friday, february 27, 2004
sub-cultures
the university daily kansan 3B
3B
Students find roles in life
By Jordan McKinney
Kansan correspondent
correspondent@kansan.com
Arriving to audition through the front doors of Murphy Hall, aspiring actors are greeted by an nostalgic air of performances unforgotten.
After signing up in front of the Crafton-Preyer theatre, they move toward their potential role, with hope that their efforts lead them to perform on that auditorium's main stage. They descend upon the Green Room to sit amongst the smell of makeup, wood shavings from productions past, and the images of actors established years before. They wait to hear their names. If all goes well, they may be called back.
The only thing that matters is the skills you bring to the audition.
This is the concept that any University of Kansas student
finds when vying for a spot in any University Theatre production. Students can audition regardless of their major. Matthew Greer, journalism senior, joined the journalism program in 2000, but never had any doubt what he wanted to do.
He had strong interests in both journalism and theatre. He felt he could get cast for parts but wanted to have a journalism degree to fall back on.
"I want to be an actor, and there's no doubt in my mind about that." he said.
Greer said he felt a strong calling toward the stage. During his freshman year, he found out how competitive the program was. He tried out for plays but didn't receive a role.
"I did some student productions to keep busy and improve," he said. "But I wasn't able to get in any UT productions."
He didn't give up then. While fulfilling his journalism degree,
he continued to make his name under the lights.
"The important thing is that if you're going to do it, then do it," Greer said. "You can't really just dabble in it."
He managed to get his name noticed by professors in the department.
John Staniunas, artistic director for the University Theatre, said students in majors other than theater, enjoyed finding a creative outlet in his department.
"Theatre becomes this sort of guilty pleasure for them," he said. "They jump right in to the acting community here, because they've found something outside their field that they enjoy."
Acting led Erika Crane, Tokyo, Japan, senior, all the way from Asia to Kansas.
Crane chose the University because her father is a native of Kansas. Crane said ambition and curiosity were her driving forces.
Caitlin McDonald, Bismarck, N.D., junior, put makeup on Saturday night in Murphy Hall. McDonald played the role of Alligator in the play Really Rosie.
"I try to spread out and do things that I've never done," Crane said. "I like a wide variety of challenges and projects because it keeps me interested and involved."
The challenges of participating in the University Theatre are varying and indistinct.
Greer said when he had to balance acting responsibilities with a separate major, the effects were
frustrating.
"At the end of the day, I know deep within myself that I want to be an actor," Greed said.
Edited by Guillaume Doane
Working at the Kansan: more than just a newspaper
By Kelsie Smith
Kansan correspondent
correspondent@kansan.com
Traditions abound at the University of Kansas. To the collegiate world, The University means the Rock-Chalk chant, basketball and, well, the student newspaper?
The University Daily Kansas might not be making any Final Four appearances, it is just as much a part of Kansas tradition as Allen Fieldhouse.
When editor in chief Michelle Rombeck got married during fall break, she didn't take any time off from the paper.
"I just came back," she said. "I'm that pathetic."
Pathetic may not be the best word to describe it, but for Rombeck the Kansan is a way of life. In addition to the 14 credits the Topeka junior is taking this semester, she spends an average of 40 hours a week working at the paper. This is Rombeck's second semester as editor-in-chief and, although the job is demanding, she said she doesn't get burned out.
"It's probably the coolest thing I've ever done," she said.
Editors at the Kansan are paid, but the practical value of their work is what appeals to most of them.
Malcolm Gibson, general manager and news advisor for the Kansan, said that many students'
GPAs suffered as a result of the hours spent at the paper. But, Gibson said, they realize the value of the experience outweighs the sacrifice to the grades.
Kevin Faddis, one of three design chiefs, has been working at the Kansan since last spring. The Kansas City, Kan., sophomore gets paid $40 a night and works an average of two nights a week. He said no one works at the Kansan for the money.
Faddis said during the week he spends more time in the newsroom than he does at home.
"It's scary to think about how much some people are here," he said, and looking toward Rombeck's office added, "Michelle especially. She is
always here."
Rombeck is aware of the amount of time she spends at the office. She said she is there not just to work, but because it's a fun place to be.
Although students are responsible for the production of the paper, the Kansan has an advisor. Gibson is responsible for the Kansan's fiscal health and offers advice to editors and reporters. He never sees the paper before it is printed.
"They come to me when they think things are going to be particularly sensitive and I make a case and sometimes they agree with me and sometimes not," he said.
staff has license to print whatever it wants. Gibson said if necessary, a staff member can be brought before a board of three faculty and three students, including the editor, the business manager and a student senator. There have been instances where staff members have been fired, but Gibson said those cases are few and far between.
That doesn't mean the Kansan
The Kansan has many sides of production. Students hold positions as reporters, copy editors, columnists and advertising representatives, to name a few.
Anyone can get involved at the paper. Full-time news reporters are a part of Journalism 695, a three-credit class that requires its students to write for the paper.
Neeley Spellmeier, Sabetha senior, is taking 695 this semester. She said the class was a good way to get students involved in journalism.
"I'm surprised that it's not more stressful than it is," she said. "I enjoy the pace of the class."
Spellmeier, who is assigned to the police beat, said she spends about 20 hours a week working on at the Kansan. She said she appreciated the effort the paper made to get all types of KU students involved.
"We want to serve the University," she said. "We don't want to just serve the journalism school."
- Edited by Henry C. Jackson
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