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Nov. 11 - Dec. 8, 2010 |
The Tower
Liberty Hall’s Secret Garden Samantha Feller
Everyone likes to get a little peace and quiet whether it is to do homework, have a snack, read a book or just have some alone time. You may be surprised to know that the perfect place to do any of these activities is right here on campus. The Liberty Hall Garden is beautiful, relaxing and seasonal, as it remains open spring through fall. The garden is quaint making it a great place to getaway. The beauty of the garden radiates in the European style with a maze that makes it feel almost enchanted. The old Kean house is right in plain view and the building is a sight as well. There are birdhouses, flowers, butterflies and bunnies as well as a small apple orchard. It was a hot day when I went to visit the garden, but I was able to find relief from the sun on some of the benches, which were placed beneath the trees. As I walked the pebbled path, I realized I was alone and it was very peaceful and serene. This is one of Kean University’s most under-rated features. It is a short five-
one is nearer god’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth.” Besides alone time, the garden can also be a lovely place to walk with a friend or to view some historical sites. There are
“The kiss of the sun for pardon the song of the birds for mirth one is nearer god’s heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth.”
The Liberty Hall Garden
minute walk from the main campus and has so much to offer. Kean students can go to the visitor center and get a sticker that says, “Grounds only,” allowing the student access to the gardens.
What’s With The Gazebos? By Carlos Reynosa
As Kean students enter the campus, they may have noticed the new a Gazebo between the Vaughn Eames building and Wilkins Theater. Not only would this be the third Gazebo installed at the school but it’s the most noticeable, as it has taken the place of very popular tree.
ing at Kean in the summer when he saw workers cutting down the tree. “It provided an environment for making memories; campus dates and actual acting classes.” The point of the gazebo is still unclear. Exact information of the gazebos was not received at the time of press, however a standard cost of 28’ “Dodecagon American” in Sears that is similar to the design
“It’s an equal replacement to the tree [that once was there].”
Photo: Carlos M. Reynosa
The gazebo.
For years, students had been coming to this location to be sheltered by its tree. It was a spot where they focused on their studies, talked with friends, or even rested their eyes. Classes were sometimes held at this location as the teachers from the nearby buildings tried to enjoy some fresh air and cool off on hot spring day. Some students felt a connection with that tree. “It was actually a good thing that the tree was there,” said Siddharth Gupta, a Film major student who works in the Vaugh Eames Building. Gupta was work-
found on campus is $3,440 dollars, not including the cost for construction. “It was a waste of money in general,” said Hilary Graffox, an Art Education major. “It will eventually turn into a smoker’s lounge.” It has also been expressed by some that the money would be better spent on updating the building’s computers and evaluators. However, Gupta said there is a positive to the new addition, as she found inspiration from the gazebo. “It’s an equal replacement to the tree,” said Grupta. “As a film maker, I think the Gazebo isn’t really a bad idea. It’s actually a rare opportunity for me because I can use it for in my films.”
Holocaust Resource Center Announces Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics The Elie Wiesel Foundation for Humanity has announced its Elie Wiesel Prize in Ethics Essay Contest 2011. This annual contest - now in its 22nd year is designed to challenge college students to analyze urgent ethical issues confronting them in today’s complex world. Full-time juniors and seniors are invited to compete for awards of up to $5,000. The prize challenges students to indentify, define and analyze contemporary ethical questions, issues or dilemmas. It is open to only full-time undergraduate juniors and seniors enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university in the United States. First Prize is $5,000; Second Prize is $2500, Third Prize is $1,500, and two Honorable Mentions at $500 each. For further information and applications, please contact Helen Walzer at 737-4661.
Photo: Samantha Feller
The garden also has some words of wisdom to offer. By a group of benches closer to the main house there is a little stone with writing that said, “The kiss of the sun for pardon the song of the birds for mirth
guided tours of the grounds, which may be beneficial for students or anyone who likes history. I highly recommend visiting or stopping by the garden at some point because it shows a serene yet lively atmosphere in the fast paced hustle and bustle of campus. It is always nice to get a breath of fresh air in a beautiful place or to share a memory with someone while viewing nature.
Sweeney Todd at Kean in Spring By Casey Murphy
This spring the demon barber will be coming to Kean stage, but first the Theatre Department is on a search to find him and his neighbors from Fleet Street. They announced the spring 2011 musical will be “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” and auditions are open to all Kean University students. For the audition, each student is expected to have 32 bars of music - generally one verse of a song - prepared to perform with an accompanist. A selection from “Sweeney Todd” is preferred, but students can also prepare a selection from a similar musical or a piece by Stephen Sondheim, the composer of the musical. If students need help finding sheet music, the Theatre Department and library have selections that students can borrow. If students receive a callback, a second audition, they should be prepared to read scenes from the script and sing some songs from the show that will be taught by the musical director. “The first audition usually only takes about five minutes per person,” said Holly Logue, director of “Sweeney Todd” and Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts. “If the students are called back, then they probably stay for two to three hours so they can be seen at their best and given an opportunity to read, sing, chat with me a little, etc.” “Sweeney Todd” tells the story of Benjamin Barker, who was exiled by judge Turpin on a trumped up charge, all because the judge lusted after Barker’s wife. Barker returns to London, under the alias of Sweeney Todd, and haunts his old home on Fleet Street, trying to find out what happened to his wife and daughter. Finding out his wife committed suicide and his daughter is being cared for by the judge who exiled him, he seeks revenge on the judge with the help from his old neighbor, Mrs. Lovett. The 1979 musical is based off Christopher Bond’s version of “Sweeney Todd” the play. It is composed by Stephen Sondheim, who also composed “Assassins” and “Into the Woods.” There were several productions of the show after it opened in
Photo: Playbillstore.com
Original Broadway Sweeney Todd Poster
“It’s vocally challenging. It has a strong book, minimal dance and we haven’t done a Sondheim in a long time.” 1979, but the most recent stage revival in America was in 2005 at the Eugene O’Neil Theater in NY. It was performed with no set and the actors played instruments on the stage. One of the most well known productions is the 2007 Tim Burton movie, starring Johnny Depp as Sweeney Todd. There are several reasons why “Sweeney Todd” was chosen as the Spring 2011 musical. “It’s vocally challenging,” said Logue. “It has a strong book, minimal dance and we haven’t done a Sondheim in a long time.” Auditions will be held Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 in Wilkins Theatre. A signup sheet will be posted on the callboard on the first floor of Vaughn Eames across from room 119 in mid-Nov. Callbacks will be held Dec. 2.