PAGE 6 * THE STERLING KANSAS BULLETIN * THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 23, 2012
The offical student-run newspaper of Sterling College
Volume 115 issue 10
A brilliant career : Diane DeFranco-Kling By BAY BAKER Staff Writer For many years, students have been blessed by the enthusiasm Diane DeFrancoKling has for her work. Her vision for her pupils has been continuously challenging and encouraging. She has fond memories of late nights in the theatre and trips to New York City with the Musical Theatre class. Watching students grow has been rewarding to her and in her mind all the hard work onstage and backstage has been well worth the time. “When you see students catch the ‘theatre bug,’” Defranco-Kling said, “and see it infect them to develop the passion and the work ethic that is required to produce art – that’s the most exciting [part].” Kling started dancing at an early age and then had the opportunity to choreograph several productions in high school. “In college, I started out in Speech Therapy, but my teacher told me I was too empathetic for that kind of work and sort of flippantly said
Students reflect on fond moments with the Klings “After two years here at Sterling, I can safely say that Gordon and Diane have significantly influenced my college career. From attending their classes to performing in plays to working long nights in the theatre to relying on these two people to get me through my day to day life, I would have a substantially different college experience if the Klings were not here to get me through it. Gordon and Diane Kling are much more than theatre professors to their students; they are advisors, mentors, role models, jedi masters, and friends. Sterling College has most definitely been blessed by having the Klings on campus for the past 40 years, and they will be greatly missed for the next 40 years and way beyond.”- Ryan Ehresman, Claudio, Much Ado About Nothing (2012) See Moments, Page 7
‘try theatre’,” Defranco-Kling said. “So I did, and I loved it.” Diane’s career in theatre blossomed as she began to realize her passion for it. “It was a place where I felt at home and where my skills could be utilized,” DefrancoKling said. “Oh, there are days when I wish I had chosen a less complicated and less time-consuming area, but I really love what I do and I don’t fit in anywhere else.” Diane listed several things she wishes to see a student gain from his or her experience in the theatre at Sterling College, whether the student works as an actor, a set designer, or a costume shop worker. Those things are empathy, compassion, and understanding. “And in that order,” Diane said. She believes that if an actor can develop these things, he or she may be able to truly portray characters well, and begin to view people with a more open and loving approach. “Sometimes students develop a zeal -- but, more often, they come with it,” Defranco-Kling said. “One cannot
spend numerous hours in the theatre without a certain commitment. Students who want a career in theatre see very early - what it is going to take to compete. It takes passion and strength of character to pursue that dream.” Diane told us that her least favorite parts of the theatre are costuming and working the box-office. “It’s the work; it’s the rehearsals that I love the best,” Defranco-Kling said. “The discoveries, and the moments of ‘ah ha’ are great.” We asked Diane to reflect on the most significant thing she has learned from working with students. “They are capable of doing great things,” Defranco-Kling said. “You have to learn how to communicate with each individual and get them to trust you. Students teach you so much but you have to listen.” Diane’s hope for the future of Sterling College is that it will continue a solid production program and get even better with young blood. There is joy in knowing there’s a deadline. “The show will go on, and
Gordon Kling and Diane DeFranco-Kling exited the 2010 Commincement ceremonies in the same manner they will be departing from Sterling College--together. Photo Courtesy of the 2010 Warrior. then there will be another one,” Defranco-Kling said. “My encouragement comes from a song called ‘Give of Your Best to the Master.’ Trying to live up to that in times of stress can keep you pretty humble!” Students experience undeniable growth when they walk into the theatre at Sterling College. They are
stretched mentally, emotionally, and physically as the demands of the theatre present themselves. Diane De-Franco Kling has been instrumental in fostering that growth and encouraging each individual to embrace the challenges. All the memories made in Culbertson Auditorium will live forever in the hearts and souls of those instructed by Diane.
