October 2015

The wit and wisdom of a pair of French playwrights open Lawrence University’s department of theatre arts 85th season.

Four performances of the two premondern one-act plays — “Sganarelle, or The Imaginary Cuckold” by Moliere and “The Test” by Pierre de Marivaux — will be staged Oct. 29-31 in Stansbury Theatre of the Music-Drama Center.

Performances are at 8 p.m. each night with an additional 3 p.m. matinee on Saturday, Oct. 31. Tickets, at $15 for adults and $8 for seniors/students, are available through the Lawrence Box Office, 920-832-6749.

Written in 1660, “Sganarelle,” a whirlwind of wrong-headed suspicions and imaginary betrayals, was the most produced play during Moliere’s lifetime. The plot centers around two couples who each mistakenly believe their spouse has been unfaithful to them. Where circumstantial evidence is viewed as conclusive proof, they plot and scheme to seek revenge, only to entangle themselves further in their own delusions.

“We’re going ‘old school’ this year by exploring the comic sensibilities of French and British playwrights, starting with two classic French comedies,” said director Timothy X. Troy, professor of theatre arts and J. Thomas and Julie Esch Hurvis Professor of Theatre and Drama.  “Sgranarelle features broad humor and outrageous characters who grasp tightly to a misunderstanding they won’t let go of. The dialogue features perfectly metered rhyming couplets that shows off Moliere’s, and translator Richard Wilbur’s, wit and control.”

Like “Sgranarella,” Marivaux’s “The Test” also involves two couples — a valet and a maid, and a master and his vain mistress. The play revolves around the theme of sincerity, or at least the air of sincerity, as his characters wear a mask of sincerity. They enjoy being sincere and expressing their feelings when speaking of others, but are less receptive when similar sincerity is directed at them.

“Marivaux is less well known in the English speaking world, but was greatly admired by important playwrights in the 19th-and 20th-centuries,” said Troy. “His humor is marked by witty dialogue and psychological insight. Though “The Test” was written in 1740, it still strikes as remarkably modern. Though the characters use heightened, often lofty language, Marivaux’s prose is less self-conscious and flows easily from his character’s hearts.”

Stansbury Theatre has been transformed into a classic French theatre, complete with chandeliers, footlights and painted scenery for the production, which also features period-inspired sets and costumes.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

China’s leadership role in public health and community health practices will be the focus of the second installment of Lawrence University’s 2015-16 Povolny Lecture Series in International Studies “Community Health: Local and Global.”

Suzanne Gottschang, associate professor of anthropology at Smith College, presents “Community Health: What Can We Learn from China?” Tuesday, Nov. 3 at 7 p.m. in Lawrence’s Wriston Art Center auditorium. The presentation is free and open to the public.

A medical anthropologist, Gottschang will examine how historical and contemporary efforts in community health programs in China, such as  schistosomiasis eradication, development of the barefoot doctors program or the current campaign to address maternal mortality, can inform global health concerns and policy in other areas of the world.

Gottschang, whose research focuses on risk and health policy, mobile and e-medicine in China and traditional Chinese veterinary medicine, contributed a chapter on baby friendly Chinese hospitals obligated to promote breast-feeding by new mothers, offer promotional material and “educational” visits by sales representatives from companies that make infant formula to the 2000 book ”Feeding China’s Little Emperors: Food, Children and Social Change.”

The lecture series, named in honor of former Lawrence government professor Mojmir Povolny, promotes interest and discussion on issues of moral significance and ethical dimensions.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

The rededication of the Banta Bowl caps an epic weekend as Lawrence University, which also celebrates Fall Festival and hosts the Intercollegiate Athletic Hall of Fame ceremony.

School officials, led by President Mark Burstein, will conduct the rededication ceremony at 4:40 p.m. on Ron Roberts Field at the Banta Bowl.

Burstein will be joined by Director of Athletics Mike Szkodzinski, All-America quarterback Chuck McKee ’68, lead donors Tom Rogers ’65, Steve ’62 and Joan Gilboy and members of the family of legendary coach Ron Roberts.

Rogers, Steve Gilboy and Ron Roberts Jr., ’84, will serve as honorary captains as the Lawrence football team takes on Carroll University at 5 p.m.

Saturday’s events on Roberts Field begin at 11 a.m. when the Lawrence women’s soccer team faces Grinnell College. The men’s match vs. Grinnell follows at 1:30 p.m. In addition to the action on Roberts Field, the Lawrence volleyball team faces Northland College at 6 p.m. inside Alexander Gymnasium.

The rededication ceremony caps a hectic six-month renovation of the iconic stadium, which opened for play in 1965. The $4.5 million project has given the Banta Bowl a new life as it now serves as the home for men’s and women’s soccer in addition to football.

The stadium floor was raised four feet and expanded to accommodate both football and soccer. The natural grass surface was replaced with FieldTurf, an artificial surface that allows for more and varied use of the facility. The transformation of the field was made possible by Rogers’ gift, and he renamed it Roberts Field to honor Lawrence’s renowned coach.

The Gilboy Athletic Center, the new building constructed beyond the north end zone, was made possible by a gift from Steve and Joan Gilboy. The building houses the Lawrence locker room, a visiting team room, the training room, concessions, bathrooms and ticketing.

The facility also features new aluminum bleachers, an LED scoreboard adorned with “Roberts Field” and improved sound system.

