The Prairie Issue VIII

Volume 93

the Prairie

Issue VIII

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

BWA makes difference on campus Symposium Results

Pairs up with Salvation Army to ring bells Sara Smith

getting things done this year.”

This change in the executive board has impacted the organization in a positive way.

Staff Writer

T

he Black Women’s Association is an organization that provides volunteer opportunities as well as a sisterhood to over thirty black women in the West Texas A&M campus.

The organization has been in existence since 2002, but only recently has the group seen their numbers and participation levels rise. This success can be attributed to many things.

“Our executive board has changed a lot,” Secretary of BWA Deetres Peoples said. “We have a great president, and a great Vice President who are really stepping up and

SARA SMITH

BWA executive board Deetress Peoples, Nichelle Dawkins and Aysa Hood

“Last year about seven new members were initiated bringing the total to about �ifteen active members and this year we have over thirty active members,” People said.

The women of BWA can not only form lasting friendships, but they also

give back to the community as much as they can.

“This year BWA is partnering up with Salvation Army,” Vice President of BWA Nichelle Dawkins, said. “We’ll be a part of operation Angel Tree which means we will be out in the communities ringing the bells for money.

We require the girls to do ten hours of community service a month.”

SARA SMITH Members of BWA meet to discuss upcoming events.

BWA Continued p. 3

WTAMU competed in the 8th Annual Pathways Student Research Symposium Oct. 22-23. WT students placed well in the event.

Agriculture 1st place: Kara Kraich Masters Business & CIS 1st place: Andres Diaz Masters Education 1st place: Ashley Smith Masters Education 3rd place: Paige McCurdy Masters Environmental Science 1st place: Brian Yates Masters Environmental Science 3rd place: Sarah Brown Undergraduate Life Science tie for 2nd place: Erica Thomas Undergraduate Mathematics tie for 3rd place: Jonathan Harton Undergraduate Physical Science 3rd place: Prabin Nyaupane Undergraduate Social Sciences - Humanities tie for 2nd place: Dana Hanselmann Masters Social Sciences - Humanities tie for 2nd place: Jennifer Ewers Undergraduate SS - Humanities-Orals 2nd place: Eva Harder Undergraduate OVERALL AWARDS Doctoral 1st place: Juan Gil-Donato Environmental Science

Family support services host march against domestic violence

‘There is no room for domestic violence in our city’ KRISTEN BLACKSTOCK Guest Writer

F

amily Support Services in Amarillo hosted its �irst annual three-block march against domestic violence on Oct. 15. Every Oct. is commemorated as Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

“111 women were killed last year due to domestic violence in Texas,” Terri Barker, director of Crisis Services at Family Support Services in Amarillo, said. “Texas is among one of

COURTESY PHOTO Community members walk together to raise awarness about domestic violence.

the top states for murders of women by people they have been intimate with.”

The march brought together just over 80 people; 25 to 30 of those people representing Daisy Strout, a 26-year-old Amarillo woman who was

struck by a vehicle and killed last week in a parking lot at 1220 S. Georgia St. Her 43year-old boyfriend, Michael Buse, has been charged with her murder.

“We had many people here to represent Daisy and they brought the purple balloons,” Barker said. “It was very moving.”

Participants were encouraged to wear purple, the designated color for domestic violence, and to bring signs supporting the cause or a loved one who has been affected.

“This year we were 1,660 family violence calls. concentrating on Amarillo and Family Support Services also saying that there is no room housed 462 people in their for domestic violence in our domestic violence shelters. city,” Barker said. “Domestic Violence is one of those causes that people think that they are the only person that this is happening to. [The walk] gives the knowledge to those that there are other people in this situation and there is help available.”

Barker said during the last �iscal year, Sept. 1, 2009 COURTESY PHOTO through Aug. 10, 2010, the 24- Purple balloons were brought to commemorate Daisy Strout. hour crisis hotline at Family Domestic Violence Support Services received Continued p. 2

the Prairie

2 Domestic Violence Continued from p. 1

“I

have seen many domestic violence cases in my years, and I feel that this is an issue worth paying great attention to,” Dr. Amber Price, an ENT specialist in Oklahoma City, said. “We have to make a commitment, as a community, to stop the violence and to speak out for those who are afraid to do so.”

