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arts & culture
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KANSAN.COM |THURSDAY, FEB. 23, 2017
Lawrence Art Center's 'Billy Elliot' to be choreographed by Broadway vet
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Marc Wayne helps choreographs the upcoming "Billy Elliot" musical at the Lawrence Arts Center. Showtimes go from February 24-March 5. Tickets can be purchased through the Lawrence Arts Center website, lawrenceartscenter.org.
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JOSH MCQUADE
@LOneWVOlfMcQuade
Choreographer Marc Wayne has worked on a variety of Broadway productions: "Shrek the Musical," "Fiddler on the Roof" and "The King & I." But, it may come as a surprise that he draws inspiration from a unique source that many would recognize from their childhood, Bugs Bunny.
"Bugs Bunny was so creative," Wayne said. "He did everything. He sang, he danced, played all kinds of roles; I thought he was just brilliant."
The cartoon character reminiscent of many adults' childhoods assists Wayne with his work, now in entertainment. Wayne in his career has tied together the versatility of the cartoon world and reality to create a balance of imagination and reality, and Wayne is now bringing that balance to the Lawrence Arts Center as a guest choreographer for the upcoming production of
"Billy Elliot."
Wayne has been working on the choreography with the cast of Lawrence Arts Center's "Billy Elliot" since late January, teaching and reviewing the steps and movements for the show. The "Billy Elliot" production is a musical exploring the life of a boy in a British mining town during the 1984 and 1985 mining strikes. Elliot then decides to turn away from his life as a boxer to a life of ballet. Wayne said he has worked with the cast on how they should display the physicality of their characters and how they should hold themselves while on stage.
"I have been encouraging folks, as the actor, to disappear so that the only thing on stage is the character," Wayne said. "The way they deliver their lines, how they go through dialogue and also in the physicality of their bodies. Not being afraid to go overboard with it."
Wayne said he encourages each actor to explore
their character, to truly understand what their character would do or think in any situation.
This mindset is the same as some of his childhood inspirations who pushed him to enter the world of entertainment, he said, watching and being inspired by the likes of Gene Kelly, Fred Astaire and Donald O'Connor.
Wayne's reason for joining the world of entertainment has not changed since first deciding to become a part of it.
"I wanted to be right in the middle of where dreams are made," Wayne said.
When Wayne was 12 years old, he began taking a mime class in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio. One day, the instructor asked Wayne if he could teach the class while he was absent. Wayne accepted. After the class, Wayne's mother told him something that sticks with him to this day.
"Son you have a gift," Wayne said, remembering his mother's words. "You have a gift of working with
people, teaching people and inspiring people."
Motivated by her words, Wayne found his passion for creating opportunities for others to excel within their gifted talents. He said he believes that no matter what age, one with a talent should always be looking to improve it.
"We're not done until we're done," Wayne said.
Barnette said she has worked with both the cast and Wayne in order to create a better understanding of the play for the audience come opening night.
The crew of "Billy Elliot" has also enlisted the help of University Theatre history professor Jane Barnette. Barnette is a dramaturg, which, according to an article on the Lawrence Arts Center's website, is one who assists the audience in understanding the artistic vision behind a production.
“[The cast has] a wide range of dancing abilities,” Barnette said. "There are people in the cast that are basically dancers first and
actors second. Then there are equally as many, if not more, who are actors first and dancers second."
The varying abilities seemed like a challenge when first seen by Barnette, but she said Wayne has connected well with each member of the cast in order to bring out the best qualities in each of them.
"My nugget for life is that you're here on purpose," Wayne said. "You're here for a great purpose. You are not an accident, you're not a mistake. Regardless of how you got here, whether you were adopted or born naturally, whatever the circumstances surrounding your birth, your life is on purpose."
"Billy Elliot" opens Feb. 24 and will run through March 5. Tickets can be purchased at the Lawrence Arts Center website for $25.
- Edited by Paola Alor
Hasan Minhaj to perform at Liberty Hall
▶ SEAN JESSE
@sean_jesse
Comedian and political correspondent for "The Daily Show with Trevor Noah" Hasan Minhaj will perform at Liberty Hall this Friday, Feb. 24 for his Homecoming King stand-up comedy tour.
Minhaj is known for his appearances on Comedy Central's "The Daily Show" with both former host Jon Stewart and current host Trevor Noah. He has had his word featured on The Moth Radio hour, and has appeared on Netflix's "Arrested Development."
Homecoming King will be a one-man show that provides the audience a first-hand look at what it's like being a first-generation Indian-American. The show started as an Off-Broadway production in New York City in the fall of 2015, yet the show has grown with Minhaj's popularity, and has been touring around the U.S. and Canada, according to the tour's website.
Elie Katz Freshman
is refreshing to see someone who is willing to provide a voice for the oppressed, yet in a humorous way."
The show will address issues that were present during Minhaj's upbringing in California, as well as today. Minhaj touches on his parents arrival in the U.S. from India, including being bullied while growing up and dealing with racism in America.
Bradley Prust, a freshman from Baileys Harbor, Wisconsin studying aerospace engineering, said that it is important that Minhaj is addressing the struggles nonwhite youth go through.
"Even in college, I think that there are forms of discrimination, whether or not you want to label them as 'bullying' or not," Prust said. "It's especially important that a comedian of color is able to address this, because there are still a lot of kids out there who feel marginalized."
Elie Katz, a freshman from Peoria, Illinois studying engineering, is excited to see Minhaj bring his political brand of comedy to town.
"It's refreshing to see someone who is willing to provide a voice for the oppressed, yet in a humorous way," Katz said. "Hopefully he is able to address some of the problems with the current administration in his show."
Edited by Erin Brock
Tickets for the show can be purchased on the Liberty Hall website.
Contributed Photo
Contributed Photo Comedian Hasan Minhaj will perform at Liberty Hall this Friday, Feb. 24.
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