Summer Session Kansan
Lawrence. Kansas
Tuesday, July 28, 1964
52nd Year, No.15
Country, Cities, People, Theaters All Interest Two Polish Visitors
PLAYING THE VAGABOND—Jan Wilkowski is shown above in Paris portraying the role he played in a French production, "The Adventures of Guignol." The play was a 1958 gold-medalist at the National Festival of Puppet Theater in Europe, held in Bucharest, Romania.
By Margaret Ogilvy
The University of Kansas has two distinguished visitors this summer who explained that they have come from Poland as guests of the theater department, "to see your country, its nature, the people, and theaters."
Jan Willkowski, the artistic director of the Lalka Children's Theater in Warsaw, and Adam Kilian, the designer of the company, were invited to visit the campus by Lewin Goff, professor of speech and drama, and Jed Davis, associate professor of speech and drama, whom they met there last summer.
Killian, who speaks English, replied cordially, with enthusiasm commentary from Wilkowski, to questions ranging from his impressions of the United States in general to his theater work and that of student dramatists.
PRESENTLY THE TWO are attending the morning children's theater class, the "talking together" of which they find interesting. They also have appeared in a short interview session with Davis on television in Kansas City, Mo. The program was in color.
Bert Meisel, KU graduate student,
has accompanied them on weekend
tours of Joplin, Mo., and St. Louis,
where they attended the Municipal
Opera. Meisel also has served as
"guardian angel" (as Killan puts it)
to the Poles during their stay at
Ellsworth Hall, which is to extend
until their departure for the western
states Aug. 1. They will return for
the National Children's Theater
Conference Aug. 17.
Arrival on campus July 15 ended a cross-country jet flight which took them through New York and Washington, D.C., where they made brief stops.
FOR THE THEATRICAL team, who are seasoned travelers, it was not a new experience. Their company has toured Germany, Italy, France, and such European centers as Stockholm and Helsinki, by jet. After the August conference here, they plan to visit London prior to returning with the group two months later.
The Lalka theater is widely and highly recognized in European circles, particularly since it was awarded a top rating when playing at the Theater of Nations in Paris. The honor opened possibilities for future productions in Russia, an opportunity attainable only on meritorious reputation.
WILKOWSKI, WHOSE monthly children's TV program is famous in Poland, is as concerned as is Kilian with youth in drama. Kilian's observations of acting sessions at KU provoked approving comment.
"You like to do and you are not lazy," he stated thoughtfully. "There is a good atmosphere that should be in the theater. The concentration about the job and the discipline is sometimes better than in a few professional theaters."
Kilian added, speaking for both himself and Wilkowski, "We think the students are very capable and fresh. Some of them are very good actors."
HOW DOES THIS sample of American talent compare with similar activity in Poland? First, in that the two guests see our university theaters as "centers connecting students from all areas," as "ambassadors of acting for all the country," there arises a difference in method. Polish student theaters, of which there is a very strong movement, are numerous, but there are not as many productions because "nobody helps."
As Killian elaborated on these conditions he mentioned that because there are no professors of drama abroad, only the government sometimes helps in furnishing costumes for the students. "Sometimes they buy their own, but sometimes costumes are not so necessary."
"They don't get money as if they were pro's," commented Killian, "and
WHILE PRESENTING demonstrations of techniques to classes, the two have discovered that the other side of campus life, found in private conversation, is interesting, too. "In talking to rather young people as you are, we are younger," Mr. Killan chuckled. "Everyone is friendly, even the people from the street."
they play their own plays"—the most popular of which, he said, are satirical, all experimental. One of the most popular presentations among the young actors there is "King Ubu," by Mrozek. Three one-act plays by this popular Polish author will be given at KU next fall.
Mr. Kilian made another "very unusual" discovery in coming to Kansas. "Looking at the map I was assured it would be desert," he recalled. The first big impression the United States made on him was the "space everywhere." "There are so many cars," he marveled, "and the highheads' are very good."
THE LISTING of impressionable objects aroused an excited series of translations, with the conclusion that
Wilkowski and Kilian find everything at the dorm "comfortable and convenient, thank you." Living conditions in the United States seem "very good indeed" to them. "Even the heat is outside—even in cars." The buildings on the KU grounds all appear modern, and the theater facilities are "great for a smaller place."
"for us everything is very big—towns cities. Even the steaks are too big." Mr. Kilian mused. "In the restaurant we never can cat everything. And the cakes, too, are big. In War-saw they are small and many."
KILIAN HALTED a moment and then said, with a hint of amusement, "Only one thing--you need a swimming pool outdoors! Well, maybe you don't need it, because so many students should learn—not to swim!"
The remainder of the time they will spend in the United States on "the very nice invitation from your Department of State" will be scheduled to include some of the sights Dr. Goff wants the two to see, as well as some of "(the beautiful nature in your country, (which) is famous."
Viet Nam Victory Called LBJ's Aim
WASHINGTON — (UPI)— President Johnson's order for an "across-the-board" intensification of the American effort in South Viet Nam underlines his determination to carry the entire anti-Communist fight there to victory, high administration officials said yesterday.
