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Show AggieUH Monday, Nov. 5, 2007 Page 7 National tour of acclaimed, controversial play performs at USU COURTESY OF USU MEDIA RELATIONS The national tour of the play "N*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK," a show about respect, will be performed at Utah State University Nov. 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the Kent Concert Hall. It is a performance that looks at words, peels away their meanings and examines who has the license to use them, said Keri Mecham, USU associate director of Student Involvement and Leadership Center. The conversation this acclaimed and controversial production will likely spawn regarding language and respect will continue into the following week during USU's Diversity Week, said Moises Diaz, director of Multicultural Student Services. Tickets for the production are now on sale and can be purchased at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or the Taggart Student Center ticket offices. Some language in the performance may not be suitable for children under 13. The Kent Concert Hall is on the east end of campus approximately at 1110 East 610 North. Already performed at more than 70 university and college campuses nationwide, the production, with the subtitle "Three Hateful Words: A Dialogue on Language and Respect," will make three other stops in Utah, including Ogden, Salt Lake City and Park City. Winner of the 2003 award for "Best Play" from the American Readers Theater Association, N*W*C charges into the dangerous territory of race, but without the predictable anger and angst, according to press materials. "We get that the title is tough for some people, but it's real," said Miles Gregley, actor and co-writer. "We all got called those words and just think there is nothing wrong about confronting them head-on. Our philosophy is that there shouldn't be words out there floating around that can bring someone to their knees by just saying them out loud, you know?" The production is sponsored by the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, the Utah Arts Council and the Associated Students of USU. This decision to bring this to USU was widely discussed by the ASUSU programming committee, said Mecham. She said that early on, when students were deliberating on whether to bring N*W*C* to campus, they thoroughly reviewed the press materials and video segments and asked the opinion from a variety of fellow students. Also, by co-sponsoring with the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences and ASUSU, leaders felt it was a great opportunity to integrate an academic component to the performing arts series, Mecham said. "I appreciate that the play combines both laughter and poignant moments in the real-life experiences of these actors," said Kyle Milne, last year's ASUSU Arts and Lectures director. "This is an opportunity to create dialogue on the sensitive topic of race and that has the possibility of building understanding among the campus community." From an academic perspective, the production is beneficial because the arts are a cultural phenomenon, said Tom Peterson, who has included the performance in his "Civilization: The Creative Arts" 1330 class curriculum for fall semester. "The arts are an indicator of the existence of a civilized society, and this production shakes the very roots of what society can do to segments of the melting pot we call America," he said. "This threeman play will allow students to experience the power of language, the power of communication, the power of the arts." Peterson points out that an important part of the performance is the inclusion of scheduled class discussions where students will have the opportunity to interact with the actors in an effort to discover that thin line between reality and theater. Can theater cause change? Can it at least provide a springboard for discussion? "Our intent is that through student interaction with the actor-writers and attendance at this performance, these questions can be better understood, if not completely answered," he said. "Can the arts change social behavior? They can certainly open the door to an analysis of individual thoughts about race and the use of racial slurs." The public is welcome to attend the class discussions. For times and location information, contact Mecham at 435-797-2912. Details are also being posted on the university's Web site at www.usu. edu. In addition to class discussions, the actors will also be available for a public discussion Nov. 9, the Friday prior to the university's annual Diversity Week, Nov. 12-16. Diaz, director of Multicultural Student Services, said the production, a week prior to Diversity Week, does draw attention to issues and notions that are often unaddressed. The goal ultimately is to promote education and constructive dialogue on racial issues. "As entertainment it could surely reach a segment of campus not prone to attend academic lectures on racism," Diaz said. "While everyone will not agree with their approach, the artists represent themselves and their human stories in a way that resonates with many. Its candor can be seen as necessary at a time when some believe discussion of racism is irrelevant." Sonny Bryant, ASUSU Campus Diversity and Organizations vice president, is organizing activities for Diversity Week. Food, guest speakers, workshops and entertainment highlight the week. The week concludes Friday, Nov. 16, with a cultural showcase and the presentation of the university's Diversity Awards, among other activities. Details will be released at a later date. N*W*C* blends theater, hip-hop, stand-up comedy, slam poetry and true-life stories in an original style. Gregley mixes it up with two fellow performers, Rafael Agustin and Allan Axibal, as the only three cast members. They are men of color. including one who lived in the United States as an undocumented citizen while growing up. One is Hispanic-American, one African-American and one Asian-American- As the show's co-authors, the painful discrimination they faced as young men growing up in Southern California is reflected in the production, according to press materials. They met at community college in Southern California where they became good friends and transferred together to UCLA's School of Theater, Film and Television. N*W*C premiered in short form in May 2003 at the American Readers Theater