New Works in Process
This weekend you can get your theater fix and support Duke dramatists at the same event, New Works in Process. Over fifteen years old, New Works was formed "in order to give Duke community writers, directors and actors a chance to develop new plays," according to theater studies senior lecturing fellow Jeffrey West, who is directing two of the plays. Playwrights submit plays to a committee of students and faculty who select the lineup for New Works. This year's performances include a play in which a video game character comes to life; a story about a couple at a high school reunion with differing realities of their relationship; one in which a drug transaction gets complicated; and a story about a social services director who is kidnapped and accosted by an enraged man. Performances run through Sat. in Branson Theater on East Campus. Shows start at 8 p.m., with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday. Tickets are $8, $6 for students.
VIBE: Visual Interpretations of Black Expression
On Friday night, sixty Duke dancers and several guest celebrities will perform as part of Dance Black's VIBE: Visual Interpretations of Black Expression. Hosted by renowned choreographer Fatima, the show aims to be an expression of various aspects of black culture by including a wide range of dance styles, such as hip hop, reggae and urban ballet. In addition to student choreographed and produced dance numbers, there will be appearances by The Walltown Children's Theatre and Frenchie Davis of "American Idol" fame. The fact that Dance Black has been able to attract the attention of celebrities in the dance world is a sign of the show's potential to be a worthwhile and entertaining event. Dance Black is comprised of students of all different races who share a passion for dance and an interest in Black culture, and the members of the group hope to attract a diverse crowd. VIBE will be held tomorrow night at 8 p.m. in Page Auditorium.
West Side Story
Forget the fair Verona of fourteenth century Italy: Leonard Bernstein gave his Romeo and Juliet a set of savvy vocal pipes and turned them loose among the gangs of 1950s New York City. The result was an instant Broadway hit--West Side Story. Forty-seven years later, Hoof'n'Horn introduces its own version of this adored musical under the direction of Meghan Valerio, who is also Recess Arts Editor. The Jets and the Sharks are set to battle it out this weekend at the opening in Reynolds Theater tomorrow night. Anna Butler will be playing the coveted role of Maria, while Rydell Harrison takes on the demands of Tony. Eyes, look your last! Arms, take your last embrace! April 9-11 at 8:00 p.m.; April 16-18 at 8:00 p.m.; April 18-19 at 2:00 p.m.; May 8, 9 at 8:00 p.m.; May 9 at 2:00 p.m. Reynolds Theater. Student tickets $7 at Duke Box Office.
The Photobooth Project
The opportunity for creative expression at Duke has just gotten a bit greater thanks to the Duke Photobooth Project. Opened last night by Mark Pike (T '04) and Blaise Dipersia (T '03), the project operates from a simple premise: Leave an old-fashioned photo booth in the Bryan Center and see what develops. The booth--located near Griffith Film Theater--is open to anyone who dares enter, and those who desire can leave their pics, along with a filled-out questionnaire, to be considered for a book that will document the project. The Photobooth is open 24 hours a day.
--Irie Turner, Lexi Richards, Julia Fryett & Dean Chapman
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