According to the Texas Council on Family Violence, a woman is beaten every 12 to 15 seconds in the

Community marching against domestic violence.

COURTESY PHOTO

created by Resident Assistants (RAs). “[RAs] take [student] interests and come up with ideas for programs that they would enjoy,” Becky Prop, a RA at Cross Hall, said. “It is really important to have programs where [students] can meet new people and get to know each other better.”

Because student generated ideas are allowed, each program should have something to offer.

RHA is known for planning events such as paper football contests, dances, photo shoots and arts and crafts projects.

“The halls offer every kind of program imaginable, from academic programs that teach freshmen how to be successful in college, like WT 101, to social programs where we will get everyone together and have a BBQ

and play games,” Atkinson said.

Most programs are free to students and all necessary supplies are provided for them by RHA. “Students are not required to bring any materials to any events, all events are completely funded by the halls and residential living,” Atkinson said. “Students are allowed to bring any guest they choose to an event.”

The halls operate under a program where the RAs host events in an attempt to get students involved in their residential community and educate the students. There are four different types of programs that the RAs create. The programs are academic, educational, community service oriented or social programs.

Residence halls offer programs

STEPHANIE WILLIAMS Staff Writer

W

TAMU’s Residence Hall Association offers activities not only for students who live on campus, but also commuters who want to be an active part of University life. “[The programs] help open the eyes [of students] to every part of the college experience,” Kacy Lynn Atkinson, area coordinator over Jarrett, Statford and Shirley hall, said. “It helps students to get out and meet new people, to learn about themselves and gives the students an opportunity to get involved with their campus.”

Some ideas for RHA events are generated by students who live in the dorms. Others events are

Correction

In the last issue of the Prairie there is a lapse in the article Microsofskypebook vs Google in which is said that Myspace was acquired by Google. The actual situation is that both companies made an advertising deal in 2009, but Myspace still belongs to News Corp.

Digital Media. For its part Google Inc. is the owner of the video-sharing website YouTube since Nov. 2006.

Andrés Díaz

with relationship dif�iculties that they are currently experiencing.”

The Family Support Services are currently discussing the probability of continuing an annual march for domestic violence in Amarillo. However, Barker wants the community to be aware of the services that are offered year-round.

“We have a crisis hotline and a victim can call anytime, 24 hours a day, to get help, to just talk or anything they need,” Barker said. “We are declaring that there is no room for domestic violence and hopefully the population will get behind this.”

The Prairie Editorial Staff 2010-2011 Editor- Maria Molina Assistant Editor- Katelyn Garrity Managing Editor- Halei Skinner Web Editor - Georgia Romig Faculty Adviser- Butler Cain

The Prairie is a student-operated publication at West Texas A&M University. It functions to inform, educate, and entertain readers accurately and responsibly. It does not necessarily reflect the opinions of the administration, faculty or students. The editorials that appear on these pages represent the opinion of the Prairie editorial board. The views expressed by other columinsts are the writers’ opinions and do not necessarily reflect the board’s views.

Advertising rates are available upon request at (806) 651- 2410 or at theprairiemail@yahoo.com. Periodical postage is paid in Canyon, Texas. USPS Number 441-200. WTAMU Box 60754, Canyon, Texas 79016. The Prairie has a circulation of 1,500 and is printed by The Amarillo Globe-News.

Go to p. 7 for the answer.

United States. Additionally, 74 percent of all Texans have either experienced themselves or have a family member and/or friend that has experienced some

form of domestic violence.

“Sometimes people think of domestic violence as just occurring between married people,” Dr. Allen Thomalla, treatment director at the

West Texas A&M University Counseling Services, said.

“I think it’s very important to college students to know that some relationships that start off a little jealous or controlling can actually turn into physical violence, and [they] need to be very much aware of that.”

Thomalla said over one million women and 800,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the United States.

