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Wednesday, March 13,2002 - Page 8 FEATURES Amy Hyde as Gail, Senior Maya Redfearn thinking up motives for her character's some- StajfWriler "College students are in some degree of as Dian Black, Senior Jon Parke as Stevie times shocking actions. (At one time in the rebellion against conventional behavior," Last Saturday night was bittersweet as the Moore, Junior Chris Hickle as Tom, Junior show, the audience finds out Nora has helped said Miller, "so there is a connection there." cast of Esc ape from Happiness took the stage Mike Pitsikoulis as Rolly Moore, Sophomore criminals by putting them to work in her Miller loved when cast members showed for curtain call. For some cast members, it Chrissy Anderson as Elizabeth and Gradu- house.) O'Brien said investing so much ef- up to rehearsals prepared with ideas they had was their final bow at WMC; but for every- ate-student Jonah Knight as Mike Dixon. fort into her character was unavoidable due been developing on their own, a critical en- one, it marked the end of seven weeks of Hundreds to Nora's dy- thusiasm needed to put on quality produc- hard work and an outstanding two-week run. of hours went namism. tions. His only qualm with the show was in- The performance laboratory class pre- into prepar- "You sufficient time to work on the scenes which sented the contemporary farce by George F. ing for the really want to created an awkward transition from explo- Walker to sold out audiences - six shows in three-hour show the au- ration to presentation. a row. per for- dience some- Kemp struggled with his character, Jun- "It was exhausting," said cast-member mances. The thing - find ior, because it wasn't a character he was used David Kemp, a senior theater-communica- cast started something to playing. He continually experimented with tion major, "but it was a lot of fun." rehearsing that they can Junior's characterization- even through the Senior English-theater major Missy Monday, identify with, final night. O'Brien agreed. According to O'Brien, af- Wednesday not just enter- "I just really started to have fun with it," ter the initial excitement of opening-night and Friday tain," said said Kemp. The cast did have one signifi- wears off, continuing to perform the same afternoons as O'Brien. cant on-stage obstacle to overcome: the role over and over again can seem monoto- well as eve- A c - kitchen table, a pivotal set piece, collapsed nous. But this was not the case with Escape. nings, Mon- cording to during the opening night perfonnance.- Some "This show was the most fun I've ever day through Director Ron had in a show at WMC," said O'Brien, who Thursday, Miller, the of the choreographed fight scenes had to be but the actors simply altered, adapted to the played Nora, the idealistic mother. "I during the play de- changed stage environment. After all, the couldn't wait to come back every night and last week of Jan-term. Besides "in-class" manded extreme behavior from the actors. show must go on. do-it again." rehearsals, each actor spent a great deal of Because the characters acted out behaviors For Kemp and O'Brien, Bscapewas their The ten-member cast portrayed a dys- time working on their characters individu- nonnally repressed in society, each under- final WMC production. Both seniors re- . functional family struggling with their ev- ally. ' graduate actor's technique was strained. marked that while they'll miss WMC the- ery day, bizarre lives. In addition to Kemp The actors's greatest challenge? Making However, Miller believes such extreme ater, they are ready .to move on. O'Brien and O'Brien, Escape showcased the talents the characters real and not presenting a car- behavior allowed the WMC community to hopes to nab a spot with the Nati~nal Play- of Senior Julie Keough as Mary Ann, Senior toon circus act. O'Brien spent a lot of time identify more with the characters. ers and Kemp plans to attend a stunt school. The Harlem Renaissance ended Black History, Month, but the WM C community wonders, is it really over? JESSICA WATSON stayed afterwards for a Features Editor book signing. While the month in itself may he over, There was also the Gos- members of the Black Student Union and the pel Jubilee, which featured WMC community reflect on the events and WMC's own gospel choir feel differently. along with several other On' February 28, the BSU held its Black choirs from the Baltimore History month finale. They ended with their area, including groups from mock Harlem Renaissance festival. Live the Beth 'el Temple Church music, dancing and poetry allowed the au- of Christ. Even if you were dience to relax, mingle, and reflect on the not sitting in the audience month that celebrated African American that night, the gospel melo- achievements. While this event ended Black dies could be heard from all History month, the legacy of African Ameri- across campus. can achievements should linger throughout Finally there was the the WMC community year round. Harlem Renaissance. Throughout the month of February, the Walking into the Decker BSU worked extremely hard to promote Center forum on this night awareness on campus and get the commu- was like stepping out of a nity involved. time machine, where all "We wanted to make sure that it was edu- who came were immedi- cational," said BSU president Maya ately surrounded by the Redfearn. "We may all be from different Cotton Club, on a late races, cultures, and ethnicity, but we also night, right before the per- share a lot of similarities." fonnances were about to take center stage. Now Black History Month has come and ing. Worrell agrees. Senior Angela Chapman also addresses The best attraction was not the food this time, gone, yet still a question lingers as to whether 'The best thing to do is to get your friends the issue. "We have so many stereotypes it was the talent.' Students showed their true or not awareness of this culture will still be to come and just put the word out there," over us. A lot of us are in our comfort zones, colors, taking on the roll of the Cotton Club promoted on campus. she said. accustomed to common beliefs and hesitant dancers, Zora Neal Hurston, poets Langston "We are a part of America," says Fresh- Lashawn Eley, freshman, also expresses to step out and explore," she said. "We in- Hughes and Angelina M. Grimke. and sing- man Nikki Worrell, "there shouldn't be just the same idea. "Sometimes I feel that we're teracton a 'hi' and 'bye' basis, but in many ing sensation Billie Holiday. one special month to promote our culture. not understood," says Eley. "Some people senses we are still divided." Even if students were unable to attend What would happen if a black man found think that they can't attend an event because Such events included the Soul Food Din- these events, the BSU sent out inspirational the cure for cancer? Will we tell him 'sorry, they are not black. They think they know ner, which featured live drama and poetry, messages on voice mailboxes all over cam- you have to wait until February?" what they are talking about, but they really nonstop music, and artwork. The decora- pus. "Nothing is set in stone yet, but the BSU don't know." One of the main goals that tions at each table and on the Decker Center There was no way for anyone not to be will be planning some things to further pro- BSU wants to achieve is shattering this para- forum walls vividly displayed information exposed to the livelihood and cultural cel- mote this culture," said Redfearn. "We're digm that you have to be black to participate about prominent African American figures ebration that was taking place on campus. having a fashion show on April 6, and we in their events. throughout history and a wide variety of de- "Just because people didn't come out feel that is a good way to promote African "Black History Month is not just African licious food was served. doesn't mean that they didn't leam some- American culture. American history, it's America's history," Another popular event was when the fa- thing," said Redfearn. "We were trying to Redfearn suggests that one of the best mous poet Nikki Giovanni spoke in Big target the general population of the WMC ways to increase attendance is to start small said Redfearn. that we are learn- "It should be everyday Baker Chapel, delivering words of wisdom community; we wanted them to at least ex- and then work their way out to a larger pic- ing about our heritage," said Chapman, "and and poetry overflowing with reality and a pand people's minds and horizons to differ- ture. However, this isn't possible without not just with African Americans, but with any sense of humor. She educated the audience ent ideas. Overall, who's to say that it wasn't the willingness of this community to open culture." Heritage does not deserve a month, about herself and what she believed in, and as effective as we wanted it to be." their minds and" change their way of think- it deserves a lifetime.