THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
PAGE 5A
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arts & features
HOROSCOPES Because the stars know things we don't
Aries (March 21-April 19) Today is an 8 Make practical plans for home improvement. Have your space nurture your well-being. Discipline produces results. Take responsibility for something that hasn't been working. Provide great service without talking about it. Action goes farther than words.
Taurus (April 20-May 20)
Today is a 6
Words contain hidden meanings. It's not all apparent at first glance. Focus on new procedures and old standards. Take it slow to avoid mistakes. Meeting your deadlines increases your value. Others see your logic.
Gemini (May 21-June 20)
Today is an 8
Gemini (May 21-June 2U)
Today is an 8
Avoid gabbing and put your back into your work, except to discuss methods and procedures with co-workers. Make hay while the sun shines. Write up the details.
Count your wages after, Redeem your coupons.
Cancer (June 21-July 22)
Today is an 8
Continue to get personal thoughts down on paper. Carry a journal. Circumstances dictate your destination. Your experience is appreciated. It might be wise to get assistance if a communication's not getting through.
Leo (July 23. Aug. 22)
Today is a 7
Balance work with rest. There's plenty of action to dive into. Take it on like an endurance race.
Thoroughly plan the route. Discuss the potential (and fees) in private. Keep variables hidden.
Bring along a companion.
Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) Today is a 7
Your confidence is contagious. Look to your career future, and hang with friends in the business who can teach you. Experience pays. Follow the rules. Keep practicing, and get coaching. Streamline your routine.
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Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
Today is an 8
It could get chaotic. Rest your mind somewhere quiet for sudden insight. In a clash between art and utility, a way to be creative without sacrificing functionality. Accept assistance.
Friends show you the rules.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
Today is a 7
Take a trip with a friend. Explore as you work together. It could involve a difficult assignment, or a challenge. Invest in efficiency.
Commitment and faith are your most valuable gifts. Rest frequently.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today is a 7
Event planning takes priority.
Discover new regulations or
costs. Make sure you have your
facts straight, invest in your
business. This is what you've
been saving for. Don't say any-
thing now. Love blossoms. You're
never alone.
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan.19) Today is a 7
A moment of controversy brings you strength. Heed words of wisdom from afar. Talk about money only with the one who shares it with you. Creative ideas emerge at home. Get outside and walk around.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)
Today is an 8
Today is an 8 Lively communications abound. Assuming leadership means learning to delegate (especially if the job is difficult). You're gaining expertise. The old way can still work. Build the practical platform for future work.
Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20) Today is a 7
Have fun with your partner. It doesn't need to involve a lot of talk, Support each other to pursue a passion, Invest in greater efficiency. Pay for it with your own money. Give a good deal.
Flower business becomes creative outlet
Jennifer Oldridge examines one of her plants. Oldridge recently launched Stems Event Flowers, a floral arranging business, and has worked with local businesses like Ingredient.
ALEAH MILLINER
ALEAH MILLINER/KANSAN
@aleaheileen
A beautiful array of air plants that sit in terrariums hang from the ceiling inside the restaurant Ingredient. Near the arrangement sits a stack of business cards for Stems Event Flowers.
In April 2014, 1995 University graduate and Lawrence native Jennifer Oldridge launched Stems. Her business combines her creative passions with her self-taught floral knowledge.
Oldridge creates fresh floral and plant arrangements, including bouquets, air plants and succulents for various occasions. Weddings and social events are among the projects she has taken on, as well as creating arrangements for Ingredient on Massachusetts Street.
Shumaker said she used Stems on Sept. 12 for an event called Casablanca for Douglas County Casa that was held at Liberty Hall on Massachusetts Street.
["The flowers and plants] are really unique," said Amy Shumaker, a close friend to Oldridge. "No one does what she does in a style that I've seen. She comes up with something original."
Oldridge orders flowers and plants based upon need in
Nick Wysong, Ingredient manager, knew Oldridge and found her card one day at the restaurant. He then had his wife call about bringing her work to Ingredient.
"We love her work," Wysong said. "She knows the space well. She comes in every once in a while to service the plants as well."
order to make sure everything is fresh. She enjoys the process of choosing flowers and plants specifically for her different clients. She receives supplies from local Lawrence farmers, or often drives to North Kansas City to choose flowers from wholesalers. She then creates her arrangements in her garage, working from home to ensure there is plenty of time for her business as well as her family.
time there.
Oldridge studied fine arts at Parson's School of Design in New York City on a merit scholarship. She said the big city proved to be an important creative influence during her
"Artistically, it was a wonderful experience," she said. "There was inspiration around every corner."
