FRIDAY,APRIL 4,2003
NEWS
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN = 3A
Plays stage Latin-American culture
By Lauren Bristow
lbristow@kansan.com
Kansan staff writer
Students will have a chance to experience live Latin American theater today and tomorrow in downtown Lawrence as part of the University of Kansas' fifth Latin American Theater Conference.
Live theater performances are open to the public in the late afternoon and evening, said George Woodyard, professor of Spanish and coordinator of the conference.
"They are performed by actors and actresses from all over the world," he said.
This year's conference focus is Puerto Rico and Cuba and features acting troupes from Puerto Rico,
Spain, Costa Rica and California, Woodyard said. Previous conferences have focused on countries like Mexico and Argentina.
All plays are in Spanish except for the final performance tomorrow night.
One of the featured plays, La mujer que cayo del cielo by Victor Hugo Rascon Banda, relates directly to Kansas, Woodyard said.
"It's about the case of a woman who was found institutionalized at a mental hospital in Larned, Kansas," he said. "The doctor, Miguel Angel Giner, who figured out why the woman couldn't communicate, will be here for the performance."
La mujer que cayo del cielo, which translates to The Woman That Fell from the Sky, will be
performed at 8 tonight at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 New Hampshire St.
Today's performances also include three short plays performed at the Spring Hill Suites, Sixth and New Hampshire streets, at 4:30 p.m. The conference will conclude tomorrow with the presentation of The Night of the Assassins at 5:30 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center. Tickets to all shows are $5 and available at the door.
The department of Spanish and Portuguese sponsored the conference as a way for those interested in Latin American theater to discuss current issues in different regions of theater, Woodvard said.
Approximately 175 people
from across the nation and world registered for the festival, said Paola Hernandez, Buenos Aires, Argentina, graduate student.
Woodyard said the conference also featured roundtable discussions and the presentation of academic papers during the day for registered conference guests.
"The conference is beneficial to people who don't get to see a lot of live theater." Woodyard said. "But we also discuss issues of the featured nation, such as identity and cultural tensions."
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the center for Latin American Studies and the department of theater and film also are sponsoring the festival.
To 'air' is human
- Edited by Michelle Burhenn
Jegen McDermott/Kansan
Jeremy Bechtold, Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., senior, executes a back roll during the KU Ski Team's first spring practice. People interested in joining the club can contact the Organizations and Leadership Development Center at 864-4861.
Students can avoid travel mishaps when heading to New Orleans
By Jessica Hood
jhood@kansan.com
kansan staff writer
Two weeks after spring break, students are hitting the road once again — this time for New Orleans.
Kevin Liu, a travel advisor at STA Travel, located in the Kansas Union, said students renting cars should ask some key questions of
But students planning to travel to the Final Four may not be prepared for potential problems that occur during travel.
the renting agent.
"A customer should double check on insurance requirements, mileage limits, pick up and drop locations and requirements of the rental agency." Liu said.
According to the Fodors Web site at www.fodors.com/travelips, students should also ask questions about the company's policy dealing with late plane arrivals and vehicle mishaps. If traveling during a high traffic time such as the Final Four, ask if a confirmed reservation guaram-
tees a car.
Liu also said when dealing with hotels, students should ask about the requirement of deposits if the student wants a late check-in times, and students should look at each hotel's requirements.
John Novotny, manager of Travellers Inc., 831 Massachusetts St., said students should check the conditions of their hotel reservations. Students should make sure they are being charged the rate that was quoted when the reservation was made.
"It doesn't hurt to check the safety of the route you are taking. Also, double check walking and driving directions."
John Novotny Manager of Travellers Inc.
"Students often don't take the time to listen to the fine print,"
Novotny said. "You should have a clear understanding of what you have agreed to."
Novotny said students traveling to New Orleans should be aware of their surroundings to ensure a safe trip. Getting a clear sense of direction for the area is also key, Novotny said.
"It doesn't hurt to check the safety of the route you are taking," Novotny said. "Also, double check walking and driving directions."
Other ideas for safe travel
include not carrying large sums of money and keeping one form of identification in the hotel.
Ruth Nye of Adventure Travel, 544 Columbia Drive, said students traveling to New Orleans should use common sense and be cautious.
"Students should make sure to stay in groups," Nye said. "Also, they should make sure to stay in populated areas especially when down on Bourbon Street."
Edited by Leah Shaffer
informal STUDENT THE UNIVERSITY OF KANSAS SENATE
BE SURE TO VOTE!
Weather permitting NO Alcohol There will be no vehicle access to central campus Stadium celebration sponsored by the University of Kansas
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