Published since 1915 by the students of Xavier University

 Sections
 Links

 Diversions

Workshop not afraid to laugh

Nora Heink
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor

Among a deluge of year-end campus events comes this weekend’s performance of Xavier Players’ annual “Workshop.” This student-powered production staged every spring showcases some of Xavier’s finest—and certainly funniest—creative work.

“Workshop” serves as an outlet for student involvement and originality. Students write, produce, direct and perform the entire show. At the start of the spring semester, the Players’ board puts out a call for scripts and then meets to discuss and select the scripts that will be performed. Competition can be tough; this year, nearly fifty scripts were submitted but only five were selected to be a part of the show. While pieces of any dramatic quality are considered for performance, recent productions have been staged entirely for laughs. “In the past there have been serious pieces, but it’s hard to balance them out in a program with so many humorous ones,” said Stephanie Renny, a senior in Xavier Players. This year, pieces that treated heavier themes were performed at last weekend’s “Voices for Change.”

With a program that seems to get stronger each year, the 2008 “Workshop” production incorporates a range of dramatic pieces including sketch-style comedy, one-act plays, and—you guessed it—even a musical. Adding to the show’s overall wackiness, this variety translates to the production’s success.

“It’s got lots of different styles this time,” said senior Michael Gunter, director of workshop piece “Whatever It’s About.” “They’re all funny in their own way.”

While all of the scripts are carefully and cleverly written, the highlight of “Workshop” is seeing the cast of over 60 students make these zany pieces come to life. For many of the performers, this show provides an informal opportunity to show off their dramatic flair. “Tons of people audition for “Workshop,” and the cast is very diverse,” said Renny. The modest time commitment and wide availability of roles allows more students to participate. For this reason, the production also appeals to a broader student-audience. “People really enjoy it,” Gunter said. “They come out to see their friends onstage.”

This year’s “Workshop” lineup begins with “Good Cop, Bad Cop,” a one-act comedy about a blowhard detective and his attractive new partner. Another piece aptly entitled “Whatever It’s About” is performed on a dark stage and presents a quirky departure from traditional dramatic format. “As the Tire Swing Turns” is a kindergarten melodrama set on a playground and staged as a soap opera complete with romance, conspiracy and nerf guns. The first act ends with “The Olive Garden,” a hilarious comedy sketch about family set in the family-friendly restaurant itself.

“Workshop’s” second act is dominated by the hysterically funny and, in places, irreverent “Xavier: The Musical.” Written by seniors Briana Hansen and Patrick Stevenson, this outstanding farcical tribute to XU delivers four years worth of laughs that everyone in the beloved ‘Xavier Community’ can appreciate. The show features a full ensemble of singers and dancers performing musical numbers with original lyrics set to recognizable tunes such as “Glamorous,” “Cell-Block Tango,” and “World’s Greatest.” While the musical parodies organizations such as SGA, Dorothy Day clubs and the basketball program, no aspect of campus life is safe from being caricatured in this hour-long performance.

The writers acknowledge that while “Xavier: the Musical” leaves little room for subtlety in its spoofs of various groups and organizations, its jokes are not meant to offend. Both Hansen and Stevenson make cameo appearances where they mock their own areas of involvement at Xavier. “I hope that people have fun with it,” said Hansen. “And what’s more fun than making fun of yourself?” That’s what “Workshop” is all about.

TOP OF PAGE

Senior thesis projects present contrasts

Felipe Garcia
Staff Writer

With life as wretched as it is at Xavier, focusing on the troubles of other parts of the world can take a backseat to other priorities. After all, there’s the inconvenience of parking and the stress of strict academics. Who has time to think about the conflict in Darfur? Sure, 400,000 have been killed, but look at how much money Xavier spent on the chairs in Gallagher. There are bigger things to worry about.

Attacking this attitude seems to be the focus of the thesis project of Michael Lucas, a senior art major at Xavier. Lucas’ work is currently on display in the art gallery in the A.B. Cohen Center, alongside the artwork of fellow senior Katrina Grome. Both art majors present their work as part of their thesis projects, a requirement to graduate with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA). This practice has been in place since Xavier acquired the art program from Edgecliff College. The exhibit, on display until Friday, April 25, is the third installment out of four showcasing the thesis work of Xavier seniors.

Entitled “Natural Boundaries,” Katrina Grome’s senior thesis project consists of seven sculptural pieces all created by casting in resin. The sculptures show a woman posing in different positions. Grome describes her work as “celebrating the beauty of the female figure and its relation to nature.”

