Page 8-The Michigan Daily-Thursday, November 5, 1987
6
Talk to Us encourages discussion
By Brian Bonet
In response to the current need for
increased social awareness comes the
creation of Talk to Us, a 13 member
theatre troupe sponsored by the
University's housing division and
Hillel's Hill Street Players.
This unique, issue-related
company "acts out" pertinent social
problems in brief, researched skits
that are followed b y
character/audience dialogue in an
effort to stimulate discussion of the
portrayed issue. For example, the
troupe's simulation of a date rape
would be momentarily frozen to
allow a moderator to enter and field
questions from the audience that are
directed to the different characters.
After each question period, there is a
short monologue expressing the
troupe's views of how the conflict
should ideally be resolved.
Actor/director Scott Weissman
views Talk to Us as a catalyst for
students to get more directly
involved in campus-wide social
issues.
"I'm concerned about people
getting involved in an issue," he
says. "To feel something rather than
intellectually understanding that the
issue is an issue. Out of feeling for
something for an issue, sensitivity
for an issue begins."
"We want to move people to be
compassionate and more
understanding; to be less
condemning and less judgmental,"
Weissman continues.
This Sunday night in the West
Quad Wedge Room, Talk to Us will
be performing and discussion four
issues: sexual assault prevention,
stereotyping and prejudices,
interfaith dating, and gay awareness.
Weissman, who received a
Masters of Fine Arts from the
University in 1985, views Talk to
Us as a valuable source of awareness
that all University communities can
benefit from. "We can customize a
show for any group," says
Weissman, whose troupe prefers the
familiar setting of a cramped,
dormitory lounge over a more
spacious theatre stage. "For
example, if a resident advisor is
having a problem on a hall, we can
set up a scene to address that
problem."
Weissman describes the troupe
relationship with the University a4
reciprocal as well as mutually
beneficial. "We have had, in the
development of the scenes, experts
(from the University) come in and
work with us," he says. "We will
continue to use the University as a
resource to help us and they can use
us as a resource to help them."
The troupe's 13 members were
chosen from a field of 60 who
auditioned in September. The troupe
was selected for a "combination of
genuine commitment to social
issues a well as acting ability and
spontaneous creativity," says
Weissman.
Spontaneous creativity plays an
important role when the members of
Talk to Us are forced to improvise
quick, valid responses to questions
within the psyche of their character,
says Weissman. "We go over and
over the scenes and possibilities.
They are a very spontaneous group
who are prepared to take that on."
Although Weissman is optimistic
about the troupe's service to the
;ommunity, he also realizes its
,oundaries. "I don't think we're
oing to solve the Arab-Israeli
i -flict," he says. "But we can make
a white student feel or understand
how a Black student feels."
Weissman adds, "I'm looking to
help people change rather than effect
policy... I want individuals to
experience internal change."
TALK TO US will be performing
on Sunday at 8 p.m. in the Wedge
Room located on the second floor of
West Quad. Admission is free and
refreshments will be provided.
Organizations and student groups
who are interested in working with
Talk to Us should call Scott
Weissman at 663-3336.
fi
Mustard's Retreat
Local musicians Michael Hough (left) and David Tamulevich (right) are
Mustard's Retreat. The duo has just released a new album, 'Midwinter's
Night,' which features guest musicians Claudia Schmidt and Mr. B.
They will play in support of that record tonight at the Ark, which is
where they got their start In the '70s. Showtime is 8 p.m. Tickets are
$5.50 for members and students.
O Rr l RiOn
Congratulatios
The Daily would like to take this space to congratulate staff writer
Mike Rubin. Mike has been awarded the Rolling Stone National
College Journalism Award in Essay and Criticism for his article "Death
of Guitarist Cut Short Minutemen's Heydey" (Daily 3/13/87).
Said Mike, upon news of the presitigious award, "It's great but it
still doesn't get my film paper in on time or wax the kitchen floor."
' he w n n ' H AL
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The Harvard Guide to
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By Martha P. Leape and
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Harvard University Press
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For many seniors, thoughts of
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While some students may already
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The primary aim of the book is
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6
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IAV
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Imagine calling Domino's and
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-Mark Swartz'
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