University Daily Kansan
Wednesday, July 13, 1977
3
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About 40 students, faculty members and townspeople who make up the KU Repertory Theatre will present their first production Thursday night.
During the show season, the company members will be going from the back shop (left), to the make-up room (above center), to the stage (below center) and occupation.
It's a popup of actors and managers, some on stage and some who disappear to work as crew behind the set, like chameleons shedding their skins to put on a new appearance.
The University of Kansas repertory theater company, whose actors are set designers and builders and technical assistants will present its first of three productions "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," tomorrow at 8 p.m. The two other productions, "Inherit the Wind," the play by Stephen King on Friday and Saturday, respectively. All three will be presented in rotation basis through July 31.
That's the advantage of repertory theater, according to Jack Wright, director of the company. "It's a little bit like a movie."
"It gives people a choice," Wright said. "The audience can select the nights it wants to attend, when the days are available."
Repetition gives company members a chance to be actors, designers and stage crew, be said.
"People can watch a play develop, from the set design to its final production."
When a company member isn't acting in a play, he may design or build sets or help with lighting or sound. Wright said. But the acting is more intense and complex than the acting that, because actors are necile in three plays.
The nucleus of the company begin at the start of the summer form as an improvisations class, then a workshop where they learn how to work.
However, some of the 30 actors and 12 technical staff see the plays' production as enjoyable but time-consuming, with a day beginning at 9 a.m. and ending about 11 p.m.
The mingling of roles and duties has knitted the company together, Wright said, as a professional.
He said that each actor worked to develop different vocal styles, physical characteristics and different expressions.
the repertory theater idea was the brainstem of the theater committee, composed of Wright, Ronald A. Willis, director of the University Theatre and Kuhike, Kuhlke, professor of speech and drama and theater.
"That makes for a certain feeling of cameraderie," he said.
"Part of the fun for an actor is to hope that the audience won't recognize him as having been in college."
Cathy Rogers, Lawrence graduate student, said that she doesn't think about being tired.
"You've got your crew assignments and two roles, and you know at the beginning of the summer, you'll spend your whole day and night here," she said. "You just forget about playing tennis."
Story by Donna Kirk
Rogers plays Miss Metalea in "Burk of the Moon" and Rachel Brown in "Inherit the Wind." She built big figures for "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum."
Barbara Mounsey, Granville, O., 1977 KU graduate, said that building three shows in one and one-half weeks put pressure on company members.
"It takes that long to do a single show in a year," she said.
One of the problems she had as staff costume designer was that most of the company members had no sewing experience, she said, and that much of what was sewn at first had to be ripped out.
Tom Hawner, Lawrence senior who plays Mr. Atkins in "Dark of the Moon" and Protein in "A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum," was the author of books that changed his ideas about people in theater.
Fitting the cast was easy, she said, because members were always around. But fitting Sheba, the monkey, for her role in "Inherit the Wind," was a challenge.
"I always used to think of theater people as smobs, but now I know better," he said. Howaw, dance major, said he'd like to choreograph a play or musical.
Following orders was something Debbie Ryan, Tonganue freshman, learned from working as a company member. She plays Hattie Hefner in "Dark of the Moon."
"Where do you find a waist on a monkey?" she said. "We did make a hat for her, but she took it off."
But acting as is enjoyable as it is time-consuming. Charles H. Oldfather, professor emeritus of law, who plays Clairece Darrow in "Inherit the Wind," has given her the advice that she Darrow to help him to get to know the character.
"You've got to do as you are told, or it messes everything up," she said.
"I can identify with him," Oldfather said. "He was a rational, critical person, but very warm in personal life. He thought deeply about people, about social problems. He favored individual thought."
Oldfather retired three years ago from KU. He said now that he has time, he wouldn't mind doing what he did when he was a student.
Photos by Rick Padden