Although it appears simplistic and doesn’t catch the eye, “Natural Boundaries” conveys Grome’s theme distinctly. By representing the female body in lucid, comfortable poses, the artist makes it look and feel organic, tying it closely to nature. The pieces are entitled using words such as “Evolve” and “Growth,” but are crafted so that they do not stand alone.

Showing only a small sliver of each pose, the sculptures require being viewed together in order to comprehend the full picture. Though individually each piece is not particularly compelling, the thesis as a whole is effective in evoking a connection to its audience.

The organic theme is representative of Grome’s noted influence from the nineteenth century movement ‘Art Nouveau.’ The realistic depiction of the female body reflects influences of realism as well.

Grome is not just nostalgic for another period, however. She establishes her own style by using resin cast as her medium and grouping her pieces together. Unlike some realists, she doesn’t just depict what she sees. Rather, her work shows glimpses of themes and requires the audience to study the exhibit as a whole in order to grasp a deeper meaning.

The exhibit seems to hint at themes of feminism, but shows a weak point by not expanding.

Lucas’ exposé reflects on a topic he obviously feels very passionate about. As a self-described, “privileged white kid from a suburb of Pittsburg,” Lucas reflects on how genocide in a far away country can provoke so much emotion.

“The Eyes of Darfur,” an exhibit composed of nine mixed media works, is a reflection of Lucas’s struggle to understand the tragedy, complete with life-size resin casts of AK-47s and actual bullets and bullet shells.

Lucas’ work is an attention gripper, sometimes to a fault. There is no subtlety in this exhibit, and Lucas hits home with his frustration about the genocide. Sometimes this results in awkward and overused motifs. For instance, in “The Path,” a replicated AK-47 points directly at a picture of a young child.

The exposé is undoubtedly passionate. The more detailed and careful pieces such as “Trapped” and “Hand of Faith,” are particularly effective.

Lucas provides a clear emotion for his audience concerning the Darfur conflict, yet he provides no solution. This, in the end, is both a flaw and a strength because the audience is left a bit confused.

The contrast between Grome’s and Lucas’ exhibits does not create a cohesive exhibit. It might have been more compelling if the pieces from each artist were not so close to one another. Still, this is not the fault of the artists themselves.

The Xavier Art Gallery is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday and will feature the work of Grome and Lucas until this Friday, April 26. The gallery will open again May 2 -9, featuring work by senior Christine Jackson.

TOP OF PAGE

Take a break: your work will still be there

Stephanie Metz
Arts & Entertainment Editor

As each semester winds down, most students wind up into an over-caffeinated, sleep-deprived whirlwind of anxiety. Of course, everyone’s go-to method for stress relief is to become a couch potato. But is this really the best method?
As a public service to the community at large we at the Newswire offer several ways for students to recharge their brains without becoming a complete vegetable.

Move It!
Sometimes the best way to get rid of stress is to channel it into an activity. Drop in on a fitness class at O’Connor, take a walk or play a game of tag for old time’s sake. Of course, not everyone loves exercise and for some it’s downright torture. Fortunately, none of this matters when you need some stress relief. Blast your favorite tune and dance; do whatever you need to shake away your tension (FYI: Guitar Hero and Wii sports do not count).

Clean up
I know, I know— cleaning may not seem all that relaxing, but sometimes decluttering your room can be a big step forward in getting something done. Even if all you do is shove dirty clothes under the bed, seeing your floor can give you a better workspace to actually study.

If you teach a man to fish . . .
Most college students are not known for their culinary skills, but spending some time in the kitchen may be the perfect way to relax. You may not be able to stand up to the likes of Bobby Flay, but you can definitely do better than ramen noodles. Getting messy in the kitchen is a great way to forget about work. I recommend making your selection from the baking aisle. Cupcakes anyone?

Shop; just don’t drop
There’s a reason they call it retail therapy, people. The emergency credit card beckons, and you deserve a little reward after all that studying!

Unleash your creative side!
Hearken back to simpler days and indulge in arts and crafts of yesteryear. Seriously, who can’t use another friendship bracelet? Doing something with your hands can distract you from whatever’s on your mind. Never underestimate the power of finger-painting!

Random acts of kindness
When you’ve got a lot on your plate, nothing provides perspective better than helping out someone else. Take a little time to volunteer or cheer someone up right here on campus. Dish out some extra smiles to strangers or a good friend to rejuvenate.