“We have one therapist who specializes with relationships and she does pre-marital workshops,” Thomalla said. “She also is good at working with people

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News

Study Abroad faces cuts for next academic year Scholarships will not be affected by decrease in available funds

MARIA MOLINA Editor

W

TAMU´s Study Abroad program will be facing cuts if they do not get the requested budget for next year.

According to WT’s website, Study Abroad is a program completely funded by the Student Service Fee which is “a mandatory fee distributed by the Student Fee Committee for various campus services and organizations.” Desirae Norton, director of study abroad, explains that the program started in May 2006, and that the �irst three years they did not use their entire fund.

“The �irst three years was just establishing,” she said. “It was more of the business part.”

Study Abroad received $46,100 for the 2009-2010 school year and requested $82,500 for this year. They received $40,000. Norton said that the reason for this need of a budget increase is that the program is not in the establishing phase any more, now they are planning new

BWA Continued from p. 1

B

WA is also partnered up with Carenet, which is an organization that helps battered and abused women. Anytime BWA hosts a fundraiser, part of the proceeds go to them.

The group’s efforts mean a lot to the community and the group also means a lot to its members.

“This is my �irst year as a part of BWA and it provides a sisterhood,” Active member of BWA Kiya Brooks said. “It brings

events for students.

“This budget does not affect this year because of left overs [from the last semester],” Norton said. But next year, “we have faculty led programs, [a campus] fair, things that cost more money.”

Even though the budget will not affect scholarships that students receive for studying abroad, she said that if they receive the same $40,000, Study Abroad would have to cut other planned nonessential events.

“The nonessentials like the photo contest, faculty travel, our travel to conferences,” Norton said.

The nonessentials are an important part of the Study Abroad program because it helps raise awareness of the options that students have.

History Associate Professor, Dr. Elizabeth Clark, and Professor, Dr. Bruce Brasington, are currently planning a faculty led trip to Germany. They said it was important to travel to the country before they take students this coming summer.

African American women together and we can be there for one another as a family. My favorite thing about BWA is the girls.

Everyone is so loving and there as so many different

“When I get to the ground with students I want to know, and explaining the city will be in our shoulders,” Dr. Clark said. “Understanding culture is so important. It´s important that the faculty are prepared.”

Katie Gustainis, senior speech communications

Display boards line the hallway between the JBK and the student success center to show the winners for the study abroad photo contest.

major, participated in the study Abroad Photo Contest Program. She said that this contest was helpful for the program.

“It exposes everyone else to study abroad,” Gustainis said.

“Many don´t know they can

personalities.”

The women will be ringing bells for Salvation Army starting at the beginning of November and continue until Christmas. Also 4 Weeks

BWA members gather around to discuss ideas and plan.

go. “Putting [the pictures] out there tells students you can do it too.”

Another important part of the program is the travelling done by the Study Abroad staff in order to �ind lower tuition costs for students. “[Study Abroad] looks for

SARA SMITH

FRANKIE SANCHEZ

the lower cost for students,” Norton said. “For this we have to travel to where we can build relationships.”

Currently, Norton is planning a trip to Malaysia and Thailand to establish contacts for future programs.”

“Students will pay tuition

of Awareness begins in November which aims to raise awareness of diabetes, STDs, Aids, heart disease and all types of cancer for women. One of BWA’s main goals is to bring awareness not only to women in the organization but to women outside in the community as well.

“We’re black women trying to make a difference,” Peoples said. “I see these girls in this group really impacting people’s lives and going against stereotypes not only in college but going on into the business world or wherever their major may take them.”

and fees [from WT] and only pay housing and meals [in the country],” she said. With the events planned, Study Abroad helps students to be able to experience other cultures.

“The experience will change everything for the better,” Gustainis said. “The world is globally interconnected. There are no borders anymore on commerce or information.

Being culturally aware will help you.”

Similarly, Dr. Brasington said that the experience of studying abroad is important for students.

“I know form my own experience how travel changed my life,” he said. “It wasn´t just education of head, but of heart.”

Norton said that Dr. Patrick O´Brien wants 20 percent of the graduating class to study abroad, but that will be dif�icult without more funding.

