TUESDAY, JAN. 22, 2002
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Script draws from life
By Adam Pracht Kansan staff writer
JOHN NOWAK/KANSAN
Patrick Davis (left) and Ryan Butts perform a scene from Kirby Fields' Morning Glorie at Liberty Hall. The English Alternative Theatre play has been selected to run Jan. 24 at a regional festival in Lincoln, Neb.
Kirby Fields has loved to tell stories since the sixth grade.
Today he takes one of his stories, a play called Mourning Glorie to Lincoln, Neb., to compete at the regional Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival.
"I've spent so much time with this show. I'm happy it's going to reach a broader audience," said Fields, a Joplin, Mo., graduate student in English.
The festival begins tonight and runs through Jan. 27. Fields' play was one of eight selected for the regional competition from more than 80 plays around the Midwest. If successful at regionals, the play will go on to the national festival April 15 to 27 in Washington, D.C.
"It may sound morose and depressing, but it doesn't wallow in its misery." Fields said. "Ultimately it's hopeful."
The story centers on a man who finds himself compelled to attend the funerals of people he doesn't know because he has the ability to comfort those in grief.
Fields said that the telling of stories played a central part in the man's ability to comfort.
"It itse to be kind of the foil to death," he said. "If the person is no longer there, then the storytelling is a way to keep that person alive."
The idea for the play came from a personal grief — one of Fields' friends committed suicide. He said that when he and the friend's family heard a minister speak at the funeral, he thought it didn't have "anything to do with (him)."
After the funeral, he talked with friends and told stories from his friend's life. He said he found
the experience more beneficial to the friends than the funeral service itself.
Fields' play began as a short story, but later he realized that it would work better as a play. It went on to production in September.
But Fields' never expected that comfort and mourning would have a new meaning starting on Sept. 11. His play, he said, became a timely topic after so many American lives were taken by the attacks on the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon.
David Huffman, Kansas City, Kan. senior said that the play left him with questions.
"the scenes are really good and the tension is high, but I think
there's something about the end that still leaves me a little wonder-ing," he said.
Fields said he didn't mind if people were unsure as they left the theater.
"The highest praise that I can give a book is that it's interesting," he said, "So that's what I would want audiences to walk away saying, 'That was interesting.'"
841-PLAY
1029 Massachusetts
Contact Pracht at apracht@kansan.com. This story was edited by Cassio Furtado.
First Management INCORPORATED
Property Management
Abbotts Corner
Applecroft
Carson Place
Cedar Hills
Chamberlain Court
Chase Court
Now Leasing for Fall 2002
College Station Greenway Hawthorn Houses Hawthorn Place Heatherwood Valley Highpointe
Melrose Court Oread Parkway Townhomes Parkway Commons Regency Place Stadium View
Highpointe 2001 W.6th 841-8468
Visit one of our offices today!
Chase Court
1942 Stewart Ave.
843-8220
Parkway Commons
3601 Clinton Pkwy
842-3280
We Buy, Sell & Trade USED & NEW Sports Equipment
623 Vermont 749-5067
PLAY IT AGAIN
SPORTS
everyday low prices at the KU Bookstores
$3.99 500 count printer paper
$1.49 diskette 2 pack with case
$26.99 CDR-80 50 pack spindle
WEDNAY : FRIENDS
8:30am-5:00pm
SATURDAY
10:00am-4:00pm
SUNDAY
NOON - 3:00pm
Hours are subject to change depending on operations. 785-844-6100 for updates. Closed most holiday.
--myself."
Alternative Spring Break Northern New Mexico
A CROSS - CULTURAL VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE
Participants live at Rancho de Los Brujos (Ghost Ranch) 65 miles north of Santa Fe Past participants sau:
Past participants say:
"I feel that the trip gave me insight as to the lives of other cultures. The beauty of Ghost Ranch went beyond my expectations."
"The experience of working in the surrounding community is an invaluable part of the trip. "I learned a lot about others and myself."
Is the trip religious?
Yes, if you are open to understanding ethical issues of the
environment, living in a multicultural society, giving yourself in service, interacting with others and reflecting on the theme of the trip. There will also be opportunities, for those to participate in worship celebrations or sunrise meditation on the side of a mesa.
In the past, participants have identified with the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith traditions, along with others who did not feel comfortable in identifying with any historic faith tradition.
any historic faith tradition.
No one is given a "religious hassle."
Information meeting: Sunday, Feb. 3rd, 7:30 p.m. at ECM Center Questions? - Call ECM, 843-4933, or drop by the ECM Center, one block north of the Kansas Union
part of the family. It all began thirteen years ago, when Francisco and Rachel Lemus
THIRTEEN YEARS
We've been through so many of life's changes with the Lemuses, we're practically
ONE WEDDING
opened Pancho's Mexican restaurant. It was right across from our Malls branch,
at 23rd and Louisiana. Since then, we've financed two restaurant expansions
And we've been through another kind of expansion with the Lemuses-
TWO GRANDCHILDREN
the marriage of Frankie, Jr., to his wife Jennifer, and the financing of their first home We really like knowing we'll be around to watch their two little girls grow up.
A SILVER ANNIVERSARY
So, you see, we're more than just a business. We're a friend of the whole Lemus family.
15th & Kasold Orchards 865-1017
Depend on the strength of friends
Depend on the strength of friends. www.douglascountybank.com
15th & Inverness Brandon Woods 865-1022
31st & Iowa
South Iowa
865-7610
Please think
+402 Church Eudora
C & S Markel
865-7620
Please think before you drink. Watch for the Weekly Specials every Thursday in the Kansan and always on Kansan.com
kansan.com
---