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Show B4 HUGO W1MN£R CULTURE New York Times Author NEBULA WINNER Famed writer Orson Scott Card to conduct writer's seminar ByANDYSHERWIN Culture Editor New York Times best-selling author and former Utah Valley resident Orson Scott Card will be holding a two-day writing seminar called Uncle Orson's Writing Seminar at UVU on June 28-29. Card is well-known as the writer of the popular Ender's Game series of books, but has also found fame with works as diverse as Biblical novels, poetry, video games, Iron Man comic books and his outspoken politics. Card is also a distinguished professor at Southern Virginia University, where he has taught creative writing classes and has been a judge for the Writers of the Future speculative fiction contest. Sponsored by UVU's Community and Continuing Education Department, the seminar will allow students to have faceto-face education from a highly successful author. Katrina Van Scott, manager of operations for the CCE department, said that "attendees will appreciate his open and engaging style, as well as learning from his experience in the writing industry. This seminar is also valuable for writers and playwrights." Intended for college-age and older students, either with or without much writing experience, the seminar costs $175. To register for the seminar, contact Diana Hunter of the Community and Continuing Education department at 801-863-8894. UVLPs first improv comedy club wants you to join By KELLY CANNON Culture Writer AUTHOR'S DEFINITIVE Courtesy of Amazon Wildly popular author Orson Scott Card to be on campus June 28th through June 29th. growing tradition We guarantee the lowest diamond prices! On June 4, UVU welcomed the first performance of the summer from "What's So Funny?," the university's first improv club. Set up similar to the television show Whose Line Is It Anyway?, the club members play different improv games that rely heavily on audience suggestions and participation. The club's founder and current president, Reed Parkinson, started "What's So Funny?" after attending improv workshops held at BYU. He began by asking random students in the Hall of Flags and in various theater classes if anyone would be interesting in starting an improv club. The responses were positive. "Anyone can join regardless of talent or experience," Parkinson emphasized in discussing his club. 'The club meets each Wednesday evening from 7-9 p.m. in PS 202 to practice. Anyone is welcome to come and participate or just watch. Improv games are played and people try to help one another improve their talents. Around half of the club has not had much experience with improv before, but Parkinson said there have been obvious improvements with some players. "Some people who were quiet at first really open up after a few practices and turn out to be some of the funniest players," Parkinson said. The players consist of a very diverse group of students, including majors in Chemistry, Communications, Religious Studies, Film and Parkinson's own major, Spanish. "We don't have a single theater major," Parkinson said, reiterating the club's policy of allowing anyone to join. "What's So Funny?" performs once a month. Anyone who has attended two of the weekly practices and feels comfortable with performing can be in a show. Their next performance will be on Friday, July 9, from 7-9 p.m. at the Center Stage Theater in the Sorensen Student Center. Admission is S2 per person or per couple. While the practices may be a little more liberal, the shows strive to be as PG-rated as possible. The players try to avoid unnecessary sexual references or swearing in the performances in order to encourage a "family-friendly" environment. Parkinson hopes that "What's So Funny?" will continue to grow and be supported by the student body. With some players graduating and others joining, he hopes it can sustain itself and become a UVU tradition. We custom design 100 new styles most months. ,?;. o i -.<•: #1 Lifetime+ Warranty r A i nor! 1344 South 800 East, Orem Southeast of University Mall 801-226-6006 60 East 10600 South, Sandy East of South Towne Mall 801-984-6870 .. 6190 South State Street, Murray West of Fashion Place Mall 801-713-1900 §ierra~West J E W E L E R S www.sierrawestjewelers.com "What's So Funny?," UVU's own improv group, welcomes anyone to join. Courtesy of Jake Buntjer |