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arts & culture
Aries
Aries (March 21-April 19) A professional opportunity beckons today and tomorrow. Tell friends you'll see them later. Focus on action. Close out old business and replenish reserves. Sign contracts.
(April 20-May 20) Plot (or make) your next escape over the next two days. Study, research and advance your investigation. Discover new flavors, concepts and ideas.
Consents and lae Follow passion.
Gemini
(May 21-June 20) Talk with your partner about improvements that you'd like to make today and tomorrow. Revise the budget to suit new priorities. Invest in efficiency.
Cancer
(June 21-July 22)
Accept a challenge. Don't worry that you don't know how. Work with a partner for the next few days. Refine the plan. Have faith.
KANSAN.COM | THURSDAY, DEC.1, 2016
(July 23-Aug. 22) Focus on your work for the next few days. Take advantage of an opportunity to expand your ca reer prospects. Exercise, eat well and rest.
Leo
eat well and rest.
Virgo
[Aug. 23-Sept. 22] Love guides you over the next two days. Things fall together. You can get what's needed. Walk the walk. Creative collaboration delights. Honor each
Libra
other.
Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)
The next two days are good for making changes at home. Fantasize together. Listen to all considerations before committing resources. Do what you
can yourself.
Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)
It's a time of intense learning. You're especially brilliant for the next few days. Write, edit and polish your message. Craft your creative expression.
Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)
Today and tomorrow are good for money. Tap new revenue. The action is behind the scenes. Others appreciate your efforts.
Conclude a fortunate
Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) Go what you want today and tomorrow. Take charge and make it happen. You've got confidence, luck and charisma on your side. Dress for
success.
Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb.18)
Settle into contemplation today and tomorrow. Review and revise plans. Sort and organize. Savor a hot beverage by a fire, and schedule your dreams
Pisces
(Feb. 19-March 20) Set meetings and schedule gatherings. Work together today and tomorrow. Keep appointments and pay debts.Get help building your dream. Enjoy fun with friends.
with friends.
KU Theatre's 'R.U.R.'aims to incorporate technology
▶ SAMANTHA SEXTON
@Sambiscuit
Playwright and 1920s president Karel Capek would probably be terrified if he could see how his production "R.U.R." will be played out by the University Theatre. University Theater aims to incorporate modern technology this Friday evening at its own production of the play.
"Honestly, if he could see Siri, he would probably freak out and want to go back home immediately," Blair Lawrence Yates, a graduate student and director of "R.U.R." said. "This was a response, after all, to the overuse of technology after World War L."
The "Westworld-like" production was the first piece of literature to use the word "robot," and was, in fact, the first science-fiction play, laying the groundwork for the iconic robot rebellion story, according to actor Taylor McTague.
"The characters soon start to lose their humanity, getting so invested in technology that they lose
themselves within it," Yates said. "Leaving the perfect opportunity for the robots to come in and take over."
Playing off the theme of overstimulation and an abundance of tech, Yates encourages audience members to bring their smartphones. They want the crowd to follow the Twitter accounts that will be live-tweeting throughout the performance, as well as interact with the various QR codes that will be available.
[R.U.R.] was a response ... to the overuse of technology after World War I."
Blair Lawrence Yates Director
"The robots will take audience members on a tour of the factory, which is the set, and each of us will have a little QR code on our costumes." McTague said. "The codes lead to a website that we've designed that adds to the interaction."
McTague said that the performance won't be
Contributed Photo/KANSAN The poster for University Theatre's "R.U.R."
predictable and that playing a robot was challenging, given her preconceived ideas.
"During the tours we have to interact with the audience and it's been tough learning how to both talk like a robot but not sound like a robot at the same time," McTague said. "We're supposed to be real, sort of like in Westworld."
McTague said the challenges have been fun to work through. She's excited to finally be able to premiere the production and see how everything comes together.
"I was so excited when we did our first full run-through," McTague said. "Before we were separated into our groups to rehearse and after seeing how each piece plays off the other, I'm impressed with how it all works."
