The Skyline Newspaper

Photo: Corazon Maxwell operates the light board for "The Children's Hour," September 21-30, in the Studio Theatre. Photo by Sara Schultz

Stage Crew is Ready for "Action!"

By Jason Hennington
News Writer

While "Lights, camera, action!" normally pertains to the actors' behind-the-scenes work, it is integral to all theatrical success.

Among the hardest workers in the Sul Ross State University theater program are the stage crew, who are responsible for lights, camera and making the action happen.

From "Annie Get Your Gun" to "Narnia" to "Petra's Pecado" and numerous other productions, the stage crew undertakes an enormous responsibility in making the show a success. This time, a crew of six is helping to produce "The Children's

Hour," to be performed Sept. 21-23 and 28-30 in the Studio Theatre.

Assistant technical director Sara Schultz, Burleson, leads a crew of six. Other members are: Laura Fuentes, Eagle Pass, assistant stage manager; Jacob Cole McClurg, Nazareth, Jackson Brownfield, Monahans, and Pedro Garcia, Alpine, running crew members. Corazon Maxwell, Terlingua, is the light board operator. McClurg, Brownfield, Garcia and Maxwell have all acted in Sul Ross productions as well.

A Sul Ross graduate student, Schultz has been involved in a number of productions and has worked basically everywhere except on stage.

"I don't act," Schultz laughed. "I have taken acting classes, so I know where the actors are coming from."

Schultz's experience with theater extends beyond the Sul Ross program. She worked professionally for "Shakespeare in Dallas" as stage manger this past summer and has volunteered at the Richardson Theater where she worked as a scenic painter, in the running crew and at the front of the house (ticket booth and interacting with the public).

"I'm mentoring and teaching the undergraduates what is really going on in theater and showing them how to operate backstage," Schultz said. "I'm passing on my knowledge to them from my college and professional experiences."

Fuentes is assuming her role for the first time.

"It's a little difficult, but you get used to it," Fuentes said. "It was obviously easy for me to pick up."

Before, Fuentes worked as a crew member, but now she has more responsibility backstage.

As assistant stage manager, she is basically learning how to run a show. She enjoys her new role, which includes taking notes from the director and making sure that all the actors are in the right place at the right time along with the lights and props.

"Both crew and stage manager are different and difficult, but they gave me this role and I'm glad," Fuentes said.

McClurg equates stage crew work to blocking for football running backs.

"We're doing all the work and not getting any credit," McClurg laughed. "We are equivalent to the linemen on a football team. We do our work and the actors shine."

The actors-turned-stage-crew see the production in a new light and realize the work that goes on backstage to make the show come alive.

"I'm seeing the show from a different perspective. You get to be behind the scenes," Brownfield said. "I'm having a lot of fun."

For Garcia, running crew is not much of a change because he is involved both onstage and backstage during every production.

"There's no difference with me: I do both no matter what show. I'm always backstage," Garcia said.

Maxwell, who has worked as stage manger, is enjoying his job as light board operator.

"Lights are easier," Maxwell said. "As stage manager, you run around like a chicken with your head cut off trying to get everything together."

Although lights are not as challenging as stage manager and actor, Maxwell does like being on stage.

"I like being on stage better. It's more of a rush," Maxwell said. "Being backstage you're not in front of a bunch of people."

However, Maxwell does prefer being stage manger because he claims that it is a lot more fun and there is never a dull moment.

Everyone on the stage crew is appointed by Dona Roman, who is overseeing a theater course where students sign up and are placed on a crew. Assisting with class and the production are Jay Sawyer and Michelle Selk.

"Some of the students are actually getting credit," Selk said.

"There is a lot of responsibility having to do with this class," Sawyer said.

Some of the students are taking on reoccurring roles backstage, while others are still learning and gaining new experiences. However, all of the students have made an impact on the production.

"They are excellent. They're independent thinkers. They get directions and it's in their heads," Selk said. "It has been a privilege to work with such a group of talented individuals. They are some of the best crew members that I have worked with."

"Evening of the Arts" Presents Local, International Talent

By Spike Miller
Skyline Reporter

One of the chief complaints from students, about Alpine, is that there's nothing to do. Well, get ready because on September 21, there is going to be a showcase of art, music and theatre for your enjoyment.

You guessed it: once again it's time for the Evening of the Arts. For those new to Sul Ross, this is a time for the music, art, and theatre programs to showcase their best.

The music department will host Grammy-nominated Patrick Mason. Currently, Mason is teaching at the University of Colorado in Boulder. His performances and many recordings reveal his broad interest in music of all types and styles. Some of Mason's credits include working with composers such as Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Elliott Carter and George Crumb. His recital will begin at 6:30 Friday evening in Marshall Auditorium.

After seeing Mason, take a trek over to the Francois Fine Arts Building for a special continuation of the master's exhibition, "Absolut Color." This selection is from artist Nicole Rodriguez-Homrighaus and is a beautiful look into the flow and emotion of color. Each painting has a different feel, letting the colors themselves tell a story on the canvas.