“If we don´t have money we can´t extend the program to students,” she said. “If [there are] no opportunities, you are not going to grow.”

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4

Sports

Buffs make Mustangs see pink WTAMU gets four interceptions in victory EVAN GRICE Staff Writer

T

he #17 ranked WT Buffs celebrated Pink Out night by getting an upset victory over #13 ranked Midwestern State Oct. 23 at Kimbrough Memorial Stadium.

MSU struck �irst with a 40-yard �ield goal from Jose Martinez with 2:33 left in the �irst quarter.

WTAMU couldn’t do anything offensively on the ensuing possession and were forced to punt. Kevin VonVoris pinned the Mustangs deep in their own territory at the one yard line. MSU went three and out on their possession and punted the ball away with Stephen Burton �ielding the ball at the 42 yard-line for the Buffs.

On the ensuing possession WT drove 42 yards in six plays with the drive being �inished off by a six-yard strike from quarterback Taylor Harris to Tyson Williams making the score 7-3 with just 43 seconds left in the �irst quarter.

In the second quarter, the

Buffs defense stormed into action. MSU Quarterback Jake Eskridge’s pass de�lected off Wide Receiver Justin Rideau’s

Maurice Caldwell runs after a MSU player.

hands and be intercepted by Curtis Jefferson, who then ran 59 yards for the touchdown.

After Sergio Castillo’s PAT the score was 14-3 Buffs with 12:11 left in the �irst half.

MSU punted again on their next possession, giving the ball back to WT. The Buffs drove 53 yards in nine plays with Tommy Hampton catching an 11-yard pass from Harris to make the score 21-3 with 6:47 left in the second quarter. This score remained until halftime.

WT came out in the third quarter �iring on all cylinders as they went on a 10-play 82-yard drive that culminated

STEPHEN INGLE

with Harris �inding Stephen Burton for a 36-yard touchdown making the score 28-3 with 10:05 left in the second half.

Midwestern attempted to respond on their next possession, but Eskridge was intercepted for the second time in the game this time by Tae Evans. WT turned this turnover into points as they drove 83 yards in 11 plays with Harris �inishing the drive by �inding Brittan Golden from 24-yards out for the touchdown. After

Castillo’s PAT the score was 35-3 with 3:03 left in the third quarter.

MSU �inally got back on the scoreboard with 44 seconds left in the quarter as Eskridge connected with David Little from 22 yards out for the touchdown. A failed twopoint conversion made the score 35-9. Just 12 seconds later, Midwestern struck again when Zack Brackett intercepted Harris’ pass and returned it 20 yards for the touchdown making the score 35-15 after the missed PAT going into the fourth quarter.

On the ensuing possession, Harris was hit and fumbled the ball with MSU recovering at their own 29-yard line. WT got the ball right back when Jordan Smith intercepted Eskridge’s pass, giving him his �irst three interception game of his career.

WT took advantage of the short �ield to extend their lead when Tommy Hampton capped off the six play drive with a three yard touchdown run making the score 42-15 after the PAT. With less than six minutes left in the game, Midwestern

Buffs cross countr y competes at Tiger Chase, places fif th EVAN GRICE Staff Writer

T

he WTAMU men’s cross country team competed at the East Central Tiger Chase held in Ada, Okla. Oct. 23.

WT came away with a fifth place overall finish as a team.

Heavy rain made

conditions very challenging on the course but Senior Thomas Harris battled through and came away with a ninth place finish to lead the Buffs.

Also finishing for the Buffs was Senior Ronaldo Vasquez who finished in 32nd place. Sophomore Michael Janousek clocked in 43rd place while Juniors Andrew Striley and Ray

Sparkman finished in 45th and 46th place respectively.

Rounding out results for the Buffs was Freshman Hayden Hook who finished in 52nd place.

Both men’s and women’s cross country teams will compete at the Lone Star Conference Championships which will be held Nov. 6 in Abilene, Texas.

struck again. Eskridge found Justin Rideau for a two yard touchdown making the score 42-22. MSU got one more score as Eskridge connected with Rideau again this time from 16 yards out to make the score 42-29 with 4:04 left in the game. Eskridge was picked off one more time as the Buffs sealed the victory late in the fourth.

