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Show !MONDAY, FEBRUARY 16, 2001 UNIVERSITY JOURNAL ARTS Theatre editing done to attract audienc e s BY PAIGE HENDRICKSON SENIOR STAFF WRITER The general attitude at Southern Utah University regarding the theatrical productions performed on campus 1s clear M.odifying scri pts or scenes is not only a perm itted practice but a common one This attitude may not surprise students or faculty of the predom inantly Mormon institution, but the logic behind it isn't based on the religious beliefs of the directors or actors. The logic comes from a careful analysis of audiences and an effort to give them what they will pay to see. Charles Metten, dean of the College of Performing and Visual Arts, said he directs productions with one purpose: to fill the seats . If that includes editing a scene or modifying some language, he will do it. "This is not unique to Utah ; they even edit on Broadway," Metten said. "I want an audience . You don't offend a conservative audience." Kyle Sm ith, a theatre arts major from Madras , Ore., called Utah a conservative state and . said he does whatever will get the message across to the audience without shocking 1t. Smith said it would be unfortunate for audience . members to view a scene containing nudity or vulgarity and qase their like or dislike of the · production on that scene alone . "Minor changes are acceptable," he said, but to keep the necessity of editing to a minimum , he keeps "the audience in mind before picking a piece.· Smith's perception of theatre in southern Utah is sharectby others. such as Michael Don Bahr, the education director for the Utah Shakespearean Festival. Referring to the rapes, murders and other methods Shakespeare used to teach ethics through his works, Bahr said all editing questions come down one question : "What is the lesson?" If modifying the language or scene loses the message of the piece. he said , the director had better leave 11 alone. "It's better to get touched than miss the message," he said, adding that his motto is, "Don 't shock or mock , but enrich and teach" Permission to edit theatrical work is obtained before any performances are altered , Bahr said What about performers who aren 't comfortable performing what the director has asked them to perform? Metten said actors can sign into their contracts that they don't smoke, use vulgarity, perform nude scenes or anything else that would make them uncomfortable. In his 50 years directing , Mellen said he has never been asked by a student to add questionable material into performances, nor has any student in his theatre programs been forced to perform something he or she has not wanted to. Mark Houser, a senior theatre arts major from Bellefonte, Pa., said he has "never had to compromise his values" to perform on campus_ He's acted in 10 theatrical productions, over the last five years at SUU . Houser said editing is · a collaboration between the director and the student. " "Language is cut mainly because of the audience ," he said. "'Hells' and 'damns' are usually unnecessary adjectives. We just kind of pass over them." "If you 're doing it [swearing] for the sake of art, that's the wrong reason,· he said. "There are other things you can do for the sake of art." Professor shares gift SUU music professor Michael Dean appears as chamber musician and soloist on a recently released a CD entitled Red Mesa Trio. The CD features music by William Bolcom , Charles Ives, A ram Khachaturian , and Springdale, Utah , composer Phillip Bimstein. ·1 am especially excited about the ragtime suite , Afternoon Cakewalk, by Bolcom .• Dean sa id. "It is a little-known , yet wonderful set of rags for clarinet, violin , and piano. Ou rs is only the second recording of the work the first was done by an ensemble in South Africa ," he said . In addition tol Dean on clari net, the R~d Mesa Trio features former SUU music professor Philip Baldwin on violin. Dean is assistant professor of Clarinet and Saxophone at SUU . He has been at SUU for six years and is an active soloist, recitalist and clin ician. Dean and SUU music professor Ca rol Ann Modesitt will perform a joint recital at Carnegie Hall in New York City in 2002 . The Red Mesa Trio CD is available at the SUU Bookstore. PAGE 11 SWANSON FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP TO BE AWARDED FOR THE 2001 - 2002 ACADEMIC YEAR Eligibility Requirements I . Any one of the fol/owing baclfgrounds 11 Ethnic minority 2/ Rural community 3/ Non-traditional Student II. Academic Criteria 11 Complete a minimum of 12 credit hours for the academic year 2/ Remain in good academic standing Appl/cations available at the Student Development center fSDCJ Sharwan Smith Center, Room 169 (435/586-5419 DEADLINE : March 19, 200, RET IREMEN T INSURANCE MUTUAL FUNDS by 4 p.m. at the TRUST SERVICES Tax-deferred solutions from TIAA-CREF can help you reach your retirement goals faster. When you're investing for retirement, the adage "never put off until tomorrow what you can do today" doesn't apply to taxes. That's because inves ments that aren't eroded by taxes ca n add "up to s1gnihcantly more money for youmoney you can use to supplement your pension and Social Security. soc TU ITION FI NANC ING Callus for aftee tax-savings calculator TAX OEFE RRAl MAKES AOIFFERENEE $102,068 . 67,514 Let our consultants show you all the advantages of tax deferral, or call us for a free tax-savings calculator. 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