Don't leave just yet . Once Nicole's art has moved you with its elegance, come on down the hall to the studio theatre where the season's first production, "The Children's Hour" will be opening its doors.

Written by Lillian Hellman, "The Children's Hour" is a classic dramatic piece with complex characters and themes. Set during the Great Depression, the play is centered around an all-girl's school, though things are not as they seem as a simple lie brings the world of the two headmistresses crumbling down.

Though the title may be deceiving, this show does contain some strong language and may not be suitable for children.

The house opens at 7:30; tickets are $6.00 for adults $4.00 for seniors and students and are free for all Sul Ross faculty, staff, and students with a current Sul Ross ID.

Whether you're a music fan, art critic, theatre enthusiast, or someone looking for something to do, there will be something for everyone on this night of creativity at its finest.

Grad Student Moore Wins Fiction Competition

By Adam Cuellar
Skyline Reporter

English graduate student Landon Moore has a unique way of approaching writing competitions.

"As a writer, I've learned not to expect anything except a rejection letter. I enter these writing competitions, and then I try to forget about them."

Experience has shown the 2006 Sul Ross Woman of the Year that there really is no better way to approach competitive writing. Instead of constantly assessing each and every sentence in her submitted pieces after the fact, and wishing she had used this rhetoric, phrase, or word instead of that one, Moore has developed a method many writers are rarely able to duplicate.

This past summer, Moore was surprised to learn she had won first place in the graduate fiction division of the Texas Association of Creative Writing Teachers (TACWT) student competition.

As a result, Moore was awarded a cash disbursement and invited to present her piece, "Sometimes It's Best to Lose Everything," at the upcoming writing association's annual conference, held September 27-29 at the University of Houston.

"To win anything is such an encouragement to any young person struggling with their craft or their sport. It's well worth the risk of being rejected or losing."

Although Landon has won many awards during her tenure at Sul Ross, each and every new one provides a sense of humility for the small-town girl from Bangs, Texas.

"It's so surreal to be asked to speak at any writing conference. I still feel like a kid just playing at what I love to do. It's amazing to me that people are interested in what I have to say. When they announce my name for an award, I have the urge to say, 'Are you sure?' I don't think I'll ever get over that feeling."

Moore's remarkable literary talents also earned her a scholarship to attend the Third Annual Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism conference held July 27-29 in Grapevine. There, she was able to workshop a nonfiction piece with fellow writers from around the country.

"The piece is about having muscular dystrophy, the stigma attached to disabilities, and the lies we (the disabled) sometimes tell to the public and, perhaps, more importantly and destructively, to ourselves."

Headliner Joyce Carol Oates, a world-renowned writer and three-time Nobel Prize nominee, was a rare and unforgettable treat for Moore.

"I was thrilled to meet Joyce Carol Oates. It felt like some sort of dream because I have been reading her since I was a child. I couldn't believe I was talking to the author whose name has been anthologized over and over. She has and will continue to be a source of inspiration in the field of writing."

Currently, Landon is working on her creative writing master's thesis, a collection of fictional short stories in the Southern Gothic tradition.

She also enjoys her time spent as a tutor in the Languages and Literature Writing Center, where she is able to help struggling students with her exceptional knowledge, generosity, and southern charm.

"While this seems like the most daunting time of my college career, it is the also the most enjoyable for me because I'm concentrating on what I love, the writing. The creation of character and plot and setting is an art I will never grow tired of.

"It's not about the attention or the awards you receive or seeing your name in print. It's about the inescapable need to interpret, to create, to write."

Kreger Wins Speaker Award at Debate

By MaryAshley P. Gredell
Skyline Reporter

The Sul Ross Speech Team traveled to Houston this past weekend for their first tournament and returned with a trophy in tow.

Anna Kreger, a senior social sciences major from Lubbock, earned the second-place speaker award out of all parliamentary debaters present at the Pussycat Swing tournament hosted by the University of Houston.

"I think that the reason I did well at the tournament was because I've been debating since high school," said Kreger.

"It's really helped me become comfortable speaking in front of people and trying to argue points I believe in."

Other universities that competed included Abilene Christian University, the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, and Louisiana State University. Two Sul Ross teams attended and Kreger and her partner, Jaime Rios, broke to semifinal rounds with a record of 4 wins to 2 losses.

"(Kreger) impressed judges with her eloquence and ended up with a score three-tenths of a point lower than the first place speaker in the entire tournament," said Dr. Esther Rumsey, the team's coach.

"Her partner, Jaime Rios, continues to improve as well-- his experience I think also will benefit him in his role as student body president."

The team now prepares for a trip to Claremont McKenna Univeristy in Claremont, California for their second tournament of the year.

Any students interested in debate should stop by a speech team meeting, Tuesdays at 7 p.m. in FAB 106.

"Anybody can debate; everybody has an opinion, and debate gives people a chance to talk about what they think.