WT QB Taylor Harris was 41-60 passing for 410 yards and four touchdowns. He moved into second place all time with 8,076 passing yards. Harris is only the second player in WT history to eclipse the 8,000 passing yard mark.

WR Stephen Burton caught seven passes for a game-high 139 yards and one touchdown. Tyson Williams had 79 yards receiving with one touchdown and Brittan Golden also had one touchdown along with 51 yards receiving.

WT will now travel to face Incarnate Word on Oct. 30th for their �irst ever meeting against the Cardinals. Kickoff is set for 2:05 P.M. from Tom Benson Stadium.

Go to theprairienews.com for up to date sports information. Visit the site during the week to �ind to the latest sports scores for everything from volleyball to golf.

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Sports

Lucha Libre invades Amarillo High flying wrestling entertain fans

EVAN GRICE Staff Writer

The stars of Lucha Libre Masked Warriors invaded the Amarillo Civic Center Oct. 24.

Before the show began, fans had a chance to obtain pictures and autographs from wrestlers such as Tinieblas Jr., El Oriental, Magno and American sensation Marco Corleone. Corleone, who started wrestling in 1998, credits Lucha Libre with reinventing his career.

“When I was released in 2005 from WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment), then I had two choices of where to wrestle and that was

STEPHEN INGLE

either in Japan or Mexico and I chose to wrestle in Mexico,” Corleone said. “Lucha Libre �it with my style of wrestling

which is fast paced.”

Corleone also had some simple advice for those looking to break into the business.

“The number one thing I tell people is to have a fall back plan,” Corleone said. “It’s important to get an education and have a fall back plan because if you break your neck or something worse then you don’t have much of a career after that.”

Rocky Romero, another veteran of 12 years, said that despite wrestling all over the world, his favorite fans are in the states.

“I’ve been all throughout the world to Germany, Italy, Brazil and Japan,” Romero said. “I’m used to wrestling in Mexico and the U.S.A. because that’s where the fans make the most noise during the show, and that makes us perform better when they participate.”

Romero’s advice to aspiring wrestlers was simple: dedication.

“You de�initely have to take your craft seriously and have a strong sense of dedication,” Romero said. “Practice and hard work are the important things to consider whether you’re wanting to be a wrestler or work behind the scenes in this business.”

Fans were treated to high �lying action during the show from a wide variety of wrestlers. These included the Mini’s such as Octagoncito and Mascarita Dorada. Also on tap were the Exoticos such as Cassandro and The Fabulous Chi Chi. After the show, fans that had VIP passes were able to enjoy a private autograph session with the rest of the wrestlers backstage.

Lady Buffs get shutout on Senior Day

Soccer team snaps six-game losing streak EVAN GRICE Staff Writer

WTAMU women’s soccer team played their final home game of the regular season Oct. 24 against East Central.

The Lady Buffs sent their seniors out on a winning note by

getting a 6-0 victory.

WT got the scoring started early when Berklee Watson scored in the second minute to give the Lady Buffs a 1-0 lead.

In the 18th minute, the lead was 2-0 when Kelsey Wright fired her shot through a defender and into the net.

Kendal Kitchens made it

3-0 in the 26th minute when she scored off a pass from Melanie Shannon. Kitchens then got her second goal of the match just a minute later when she tapped the ball in off an assist from Heather Hollis. WT had a commanding 4-0 lead at halftime.

Kitchens completed her hattrick in the 83rd minute when she

fired home from the top of the box. Her hat-trick is the first of her career and the first for the Lady Buffs since 2008.

In the 87th minute Makenzie Brown scored her first goal of the season to complete the 6-0 rout of the Lady Tigers.

Kelly Skehan picked up the victory in net for the Lady Buffs

playing 86 minutes with Yvette Bedoy playing the last four minutes. Skehan’s overall record stands at 7-6-3 overall and 3-5-1 in LSC play.

