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Show The Tfvunderbird Thursday May 26, J983 Page 21 Shakespeare Festival girds for 22nd season by Michelle Bate 1 3 1 1 t V'- - f , The Adams Memorial Theatre is where is all happens on campus t beginning July 16. Amid majestic mountain splendor, the scent of richly colored pines and clean fresh air lies quietly nestled in it all, William Shakespeare. During the cold of winter he patiently waits, then when things begin to warm up Shakepeare comes alive once again. The atmosphere on the SUSC campus suddenly transforms from college students looking at the future to barefooted girls, and kings and queens, living in the 16th century. Thousands of people from all over the world come to Cedar City every summer to get a taste of life thousands of year ago. The Shakespearean Festival has grown considerably since its meager beginnings 22 years ago. Ever wonder what brings the unique magic to the festival or what makes all those who attend leave feeling a little bit lost m time? It isn't as easy as many would probably think reincarnating Shakespeares world in the 20th century. According to Gwen Sandberg, publications director for the festival, those in charge of the festival begin making plans for each festival one year in advance. This will be the festivals 22nd season and it has come a long way since its meager beginnings. The festivals first weeks run in 1962 brought 3,276 people to Cedar City to see Shakespeare brought to life once again. Today over 30,000 people from all over the world come to Cedar City every summer to enjoy the festival. What makes the Shakespearean Festival so perfect? The actors dont just come out of the blue. They are carefully selected from over 800 applications submitted each year. Its tough making the grade, which is one of the reasons why the festival has become one of the worlds finest Shakespearean Festivals. Another reason why the Shakespearean has grown is due to the talent and insight of Fred Adams who probably knows Shakespeare better than he knows himself. "Fred had the vision to realize that Cedar needed an evening activity and he was farsighted enough to know that by keeping everything high quality, the festival would be a success, said Sandberg. Months before the Adams Memorial Shakespearean Theatre is even opened, actors from all over the United States have been selected and by June 1 the actors have left President Reagan, inflation, and 1983 behind are are busy thinking about Henry V, The Two Gentlemen of Verona, and The Merchant of Venice, the three plays to be performed this year. Those involve with the festival have captured something that many who attempt to produce Shakespeare have failed at. (continued on page 23) Ogzewalla knows where shes going by Julie McCrory Among the SUSC graduates this year will be Valeen Ogzewalla, a Theatre Arts major from Centerville, Utah, and when she walks down that aisle, shell likely have a bit of a bounce in her step. That bounce will come from some of the shes gained through the theatre program at SUSC. She credits the program with helping her to become a good actress and for teaching her that that is what she is. She was without either of those attributes when she arrived here. And now she is the recipient of the John L. Seymour Award for the Outstanding Fine Arts Student of the Year. I wasnt expecting the award. I was expecting an art student to get it because I thought art was considered a more exacting science. I was pleased that the judges weighed us equally and considered theatre an art form. said Ogzewalla. Though theatre is now an important part of her life, this was not always the case. Ogzewalla attended Weber State College for three years as a history major. She did participate in theatre while a student there and won Best Supporting Actress. She also acted in one season of summer stock in Heber City, but at that time theatre her chief interest.- - After serving an LDS mission in the Spanish speaking area of south Florida, Ogzewalla returned to Utah and began working as a histotechnologist (processing of tissue for microscopic study) in Salt Lake City. I was a lab supervisor and relatively happy, said Ogzewalla. More than anything else, she wanted to return to school. The opportunity came when a Cedar City pathologist asked her to work for him here. Ogzewalla came on the condition that she would be allowed to attend college. She came and began to attend SUSC as an elementary education major. I tried to stay away from theatre, but I gave in and auditioned for a few plays. In her junior year, Ogzewalla changed her major to theatre with a child development minor and has been happy with her decision ever since. Im really, really glad I came here. I am more fulfilled here. Ogzewallas college theatrical erreer has been a successful one. She has won Best Actress for two consecutive years for her roles in The Cherry Orchard and You Can't Take h With You. Ogzewalla vas the recipient of an academic scholarship last year and the Robin Bishop Memorial Scholarship this year. Looking back on her years as a student here, Ogzewalla feels that SUSC has prepared her well for her future as a graduate student at the (continued on page 23) A Valeen Ogzewalla fl-- ! 4 |