Association national theater festival, where it swept every major award, including the Audience Prize and the award for Best Play. "The Los Angeles Times" says the trio of versatile actors wields words that empower in disarming ways. "Don't let the title fool you: lN*GGER WETB*CK CH*NK,' which returned to L.A. after a two-year national tour, is wholesome entertainment," according to a July 9 "LA Times" theater review. "Yes, racial slurs and occasional profanity can sometimes be good for you — especially when they're deployed to make a point about the pervasiveness of prejudice and its denigrating unabridged dictionary." Tickets for the production are now on sale and can be purchased at the Dee Glen Smith Spectrum or the Taggart Student Center ticket offices. Advance telephone reservations and purchases can be made at the Spectrum Ticket Office (approximately 900 East 900 North, Logan), (435) 797-0305. Tickets can only be purchased in person at the Taggart Student Center Service Center, TSC 212. Tickets will be sold at the door the night of the performance. Tickets are $10 for the public and S3 for USU students with current ID. To preview and receive more background information, please visit www.nwclive.com Business students holding donation drive for Clothes for CAPSA CAPSA, A L O N G W I T H SOMEBODY'S A T T I C , will benefit from a clothing donation drive sponsored by USU business students. TYLER LARSON photo By TRUDY KENDRICK staff writer The call to donate is here once again. Nov. 5 through 10 marks the week when a group of USU business students will be holding a donation drive for Somebody's Attic and the Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency. Somebody's Attic is a nonprofit thrift store that is in partnership with CAPSA. All donations go back to the community through the services offered by both of these organizations. Joy Shaw, manager of Somebody's Attic, said the store has a good connection with CAPSA. "Somebody's Attic is a nonprofit store that provides quality and affordable merchandise to low-income families," he said. "The proceeds from the sale of donated merchandise goes to CAPSA and the Child and Family Support Center, which comes to $70,000 a year. "We would not exist without the generosity of Cache Valley citizens. Volunteers are the heart of our agency, and donations are the life blood. Our survival is dependent upon the support of our community." As the Web site capsa.org states, "CAPSA is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, and educating the public in order to prevent violence in our community. The organization began in the 1970s by a group of concerned citizens. This continues today as a result of the help and support we receive from the We Fit Your Needs MATERNITY INSURANCE Costs as little as $75 - $175 / MONTH Pays out as much as $5000 - $7000 Must be in effect 10 months BEFORE you deliver Works great with other health insurance policies Great prices on all Life, Health, Auto & Renters Cache Valley Insurance, Inc. 94 South Main, Logan (435) 752-4560 Ask for Curtis Craig. community." Glade Roos, team leader for clothes for CAPSA and graduate student at USU, said this activity brings awareness. "We believe that Somebody's Attic is doing a wonderful job of supporting both CAPSA and the Child and Family Support Center," Roos said. "By conducting a donation drive, we hope to assist the Attic in supporting these organizations and also increase community awareness of the important work these organizations are doing to make Cache Valley a better place to live." Roos said the CAPSA Center is in need of all sizes and colors of new or like-new sweat suits, foods that can be frozen, teenager gift items and laundry detergents. These items can be directly donated to CAPSA by visiting one of the booths that will be set up around town Saturday, Nov. 10, he said. "I am happy to be doing something for the local community," said Matthew Mulholland, junior in finance and the public relations representative for Clothes for CAPSA. The group of business students involved in the drive will be giving back by scattering donation bins around campus and having booths set up in town, Mulholland said. Also, Clothes for CAPSA participants plan on picking up donations around the Hillcrest neighborhood, east of campus, on Saturday. Roos said USU students can donate anytime during the week by visiting bins located on campus at Greaves, Snow and San Juan halls as well as the TSC and Institute building. Off-campus locations will be set up at Crumb Brothers and the Cache Valley Mall on Saturday, Nov. 10, from 10 a.m. to noon, Roos said. This day marks the end of the drive, and Roos said the Clothes for CAPSA volunteers will be busy answering questions and taking donations at the booths. Somebody's Attic has two locations in the valley, at 39 W. 200 North in Logan and 3 S. Main in Smithfield. -tsk@cc.usu.edu Caught: Loves being naked , H continued from page 6 MS: The first thing that comes to mind is clothes. Clothes aren't needed. It is just a lot more comfortable to be naked sometimes. A lot of times being in my underwear in my house with all my roommates is not a problem. I really love being naked. If I could get away with not wearing clothes when it is warm. US: If you could make one change on campus, what would it be? MS: Beer, allow it on campus, like everywhere, just allow it, have it OK to drink on campus when you are hanging out. US: What about minors getting beer? MS: Underage kids get beer, there is not way getting around it. They will always find a way to get it. I could see where there could be a rationale, but I think it is a stupid rationale for not letting beer on campus. US: What are the four words that best describe you? MS: Fun, adventurous, intelligent. I would say I'm intelligent and outdoorsy. US: Have you ever strapped yourself to a tree or would you? MS: I have never strapped myself to a tree. It would really depend on the reason for strapping myself to a tree. For a cause maybe. Willing just for the hell of it? Maybe, but likely no. -seth. h@aggiemail usu, edu Now ON SALE 2007-08 SEASON S27O Student must present: USED Demo Skis now on SALE! • Current school schedule • Photo ID PRICE $305 ON NOV. 13 Sale applies to High School Students also! Those under 18 must have parent sign release. J.ogan Office Now Open Mon-Sat 9-5:30 STOP**' 1351 East 700 North Logan www.skithebeav.com beaver mountain |