Playwright uses stage to bridge two worlds

RYANNORRJS STAFFWRITER

"This is my full time job," Richman said. "Playing for people is the coolest job in the world."

The Coffeehouse also featured students on the open microphone, where students could go onstage and perform various types of entertainment.

"We had so many people who wanted to come out and show their talents," sophomore Stefanie Ciarocchi, co-chair of the event, along with sophomore Ashlee Lensmyer, said.

Students performed anything from singing to poetry. One student, sophomore Megan Mirzoeff, had the chance to perform with Richman.

While Mirzoeff was singing "Building a Mystery" by Sarah McLachlan, Richman started playing guitar to go along with her singing.

"It was the highlight of the evening," Ciarocchi said.

The next Coffeehouse will be held on Friday, March 28 in the foodcourt at 9pm.

"There are going to be more chances for the open microphone," Ciarocchi said. "So, keep your eyes open."

Tom Reing, who came to speak to communication majors on Thursday Feb. 13, helps children express themselves through theater acting, and he writes plays based on some of his experiences. In college, he and four friends were all in a theater production and they were drunk standing around a keg, saying they would alwaysstay in the the-ater department and never leave each other. Reing said he is the only one still doing what be loves to do.

Reing started at Shippensburg University where he got his undergraduate degree. Suprisingly, he did not major in theater there; he could only minor in theater.

He then went to graduate school at Villanova University for two years, followed by Delaware Theater for two-and-a-half years. Then Reing went to work for the Interact Theater Company, where he is currently employed as an education director.

Reing says he came to speak to Cabrini about the idea of "loving what you do, and how you need to find the joy." He mostly teaches students in special education. At one time be was teaching deaf students frotn. Archbishop Ryan, and blind students from The School for the Blind, and he brought them together to put on a play. He said at first it was very challenging having students whom were blind work with students who were deaf. Reing

Tom Reing came to campu, to talk to Ifie Englishand communkatJonswdenu of Career about his expe~ces, induding seeing Ireland and writingandpottingon pla.ysL learned the American Sign Language, so he could understand, and communicate between s,tudents. "I learned amazing things about the deaf community," Reing said. He got through it, and be is proud of the work he does.

Reing is mspired by the stu• dents he teaches. He sometimes writes pieces on the things they teach him. One of his students once said, "He is the shoelace, but I am the thread that keeps him straight."

While working in Gray's Ferry in Philadelphia. which is primarily dominated by people of Irish Catholic heritage, he learned their customs and traditions. His students would protect him, no matter what, when he was in Gray's Ferry, but as soon as he left, they told him to watch out. He worked with these kids, and got on their level as to help them out and teach them communication skills and theater to help them deal with their emotions. He also worked in Belfast, Northern Ireland and said one time a man was shot for wearing a Celtic's jersey. The people there all wore Celtic jerseys the next day. Reing wrote a play comparing the children from Belfast to the children in Gray's Ferry called, "High Noon at Grays Ferry; 1\vilight on Falls Road."

When asked how he starts writing his pieces, Reing said, "it's in the people; I need to go back to Gray's Ferry. I need to know the current slang or I'd be writing things such as, "Homie don't play dat."

Reing bas directed another play, which is currently running called, "Nocturne". "Nocturne" is an account of a suburban family whose lives are instantly and irrevocably altered as the result of a son killing bis sister in a car accident. "Nocturne" ultimately aids us in realizing that life is worthwhile because of its challenges, not in spite of them. The play is being held at the Adrienne Theater at the Second Stage now through February 23rd.