THE UNIVERSITY OF DARYL KANSAS
MONDAY, AUGUST 21, 2006
NEWS
ARTS
3A
Bon Garmisn/KANSAN
Melissa Morrell shoots Kevin Seiss after his psuedo-idealogical rampage against multinational discount warehouses leaves Bailey Slater (left), Honey D. Hallock (center) and Ben Sutherland (right) dead on the floor in a performance Saturday night entitled "Wol-Mart." The performance was part of the Lawrence Arts Center's Junk Yard Doqma 10-minute play festival.
Art Center displays local artists' work
BY DARLA SLIPKE
Nathan Towns was skeptical that his screenplay "A Skeleton in the Closet" could be made into a play for the Lawrence Art Center's 10-minute theater festival. The Lawrence freshman submitted his script anyway and during the past two months, the cast and crew adapted the script for the stage.
The play debuted with seven other short plays during the annual play festival last weekend. The festival will be staged again this weekend at 7 and 10 p.m. Friday and 8 p.m. Saturday at the Lawrence Art Center's EMU Theater, 940 New Hampshire St. The festival showcases the work of local artists and allows them to perfect their work through the process of staging it.
"Scripts undergo changes as the work on them in rehearsal progresses," said Ron Willis, professor emeritus of theatre and film. Willis worked with the festival's coproducer Jeff Sorrels to write "It Happens Every Saturday."
"Playwrights learn from seeing their work staged — or even just read aloud — by others," Willis said. "The nature of theatre is such that the page is really an inadequate substitute for the stage."
The festival is also an opportunity for actors, actresses, stage technicians and directors to develop and demonstrate their skills.
"It is fun, but it is also hard work that challenges people to grow — as artists and as people," said Honey Hallock, Stillwater, Okla., senior who directed, acted and served a
stage manager during the festival.
In addition to Hallock, other festival participants were involved with multiple parts of the production. Gwethalyn Williams, an administrative associate for the department of geology, directed one of the plays and sold refreshments during intermission.
"Everybody has to do a little bit of everything, but that's one thing we all really enjoy about it," Williams said. "Once you're involved, you can try out different things."
The participants encouraged others, regardless of major or ability, to get involved with EMU theatre.
Willis said.
"The unresolved itch that drives a person to entertain imaginative possibilities in the fictional world of a play is a very humanizing and ultimately worthwhile impulse,"
By creating something that both participants and audience members can enjoy, the festival allows the theater community to connect with the community of Lawrence, Willis said the plays gave audience members a chance to expand and exercise their imaginations.
"It is seldom simply a matter of whether they like or do not like a particular play," Willis said.
"It is rather that they have gone someplace vicariously and had the chance to try out their responses at what they have encountered."
Kansan staff writer Darla Slipke can be contacted at dslipke@ kansan.com.
Edited by Kristen Jarboe
STUDENT SENATE
Five spots open for freshmen
BY NATE MCGINNIS
Freshmen who would like to represent their classmates in one of five open seats in this year's Student Senate have until Friday to complete the steps for candidacy.
Andrew Payne, Garden City senior and student executive chair, encourages any freshmen interested to apply regardless of their previous experience.
This is a great way for them to get involved, meet new people and make a real difference on campus," Payne said.
Freshmen can pick up a declaration of candidacy form and candidacy petition form at the Student Senate office, 410 Kansas Union, or download them from the Student Senate Web site at www.ku.edu/~senate.
Completed forms must be returned to the Student Senate office by 5 p.m. Friday in order for a candidate to qualify for election.
Applicants are required to obtain at least 50 signatures from freshmen classmates and certify their freshmen status with a dean's stamp, available at 109 Strong Hall.
After completing the paperwork, all applicants will need to attend an orientation meeting on Monday, Aug. 28 that will cover basic election rules and regulations, Payne said.
At the meeting, candidates will be given a copy of the 2006 elections code. They can begin campaigning that day.
The elections will be Tuesday, Sept. 5 and Wednesday, Sept. 6. The winners will be announced the evening of the 6th.
Kansan staff writer Nate McGinnis can be contacted at nmcginnis@ kansan.com.
Edited by Kate Shipley
How to run for student senate...
Pick up the required forms at the Student Senate office, 410 Kansas Union, or download them from www.ku.edu/-senate.
Collect 50 signatures from freshmen classmates.
Go to 109 Strong Hall and obtain the dean's stamp certifying your status as a freshman.
Return the completed forms to the Student Senate office by 5 p.m. Friday, Aug.25. No late applications will be accepted.
Attend the orientation session and begin campaigning Aug. 28
Elections will be held Sept. 5 and 6.
Questions about the application or election process can be directed to Andrew Payne, Student Executive Committee Chair at 864-3710 or apayne@ku.edu.
Sources: www.ku.edu/~senate, Andrew Payne
THIS WEEK ON CAMPUS
August 21, 2006
Attention KU Freshman: Freshman Elections are Fast Approaching!
Every fall, freshman elect 5 of their peers to represent them in Student Senate,and this year's election is just around the corner!
If you think you might be interested, you need to stop by the Senate office on the fourth floor of the Kansas Union in the Student Involvement and Leadership Center or go to http://studentsenate. ku.edu to pick up an application. Applications to get on the ballot are due THIS FRIDAY and the election will be the 5th and 6th of September. Student Senate is eager to get new people with new ideas who want to leave a lasting impression on KU, so don't hesitate to run for a freshman seat!
Attention Student Groups:
If your student organization is registered with the Student Involvement and Leadership Center, you may get FREE ADVERTISING here in the Kansan through Student Senate!
Email chrisblackstone@ku.edu for more information.