"No one does what she does in a style that I've seen."
AMY SHUMAKER Close friend
She later returned to her roots in Kansas and earned a degree in creative writing from the University. She said this led to many opportunities to
write about flowers, plants and gardening for the Lawrence Journal-World, Kansas City Home and Garden magazine, the Kansas City Star and Midwest Living magazine.
During that time, Oldridge also worked as a wedding planner and a florist. When asked which flower is her favorite, Oldridge found it hard to choose just one.
"It depends on the time of the year," she said. "Coxcomb makes me happy. It kind of looks like a brain. Right now tuberoses are beautiful. They are locally grown in Kansas. Dahlias are beautiful as well." She said he learned a lot.
lot about flowers, plants and landscaping over time and that her creative spirit has grown as her business has developed.
She said she has learned a
"Every year gets better," she said. "I know more, and so I can share more. It is really just a layering process, from the art to the flowers to the business. I feel really confident about my growth."
- Edited by Logan Schlossberg
Theatre Lawrence kicks off season Friday
MINSEON KIM
@minseonkim94
Theatre Lawrence opens its first musical of the season, "Little Shop of Horrors," on Friday.
According to the Theatre Lawrence website, the musical is an affectionate spoof of 1950s science fiction films and tells the story of Seymour, a floral assistant who discovers a plant that eats people. The musical tracks Seymour's troubles with three other main characters: Mr. Mushnick, who owns the flower shop where Seymour works, his lover Audrey, and Orin Scrivello, Audrey's boyfriend.
Audrey (Erin Fox) tells Seymour (Michael Dieker) about an exciting new business opportunity for the flower shop. Audrey II, the plant, sits in the background, the cause of the sudden boom in business.
"It isn't as serious as a lot of the shows you get out there because I mean, we are talking about a man-eating plant," said Kay Traver, a University alumna and marketing coordinator at the Theatre Lawrence.
ANNA WENNER/KANSAN
Aside from humor, the show also has a sincerity that keeps the audience attached to the characters.
"It's kind of how he deals with his fame and fortune, and the moral ambiguities of feeding people to a plant," Traver said.
Michael Dieker, the actor who plays Seymour, said in the midst of all the silliness and science fiction, the play still maintains a genuine sweetness.
Offstage, Dieker has dedicated himself to preparing for the performance by restricting his diet as a precaution to protect his voice. He said he is not smoking and is refraining from consuming any dairy products, caffeine or alcohol.
"It's tough but I think that anything worthwhile is worth sacrificing a little bit for" Dieker said. "And it's definitely worth a payoff of being able to sing on stage to the best of your abilities."
While the characters addressed the conflicts on
"There are over 150 'Little Shops of Horrors' in the nation being run next year, but there are a very limited number of plant puppets that are out there." Traver said.
stage, the show faced many challenges backstage due to technical complications like special effects and puppets.
Theatre Lawrence bought sets of plants from Kansas State University and modified them as needed for the performance.
James Diemer, technical director of the show and a PhD student in the theatre department at the University, said he is challenging himself in his debut show.
"This is a big and complicated show from a technical standpoint," Diemer said.
He said the crew has been
TURN TO PAGE 7A TO SEE A PHOTO GALLERY OF THE "LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS" DRESS REHEARSAL
challenged to work around the set being on a turntable that takes 15 seconds to revolve. Diemer said they learned to manage the timing
for the lighting and actors accordingly.
Dieker said that the complicated technology used in the show affects him as a main character.
"It keeps you on your
toes for sure. You have to constantly focus so that all the stuff doesn't take you out of character and distract you," Dieker said.
Dieker said he thinks the show's technical aspects enhance the overall experience by making it more magical and fun.
With a family-friendly environment, cast and crew members said they are looking forward to the opening night on Friday. Rather than hosting a typical reception before the opening night, Theatre Lawrence is hosting a special opening night to celebrate the beginning of the season.
The night hopes to provide attendees with a special experience, complete with a red carpet, paparazzi taking pictures, valet golf carts and a short talk from the director of
the show, Terrance McKerrs.
"What's really neat about doing things at community level is that everyone involved is doing it for the love of performance and the love of theatre. There is a real kind of supportive family environment in it," Dieker said. "We are excited to show all the hard work we've done and the hope is that everybody comes and they just get completely swept up in the show and they have a great time."
The opening night reception will take place Friday at 6:30 p.m. prior to the opening night of the play. The musical will run through Oct. 5. Tickets for the shows are available on the Theatre Lawrence website.
Edited by Jordan Fox
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