Page 4 • Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Collegian •
www.centralmethodist.edu
Actor Bill Chott to star in CMU production of The Foreigner
Office of Public Relations THE COLLEGIAN Actor and writer Bill Chott, a 1991 alumnus of Central Methodist University, will lend his considerable talent to the upcoming production of The Foreigner, April 19-22, at The Little Theatre on the CMU campus in Fayette. The evening productions on Thursday through Saturday will begin at 7:30, and the Sunday matinee will begin at 1:30 p.m. The public is encouraged to attend. Ticket prices are $8 for adults and $2 for students. There will also be a special afternoon matinee for area school children on April 20. The Foreigner centers on Charley Baker, played by Chott, a young man who is too shy even to make conversation. To protect him, his host at a fishing lodge tells the assembled group that Charley is a foreigner who doesn’t speak English. Consequently, the other patrons feel free to discuss anything in his presence. The very retiring Charley hears much more than he is supposed to, including damaging revelations and evil plots. And the fun begins! Other roles in The Foreigner are performed by Central Methodist University students: Jordan Brennan (senior, Marshall) as Froggy LeSeuer; Shamika Pegue (junior, Kansas City) as Betty Meeks; Jeff Byous (sophomore, Peculiar) as Rev. David Lee; Kate Kellner (sophomore, Strafford) as Catherine Simms; Josh Kirby (senior, Armstrong) as Owen
Musser; and Dakota Gladbach (junior, Brookfield) as Ellard Simms. The understudy for Chott’s Charley is Roger Weaver (sophomore, Overland Park, Kan.). After The Foreigner wraps up on April 22, Chott will lead an improv class for interested students the following two nights, with a free performance of that troupe on Wednesday, April 25, at 7 p.m. in The Little Theatre. That performance is free and open to the public. For more information about the workshop, contact Dr. Mark Kelty, associate professor of theatre at mkelty@centralmethodist.edu. Bill Chott is best known for his character portrayals in movies, including The Ringer (2005) and The Rum Diary (2011); his television persona as principal Laritate in “The Wizards of Waverly Place,” currently running on Disney Channel; his recent stint as Fred Mertz in the Hollywood stage production of I Love Lucy Live on Stage, for which he won the Broadway World Award for “Best Featured Actor in a Musical”; and his extensive work performing and teaching improvisation. Chott studied at Chicago’s famed Second City with fellow actors Steve Carell, Tina Fey, Stephen Colbert, and Amy Poehler. He has established and taught at several improv schools. He currently lives in Pasadena with his wife, Samantha (Gross) Chott, a 2011 CMU alumna.
The Man, the Myth, the Legend: Mark Stone
Jacob Heppner THE COLLEGIAN “Jacob, based on the title you got to interview Clark Kent?” No, but just as cool I interviewed Mark Stone. Who wouldn’t volunteer to interview the man who knows almost everyone on campus and who seems to always be in a good mood? Besides being catchy, Mark Stone actually fits this title. Let me prove it to you step-by-step. “The Man.” Mark has won so many accolades that his resume must be three pages. Despite that though, he is so humble. He will never mention his cross-country fourthplace finish at Nationals when he attended Central as a student. He won’t mention the fact that he is in Central’s Hariston Hall of Fame. Or that he can almost bench 300 pounds (you’re welcome, Mark). No, the man is humble through and through. Did I forget to mention that he is the two-time consecutive winner of the National “campus event planner of the year.” Yes, that’s right folks. National, no typo there. The man who plans events for us to get involved in during our stay in Fayette is nationally renowned for his superhuman abilities to plan events. Superhuman? Yep, which brings me to my next subject. “The Myth.” This man is a natural phenomenon. He is involved in almost every part of campus. From running intramurals to running McMurry Hall. Not to mention that he has a wife and child to take care of. How does he do it? No idea, but I hear he is writing an inspirational book concerning time responsibility. When asked about his hobbies, which amazingly he still has time for, he responded with
lifting, running, fishing, and reading. Yes, Amanda he did mention you, too. He mentioned how much of an utterly amazing wife he had been blessed with. “The Legend.” If you’re in the cafeteria during lunch
time you may notice Mark Stone throwing up either a number 1 or number 2 with his fingers when he is swiping in. I knew these weren’t just odd gang sign of his, and it wasn’t until recently that I realized he was throwing up the num-
bers for the deli workers. A number 1 on the Mark Stone Underground Menu is a wheat sandwich with literally everything on it and according to Mark, “Provolone cheese is the key.” A number 2 on this underground menu system is a grilled cheese sandwich, four slices of cheese, grilled twice. I think the requirement by Fresh Ideas to work at the Deli station is to know the meaning of the Mark Stone number 1 and 2. Mark Stone’s Underground Menu has become so popular amongst faculty that I’ve seen Lucas Endicott and Jay Webster order off of it. If this doesn’t prove his legendary status then I have no idea what will. Merriam Webster, you may need to redefine legend as “he who has sandwiches named after him.” If duct tape was used by astronauts to keep parts of Apollo 11 together then Central Methodist uses Mark Stone to keep it together. Seriously the day this man leaves campus will be the day this campus losses its greatest asset. I say “leaves” campus with intentions of implying that there is no way this man will ever be asked to step down. If anything Central will realize this man’s true potential and ask him to step up. Mark is the best connection the school has with understanding what students enjoy getting involved in. He is like the “Student Whisperer.” So far I’ve labeled Mark as The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Natural Phenomenon, Superhuman, Odd Gang Member, Duct Tape, and Student Whisperer. So in parting I leave you with one more comparison. It’s a bird, it’s a plane, no it’s Mark Stone, and if you ask me or any other student or faculty member who has been here for a while the words Mark Stone and superman are interchangeable. Boom.
CMU Track team to build trail at DC Rogers Lake Office of Public Relations THE COLLEGIAN
Central Methodist University track and field student-athletes are used to working up a sweat, but they’ll soon do it for the good of the public by building a new hiking trail. CMU Track Coach Christopher Sandefur made a proposal to the City of Fayette earlier this spring to develop a walking/hiking trail at D.C. Rogers Lake, located on Highway E a short distance west of Fayette. Owned and operated by the City, Rogers Lake features a 185-acre lake, a boat ramp, shooting range, disc golf
course, fishing and much more. Sandefur brought the idea to Fayette City Hall for consideration, and it was later approved. The proposal, he explained, will allow CMU students and area residents and families to use the trail for recreational activities. No funding will come from the City. Completion will be contingent on volunteer efforts, Sandefur noted. The beauty of D.C. Rogers is what initially drew Sandefur to the idea. Additionally, the location has ample land with great opportunities for public use.
He hopes the trail will provide enhanced leisure opportunities that will improve the quality of life for the residents of Fayette. Sandefur recently began marking trees with orange hunting tape to mark the path, with the help of local runners Patrick Stroupe and J.B. Waggoner. The three plan to design and plan the trail together. With the help of CMU Track and Field team members and other CMU volunteers, the start-up will be on Thursday, April 12, CMU’s annual Service Day. Future CMU Service Days and the CMU Track and Field team will keep the trails developed and maintained.