They disclosed that the 600 additional military personnel to be sent immediately—bringing to more than 16,000 the U. S. special forces and "advisers" there—would be only the "first contingent," with more to follow as needed.
Commenting on yesterday's announcement from Saigon, which had been predicted here over the weekend, these officials emphasized the decision to make available more U.S.
Rainfall Brings Slight Relief to Parched State
By United Press International
Substantial rains fell over most of central Kansas Monday, with amounts ranging to more than four inches.
however, there was very little rain in areas west of Russell and in a three-county tier of extreme eastern Kansas.
London measured the heaviest rain reported 4.81 inches. Other readings included 3.61 at Miltonvale, 3.18 at Manhattan, 2.91 at Minneapolis, and 2.81 at Sand Springs and Abilene.
Ft. Riley reported 3.56 inches for a 24-hour period, bringing its 48-hour total to 4.63 inches.
In south central counties, rainfall generally measured one half to one inch, but the rain was more widely scattered.
The Weather Bureau said the weather pattern still was favorable for additional moisture, to bring much-needed rainfall to areas missed by Sunday night's rains.
Maximum temperatures ranged from 90 at Goodland and Hill City up to 101 at Russell and Salina. Wichita was the only other point reporting 100-degree weather, as compared with the extreme heat's general domination of Kansas temperatures Saturday. Lows early Monday were spread from 63 at Goodland up to 74 at Dodge City and Garden City.
forces to operate at "battalion level" with the South Vietnamese army and also work alongside that country's sea and air patrol units.
THIS INCREASE in the U. S. participation, long urged by some military experts, is expected to increase considerably the effectiveness of local forces fighting the war against Communist guerrillas.
Asked to supplement the Saigon announcement that the United States would increase its shipments of military equipment, including transport planes, high officials here would say only that the forces of Premier Nguyen Khanh would get "all they need."
The officials made it clear that Johnson's decision to beef up American forces and aid provided for "open end" assistance, meaning that the President was prepared to go as high as necessary.
THE FACT that the United States was planning to send 600 more military men to South Viet Nam was disclosed in mid-July by sources who said 300 would be from the elite "special forces" and the other 300 would be "military advisers." This commitment would raise the number of special forces troops in South Viet Nam to 1,000.
Officials said this was but one part of the vastly expanded program envisaged in the Saigon announcement.
It was more difficult to say, officials added, just what the increase in U. S. civilian personnel would be because of the difficulty the government here is having in recruiting top-notch people to give technical advice and help administer the aid program in that country.
THE DECISION to intensify the U. S. effort in Viet Nam, which includes the training of special Vietnamese guerrilla forces to operate across the border in Communist North Viet Nam, is expected to have political as well as military implications.
President Johnson told his news conference Friday that the United States "seeks no wider war," referring to possible expansion of the war into North Viet Nam.
18 Watkins, Summerfield Scholars Named at KU
Eighteen young men and women have received appointment to scholarships carrying the highest academic and all-round ability recognition that the University confers upon students who have graduated from Kansas high schools.
Seven women have been named Watkins scholars and 11 men Summerfield scholars on the basis of their records in scholarship, in leadership, and in promise of future usefulness to society.
Although most Summerfield and Watkins scholars are chosen through statewide competitive examinations given the senior year in high school, appointments are given each year to some who as KU students have clearly demonstrated superior achievement.
The amount of each scholarship is dependent upon individual need, varying from a single $100 honorarium up to full support.
Funds for the scholarship programs are provided through bequests by the late Solon E. Summerfield of New York City and Mrs. Elizabeth M. Watkins of Lawrence.
The new Watkins scholars are:
The new Watkins scholars are:
Patricia Sue Barnes, Ellinwood senior in French and Spanish education,
Barbara Kay Buller, Clyde
sophomore planning to major in French and English; Gwendolynn F. (Wendy) Fisher, Topeka senior in psychology and sociology; Patricia A. Goodwin Hiwatha sophomore planning to major in anthropology;
Judith G. Liechman, Overland Park junior; Mary E. Tate, Prairie Village sophomore in pre-nursing; Victoria Ann Williams, Shawnee sophomore.
The new Summerfield scholars are:
The new Summerfield scholars are Karl E. Becker Jr., Wichita senior in pre-medicine, chemistry, and economics; Robert A. Beyerlein, Phillipsburg senior in physics; Paul Louis Bock, Dodge City sophomore; David Mark Borel, Prairie Village sophomore in pre-medicine and zoology; Edmond Q. Haggart, Salina sophomore;
David Kent Hall, Coffeyville sophomore in engineering physics; Stephen H. Klemp, Lawrence senior in Slavic and Soviet area studies, Russian, and French; Shelley Boyd Peace Jr., Topeka sophomore in chemistry and mathematics; James Arnold Roberts Jr, Chanute junior in electrical engineering; Larry Raymond Salmon, Winfield sophomore, and John Burke Stinson, Topeka sophomore.