a contract.
Mulligan said that although last week's hearing on the changes drew little controversy, students expressed interest in other campaign issues, including a requirement that candidates disclose the source of their funds.
"The main concern that came up is we are requiring them to file a report the Monday prior to elections." Mulligan said.
Now, students must project their spending for the couple of days before elections. Before, candidates released their spending information after the elections.
"Senate felt a lot of money was spent during the days prior to the elections," Mulligan said. "I guess the hypothetical concern was that an election could be bought."
However, she said candidates were concerned that it would be difficult to project future spending.
Ben Walker, legislative director,
attended last week's hearing.
"There was the feeling that it was unrealistic, because we never know when we might have a new idea or print off more flies." Walker said.
Another change will require voting booths to open an hour later this year. at 9 a.m.
"Some students might want to vote at that time," Walker said. "With turnout not as high as we want it to be, we want as many to people to vote as can."
But Walker said opening the polls later might not allow some students to vote.
Volunteers offer rides, friendship
By Casey Franklin
Special to the Kansar
Debra Dobbs-Kepper spends most Fridays giving strangers free rides to their medical appointments.
Dobbs-Kepper, Mission graduate student, even waits during their appointments to drive them back home, or wherever they might need to go. She and about 75 other volunteers give these greatly needed free rides as part of Johnson County's Catch-A-Ride program.
Catch-A-Ride offers free rides to senior citizens, people with disabilities and others in need anywhere in Johnson County. It takes clients to places such as doctor appointments, grocery stores or pharmacies.
the elderly.
"We've been in existence for six months," said Barbara Gerhard, volunteer coordinator. "We've driven over 10,000 miles since we started. I think that highlights a basic need in the community."
Gerbard said that there was a lack of transportation options for
"If you can't run out to catch a bus and you've already asked all your friends for rides, there aren't a lot of other options." Gerhard said. "We offer an alternative and a bit of independence to people who would otherwise be isolated."
Doris Freeman, Leawood resident, is one of those clients who would have been isolated if not for Catch.A.Ride. She recently moved to Kansas from Ohio and had no friends or family in the area. Legally blind, Freeman was unable to drive or even go shopping on her own.
"I couldn't ask for anything better than this service," Freeman said. "They'll wait on me at the doctor and take me home, and even fill out the forms you need to at the doctor. They even took me to the grocery store and helped me shop."
Gerhard said that volunteers were important to the program, not just because they could give rides, but also because they could establish relationships with the clients.
"They know that the volunteer isn't going to begrudge their calling, because the volunteers have made themselves available maybe one morning a week to help out." Gerhard said. "They're not a burden anymore. It re-establishes independence. The volunteers help reaffirm the fact that the person is special and important."
Dobbs-Kepper said Catch-A-Ride could be as beneficial to its volunteers as it is to those receiving rides.
"I think it's a great way to get to know people from an older generation," she said.
She said that she enjoyed volunteering for Catch-A-Ride because it allowed her to make a difference in someone's life.
Although the program has grown rapidly since it began, Gerhard said they always were looking for more help. Volunteers must be at least 25 years old with a valid driver's license and a basic insurance policy. Anyone interested in volunteering can reach Gerhard at (913) 583-1970.
Long-time KU employee dies at Lawrence home
By Doug Pacey
writer @kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Diana Faye Fox may have retired from her position at the University of Kansas last June, but she still is remembered by those with whom she worked.
Fox, 65, died last Wednesday at her home,1041 Wellington Road.
"She was liked and respected by students, faculty and staff," said Karen Huettemueller, assistant director of graduation. "Everyone who came into contact with her had a special bond with her.
"She had an impeccable reputation with everyone."
Fox had worked at the University in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences since 1972. Her most recent position was graduation counselor.
"She coordinated graduation," Huettenmuelter said. "She oversaw all aspects of graduation and the certification of it."
Fox was born Aug. 9, 1934, in Logoootee, Ind., to Porter and Barbara Girdley.
She graduated from the University and lived in Lawrence for 40 years.
Fox's Web page reports that she liked cross-stitching, traveling, foxes, mystery novels and movies.
She is survived by her daughter, Lisa Potts, Caldwell; three sons, Mark Fox, Overland Park; Tim Fox, Des Moines, Iowa; and John Fox, Apache Junction, Ariz.; her father and stepmother, Porter and Esther Girdley, Boonville, Ind.; two brothers, Arch Girdley, Grand Junction, Colo., and Richard Girdley, Boonville, Ind.; and seven grandchildren.
Join Air Force ROTC, and you may be eligible to compete for different scholarship programs that help pay for your college education. You'll also learn that your whole career will benefit from this one elective.
GET AN EDUCATION IN SCHOLARSHIPS.
LIBERTY
Adult Classes In Latin, Swing, Ballroom & Lindy Hop
AIRFORCE
ROTC
London Defence College Marine Row
Call Captain Erich Schreeder at 864-4876
au Marché
- Great gift ideas
• Unique European foods
- Imported soaps
· Cheeses, chocolates, & more
Hair Experts Design Team
The European Market
19 West 9th Street
865-0876
Sheraton Fiesta
South Padre Island
Beach Resort
800 222 4010
Sheraton Worldwide
Reservations: 800 325 3535
www.sheraton.com
Enjoy our restaurant and bar, plus the swim-up Palapa Bar and Grill and beach activities during the first Spring Break of the new millennium.
Come experience the best Mexican Beach Resort in Texas. 203 Deluxe rooms,48 gorgeous condominiums,and a 6,000 sq. ft. swimming pool are just part of the fun. This beach front property is your Spring Break Party HQ, and has worldwide recognition as a premier resort hosting: MTV. ESPN and upcoming WCW events.
Check out News!
Spring Break 2000 on South Padre @ the Sheraton Fiesta
jayhawks.com