KULTURE
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 20. 2005 10A
By Bailey DeReus, Kansan correspondent ♦ Photos by Stephanie Farley
The Lied Role
West Campus' Lied Center satisfies Lawrence's need for arts, entertainment and culture
Johann Michael Camat takes the Lied Center stage as "The Engineer" in "Miss Saigon". As described in a program flier, "Miss Saigon" is "the gripping story of two young lovers torn apart by the fortunes of destiny and held together by a burning passion and the fate of a small child." RIGHT ABOVE LEFT TO RIGHT Christina Dailey, wardrobe/wigs supervisor, combs one of six wigs used in production for the "American Dream" scene in Miss Saigon. Jay McManigan, production stage manager, takes care of letting the Lied Center crowd know the show is about to begin and to take their seats. Rachel Francis, Kansas City, Kan., senior, hangs up a newly injured costume in the wardrobe closet. Each actor, 35 altogether, has four to eight costumes that need to be ironed and mended. John Gaczewski, head sound engineer for the Miss Saigon tour, mans the sound board and keeps track of the quality and level of sound during the show.
B
roadway shows, a rock concert, an award winning band performance — with this type of entertainment, you might expect to be in New York City. But put away your suitcases;
But put away your suitcase
world-class entertainment is
available here in Lawrence. Since 1993, the Lied Center has hosted an array of entertainment that enriches the cultural diversity that Lawrence has come to know.
"You don't need to go to New York or the West Coast. You've got it here." Tim Van Leer, executive director of the Lied Center, said about the entertainment opportunities available to the community.
The Lied Center, which is in its eleventh sea
The Lied Center, win son, has six series of entertainment that program year-round for the Lawrence community. Series include a concert series, which has been a part of the University of Kansas since 1903.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Ping Chong's Native Voices — Secret History
- Cultural Drama
7:30 p.m., April 28-30
Student tickets $14
Anderson Cooper
Lecture
♦ Host of CNN's
"Anderson
Cooper 360"
7 p.m., April 25
Free with KUID
Once the venue became available, the concert series moved to the Lied Center, Van Leer said. Performers such as Yo-Yo Ma and orchestras from throughout the world have graced the KU campus for the concert series.
42nd Street
♦ Broadway Musical
7:30 p.m., May 11
Student tickets
$19.50 and $22
Source: ku.edu/~lied/
Other series include the Swarthout Chamber Series, New Direction Series, Family Series, Broadway Series and the World Series.
"Each series provides a variety of purposes." Van Leer said.
The Broadway series has brought shows such as "Stomp," "Cats," "Rent" and most recently, "Miss Saigon," which had two shows on April 5 and
Broadway-caliber performances are not the only sources of entertainment for the Lied Center. It is a part of the School of Fine Arts and the school uses the Lied Center for all types of entertainment. The University Dance Company performs dance recitals and bands from the school give concerts throughout the year.
"The Lied Center is an integral part of retention of students," Van Leer said, pointing to the quality of life that the Lied Center adds to the community. Various organizations on campus and the city of Lawrence also rent the center. The organizations use the center for commencement ceremonies by local high schools and by professional schools on campus. The business school hosted Ann Coulter on March 29 and the Student Lecture Series will host CNN anchorman Anderson Cooper on April 25.
"It offers you a chance to see things you wouldn't otherwise be able to afford or have access to in the middle of Kansas," said Shannon Stewart, Lee's Summit sophomore, who works backstage in the Lied Center where about 100 student technicians are employed.
Throughout the course of a year, about 100-125 performances take place at the Lied Center. In association with the actual performances the staff considers days for production that include set-up and tear down of sets and rehearsals.
The staff needed three days for the preparation of the set of "Miss Saigon." The Lied Center is in use for 275-300 days of the year, Van Leer said.
In booking events for the Lied Center, Van Leer and Fred Pawlicki and Karen Lane Christilles, associate directors, have a network of artists and representatives that they keep in contact with to determine which performances to provide for the students and community.
They look at the artists they want, work with them on dates and times and provide a context to provide an educational experience.
They create a package of events and then they create a contract for the performances.
"We bring artists and audiences together...and bring what we feel is important for students and the community." Van Leer said.
Before the Lied Center was built, there was no multi-purpose performance center, and for years there had been need for a contemporary space, Van Leer said.
ONLINE POLI
Today's poll results
What acts earn your attendance at the Lied Center?
♦ 26% said lectures
♦ 21% said musical theater/opera
♦ 7% said other
5% said classical concerts
3% said dance performance
1% said non-musical theater
5% said dance performance
SEE THE LIED ON PAGE 7A
Results based on 232 votes
Poll for next week
The ins, outs and history of Lawrence counterculture, with a spotlight on Massachusetts Street's Solidarity
In your opinion, how do counterculture groups affect the Lawrence community, socially and politically?
Vote now on kansan.com under the Features link.
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