A memorial to Bernie Heselton, long-time coach and director of athletics, is under the Lawrence flag.

Heselton served as Lawrence football coach from 1938-64, won six Midwest Conference championships and served as director of athletics and head golf coach.

A memorial for Carl Berghult ’64, a friend and fraternity brother of Rogers, rests under the American flag.

Berghult, a native of Chicago, Ill., was a running back for the Vikings and played in the final years of Heselton’s tenure. After graduating from Lawrence, Berghult was a lieutenant (j.g.) in the United States Naval Reserve. He was killed in a flight deck fire aboard the USS Enterprise on Jan. 14, 1969.

The weekend’s festivities kick off with the induction ceremony for the Lawrence Hall of Fame on Friday evening at the Warch Campus Center. Five former student-athletes and one former coach are being inducted.

Long-time swimming and diving coach Kurt Kirner joins eight of his former swimmers in the Hall of Fame. Kirner coached from 1991-2007, won a pair of league titles and was honored as Midwest Conference Coach of the Year three times.

Former softball and volleyball star Shannon Arendt, who earned all-conference honors four times, is joined by four-time all-conference basketball selection Felice Porrata. Two great runners, Courtney Miller and Shelley Ebert, combined to win 13 conference track titles and led the cross country team to a pair of league championships.

The other inductee is former baseball and football star Steve Blomberg, who played five seasons in the minor leagues after leaving Lawrence.

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.

Lawrence University’s popular 75-minute whirlwind concert known as Kaleidoscope isn’t just a hit with the audience, the student performers enjoy its rapid-fire approach as well.

“How the program is run, with its quick and condensed snapshots from different groups positioned at various areas throughout the hall, the traveling spotlight, the intensely focused energy and collective bated breath to hold applause until the end of the 75 minutes all make for a very special event,” says Sofie Yang, a senior violinist from Whitefish Bay who will serve as concertmaster of the Lawrence Symphony Orchestra for this year’s Kaleidoscope concert.

That frenetic approach also quickens the pulse of Appleton senior saxophonist Joe Connor.

“There is a special atmosphere between the audience and the performers, full of tension and excitement, that is unique to Kaleidoscope,” said Connor, who will perform this year with the Lawrence Wind Ensemble and his new chamber ensemble Slipstream.

The concert’s fifth iteration — Kaleidoscope⁵ — will again showcase the multiple musical talents of more than 200 Lawrence students Saturday, Oct. 10 at 8 p.m. at the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center, 400 W. College Ave., Appleton.

Tickets, at $15 for adults, $10 for senior citizens and $7 for students, are available at both the Lawrence University Box Office, 920-832-6749, and the Fox Cities Performing Arts Center Box Office, 920-730-3760.

“Kaleidoscope is an explosion of exceptional music-making,” said Stephen Sieck, assistant professor and co-director of choral studies who is coordinating this year’s concert. “When I first came to Lawrence, I thought it would be madness to put together such a complicated production as Kaleidoscope in the first few weeks of the year but I now know that Lawrentians always rise to the mightiest of challenges.”

Beyond the concert’s unique format, performing in an off-campus venue like the Performing Arts Center’s 2,072-seat auditorium provides added excitement.

“Playing at the PAC really is special opportunity that I think inspires all of the performers to do their best,” said Connor, who will make his second appearance at Kaleidoscope. “It’s always a thrill to play in such a beautiful space.”

As with its four predecessors, Kaleidoscope⁵ is sure to offer something that will appeal to even the most discerning music aficionado.

“Kaleidoscope is an explosion of exceptional music-making.”
           — Stephen Sieck

This year’s concert will feature 14 ensembles, running the gamut from the 60-member symphony orchestra and the Concert Choir to the more intimate clarinet ensemble and Yang’s Quartet Masque, with which she performed at 2013’s concert.

The program will feature a pair of tributes to the late Fred Sturm, who lost a battle with cancer in August 2014. It was Lawrence’s former jazz studies director who envisioned a concert that incorporated all aspects of the conservatory.

The Viking Bassoon Ensemble will perform an arrangement by Instructor of Music Carl Rath of Sturm’s “Spring.” The Lawrence University Jazz Ensemble will perform Sturm’s “Capoeristas” from “Migrations: One World, Many Musics,” which he was commissioned to write for Bobby McFerrin.

Highlighting the concert will be the world premiere of “The Music Makers”, a massive seven-minute work written on commission by Emmy Award-winning composer and 2010 Lawrence graduate Garth Neustadter, who will return to Appleton from his current home in Pasadena, Calif., to conduct the piece.

At the end of the performance, Yang hopes the audience leaves with an appreciation of the diversity of music and musical experiences, not just at Lawrence but globally.

“What dictates our concert-going experience and what makes it compelling? How can we create concerts from that awareness?,” asks Yang. “The relationship of people and music is a kaleidoscope, always shifting. Everyone should take part in that change.”

About Lawrence University
Founded in 1847, Lawrence University uniquely integrates a college of liberal arts and sciences with a nationally recognized conservatory of music, both devoted exclusively to undergraduate education. It was selected for inclusion in the book “Colleges That Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College” and Fiske’s Guide to Colleges 2016. Engaged learning, the development of multiple interests and community outreach are central to the Lawrence experience. Lawrence draws its 1,500 students from nearly every state and more than 50 countries.