The Lady Buffs will finish the season on the road starting Oct. 29 against Central Oklahoma.

Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. from Edmond, Okla.

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News

WTAMU welcomes Council of Agricultural Administrators Council seeks to better agricultural program across the state MATT LARA Staff Reporter

Dr. Mark Hussey and Dr. David Reed tour de WTAMU ag facility.

W

TAMU welcomed the council of agricultural administrators to its campus on Oct. 1819 for a meeting intended to better coordinate the agricultural leaders of the Texas A&M University system.

“The council of Ag administrators goes back to 1997 when the Texas A&M System decided that it would be more advantageous for everybody to work more closely together across the entire state for agriculture,” Associate Dean of Agriculture Dr. Don Topliff said.

Although six separate schools compose the Texas A&M University System, this meeting is to help all of the individual universities better cooperate and form a more united front in the field of agriculture in terms of research, education and leadership.

“We have a business meeting and at that point in time we will be discussing how we can work more closely together,” Vice Chancellor and Dean for Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University, Dr. Mark Hussey said. “One of my prime interests is how can we act

MATT LARA

like a system, and be able to offer courses in agriculture throughout the A&M System, maybe courses that for some reason WT currently isn’t offering, we might be able to help offer these courses.”

In addition to discussing graduate level courses, courses and research projects all throughout the field of agriculture were discussed at this meeting.

“We have to remember that the A in A&M stands for agriculture.” Dr. Hussey said.

According to Dr. Dean Hawkins, department head of Agriculture at WT “there are some of the sister institutions that have strengths and some that have weaknesses, so if we could establish either student exchange and/or research collaboration that would be one of the areas we would be looking at.”

This meeting not only allowed for better communication and collaboration between the individual universities that compose the A&M System, but also allotted for an opportunity to better prepare for the budget cuts that may be in the System’s future.

“A lot of the things that we spent time talking about [were] how we could share courses through distance

education.” Topliff said. “For example, A&M Kingsville has a pretty good wild life and rangeland program, and we have an excellent wildlife biology program… if they could teach a course at a distance dealing with range and the interaction with range and wildlife that would be something our students could benefit from.”

Topliff noted that WT has its own areas of expertise in comparison to the other System schools that set WT apart.

“We have a lot of expertise in the fed cattle area,” Topliff said. “We might be able to share a course in ruminant nutrition. The idea is to maximize the use of the state’s resources, and minimize the effects of the budget cuts on students and faculty.”

The Texas A&M University system is composed of six schools including Prairie View A&M University, Tarleton State University, Texas A&M University, Texas A&M University at Commerce, Texas A&M University at Kingsville and West Texas A&M University. Each university was represented by a Department Head, Dean, Associate Dean or a combination of those individuals.

“There are fourteen universities in the state that have ag programs, there are six in the A&M system that have ag programs” Topliff said.

“Another purpose of these meetings is to give administrators from around the state a better look at the programs that you have right here at West Texas A&M University.” Dr. Hussey said.

WTAMU has several agricultural facilities and programs that were represented to the council

on Oct.18. According to an itinerary provided by Dr. James Clark Assistant Vice Chancellor and Dean of Agriculture and Life Sciences at WT, the council toured the Killgore Research Center, the Air Quality and Odor Research Laboratory, the Fine Arts Complex, the Meat Laboratory, the Greenhouse, the Horse Center, the Stanley Schaeffer Agricultural Education Learning Laboratory, the Nance Ranch and the WTAMU Research Feedlot.

Each facility toured represents a different department related to agriculture. The departments represented were Agriculture Media and Communications; Meat Sciences; Greenhouse, Plant, Soils and Environmental Sciences; Equine Industry and Equine Business; Agricultural Education; and Graduate Research. Each department when visited by the COAA gave a short overview presentation as to who they are and what they do within their department.

Students from Dr. Lance Kieth’s EDSE 4321 teaching methods course were present in the Stanley

Schaeffer Agricultural Building when the COAA arrived. This provided an excellent opportunity for the future educators to show firsthand what they do.

“Our presentation was more of a teaching type setting,” Dr. Kieth said.