You get to meet people from other universities, and it makes you really think about your coursework at school: it involves history, English, and lots of philosophy," said Kreger, adding "Debate is awesome."

Fruit + Fibonacci Numbers = Fun for Math Students

By Jason Hennington
News Writer

Recently, Sul Ross State University students studied pineapples to solve math problems.

They weren't counting fruit. Instead, they looked for numerical patterns, such as 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8.

Introduction to University Math (Math 1310), taught by Robbie Ray, also introduces students to Fibonacci numbers.

These are numbers that appear in natural settings such as pine cones, pineapples, daisies, and rabbit reproduction.

In pine cones, the spiral patterns of the cones are Fibonacci numbers. Petals on sunflowers and daisies are also Fibonacci numbers because they usually have 13, 21, 34, 55, or 89 petals. These numbers are also found in the blossom of daisies; the spiral is normally 21 or 34. Pineapples have Fibonacci numbers in their spirals as well.

Shallow ascending spirals to the right are 5, the second set of spirals to the left are 8, and the pattern continues on to the right with 13.

This atypical math class logically associates math with everyday life.

"The Heart of Mathematics: an Invitation to Effective Thinking" is the chosen text for this course, covering everything from natural numbers to going beyond numbers and space. Math lecturer and specialist Ray instructs 34 class members, mostly freshmen.

"It's a small survey of some very big math subjects, like real numbers and probability," Ray said.

Fibonacci numbers represent a pattern which occurs in nature and are named after 13th Century Italian mathematician Leonardo Filius Bonacci. This is the first time most students have been exposed to these numbers in such a pattern but they find them quite interesting.

"They are interesting: that's for sure," said Lauren Dickens, a junior from Wall.

"They're confusing yet make sense at the same time," Dickens said. "I don't get them completely, but I'm getting there."

Daniel Celaya, Alpine, has had previous experience with these natural numbers but is learning new information about them.

"I learned Fibonacci numbers last year," Celaya said. "She (Ray) is being more in depth."

The Fibonacci numbers are associated with the golden ratio, which is a naturally occurring proportion. An example of the golden ratio is a person's arm length to his or her height. The patterns that show up in certain types of shells show how the golden ratio is incorporated with Fibonacci numbers. This can also be found in pineapples and pine cones.

Although the Fibonacci numbers are quite interesting, Introduction to University Math is not all about natural numbers.

"This class shows students that math is not isolated," Ray said. "It's not isolated from art, literature, nature, or drama."

The class is designed to make students think about using math outside of "just numbers."

"It brings logic into math," Dickens said. "Most people don't associate logical thinking with math."

While the class has been studying natural numbers, they will soon progress to infinity, geometric gems, and contortions of space.

"This math class is different from any math class that I have taken," Celaya said.

By the end of the semester, all students who have taken this class may have a different take on mathematics and use it logically instead of just trying to count money.

"There is more logic than algebra, and it feels like I've learned how to better use my mind," Celaya said.

For more information, contact Ray, (432) 837-8725 or rray@sulross.edu

Open Call to Writers, Artists

To all writers, poets, photographers, and artists: imagine your best work featured in a campus publication seen by the entire Sul Ross community!

The 2008 Sage literary magazine is already looking for submissions for this year's edition.

Selections in last year's Sage ranged from traditional poetry and prose to more unique science writing and photo essays. Featured artwork included oil paintings, pen-and-ink drawings, travel photography, watercolors, and more reflecting students' various life journeys; literal and internal.

Interested students should contact The Sage staff at sage@sulross.edu or pick up a submission form in MAB 114.

Submissions should be submitted by mid-November; the earlier the better.

Free Sign Language Course Offered

By Trey Darby
Skyline Editor

In addition to credit-based classes, students now have the opportunity to learn something not offered in the university course catalog: sign language.

The free class focuses on American Sign Language and is offered twice weekly by Rey Hatch, SRSU Sign Language Interpreter.

"Several students expressed an interest in learning sign language, so I decided to offer the class," explained Hatch.

"This is a non-credit course but I encourage anyone interested in learning to sign to join us as often as possible."

Hatch has worked as a sign language interpreter at Sul Ross for a total of four-and-a-half years, in two stints.

He interpreted for the first student to earn a degree at Sul Ross solely through interpretive signing.

Hatch became interested in signing while attending El Paso Community College, where sign language was offered as an option for a language requirement.

"Sign language interested me because it has a quality that is very expressive; it's much like theatrical performance," he said.

By offering the course, Hatch hopes to interest and instruct students in a language they might usually have little exposure to.

Twice-weekly attendance is not mandatory, and the class format is informal, yet definitely engaging.

However, students would benefit to attend as many classes as possible.

Hatch designs lessons based on the book "A Basic Course in American Sign Language," by Tom Humphries, Carol Padden, and Terrence J. O'Rourke.

"Because sign language is a visual language, I would encourage students to buy the book. It is available on amazon.com," said Hatch.

Classes are held every Monday and Thursday from 4:30-5:30 p.m. in the testing room of the Student Life suite (UC 211b).