news
“
Students to showcase knowledge through poster contest Taylor Rey STAFF WRITER
Students have the opportunity to showcase knowledge and a chance to win cash prizes at the annual undergraduate research poster contest. The contest is open to all undergraduate students, and entries can cover any topic. The work must be original and completed during the current academic year, in class or individually. Students
can submit a poster individually or as a group. After topics are submitted, faculty will divide them into categories for judging. Past entries include, “A Psychoanalysis of The Hulk” and “P53 Structure in Cancer Therapy.” The contest is hosted by the Honors Program and is at 11 a.m. Dec. 4 on the first floor of the Goldstar Memorial Building. All students are welcome to attend and listen to other student’s presentations, even if
“
I liked getting to share my research with the faculty and seeing the variety of topics students were interested in.
they are not competing. Faculty from various university departments will judge the posters based on the students’ knowledge of the field
Noelle Bradley
dance management junior
and creativity. “The trick is to find the sweet spot on the posters between being visually interesting while displaying
research,” said Marc DiPaolo, a s s i s t a n t d i re c t o r o f t h e Honors Program. “Posters need to be as creative as they are informative.” First, second and third place winners in each category receive cash prizes. The amount of the award is based on the budget for the event and number of categories. “I did it freshmen year and won $50,” said Noelle Bradley, dance management junior. “I wrote a paper on Supergirl and how her appear-
ance responded to changes in views on women. I liked getting to share my research with the faculty and seeing the variety of topics students were interested in.” Applications are due Nov. 20 and can be returned to Room 258 in Walker Center for Arts and Sciences. For an application form or more information, contact DiPaolo at medipaolo@ okcu.edu or 405-306-2103.
Play addresses racism, sexism Nicole Hacker STAFF WRITER
A student-directed play portrays the struggles of black women against racism and sexism. For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide/ When the Rainbow is Enuf follows seven black women and the difficulty they face in a racist and sexist society. The women each wear a specific color: red, blue, purple, yellow, brown, green, and orange. The colors represent different issues such as, rape, abortion, abandonment, and domestic violence. Performances are at 8 p.m. Nov. 19-21 and 2 p.m. Nov. 22 in the Black Box Theater in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center. For Colored Girls, written by Ntozake Shange in 1975, was nominated for a Tony
Rehearsal is fun. Laughing is necessary when working with a subject matter this personal.
Award for “Best Play.” It was later adapted into a book, television movie and feature film. The show is a choreopoem, composed of 20 different poems choreographed to music. The poems and music weave together stories of love, empowerment, struggle and loss. “Rehearsal is fun, laughing is necessary when working with a subject matter this personal,” said Tyra Bullock, acting junior. “The show gives insight to a lot of things that women have wanted to say for a while.” Isaiah Williams, acting
Tyra Bullock acting junior
junior and director of the play, said he is eager to portray a story about struggles against racism and sexism. “I want to do the female role models in my life proud,” Williams said. It is important in the climate of New World politics to remember where we come from and what we are working toward, Williams said. “Sometimes, we forget about women,” he said. Tickets are available from the box office in Kirkpatrick Fine Arts Center.
Ali Wonderly Student Publications
Royals
Jennifer Higley, dance senior, and President Robert Henry cheer for Homecoming Queen Amanda Wright, acting senior from Gamma Phi Beta, and Homecoming King Valentino Valentin, acting junior from Kappa Sigma. The royalty were crowned during halftime of the men’s basketball game Saturday in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center.
“
Theater school releases revised, shortened program Alex German STAFF WRITER
The School of Theater has released a revised Bachelor of Arts program. The change will go into effect in Fall 2016. It will replace the old Bachelor of Arts program when the current students graduate. The program will give students the education they would receive in show business, but localized into a four-year program. “There are jobs now that didn’t exist 10 years ago,” said Brian Parsons, associate dean of the School of Theater. “So that was the driver behind it.” The course will focus on the applications and context of theater, teaching students to generate art projects for themselves and others. “My hope and ambition is that when the graduates of this revised program leave, they will look at the world around them and just see opportunities to generate art,” Parsons said. Kate Brennan, assistant professor of voice and acting, agreed and said the students “can be artists without anyone
My hope and ambition is that when the graduates of this revised program leave, they will look at the world around them and just see opportunities to generate art.
