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Show March 13, 2001 The Forum - 2 Theatre Instructor Nina Vought Imparts Energy to Students After 12 years of being a student of yoga, Nina Vought has decided to do FORUM Writer what comes naturally to her and began to teach yoga. She teaches an informal stands with her arms folded gathering of students and teachers who costume and make-u-p design, stagelegs crossed, leaning slightly, meet on Tuesday and Thursday morncraft and her specialty, theatre design, pressed against the cinfor various plays and performances for ings. The class can have up to as many der block wall. Her eyes softly gaze as 10 people show up one day then with empathy as her three young acting Westminster College. This fall, she only two or three the next. However, added a morning yoga class to her students struggle through their scene. she does not let this discourage her. "If already busy schedule. Finally, when she speaks, the gentle someone is unable to be here, I know tone of her voice comforts the girls. Vought came to Utah in 1988 after they want to be, but for some reason or Nina Vought, Westminster College earning a bachelor's degree in theatre another just couldn't," she says. arts with a minor in dance from Wake theatre instructor, has a calming presI get energy from the people Forest University in 1987. After arriving "Anyway, ence that subtly grabs your attention. that are there." This May Term Vought in Utah she worked behind the scenes She is a vegetarian, a caring mother of will be teaching yoga for actor an on numerous theatre productions for two rambunctious boys, Robinson, 5, course designed to assist entry-levthe University of Utah. Her first year and Grady, 2, and is one of the lucky actors in breath support; concentration, few who isable to work along side their at the university she became acquaintfocus and relaxation techniques. ed with James Macintosh, a P.E. teacher significant other, her husband Michael. Vought believes that the intense and yogi who would have a lasting Together the Voughts have become influence on her for the rest of her life. focus gained from doing yoga can benintegral members of Westminster's efit art students immensely. When peoHaving an overwhelming desire to ple do yoga they are forced to focus on improve all aspects of her life, Vought the moment and realize that their pres- decided to educate herself about yoga ent actions are going to affect their and signed up for one of Macintosh's future actions. This is also a very classes. After a few weeks she was important aspect of theatre, she adds. hooked and began to read everything It is late Wednesday morning, and she could find about yoga, eventually ' Acting I is just getting under way. reading an autobiography of There is a cozy atmosphere as Nina and Paramahansa Yogananda, a famous Michael Vought begin to address their yogi from India. class of nine students. Nina pleads with . Vought learned about the many her students about respecting each benefits of yoga, including increased other's time and trusting one another. flexibility, balance and focus as a way She is constantly reminding them that of keeping yourself centered, and using if they want to succeed as actors they yoga as a great way to relieve stress. must "stay on task, don't put things off With a hint of excitement she says, "I to the last minute. There will be plenty remember thinking, yeah, I want all to do the last minute." those thing in my life." After a few minutes of answering Photo Courtesy of Nina Vought She has been faithfully practicing the student's questions, Nina takes Above photo: Nina and Michael Voughtt are the yoga ever since. Which she believes, three girls into the hallway to perform reason the Theatre Department is so successful along with a vegetarian lifestyle, has their piece. at Westminster. Nina, Westminster College themade her more connected to life and atre instructor designed the set for the upcoming After listening to Vought for two has increased her energy, as well as her program, Playing for Time. days, I began to believe that yoga overall sense of health. would benefit these three young ladies enormously; they struggle through the scene while Nina analyzes them patiently, gently reminding them to add layers of emotion to their conversation to give the scene life. She lets the students do their work while guiding them through the subtleties of acting, suggesting to them to take into account all aspects of their individual ' The Forum is pubEditor Staff Writers lished characters and the actions that characevery Tuesday. Rachel Carlson Laurie Ashby Letters are encourter portrays. Brandon Christensen aged from students, After an hour of interactive teachProduction Manager Cecily Ellis faculty, staff and other readers. Address all ing, it is time for class to end. As Matt Gaschk Amy Young letters to: The Forum, Vought and the girls quickly put all ..Jason McDonald Westminster College, the props away, she calmly reminds 1840 S. 1300 E., Salt Copy Editor the three girls about practice, hard Lake City, UT 84105. Amanda Shiner Faculty Advisor letters , work and belief in themselves if they Only signed Fred Fogo will be accepted and want to become accomplished actors. The Forum reserves Photo Editor As Vought quietly walks up the the right to edit all Maritza I. Hererra submissions. Views stairs, an undeniable feeling of magnetism goes with her, and watching . expressed are those of the writer and are not Business Manager her I can't help but feel that Nina be to considered those Heather Bodrero Vought is one of those special people of the The Forum, who knows that she has the power ASWC, faculty, staff who hold others in her orbit. or administration. Jason McDonald Speech and Arts Theatre Program. For five years she has team-taugActing I, II and III classes, as well as providing instruction for students in ht She el . Student Art Exhibit in the Jewett Atrium from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 13: American Express and the Bill and Vieve Gore School of Business present James K. Galbraith as part of the Weldon J. Taylor Executive Lecture Series. The presentation is entitled Inequality in the Age of Globalization: What has Happened and Why? The lecture begins at 7:30 p.m. in the Gore Auditorium. March 14: Westminster Raps in Syme Lounge on Women in Politics with Lily Eskelsen. March 12-2- 4: 14-1Graduation cap and gown measto 6 p.m. in Shaw Center. Also 10 a.m. from uring pick up announcements at this time. March 5: March 15: Career Fair Workshops, 12-- 7 p.m. March 15: Poetry reading in Nunemaker Place at 8:00 p.m. featuring Rod Smith and Judy Jordan. The Theatre Department presents March 15-1Time at 7:30 each night in the Jewett for Playing W. Lees Center Jay Courage Theater. For reservations call 7: 832-211- 9. March 19: The Genevieve W. Gore Distinguished Resident Program presents Edward B. Burger at 7:30 p.m. in the Gore Auditorium. The lecture is entitled Magic with Mathematics: Is the formula faster than the eye? March 19: ASWC Senate Meeting, 7 a.m. in Howa Board Room. March 20: Tuesday Tunes in Shaw Center. March 22-2The Theater Department presents Time for at 7:30 each night in the Jewett Playing Center Jay W. Lees Courage Theater. For reser vations call 4: 832-211- 9. SHAW, from page 1 - - halls were built. "We needed to accommodate more students," said Morgan. One of the biggest concerns is that the project will fall behind schedule. Morgan is confident that everything is indeed on schedule. 'The builder specializes in these kind of interior renovations," said Morgan. "We've met weekly with the builder, and materials have already been ordered." The renovation is scheduled to be completed by August 1. TIME, from page 1 of this play made the cast stronger and more sensitive at the same time," says Vought. During the production of this play, the cast has been able to explore many emotions that are often repressed. The taught many in the cast that all humans are capable of great amounts of evil and negativity when installed with fear. Additionally, Vought had a survivor of the Holocaust come speak to the cast one night; the role-playi- ng gentleman told the cast how the emotional and mental scars he obtained during the Holocaust have affected the rest of his life. He explained the violence and hate present during the Holocaust never left him and he continued this cycle onto his family life. "IF s important to understand the human potential for evil," says Greta Schomburg, Westminster student and cast member. "You need to face your evil side to become more human." Schomburg thinks that attitudes reflected in the Holocaust are present in today's society and need to be identified. Ironically, Schomburg plays Nazi Maria Mandel, head of the women's concentration camps and someone who worked closely with Dr. Joseph Mengele, a German physician who preformed insidious acts to Jews in the name of medical science. The playwright. Miller, does an excellent job of both the Nazis and Jews as real people. por-trayi- See TIME, ng page 3 |