"R.U.R." offers something for everyone, according to Yates. Audience members of all ages should be able to enjoy the performance regardless of how interactive they want to be with the social media aspect.
"Someone who isn't interested in the traditional
plays will have something new to pull them in but more traditional audience members won't be pushed into interacting if they don't want to," Yates said. "While it adds to the experience and is a unique aspect I'm happy we're doing, nobody will miss out if they choose not to participate."
"R.U.R." will premiere at 7:30 p.m. this Friday
evening in the William Inge Memorial Theater. It will show again at 7:00 p.m. on Dec. 3, Dec. 5, Dec. 7 and Dec. 8. A 2:30 p.m. showing can be seen Sunday, Dec. 4.
- Edited by Christian Hardy
lowkey listens
MYLAN JONES
@thislanismylan
The end of the semester is upon us. With finals right around the corner, we must continue to press on. Why not add more music.to your library as you hope to make it through last few days of the semester? Here's another installment of Lowkey Listens.
Knowledge - LITT
i first heard this rework on Knowledge's Instagram where he added this to a video with the dancing blue Power Ranger. At first, I just thought the video was kinda funny. But as I watched it more and more, I found myself watching it for the music more than the actual video. A few days ago, he released the track in its entirety, along with a few other tracks on his new project called "WT.PRT10_."
the production on this track, combined with 21 Savage's raps are an interesting combination. I would not say that I am a huge fan of 21, but I can say that his music does have me wanting to dance and/or vibe along. Knowledge uses this to his advantage; seeing as how he always seems to provide groovy beats on a lot of his work. The video he posted along with the music might be the reason that I feel the need to dance. Either way, this track has been on repeat for while and I see myself continually listening to it for a while longer.
Mac Demarco — Blue Boy
when it comes to rock, I tend to favor the surf-rock sound. It's relaxing, but it can also incorporate some interesting stories within the music. Here, in "Blue Boy," Demarco explains to the boy that insecurities should not continue to bring you down and that life is sometimes confusing but that is just the way it is. The song is short, but features beautiful production, simplicity, and great vocals.
Over the summer, I constantly saw artists I was interested in talking about Mac Demarco. From people like Tyler, the Creator to The Internet's Steve Lacy. I eventually took it upon myself to listen to his music. This song was my introduction to his discography and I instantly knew I would like his other music.
Omarion — Touch
Another song I was reminded of through Instagram. I listened to this song when it originally came out back in 2005 and hearing it now make me reminisce on 8-year-old me listening to music without regard for what it might be referring to. Still, this song was a jam back in the day. Even though it's a very 2000s song, I can still find it appealing today. The Instagram video had Caleon Fox and Junebug dancing with this song playing in the background. Though the video may be to blame for this, I now feel the need to milly rock whenever I listen to this song. And watching the music video for this song makes me want to learn how to dance that much more. Omarion came through with a jam that will definitely live on for a long time.
Anonymuz - Neo Babylon
1 initially heard from this artist through YouTube. After seeing collaborations with the artist and hearing more and more of his music, I was excited to finally listen to his debut album "Vice City." And to my surprise, the album exceeded my expectations. A part of Gaming Illuminaughty, Anonymuz brings a lot to the table with "Neo Babylon." It is clear that there is a lot of energy here as Anon comes through with straight bars. The instrumental also makes the song sound like an intense final battle in some sort of anime, which also adds to the energy. "Vice City" dropped on Nov. 18, which is also my birthday, and Anonymuz was able to provide me with some heat to keep on repeat.
MF DOOM — One Beer
MF DOOM is definitely one of my favorite artists at the moment. He's able to float over dark, comical, and light overtones in both his lyrics and production. This track, produced by Madlib, showcases the best of DOOM.
"Mm... Food" is an album where DOOM incorporates food into all of his songs, both in the titles as well as the lyrics. This track in particular, he raps about devouring his competition and how he will continue to make a name for himself instead of falling into the mainstream. Listening to DOOM only makes me want more music from him.