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Show The Missing Link: 5 Friday, April 27,2007 Head to www.myextralife.com for fun links, comics, radio show and forums. 797-1769 diversions@statesman.usu.edu Higher Logan's 'best-kept secret' helps build teamwork, creativity and trust B Y JEN BEASLEY Staff Writer Anyone who has ever held a job may have hoped at some point that their boss would fall off a cliff. But anyone who has caught their boss after they fall of a cliff may have been to the USU Ropes Course. Nestled in a clearing near the mouth of Logan Canyon, the USU Ropes Course is a collection of physical challenges that test balance, courage and ingenuity while building trust and confidence among members of groups. Owned by USU Conference Services, the ropes course is utilized by corporations, youth groups, church groups and athletic teams for team-building activities designed to build cooperation and trust. But many people don't even know it's there. "It's the best-kept secret in Logan," said Chelsea Nelson, the ropes course coordinator. To help change that, an open house was held Thursday to spread the word about the ropes course, which was built in 1999 but has only begun to see notable traffic in the past two years. The public was not allowed to test the course activities at the open house due to liability issues, but employees of Conference Services demonstrated the challenges, which include a zip line, a mini skycoaster, and a wobbly log hung high in the air that two people must work together to cross from opposite directions. "In every organization, you need to learn to work together. Every one of these events you need to work with your team," Nelson said. Such course events include walking on a rope from one post to another on the "Mohawk Walk" as well as the "Nitro," which challenges people to cross a pit from one platform to another using a rope that hangs out of reach in the center. "People get really creative," Nelson said. LeeAnn Lundgreen, a junior in social work who was demonstrating elements of the course, said the physical component is not the greatest challenge of the activities. "It's overcoming the fear. Even though you're fully harnessed, you feel like you're going to fall," Lundgreen said. Kylie Rakes, a junior majoring in biology, said the fun part of the ropes course is the atmosphere that is created when teams do the challenges together. "It's so fun, the enthusiasm your team expresses. There's rules here, there's no negativity at all. There's a rule, you can't say 'fall' or 'can't1 or 'die,'" Rakes said. One activity where those rules are especially important is the "trust fall," in which participants stand on a platform and fall off it backwards into the arms of teammates. Lundgreen said it was frightening when she did the trust fall, but her teammates did not let her down. "It was like, the most amazing thing when they catch you and you don't hit the ground," Lundgreen said. Nelson said the trust fall is probably the most dangerous activity on the course, "but it is extremely safe if people are focused." She said she has seen teenage girls catch Jamie Crone/jamieaane^cc.usu.edu • ROPES OF COURSE STACI KOUDEIKA HANGS HIGH in the air waiting to release herself to swing down as part of a training with her fellow USU Conference Services employees. see page 7 Summer opera tries to enlighten a crass world BY BRITTNY GOODSELL JONES Staff Writer Michael Ballam said his 15 years as a principal volunteer for the Utah Festival Opera Company have been more than rewarding. "This is not my job, this is my passion," Ballam said. "What I .want to do is make the world a better place, and I believe we have done that here. Three-hundred-thousand people have walked through those doors in the last 15 years whose lives are better for coming inside this building. We live in a very vulgar, crass world and at least for a few hours, when they come inside that building, they get a glimpse of something better." The Utah Festival Opera Company, founded and directed by Ballam, is entering Photo courtesy Cory Weaver LAST YEAR UFO PERFORMED "Man of La Mancha" (shown above). This year's schedule includes "West Side Story," I I Trovatore," "Most Happy Fellow," "Porgy & Bess" and "Showboat." its 15th year of operation. Each year, four or five different operas or musicals are planned, practiced and produced on the stage at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan. This creates a five-week, nationally known festival of summer performances. The five performances for 2007 season consist of "West Side Story," "II Trovatore," "Most Happy Fella/' "Porgy & Bess" and "Showboat." Ballam said he is unsure which performance in particular he would recommend someone to attend. "That's like asking me which of my children I would save if the ship was going down," he said. "They need to look and see what appeals to them. If they love American jazz, then 'Porgy & Bess.' If they love a Romeo and Juliet story, then they ought to see 'West Side Story.' If they want to see a musical that will change their life and make them come out a different and better person, then 'Most Happy Fella' is the one." All the operas and musicals are five entirely different works, Ballam said, and each one is a masterpiece. This is the first season in 15 years where Ballam said he can really say that about every single work. "They're the best of the best," he said. Tonya Smith, director of marketing and communication, said prices for USU students are half off and can be purchased one hour before each show begins, called the "student rush." Smith said students need to remember to bring a valid student identification cafd. Ballam said although many USU students attend the performances or take part in some performances, he said he would like to see more students there. "If they want, they can see an opera for the same price of a movie," Ballam said. "It's a wonderful date. It's a good way to impress a girlfriend or a boyfriend if you bring them to an opera. It makes them think you're intelligent." Smith said attending the opera is becoming more of a trend among younger-people but some people are intimidated to come to the opera because of proper opera etiquette, especially in terms of dress. But Smith said not to worry since the opera brings in people who come in all different types of clothing. "I've seen people in shorts, obviously nothing too grungy, but I've seen people in all different attire," Smith said. "Since we are in Logan, Utah, it is not an uptight atmosphere." As a girl, Smith said she loves to dress up in a fancy dress for certain events and since she said there are not many opportunities for dressing up in Logan, she most often dresses up for the opera. "But it's not a necessity at all," she said. Ballam said although he sees an occasional man dressed in a tuxedo, even Larry H. Miller will come in a golf shirt and khaki pants. Being comfortable during the performance is what Ballam said should be important to the patron. Smith said seeing the different reactions from the audience members once a show ends is the most rewarding part of her work. After putting in a "great deal of time and heart" into the performances, Smith said the company's hard work pays off. "Last year as I was in the foyer and I would watch people walk out of the foyer, >UFO see page 6 |
