Kennesaw State presents outdoor theater
The Starlight Summer Concert Series premieres Kennesaw State University's first annual Summer…
Georgia (Jul 17, 2002) — Kennesaw State presents outdoor theater
Cheryl Anderson Brown
Abstract
The Starlight Summer Concert Series premieres Kennesaw State University's first annual
Summer−Stock Theatre production with "Godspell‚" directed by guest artist Hylan Scott.
Performances are at 8 p.m. on July 19‚ 20 and 21 at the Legacy Gazebo Amphitheater.
Full of music‚ dance‚ comedy and games‚ "Godspell" fuses Bible stories with theater
to explore the meaning of community. The diverse cast of young actors brings a unique‚
multicultural perspective to the presentation of Christian parables.
Hindu cast member Viveka Chandrasekaran said the play has helped her learn a lot about
Christianity and about community. "I have seen "Godspell" before‚ but I couldn't understand
the stories‚" she said. "In this production‚ I think we will be able to communicate
to any audience member‚ no matter what their background is."
According to director Scott‚ that message is one of forming and maintaining communities
to care and learn from each other. "This is not a sacred telling of Biblical stories;
it is often done as a group of clowns‚" he says. "However‚ we want to strike a balance
to maintain the integrity of the story."
A veteran of five productions of "Godspell" elsewhere‚ Scott knows the power of this
play to entertain those who want to be entertained and to inspire those who want to
be inspired. It was an Alabama production that began to lead him back to Christianity
seven years ago. Scott had long since left fundamentalism in search of a variety of
faiths. Through "Godspell‚" however‚ he realized he could apply Christian principles
to his life to make it better. In the last year‚ he has been baptized and confirmed
in the Episcopal Church.
"Revisiting this play now is a gift‚" he says.
The seven ensemble players also see the play as a way of exploring their own faiths.
"These characters are extreme versions of ourselves‚" says Becky Shertenlieb. "They
are searching for themselves and trying to figure things out‚ just like we are." She
adds that the play is good for people of all faiths "because we are people of all
faiths — it promotes the acceptance of all people."
The underlying seriousness of the play is conveyed through physical comedy‚ pop culture
references and pop−rock musical numbers.
All three performances are free and open to the public. In case of inclement weather‚
the performances will be moved into the Howard Logan Stillwell Theater on campus.
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Editor's Note: Originally from Rockdale County‚ veteran actor‚ director and choreographer
Hylan Scott is a graduate of Webster University in St. Louis. He has performed in
several Broadway productions and in national and European tours. Now a freelance director
and choreographer‚ he moved back to the Atlanta area a few years ago. Scott is in
his second year teaching theater and dance at Woodward Academy.
Kennesaw State University‚ a progressive‚ comprehensive institution with a growing
student population of 14‚100 from 118 countries‚ offers more than 50 degree programs.
Out of 34 institutions‚ KSU is the sixth largest in the University System of Georgia.
A leader in innovative teaching and learning, Kennesaw State University offers undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degrees to its more than 41,000 students. With 11 colleges on two metro Atlanta campuses, Kennesaw State is a member of the University System of Georgia and the second-largest university in the state. The university’s vibrant campus culture, diverse population, strong global ties and entrepreneurial spirit draw students from throughout the region and from 126 countries across the globe. Kennesaw State is a Carnegie-designated doctoral research institution (R2), placing it among an elite group of only 6 percent of U.S. colleges and universities with an R1 or R2 status. For more information, visit kennesaw.edu.
