4 Page 10 -The Michigan Daily-Wednesday, February 3, 1988 Nightingale: a critic and an educator By Jennifer Kohn Pru Rosenthal describes the painting 'The Family 'Dream Keepers: A Celebration of Afro-American celebrates Black History Month. 'Perceptions, Daily Photo by JESSICA GREENE Album' during an 'Art Break' lecture on the exhibit Art.' Like 'Perceptions and Expressions 1988,' it celebrates The Theatre Department has un- dergone reconstruction in recent years in order to restore its emi- nence. At the crux of the change is the new Department Chair Arnold Aaronson and two recent imports from Great Britain; John Russell Brown, dramaturge of National The- atre of Great Britain, and Benedict Nightingale. Professor Nightingale is currently a freelance theatre critic, primarily for the London Times and New York Times. This is his second year as a professor at the University. When asked what brought him to Michi- gan, he offers both personal and professional motivations: "After eighteen years as a critic, the next logical step seemed to be to academia." He spent the '83-4 theatre season in New York, writing his own Sun- day column for The Times. His family remained in England during that year. At the end of that time, with the chance to remain in New York, his family was faced with the choice of leaving their home. Coincidentally, he received an in- vitation to teach at the University. His family has remained in England and he chooses to live in Ann Arbor. "I make the trip around six times a year, including the four month summer break. It's exhausting, but I really enjoy the teaching and writ- ing." Nightingale is a lover of the the- atre. His career as a critic began as a journalist at Cambridge. While in a graduate program at the University of Pennsylvania he began writing as a reviewer for The Guardian. He be- gan to write for The New Statesman, in London in 1964. He spent 18 years there, while intermittently publishing freelance pieces in Eng- land and the U.S. Black history m cultural art and Month with d- - By Preeti Malani Perceptions & Expressions 1988, the third annual Black students artists' exhibit is currently on display in the Michigan Union University Art Lounge. This event is co- sponsored by Minority Student Services, the Michigan Union and the Arts and Programming department. . Perceptions is one of several University-sponsored special events offered in conjunction with February as Black History Month. This exhibit features the work of Black students from the University and the Ann Arbor community. The art show started three years ago to give recognition to Black history and culture, and to provide exposure to local artists, according to Candy Steele, spokesperson for Arts and Programming and exhibit organizer. Many of the artists are art students, but others are involved in other academic pur- suits. The exhibit's main theme is Black culture and history, but other ideas are also focused upon. The artwork varies in style and consists of different mediums. Viewers can enjoy several works of pencil and ink, in addition to pieces of claywork, jewelery, and photography. "I think of Africa as my land of origin and my artwork depicts this," explains third year art student, Pedra Chaffers. Her work on display includes a series of ink patterns titled Fusion I, II, and III and photographs. These include photographs of anti-racism movements which occurred on campus last year. Her picture cap- ture the unrest and emotion in a beautiful way. Chaffers looks to her heritage and ancestors as a source of motivation in her artistic emotion endeavors. She likes to make use of African patterns and themes. This is the third year her work appears in the exhibit. "This show is a great chance for minority students to show their artwork," says Robert Silver, an Art School junior. This is his second year in the exhibit. Robert likes the exposure Perceptions gives budding artists like himself. PERCEPTIONS & EXPRES- SIONS 1988 will run until February 20 with viewing hours from 8 a.m. until 2 a.m. Some student work on display is available for purchase. A reception to honor the participating artists will beheld on Sunday, February 7 in the Michigan Union Pond Rooms. There will be a short presentation and lecture by a University faculty member followed by refreshments. Both the exhibit and reception are free and open to the public. Nightingale teaches in the new graduate program in Theatre Criti- cism, headed by John Russell Brown. His goals for the program.: include the study of dramaturgy ands criticism regarding dramatic and the- atrical theory. He foresees the next generation of critics as being edu- cated articulate members of theatrical audiences. His experience as a critic offers him unique insight into the theatre because he is aware