Brian Parsons associate dean School of Theater
else giving them permission.” The new degree program contains a requirement to study abroad. Students in the program will travel to the United Kingdom spring of their junior year. Expenses for this semester are included in tuition. Brennan said the goal of the study abroad semester is to create “global citizens in an international market.” The updated program also has a new capstone requirement. Seniors will be required to write, produce, fundraise for, and participate in a one-week festival of new works. The works can be digital, movement pieces or theater. “This program is the answer to the classically based BFA,”
Brennan said. “Because it is what a lot of people end up doing in the world, a hodgepodge life. We are creating sustainable artists.” The School of Theater is searching for a faculty adviser to be in charge of the program. “The ideal person for the job is renaissance, a jack of all trades,” Brennan said. Recruitment will start for Fall 2016. Current freshman will be allowed to switch to the program with no repercussions. Some students have expressed concern about the time they will spend acting. “I don’t feel as if it would be focused enough on acting, but I feel like every program should have a required study abroad aspect,” said Emily Diaz, theater and music sophomore. “I just would not want to miss out being a theater performance and acting major.” Dean Parsons remains positive about the program. “Those graduates are going to be very exciting young people,” Parsons said.
Students create YouTube series from their dorm room Miguel Rios SENIOR STAFF WRITER
Scream
Donovan Lawson Student Publications
Basketball players cheer for their team at the game Saturday in Abe Lemons Arena in Henry J. Freede Wellness and Activity Center. The game kicked off the men’s basketball season. The Stars defeated Southwestern Oklahoma State, 73-70. “Great start to the Coach Vinay Patel era at OCU,” read a tweet on Jim Abbott’s Twitter. “Nice win in game No.1.”
November 11, 2015
Two students are creating and producing a weekly YouTube series. The DormRoom is a show created by Lincoln Korver, acting sophomore, and Graydon McNally, music theater sophomore, as a way to entertain and connect with people. The series is meant to make viewers laugh while giving them a quick escape from reality, Korver said. “We wanted to create something for our friends and families to look forward to and enjoy,” Korver said. “It’s a show where two friends discuss trending topics, perform bizarre challenges and experiments, and give advice on everything.” McNally pitched the idea to Korver after trying to find a creative way to connect with his family and friends in Canada, McNally said.
“We make a rough outline of anything we want to talk about then turn the camera on and just go for it,” McNally said. “Our subject matter is usually based on random thoughts we have in our day-to-day life.” Two episodes have been uploaded so far. Episode 1 has 353 views and features a taste challenge and a quick workout. Episode 2 has 157 views and features meat carving and things to be grateful for. “We really want people to know that this show is for pure entertainment,” Korver said. “We aren’t doing this in hopes of becoming YouTube famous or for any other ulterior motive. It’s a show we created to make others happy.” Each show opens with an unusual fact and ends with an inspirational quote. “I think it’s definitely entertaining and shows the personalities of two
guys who might not get to show that side of themselves often,” said Hailey Hart, acting sophomore. “I’m excited to see where it goes.” McNally and Korver encourage people to share ideas for the show. “While we will always be ourselves on the show, we want the show to be focused on our viewers,” Korver said. “We welcome new ideas and requests via email, Facebook and comments on our videos.” Other students think the show is interesting. “They took somthing that can be boring and made it unique,” said Sara Cason, psychology junior. To share ideas with The DormRoom, visit their YouTube channel, or email Korver or McNally at ljkorver@my.okcu.edu and gcmcnally@my.okcu. edu.
4