UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
Tuesday, February 17, 1997
5A
From 'hood to Hollywood
Young actor finds spotlight on stage
By Tiffany Kohl Special to the Kansan
Byron Myrick is no stranger to the spotlight. He has commanded it to shine his way since he was the class clown and storyteller in grade school.
And the Chicago, Ill., senior continues to make a name for himself as a young African-American actor.
At the Kennedy Center and American College Theatre Festival in late January at the University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls, Myrick placed fourth among students competing for Irene Ryan acting scholarships from the eight-state midwestern region.
Myrick was one of four students representing English Alternative Theater and the University of Kansas. He was nominated to compete by his EAT colleagues after appearing in the Fall 1996 EAT productions Tidings and The Chalky White Substance.
Myrick appeared in the 1996 film Kansas City, directed by Robert Altman and starring Harry Belafonte.
"We started shooting Kansas City
in April of 1955," Myrick said. "After a group of men, including myself, had been cast as 'the gang,' Robert Altman was standing there looking at us. He looked right at me, and he said, 'You look meaner and crazier than everyone else. You're going to be seen more. You're going to be Harry's right-hand man.'"
Myrick said that the experience had left its mark on him.
"Harry Belafonte totally embraced me," he said. "It was like nothing I've ever experienced."
Growing up as the youngest of 11 children in the west side of Chicago wasn't easy for Mrick.
"I grew up in the 'hood, as they say," Myrick said. "I was always known as the guy who told jokes. I always knew I would go to college."
Myrick said that he had been challenged by his mentor, the late LeWan Alexander, former theater student and instructor.
"He said to me, 'I know you can be funny, but can you be serious?' Myrick said. "He gave me my first role on the stage. So there I was, and it was just a matter of time before I was receiving scholarships."
Paul Lim, associate professor of English and founder and artistic director of EAT, said that he was proud of Myrick's performance.
Byron Myrick
"Byron had really intense concentration, and he did very fine physical work." Lim said. "He's one of the best actors we've worked with in EAT. Through the years he's participated in a number of EAT projects."
After he graduates, Myrick will head to Hollywood. He wants to continue doing films and entertaining.
Myrick said that he believed the world was his stage and that things were just beginning for him.
Lawrence churches to sponsor folk and bluegrass concerts
By Sarah Chadwick Special to the Kansan
A series of folk and bluegrass concerts performed by local and nationally known singer-songwriters will be performed this semester in Lawrence.
The West Side Folk series, co-sponsored by the Ecumenical Christian Ministries and the West Side Presbyterian church, 1024 Kasold Drive, is a series of folk and bluegrass concerts held at the ECM, West Side Presbyterian Church and other locations around Lawrence.
The venues may give people the impression that the concerts are religious. Not true, said Bob McWilliams, KANU jazz director.
or not."
"A lot of people are singing spiritually about things such as grief, loss and celebration of life," McWilliams said. "So it's appropriate that we have some of these things in the church. It kind of gets to the real idea that music can be spiritual, whether it's religious
McWilliams started the series in 1994 when he agreed to hold a house concert for a friend of a friend. Through word of mouth, more performers came to his home until its popularity grew enough to move it into the West Side Presbyterian Church. Soon the ECM became involved, and the series was started.
Net proceeds from the concerts go the Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen, Alternative Spring Break program and other local charities. Student volunteers help run the concession stands, which also raise money for charity.
"I coordinate the concession stand and make sure conditions are appropriate for the artist coming to perform," said Carlos Zeisel, Aruba, Netherlands, graduate student. "It's a way to see nationally known folk artists and get involved with other activities at the ECM. I think it's great that we raise money for charity
because it puts money back into the community."
McWilliams also said that he liked the idea that the concerts were for charity.
"I don't want to make money on this," he said. "I want the artists and the charities to make money."
One reason for the series' popularity is that the crowds can get close to the performers.
"It's a really intimate atmosphere," said Ellen Paul, Stevens Point, Wis., graduate student. "That's what I like about these concerts. You really feel like the singer is singing right to you."
The next concert in the series is Mike Dugger, Chris Grotewohl, Roger Landes and Joe Root this Saturday at the West Side Presbyterian Church. Proceeds from this show will benefit Women's Transitional Care Services. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m.
For more information or a list of upcoming performances, call 842-1173.
842-5921
9th &
Mississippi
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Downtown Lawrence
Immunization Hold on your Permit to Enroll?
KU students must provide medical documentation of 2 MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) immunizations. If you have not—your Spring 1997 enrollment for Fall 1997 classes is on hold.To enable enrollment the hold must be removed before Monday, March 3.
If you received an MMR letter from Watkins, please bring letter and documentation to Watkins Immunizations. Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Students born before 1957 are exempt but must complete a Watkins health history form. There is no charge for a required immunization.
Questions? © 864-9533
//www.ukans.edu/home/watkins
If somebody you care about smokes—encourage them to get help to quit. We'd like to help with the "No-Nag, No-Guilt" Quitting Smoking Program—a positive approach based on what smokers said would help them quit.
Save-A-Sweetheart Week
For more information:
Health Promotion @ 864-9570.
February 17, 18, 20
11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Kansas Union, 4th floor
INFO TABLE
Another focus this week is learning about safer sex and abstinence, prevention of STDs including HIV, and prevention of unintended pregnancy.
If you don't know the facts visit the info table or contact a Watkins health educator or healthcare provider.
//www.ukans.edu/home/watkins
National Condom Week
KU
POWER TOOLS LEADERSHIP
1997 Blueprints
Student Leadership Conference
Saturday,
March 1, 1997
Kansas Union
Registration due February 21
Gain knowledge and insight from KU staff, faculty and current student leaders. Join us and take part in dynamic workshops which will give you skills you can use in any leadership position.
Workshops:
Parliamentary Procedures/
Running a Meeting
Networking & Using KU Resources
Balancing School, Leadership &
Social Life
Marketing Leadership Skills
Setting Goals for Groups
Promotions
Fundraising
Ethical Leadership
Icebreakers & Teambuilders
Managing & Motivating Volunteers
Diversity: People Skills & Negotiation
Organizational Skills
Registration:
Cost: $10.00 (per person)
For an application stop by the Organizations & Activities Center
400 Kansas Union
Lynn Leban Memorial Scholarship
To recognize a concern for justice For academic year 1997-1998
We invite you to apply for the scholarship or to nominate someone you know, based on the following criteria:
- Outstanding personal honesty, truthfulness, independence of mind, selflessness, concern for justice.
- Evidence of volunteer efforts to help others.
- A commitment to the use of one's education in helping others.
- A record of academic achievement which supports continued academic progress.
Open to all majors.
Academic Standing:
Junior and senior undergraduate students (1997-1998 academic year)
For application, contact:
Ra Willits
School of Social Welfare, 215 Twente Hall
Application deadline:
March 1, 1997