THURSDAY,APRIL24,2003
CAMPUS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3
Alumni return for reunion activities
By Lauren Bristow
lbristow@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Nearly 75 actors, actresses, screenwriters, playwrights and other theater professionals will return home to heralma matertomorrow.
The University of Kansas department of theatre and film will welcome them back as part of "Alums Come Home IV," a reunion that occurs every four to five years at the University.
Kathy Pryor, associate director of University theatre said the reunion had several goals.
Contributed photo
"Most importantly, it provides an opportunity for current students to network with alums who can help them professionally," Pryor said. "Secondly, it allows us to keep in touch with alums that provide a glimpse of what is going on in the outside world."
Film maker and KU graduate Neil LaBute will screen his latest film, The Shape of Things, Friday at Liberty Hall as part of the Alums Come Home IV celebration.
The reunion showcases workshops, script readings, theatrical performances and a sneak preview of the film, The Shape of Things, written and directed by Neil LaBute, who graduated from the University in 1989 with a Master of Arts degree in theater.
The film premiered at the 2003 Sundance Film Festival in Utah and opens
nationally May 9.
LaBute will be on hand to introduce the movie, as well as answer questions after the screening at 7:30 tomorrow night in Liberty Hall, 642 Massachusetts St.
Charla Jenkins, director of public relations for the University Theatre, said LaBute had quite a following.
"It's a great opportunity for students, as well as theater buffs," Jenkins said. "Liberty Hall has been besieged with phone calls about the showing. Everyone is really excited about it."
Following the screening, about eight alumni and current students will perform in an open-mic variety show featuring singing, dancing and comedic routines. Prvorsaid
Theater students are looking forward to the event.
"I'm really excited because we as students get to meet the alums and see what they have done with their degrees and see what we can do with our dreams," said Erika Crane, Tokyo, Japan, junior. "There is a lot of exciting stuff going on with the event."
All events of the reunion are open to the public, including workshops.
"We encourage anyone that wants to
participate to pop into a workshop if they'd like to," Pryor said.
A list of daily activities is available in Murphy Hall and tickets to performances can be purchased in the Murphy Hall box office.
Any proceeds from the event will benefit the endowed scholarship funds and add to the Glenn Bickle Fund, which honors excellence in technical theater.
— Edited by Anne Mantey
CALENDAR
TONIGHT
Of Montreal / James William Hindle / Ghosty / The Hardaways, 9 p.m. at The Bottleneck
Hunter and Gatherer at The Jazzhaus
Grandpa's .38, 10 p.m. at Paradise Café
In Kansas City...
Hot Action Cop, 7 p.m.at Beaumont Club
Mindy Ellis, 8 p.m. at Davey's Uptown
Karla Michaels at John's Deck
Dreadnaught, 11 p.m. at Davey's Uptown
Mark Reeves, 8 p.m. at Westport Coffee House
Matt Pond PA / Bitter Bitter Weeks / Lefty's Deceiver at The Brick
Snuff Jazz, 9 p.m. at The Cup and Saucer
Blue October at The Hurricane
TOMORROW
SoundsGood / Art Thugs / Serengeti at Fatso's
Blue Condition, 9 p.m. at Stu's Midtown Tavern
Jumbo's Killcrane / Boxcar Satan / Rwake at Replay Lounge
Maggie Drennon Band at The Jazzhaus
Fetish Night featuring Cruz at The Bottleneck
Riva, 11 p.m. at Bambino's
In Kansas City..
The Role Models / The Framed / Ike Turner
Overdrive / Spoiled Solidarity, 7 p.m. at El Torreon
Anything But Joey / Gametime / Pomeroy, 7 p.m. at Shawnee Mission West High School
Konza Swamp / The Wilders / Gary Stier, 9 p.m. at Davey's Uptown
Karla Michaels at John's Deck
House of Large Sizes at The Hurricane
Donavan White, 9 p.m. at Westport Coffee House
Hijack, 10 p.m. The Pyro Room
Majestics Rhythm Revue, 10 p.m. at The Jazzhaus
Human Ritual / No Flesh Spared / Nothing to Gain at The Palladium
SATURDAY
Meep, 9 p.m. at The Cup and Saucer
Elixir / Key, 9:30 p.m. at The Pool Room
Johnny I & the Receders, 9 p.m. at Stu's Midtown Tavern
Sum 41 / No Use for a Name / Autopilot Off, 8 p.m. at Uptown Theater
Farmer's Ball Local Band competition Finals at The Bottleneck
In Kansas City...
James Moody Quartet, 8 p.m. at Folly Theater
Three Bad Jakes / Sister Mary Rotten Crotch, 7 p.m. at Davey's Uptown
Anthony Gomes at Grand Emporium Karla Michaels at John's Deck
AKA Rudie / The Uprights / The Shuffles / the Kansas City Skazz Orchestra. THE BROKE, 7 p.m. at El Torreon
Full Feature / Odds Even, 10 p.m. at The Hurricane
Matt Ward, 9 p.m. at Westport Coffee House
Mike Knott, 7:30 p.m. at The New Earth Coffee House
The Elevator Division / Nameless#Headman / Ghosty, 10 p.m. at The Brick
Ad Astra Per Aspera, 3 p.m. at Recycled Sounds
Jimmy March (Acoustic Set), 9 p.m. at The Cup and Saucer
SUNDAY
In Kansas City...
Kenny Chesney / Keith Urban / Deana Carter, 7:30 p.m. at Verizon Wireless Amphitheater
Hopesfall / The Beautiful Mistake /
Everytime I Die / Brazil, 7:30 p.m. at El Torreon
MONDAY
The Dragstrip Syndicate at Replay Lounge Lance A. Fahy, 9:30 p.m. at Henry's Upstairs
In Kansas City...
Brodiokie at The Brick
TUESDAY
Cross Canadian Ragweed, 9 p.m. at The Bottleneck
Fred Eaglesmith, 10 p.m. at Davey's Uptown
In Kansas City...
Club Wars Invitational Round feat.
Scapegoat / Audio Kombat Arsenal / The Sound and The Fury at Grand Emporium
Wesley Willis / Angry Atom / Rock Over London, 7 p.m. at El Torreon
WEDNESDAY
Dar Williams, 7 p.m. at Liberty Hall
E Double at The Jazzhaus
Blindside/Flattery Leads to Ruins, 7 p.m. at The Bottleneck
In Kansas City...
His Last Chance / Deadline at Davey's Uptown
OK Go / Captain Overreact / National Fire Theory, 9 p.m. at The Hurricane
Spring Annihilation Battle of the Bands featuring Soulify / Large / Amadius at America's Pub
Cross Canadian Ragweed/ Back Porch Mary, 8 p.m. at Beaumont Club