Synthesizer of people and arts, Gordon Kling, to retire By PATRICK WRIGHT Staff Writer
theatre began to grow. Gordon got married to Diane As many are already well DeFranco and moved to Steraware, Gordon Kling, theatre ling. Diane started teaching at professor here at Sterling Colthe Sterling High School, but lege and head of the Commusoon joined Gordon at the Colnications and Theater departlege. Since then, the couple has ment, will be retiring at the been teaching students about end of the Spring semester this the Theatre Arts for years year after 44 years of service. and has directed a staggering In that time, he has directed number of plays and musicals. around eighty plays and muThe theatre has grown exposicals. Gordon Kling has done nentially due to Gordon and much for Sterling College and Diane’s influence. has impacted, not only the Gordon’s favorite part of staff of the college, but countworking in the theatre is when less students as well. the actors and the audience Gordon knew that he wantcome together. ed to make a career of theatre “That’s why we’re doing this in graduate school. To Gorstuff,” Kling said. “To bring don, the theatre seemed like a people together.” “wonderful synthesis” of peo- Diane DeFranco-Kling and Gordon Kling examine a book toGordon’s favorite moments ple and the arts. “I kinda got gether early on in their tenure together as professors of the- are when the audience rethe bug,” said Kling, referring atre. Photo Courtesy of the 1973 Sterling College Catalogue. ceives the effort put forth by to his love for the theatre. the actors and actresses on After Gordon finished graduate school, he was looking for stage. Gordon loves when the emotions on stage are felt by a good place to gain some experience teaching theatre. He re- the audience. According to Gordon, the theatre is a place for ceived an offer from Sterling College while at the Chicago Cen- people to see events that they cannot normally experience tral States Speech Convention. When Gordon first arrived in and to feel emotions that they would not normally feel. GorSterling in the Fall of 1968, he had every intention of Sterling don has done this time and time again and he shall be truly College being a temporary position. At this point, the Sterling missed when he retires at the end of this spring semester. College theatre department was in bad shape. The theatre was Gordon leaves Sterling College with just a few short words not very active. But due to Gordon’s passion and influence, stu- of wisdom: “Support the theatre, come to the plays, and get dents and community members began attending plays and the involved.”
‘Much Ado About Nothing’ opens tonight
By TIM LUISI Editor-in-Chief Representing the culmination of over forty years of service to Sterling College, Gordon Kling and Diane Defranco-Kling will unveil their final production tonight at 8:00 in Culbertson Auditorium. With a cast of over twenty students and countless hours logged away in the theatre workshop, Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing has been an exciting challenge for everyone involved. “The hardest part of my role was definitely trying to figure out what the heck I was saying in general,” Sophomore Shane Rodgers said. “This is probably the most different role I’ve ever had, because I’ve never done classical theatre in my life.” While the Shakespearian language has been one hurdle
the actors have faced in the production, the very nature of the show, which switches from comedic to dramatic and back again has been another. “The biggest challenge has definitely been just being able to bring out all the emotions on stage every night,” Senior Stuart Parman, who plays Leonato in the show and who has been behind a lot of the work backstage, said. “You’ve got to go from being happy and jovial and smiling in one scene to being this raging lunatic in the next, panting, getting all worked up, maybe even crying a little. You know, I think it’s like that for most of the characters in the show.” Aside from the obvious strength in the director’s chair (Gordon and Diane have produced over 80 shows together), one of this production’s greatest assets is its cast,
which brings several of Sterling’s most talented thespians together. Starring Sophomore Ryan Ehresman as Claudio an Italian Prince who falls for Hero (Junior Jackie Wilkerson), the play follows the chaotic events surrounding their engagement including a villainous plot conceived by Don John (Senior Alum Michael Danski) to separate them in an attempt to get back at his brother and Claudio’s friend Don Pedro (Junior Vance Stegman) as well as the exploits of Benedick (Freshman Shane Rodgers) and Beatrice (Junior Samantha Davison) who fall in love amidst all the confusion. In addition to the cast, the show also boasts a very intricate set, which includes a full-sized house, a working fountain, a chapel, and additional staging on the audito-
Hero (Jackie Wilkerson) faints into the arms of Beatrice and Ursula (Samantha Davison and Cara Spencer) as Leonato (Stuart Parman) rages with anger. Friar Francis (Timothy Luisi), Antonio (Mike Redondo), Margaret (Chelsea Moore), and the ‘Ladies In Waiting’ (Chloe Wooten and Darsha Bechard) look on. Photo by Nathan Ehresman rium floor that will bring the that will challenge us as stuaudience closer to the stage dents in our building, in our than ever. painting, and in our contribu“Every set is different just tions. Every time he tries to because every show is so dif- design it in just slightly different,” Parman said. “I feel ferent enough ways that it’s like with every show Gordon never the same and teaches designs for the department us new techniques.” that he tries to do something See Show, Page 7