Write a Letter
Putting pen to paper can release all the stress you’ve got stored up from too much studying.Reach out to a friend you haven’t seen in a while or even the family and let them know what’s going on. You’ll get a break from your work and get in touch with the outside world.

Make a List
If you really can’t part with your work, make a list of what you need to do and the day or time you will set aside to work on it. Even though your work won’t be done you’ll be step closer to summer.

Just do it
If you’re feeling overwhelmed about everything you need to do pick one small task that you can finish in the near future. Accomplishing one thing will alleviate some stress and allow you to move on to the more important stuff.

Tranquility
When all else fails, go to the source of all happiness: ice cream. What could be better than a bowl full of sugar? Especially one accompanied by whipped cream and a cherry on top.

TOP OF PAGE

Wondrous Diaz

Nora Heink
Assistant Arts & Entertainment Editor

In his debut novel, “The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” Dominican-American author Junot Diaz delivers a raw tragicomedy that closely identifies with, but also redefines coming-of-age and immigration narrative motifs.

Two weeks ago, Diaz was awarded the Pulitzer prize for fiction for “Oscar Wao.”

Unlike typical immigrant-centered stories, “Oscar Wao” draws upon an unlikely combination of Latin-American and science fiction culture to create a profound tale of the hopelessly nerdy and overweight Oscar.

Writing in the genre of Hispanic-American literature developed by authors such as Sandra Cisneros, Ariel Dorfman and Julia Alvarez, Diaz proves himself one of the foremost contemporary writers both within and outside his field. Prior to the publication of Oscar Wao in 2007, Diaz’s award-winning short fiction has appeared in The New Yorker, African Voices, and The Paris Review and has been anthologized four times in “The Best American Short Stories.” In 1996 Diaz garnered critical acclaim with his first collection of short stories entitled Drown.

“The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao,” a title perhaps ironically less brief than wondrous, presents a story about the struggle to adapt to a new way of life perhaps as desolate as the one left behind. The storyline weaves in and out of Oscar’s life and the interrelated lives of his family. It also pivots around the Latin-American superstition of fuku, a curse brought to the Dominican Republic by the conquistadors and perpetuated in the New World.

The novel contains colorful depictions of Latin-American culture and history. His language, laced with Spanish and English slang, gives the reader a distinct feel for the blurred line that exists between the ‘old world’ of the Dominican Republic and the ‘new world’ of the rough New Jersey ghetto inhabited by Oscar’s family.

The island’s brutal dictator, Trujillo, even appears as another manifestation of the fuku passed down through the generations to Oscar. Through the use of entertaining and often edgy footnotes, Diaz provides his readers with a memorable and informative commentary on Dominican history essential to the story.

One of the most enjoyable stylistic aspects of this book is Diaz’s outspoken but eloquent narration that is unreserved, comical and duly blunt for portraying the story’s bleak settings and frustrated protagonist.

Through its striking contrasts between the antique and the modern, the real and the supernatural, “Oscar Wao” invites the reader into a unique and compelling drama. The turbulent plot, tempered by Diaz’s realism and fluency, makes it an absorbing read and one of the most noteworthy novels of 2007.

TOP OF PAGE

 Briefs

Emily Hoferer 
Diversions Editor

GSC Classic Movie

At 11 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 and Friday, April 25
“Caddyshack” will be shown as part of the GSC Classic Movie series. This event is free to all XU students and is sponsored by the Gallagher Student Center.

Summer send-off

The last event of SAC’s Spring into Summer Week takes place from 1 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, April 26. Come to the greenspace and enjoy free carnival games, live music, tattoo artists, and delicious food.

Live music on the greenspace

Student Activities Council is sponsoring a free concert featuring reggae artist Jason Levasseur from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 24 on the greenspace. Dining services will provide dinner.

XU Gladiators

Like watching “American Gladiators”? Here’s your chance to compete for gladiatorial fame and glory. From 4-8 p.m. on Wednesday, April 23 on the greenspace, test your sparring skills in the inflatable arena. Sponsored by SAC.

Take Back the Night

Don’t forget to RSVP for Cincinnati’s annual Take Back the Night rally to speak-out against sexual assault on April 25. All are welcome. The Women’s Center is hosting a pre-rally gathering at 5:00 p.m. Pizza will be served and t-shirts distributed. Transportation will be provided to the rally downtown, so RSVP to Amy Goetz at goetza@xavier.edu

.