ART & GALLERY
South Africa
This Thursday, Febuary 18 sees the opening reception for the new photography exhibit by The Siskiyou’s own Kayla Young.
Young spent spring 2009 in Capetown, South Africa working as an intern for South African publication “The Big Issue.”
The photographs being displayed in the Center For Visual Arts building are from Young’s personal collection and she says she is “honored to share them with you.”
Of her time in Capetown and the surrounding area Young reflects fondly, saying that, “My time in South Africa changed me. It opened my eyes.”
Come to the “South Africa” photograpy exhibit and show your support for world-class student work.
The exhibit will be held in the Meyer Memorial Gallery in the CVA building.
THEATER
Johnny, Don't Get Your Gun
“Johnny Johnson,” one of two winter plays being produced by the SOU theatre arts department, opened last Friday evening. The anti-war themed musical was written by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Paul Green, and features a large cast and ensemble of SOU students.
The title of the play is a reference to the most common name to appear on the U.S. casualty rolls during World War I, and the part of Johnny Johnson in the play is split between three actors, who each portray a different personality of the character.
Blaine Johnston, 21-year-old SOU theatre major, depicts Johnson’s more intellectual side.
“I play the thinker, the Johnny that has the ideas for change,” said Johnston, who recently performed in “The Music Man” at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival.
Johnston explained that director Randall Stuart had been holding on to a vision of “Johnny Johnson” and wanted to produce this play for many years.
“It’s a little bit of a dream play,” said Johnston. “There are three of us conveying this one man, and the way our director explained it was that any man could be Johnny Johnson; this is us just conveying his story.”
In addition to Stuart, the production team includes musical director Jennifer Schloming and choreographer Jim Giancarlo, all three of whom worked together on 2008’s Urinetown production at SOU.
“Johnny Johnson” was first performed on Broadway in November of 1936 and has rarely been produced since.
“This is a legendary play, and the chance to appear in it and see it is historical,” said Stuart. “We can say that we have studied, staged and shared this masterwork.”
On Thursday, a preview of the play was shown at a special price for SOU students with a gala that began at 7 p.m. Many attended in a formal dress to prepare for the first showing of the play.
“There was a lot of student support,” said Johnston. “We made a huge jump that night; it’s always a process and it’s always nice to get that first reaction, but every audience is different.”
Johnston said that it’s always interesting to see audience reactions and see what other people think is funny, because it often isn’t what the actors expect.
Johnston likes the acting experience because of the feeling a person gets putting themselves in someone else’s position.
“I like being able to live the life of a different person, and explore a different character,” said Johnston.
“Sometimes it’s an escape.”
The play was well received by the first audience of SOU students.
“I thought it was really creatively done,” said SOU student Brittany Bevis, 21, a human communication major who attended the preview. “I liked the theme of the play, that anyone could promote peace, anyone can try to change things. And it’s not a perfect happy ending, which I think is interesting.”
“I liked the humor and satire, and was happily surprised with the dramatic aspects of the play,” said Hamish Hinton, 20, a video production major who was also in attendance.
The play continues through February 28, with 8 p.m. showings Thursday through Saturday, and Sunday Matinees at 2 p.m. Tickets are $5 for students, $17 for seniors and $20 for others.
— Teresa Ristow
Campus Event Shout-out
SOU Snow Fiesta
This week at SOU is Snow Fiesta week, a week long series of events promoting winter fun.
Starting Monday, Feb 15 is the Rail Jam Snowboard Contest being held on the Britt Lawn in front of the Stevenson Union.
Tuesday, Feb 16 brings the Winter Fashion Show, sponsored by Aedion and Shasta Base Camp. The fashion show is being held in Diversions at 6:00p.m. Attendees will be gifted discount coupons to both Aedion and Shasta Base Camp. Following the fashion show will be a live concert/dance in Diversions to celebrate the Mardi Gras holiday.
Wednesday, Feb 17 will be a movie screening in Elmo’s at 12:00p.m. The snowboard movies “Forum Forever” and “In Deep” will be shown. At 5:00p.m. there will be a Ring of Fire event in the SU courtyard. Students are encouraged to bring a piece of paper with the name of something they want to give up written on it. These papers will be burned.
On Thursday, Feb 18 renowned hypnotist C.J. Johnson will be performing in the Rogue River Room at 7:00p.m.
Friday, Feb 19 sees the Snow Fiesta move to the Lithia Park ice skating rink from 5:30p.m. to 7:30p.m.
Saturday, Feb 20 the last day of the Snow Fiesta is a day at Mt.Ashland snowboarding as well as snowshoeing at Crater Lake. Shuttle Leaves at 8:00a.m.
This page was edited at 9:45 p.m. on 2/16/10.
