'The Metal Children' clang on stage

published November 13, 2012

(photo by William Hinton)



What is art? Who has a right to determine what is appropriate? How far is too far? Should life imitate art? Most importantly, what rights does an author have over his or her own work once readers get their hands on it?

“The Metal Children,” directed by senior Evan Hallman, asks all of these questions and keeps one searching, whether or not there is just one answer.

The play, written by Adam Rapp, focuses its attention on novelist Tobin Falmouth (Tim Hippensteel) who is in a rut. Or, as he calls it, “artistic impotence.”

His novel, “The Metal Children,” is currently being contested in the small town of Midlothia. At the advice of his agent Bruno (Matthew Kline) and after a passionate letter written by the head of the English department, Stacey Kinsella, (Cory Stevens) he goes to visit and finds himself in a place where things are all too familiar.

His novel centers around a city where young women are becoming pregnant and disappearing shortly after.

Meredith Miller, the heroine of the novel, becomes a symbol in the town, representing ideals of suicide, pregnancy and inspiring a cult-like fraction to begin forming.

At Falmouth’s arrival, he realizes that the young women of the town are getting pregnant, there is a group of people running around in pig masks terrorizing the town (a reference to his own book) and there is a vault in the local church that is holding all copies of his book, as if it were a volatile weapon (many member of the church seem to believe it is).

He is aided by the local owner of The Blue Moon Hotel, Edith Dundee (Ashley Stoudnour), and meets Edith’s niece, Vera Dundee (Kimberly MacAlister) who is spearheading the movement to keep the novel in schools which are obviously passionate about the cause.

He is also joined by Otto Hurley (Daniel Lindgren) the head of the school board, as well as performances by freshman Jessica Lavallee in the roles of Lynne, Cooper and Nurse, as well as sophomore Zachary Clark as Kong, Pig Mask Boy and Boy X.

The story twists and turns like a play should, eliciting gasps from the audience. I thought I saw several jaws hit the floor at certain scenes along with shocked whispers.

Despite the serious plot and subject matter, there were funny and downright awkward moments as well, highlighting a realistic sort of world in a fantastical show.

I was impressed by the type of portrayal of realism and especially in the individual performances. Stevens’ performance as Kinsella, an idealistic bibliophile and free-thinker, was heartfelt and lovingly endearing.

His comedic timing was also spot-on and more often than not, his expressions were enough to get the audience to respond.

For Hippensteel, what a better way to start his theater career here at Shippensburg, then by taking the lead role of Tobin Falmouth? Honest in Falmouth’s struggle and imperfection, Hippensteel brought life to this quirky and quite unpredictable character.

It was a fresh change of pace to have this lead not necessarily be the man you would want to date, but maybe the one you would like to have coffee with on Sunday afternoons.

Also, I found Carolyn Webster’s performance of Roberta Cupp and Emmaline Johnson’s performance of Tami Lake to be perfect.

The “uppity” idealistic nature of these religious characters was strong enough to portray an entire viewpoint of the town of Midlothia, even with their short time on stage.

“The Metal Children” leaves the audience with bigger questions then answers and the realization of just what words can mean and what people should do with the ideas that authors create.

SU steam system in need of updates

published November 13, 2012

(photo by Lauren Cappuccio)

Anyone walking by Naugle Hall on the way to class or by Reisner Hall to eat might see a portion of sidewalk that has been torn up. Several days ago, steam was seen rising from the cracks before guard rails were put up to surround the area.

The rising steam was due to a leak in the steam system, according to William Lensie, assistant director for maintenance and operations.

The steam system that is currently in place at SU provides heat to all the buildings by transporting steam through pipes that run underneath the sidewalks and when there are cracks or faults within the pipes, they must be dug up and replaced to keep the system running efficiently. Every year, there are usually several leaks by the system that need to be fixed or replaced.

Lensie was informed about the steam leak on one of his daily rounds and saw steam coming out of the concrete box near Reisner.

Those boxes are actually vent boxes for manholes. When steam escapes due to leaks in the system, it comes out through the boxes.

This usually indicates something is wrong.

Lensie also said that there is a grant currently in motion that would replace the antiquated steam system used to heat the buildings and make room for a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution.

It is in the works to be established for the 2013-2014 school year.



Down to earth poet talks race

published November 6, 2012

(photo by Lauren Cappuccio)

"How did you begin writing poetry?"

He paused.

"I never know where to start telling these stories," he said. "It usually ends when everyone leaves the room."

The students laughed around him, many holding the poet's first published book of poetry, "Mule," in their hands.

Shane McCrae, an award-winnig poet and author from Iowa, arrived at SU on Thursday to talk to students at three separate sessions. There was a talk on education and diversity, a general writing Q&A session and later on in the evening, a poetry reading of his published and some non-published poems.