of the evolution of the modern play and the playwright. Nightingale contrasted his per- ception of the role of theatre in London and the United States. In the American theatre he sees a limitation towards narrow, domestic issues, partially because recent economic factors have stifled creativity - even on Broadway, the historical center of American theatrical innovation. He offers the alternatiye perspec- tive of the London stage. Because of public subsidies, the theatre is al- lowed more room for risk, and the London stage has been characteristi- cally more involved with social is- sues. Though these issues may re- flect the insularity of England itself, they are broader than their American counterparts. When discussing possible solu- tions to this potential crisis in American theatre, Nightingale as- serted the importance of regional theatre. "Certainly changes in th.eatre begin with avant-garde troupes and regional theatres. American theatre, must decentralize. Before opening the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis, Tyrone Guthrie actually considered Ann Arbor as a possible location. "Ann Arbor is a community open to expansion and change - artistic, and educational growth." Nightin- gale is ambitious in his expectations of the program, but also is certainly a humble man. He does not see. himself as necessarily pivotal in the theatrical community at large. He is rather, "lucky to be involved with the stage in London and New York and Ann Arbor." I pon. 4: Change the World. ---or at least, make a start ANNOUNCING THE ROBINSON HUMANITARIAN AWARD The University of Michigan has the privilege of nominating one student for a national award of $1,500.00 to further a project to address social needs within the community. To enter or to nominate someone you know, and for details, please pick up an information sheet and nomination form at any of these Michigan Union locations: CIC Desk: first floor lobby; MSA: room 3909 UAC: room 2105; SODC: room 2304 For further details, please call SODC at 763-5900. APPLICATIONS ARE DUE BY FEBRUARY 3, 1988. Read aMd We Vaif1j Choo616e4b Doily Photo by KAREN HANDELMAN Professor Benedict Nightingale is a freelance critic for the New York Times and the London Times. He chose to return to teaching when he was offered a position by the University. Are tickets u naffordable? (Continued from Page 9) such increase in luxury accompany- ing the higher ticket prices. Instead, we will continue to pay $5 for the privilege of watching prints that are Immediate Occupancy For Winter Term 11 All apartments located on central campus Flexable Terms Maximum Space for Minimum Price Lots of Parking st, Ann Arbor We Pay Heat so bad they give new meaning to the term "first-run," on screens so small that one has to continuously fight off the urge to reach for the remote control. And we probably will be subjected to the same sky high prices for concessions, and then have the pleasure of walking on leftovers from the previous screening (I've lost two shoes, one sock, and a toe to those sticky the- atre floors!). With the advent of video, movie fans now have an alternative to the exorbitant prices and abhorrent con- ditions of modern moviegoing. But of course, watching a film on TV is like listening to Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band through Advertise in The Michigan Doily 721 S. Fore 791 1 K92 [700 Geddes, Ann Arbor 215 Hill, Ann Arbor and others... P. 543 Church Street Ann Arbor, M 48104 only one speaker - you just don't. get the full effect. And besides, your local moviehouse- is still the only place to see first-run movies. I have this dream ... The valet drives my car off to the parking lot as my date and I make our way towards the theatre. As we step to the ticket window, the friendly voice behind the counter," chirps, "Good evening. How many please?" I pay the 13-year-old $8 for" a pair of tickets and we enter the theatre. We walk through the luxurious lobby, past the smiling faces of the theatre management, past rows of fresh pastries and imported wines and into the huge, dazzling theatre. We walk down the spotless, well - lit aisles and sit down in our spa-s cious,.reclining seats. The lights dim, and the curtain pulls back to reveal a screen as wide as the eye can see. The titles appear (in focus) and Isettle back and relax... EXECU The University Activities Center is now accepting: TIVE BOARD NCE GRAMMING (ELOPMENT AN RESOURCES MOTION ERTISING and PUBLICITY ivaiable at the UAC offices, for positions of PRESIDENT V.P. of FINAL V.P. of PROC and DEV V.P. of HUMi V.P. of PROM V.P. of ADVE MUG IN THE MORNING Choose any one of the following breakfast entrees at the MUG, and get a small coffee -- FREE!! 1. Egg MUG Biscuit 2. Egg MUG Muffin I Rn.p Fn 1 r IA'pplications are a i I