“It gave the students an opportunity to think on their feet, put some things together, and give the presentation. It was good training for them to do that.”

WT showed off the highlights of the University’s Ag Department.

“I think they had an eye opening experience about WT’s capability and our resources,” Hawkins said.

“We’re in the most intensive ag part of the United States and none of the other schools within the system or within the United States have that advantage and we do. Of course the main A&M campus is larger, but that’s our strength that were not that large.”

Future meetings will occur twice a year with visitations to other universities within t he

TAMU COAA.

TAMU system agriculture faculty tour de WTAMU ag department.

MATT LARA

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8

No ‘Doubt ’ students can direc t KATELYN GARRITY Assistant Editor

STEPHEN INGLE

Kate Felkins

K

ate Felkins, a senior theatre major, at WTAMU directs ‘Doubt’, a modern play that focuses on how dif�icult it can be to discover truth. She earned the right to direct the play after taking classes with Royal Brantley and applying for the position.

Felkins said that as a student she took steps to make sure she was able to be a successful director and student.

“I did take a slightly lighter class load in

preparation for creating this whole world,” Felkins said. “[Being a student director], I’m in this odd little middle ground.”

‘Doubt’ is staged in the Happy State Bank Studio Theatre, which has a thrust stage instead of the more traditional proscenium arch. Although Felkins is directing the play, she has the support of Royal Brantley, professor of theatre.

“I’ve personally never acted in thrust setting,” Felkins said. “Mr. Brantley helped me with several techniques.”

Just as with a production staged by faculty, Felkins had theatre students audition before she chose the cast members.

Julia Rucker, a sophomore theatre major, plays Sister James. Rucker noted that the dynamic between actor and director is different when the director is a student.

“It’s easier to voice your opinion sometimes,” Rucker said. “[You have to �ind] the line between peer and director.”

Felkins said that directing has shown her a whole new side to the theatre process. Felkins said that seeing the ideas she came up with for staging the play actually happen has been unreal.

“It’s a new concept that the things I [saw] in my head are real,” Felkins said.

Director Kate Felkins test the lighting on stage.

Actors Nathan Gregory and Julia Rucker during rehersal.

STEPHEN INGLE

STEPHEN INGLE

N u n f i n d s t r u t h e v a s i ve KATELYN GARRITY Assistant Editor

Bailey Lawrence and Ashley Brag reherse before the opening night.

Actor Bailey Lawrence STEPEHEN INGLE

STEPHEN INGLE

Actor Nathan Gregory. STEPHEN INGLE

‘D

oubt’, written by John Patrick Shanley in 2004, takes place in 1964 at a Catholic school. The school has just welcomed its �irst African American student, Donald Muller. Questions arise as Sister Aloysius, the school’s principal, investigates the relationship between Muller and Father Flynn.

The play is one act long and does not include an intermission.

“You don’t get to give the audience a break,” Felkins said. “I want to keep the audience on the edge of their seat for about an hour and 15 minutes.”

Bailey Lawrence, a senior theatre major, will play Sister Aloysius. Meryl Streep played Sister Aloysius in ‘Doubt’ the movie released in 2008.

“It’s kind of nerve wracking because I have Meryl Streep to live up to,” Lawrence said. “People expect a certain performance.”

Because of the lack of intermission in ‘Doubt’, the audience will not be able to discuss the play until the show is over. Felkins said she hopes the audience talks about the play after the conclusion.

“I intend the audience leaving here to get in an argument or in depth discussion,” Felkins said. “The

play is more than the whole scandal [and] con�lict.”

Lawrence noted that an intermission would defeat the purpose Shanley had for this play.

“It forces the audience to stay in the driving action,” Lawrence said. “If they left at intermission, they’d have too much time to debate.”

Felkins said that one of the points of the play is to make the audience itself doubt and question.

“Doubt” ran Oct. 21-23. The play continues Oct. 27-30, starting at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are free for students and faculty. They can be picked up before the performances at the Box Of�ice in the Fine Arts Complex.

Actors Bailey Lawrence and Julia Rucker.

STEPHEN INGLE