Friday, November 21st, 2008

Department of theatre diversifies

A new student organization will address the issue of race in its inaugural production, “Blue/Orange.” The production is part of an effort to increase diversity within the department of theater

By Brandy Entsminger (Contact)

Tuesday, October 14th, 2008

The Multicultural Theatre Initiative depicts the challenge of race relations in its inaugural production, “Blue/Orange,” by Joe Penhall.

Members of the MTI, a new student organization, work to increase diversity in theatre at the University.

Tosin Morohunfola, Overland Park junior, Brandon Ford, 2007 graduate, and DeAndrea Herron, 2008 graduate, formed the group last summer.

Ford said the MTI would feature productions that cast minority students. He said some plays weren’t brought up at the University because of a lack of diversity within the department of theater.

“MTI begins the dream of a colorblind theatre and believes in creating diverse, thought-provoking theatre,” Ford said.

Morohunfola said the organization diversified the theatre productions by presenting new perspectives and experiences that would depict lifestyles different from those of the audience.

Ford said the MTI will address cultural and sociological representations of cultures through themes such as race, gender, sexuality and religion. Ford said theater allowed actors to shape universal stories in new ways.

“If we stop viewing ourselves by our labels, and just see people as people, then we realize that a good human story can be told in any language to any group of people,” Ford said.

“Blue/Orange” features two psychiatrists discussing the mental state of their patient. One psychiatrist thinks his patient is crazy while the other says the patient is simply displaying his cultural background. Morohunfola said the production would make the audience think about race relations.

“It’s a very interesting conversation to determine what’s crazy and what’s culture,” Morohunfola said.

Morohunfola said a show had to inspire the MTI before they would pick it. The group also considers which plays are most important and which would be most unique.

The founders of the organization chose cast and crew from the department of theatre for “Blue/Orange.” Morohunfola said the MTI would hold auditions for future productions to give students who were interested in theater — but not theatre majors — an opportunity to get involved.

Chelsie Shipley, Lakin senior and vice president of the MTI, will play the part of a female psychiatrist. Shipley said theater could be powerful because it could keep people talking after the show ended.

“My belief is that theater can really be an instrument for social change,” Shipley said.

Morohunfola said the MTI would try to establish connections with other campus groups in the future. Although the MTI isn’t an official part of the KU department of theatre, Morohunfola said he hoped that would change in the future.

The MTI will present “Blue/Orange” at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 15 and 16 at Oldfather Studios.

— Edited by Andy Greenhaw

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