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Show The Salt LakeTribune ARTS ‘White People’ sneakin from the side, to work ina collage,” says Rogers. “The frag- ments, when thrown together, will Confronts Subtle Racism make something more resonant thana straight approach.It’s more interesting, and more dynamic for the audience.” Keven Myhre, whois directing “White People,” says, “What the play doesis subtly ask individuals how they perceive racism how subtleit is in ourselves.” @ Continued from D-1t ordinarily would not admit to having. According to Myhre, “White People” tells “very personal sto- What the characters say when ries and incidents that cause peo- theyface their true feelings isn’t easyto hear. Alan Harris (played by Kurt Proctor) is a young New YorkCity college professor who finds him- Sunday, September24,2000 to talk about our public world, and not just our private selves. That's New Play Sounding Series and participate in a post-play discus- self fascinated by an AfricanAmerican student in his anthro- Elephant.”) SLACwill host a post-play discussion with panelofSalt Lakers pology class. She’s young, she’s hip and she speaks what sounds to audience sharp intellect intrigues his mind; hervitality and grace attract him. Whena traumatic event occurs in Alan’s life, he is forced to question all of his previous assumptions. Mara Lynn\Doddson (Mary Parker Williams) was a cheerleader and homecoming queen at her Southern high school. Now she is living the downsideof the American dream and wondering whythe prosperouslife she felt entitled to is being lived by those she considers undeserving. Martin Bahmueller (Joe Welsch) has joined the “white flight” out of his native Brooklyn, relocating to St. Louis, where he "Soaked Paul Fraughton/The Salt Lake Tribune Kurt Proctor as college professor Alan Harris in “White People.” hopes to raise his children in a cleaner, purer environment than the oneheleft behind. Hefindslife in Missouri holds unexpected challenges. Rogers compares his new play the metaphorical or literal ‘death factor,’” he says. “If it's notlifealtering — life-or-death stakes —I can stay homeand order a pizza with friends — why go to the theater? I want to see something compelling enough for the people on the stage, that I'm compelled enoughtolisten.” Rogers chides modern media to asoliloquy. In it, the characters speakdirectly to the audience, but they neverinteract with each other; their stories are interlinked for giving out pat “feel-good” messages that deflect the necessary through commonthemes. “If you're dealing with hot- that provides answers,” he says. button issues, it's more useful to process of examining problems honestly. “I'm suspicious of art Emenee Season Pass offered exclusively at this location. Rossignol, K2, Cl earance SALE= aaaa PYLORI) eC y | A free panel discussion featuring Wilfrid Samuels, Theresa Martinez, Fred Oswald, Jan Saeed and Forrest Cuch will be Oct. 12 at9p.m. specializing in questions of race will makepeople think. This is the first time I’ve ever read a play that really deals with white people and and diversity on Oct. 12. Scheduled to appearare Wilfrid Samuels from the English and ethnic stud- their views and fears about race. ies departmentat the University It’s done more subtly in other plays — some by, African- of Utah; Theresa Martinez,associ ate professorofsociology at the U.; Jan Saeed,directorof the Institute for Healing Racism; Fred Oswald, a member of the U.’s Martin Luther King Jr. Committee; and Forrest Cuch, executive director of the Utah division of Indian Affairs. Martinez has readthe play and says, “I can tell that it is really powerful. It is going to provoke emotion and even some shock.It American playwrights — butthis the news. We donotlive in a colorblindsociety. People oughtto be honest andsay,‘Yes, I do see black and white. I do see Mexican. I do see Jew.’ We're from an abusive family in this country. We don't want to know the secrets, but really gets at hopes, fears and per- they’ re there.” ceptions.It’s an- importantpiece, “White People” had its premiere in January at the Philadel- and I'm going to encourage my studentsto go.” Martinez gives corporatetrainings and says trainees often ask, “Whydowehaveto bring race up atall?” “As if we live in a colorblind society!” says Martinez. “Here’s phia Theatre Company. Jim Craig is lighting designer; David Evanoff is sound engineer; Denise Pera is stage manager; set and costume design are by Keven Myhre. E-mail: chaker@sltrib.com “Theater can be used as a way to elicit public discourse, a place ate Mountain Outfitters FINAL BEST PASS mea vaid painful Tickets are $24.50 to $26.50 for regular performances; $17.50 to $22.50 for previews; $10 student tickets are available in advance with valid ID; service fees apply for all tickets. Call (801) 363 SLACor(801) 355-ARTS. in-progress on Oct. 2 for SLAC’s title for that play is “Seeing the their presentfor the opening andwill be featured in a talk-back after the Oct. 1 matinee. matinee performance of “White People” on Oct. 1. He also will attend a staged readingofhis play- sion that evening. (The working share at 8 p.m. and Sundays at 2 and 7 p.m. The playwright will be featured in a discussion after the Rogers puts each of his characters ina life-altering situation and doesn’t give them any easyouts. He doesn’t flinch from letting his Wednesdays and Thursdaysat 7:30 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays of the play on Saturdayandwill be individuals.” self-discoveries. i “I'm interested in theater with Salt Lake Acting Company’s regional premiere of “White People,” by J. T. Rogers, opens Saturday at 8 p.m. at 168 W. 500 North, Salt Lake City, and runs through Oct. 29. Previews are Wednesday and Thursday at 7:30 and Fridayat 8 p.m. Continues — bringing people together in a public space for a shared experience, then sharing ideas afterward.” Rogers will attend the opening ple to question their own upbringing and how they confront other him like a foreign tongue. Her @ Regional Premiere at SLAC what makestheaterso fascinating Valkl, Salomon PLACES TO GO. THINGS TO 00. PEOPLE TO PASS. Marker. Tyrolia, Ski and Snowboard Lange Tecnica, Jordica > Original Sin vf 1999-2000 merchandise Never Summer, 1/2 PRICE OR LESS! 8 "tov Clicker Bonfire, Spyd South Towne Mall (east side, facing State Street) North Face, Friday, ee. 1- Sunday, October I ind more! 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