McCrae was sponsored by the John Taggart Reading Series, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Department of English, the Office of Social Equity, the Multicultural Caucus and SU's literary magazine, The Reflector.

During his Q&A session in Horton Hall, McCrae talked about his experience as a professional poet and answered many questions that students had.

In the beginning, McCrae used poetry as an outlet as he struggled with academics throughout school. It also helped him to express his feelings. His first poetry, he said, was written when he was 15. He claimed it was pretty dark and said it was mostly inspired from his first poetic influence, Sylvia Plath.

Now, he looks back at that time as dark and full of angst and felt it was the beginning steps to where he is today. He spent this time developing his love for poetry, which is something he feels most people are raised with a "healthy" distrust of, including himself.

"I couldn't read poetry until after I got published," he said, referring to a magazine that published one of his poems when he was 17. "I had a heavy disdain for poetry."

But, he continued with it, he said, partially due to his academics being poor and the encouragement he received from his poetry.

There were several questions regarding his unique style, which includes the repetition of certain words or complete changes in attitude during the lines. McCrae said during the writing process, he feels the writer thinks their way through and goes back and forth, just like the process of thinking.

In terms of how he writes, he said he edits as soon as he writes lines, which is somewhat different from what other poets do. To him, if the first line is off, then those that follow will seem wrong as well.

He wants his poetry to be "uniquely" his and is sub-sequentially known for the visual quality of them, including double spacing and repetition. Also, he spoke of a "blurry clarity" quality that he feels are what his poetry goes for.

His first book "Mule" was baed on personal experiences, including his last marriage that ended in divorce, his son's diagnosis of autism, race, identity and religion.

Later on in the evening after the Q&A, Zach Savich, associate professor or English, introduced sophomore Brittany Torrez-Alvarez, who had won a competition in her poetry class that required her to write a poem in McCrae's style. Torrez-Alvarez, in turn, introduced McCrae to read his work to a packed house in Old Main Chapel.

He read several poems from "Mule," including "The Cardinal Is the Marriage Bird," "Are Roses Are," and "In No Place."

He also read from his upcoming book "Blood" which is about life before the Civil War. The first section is about Margaret Garner, made famous by Toni Morrison's "Beloved," for reportedly killing her daughter when forced to return back to her slave owner.

Poems he read from this book included "Mercy" and "Children," both written from Garner's point of view about the act of "saving" her children from that life.

He also talked about the 1811 German Coast Uprising, where a reported group of 500 slaves rebelled.

Article located here: http://www.theslateonline.com/article/2012/11/down-to-earth-poet-talks-race

Bearing his sole: senior goes barefoot

published Oct. 31, 2012

(photo courtesy of Zared Shawver)

You may have seen him walking around campus, but what you noticed may not have been his clothes or even his smile; it might have been his feet. Namely, the fact he does not wear shoes.

Zared Shawver, 21, from McClure, Pa., is a senior psychology major and has been going barefoot for a year.

"I don't like having my feet covered," Shawver said. "I've never liked shoes and I finally just decided to stop wearing them completely."

Shawver is a founding member of Alpha Chi Rho, president of the Adventure Club, active member of the Environmental Club and goes on hikes and other activities barefoot.

If anything, he said he prefers to be barefoot while being outdoors.

"Not wearing shoes had made me more confident about where I put my feet and the steps I take," Shawver said.

He described the difference in being separated from the ground by shoes and how it is easier for him to gauge where to go and step when he does not have shoes between them.

But is her worried about the health risks or hurting himself while walking and being active?

"No, with a caveat," he said. "I understand and appreciate the risks of the things that may hurt me, for instance venomous creatures and glass are the biggest immediate threats, but I don't let that fear hold me back, but use that trepidation to raise my awareness of potential harm."

His decision has had some negative effects, such as being called names and met with solid opposition, but he has looked into laws regarding his lifestyle and he believes he is in the clear.

"The whole No Shirt/No Shoes/No Service idea isn't a law," he said. "It was actually created during the '60s and '70s to keep members of the counter culture out of businesses."

Laws passed by OSHA (Occupational Safety and Health Administration) require only employees to wear footwear.

There are no state health codes that require that customers must wear shoes.

Individual buisnesses, however, are free to refuse service as they so choose.

And he has been refused service before, but refuses to let it hinder him. He knew that his lifestyle is different and is a change from what some people think.

"I don't like the fact that change is viewed as 'bad,'" Shawver said. "Naturally the way to do things doesn't always mean it is right."


The article is located here: http://www.theslateonline.com/article/2012/10/bearing-his-sole-senior-goes-barefoot