Lunchtime brings art fans together

Contrary to what literature will have you believe, not all artists are starving souls waiting to be acknowledged.

And in an attempt to share this secret, the Department of Theater Studies presents Lunch Box. This latest program is focused on fostering more interaction between faculty, students and outside artists. Every Friday at 12:50 p.m., the Brody Theater on East Campus will be open to all those who are interested in sharing ideas, meeting outside artists, learning what fellow students and teachers are working on, or figuring out what plays and musicals are in the works for the upcoming season.

"For a long time we have been trying to create a time when all, or at least most, theater students could be in the same place at the same time, sharing their experiences and meeting and working with pros on and off the faculty," said John Clum, professor and chair of theater studies.

The Lunch Box program is the brainchild of theater studies professors Neal Bell and Jeff Storer. "The inspiration was Neal's, and together we put together a calendar that we thought would provide some variety, some information, provoke some discussion and inspiration as only a grad who makes good or a professional who is willing to share what they've learned can do," Storer said. Years of work in theater have shown Bell and Storer that open discussions can be a very effective way for an actor or a theater enthusiast to fine tune his knowledge of the art that is out there or even get involved in projects that are currently being developed.

Perhaps even more importantly, the program reminds students that outside actors aren't the only artists with knowledge to share and works in progress. Bell, the Department of Theater Studies's resident playwright, will discuss his current writing project and the Department's New Works Festival for the Spring of 2008 this Friday, Sept. 14. Always eager to enlist the involvement of a wide range of Duke students, Storer also signed up to be a speaker at one of the Lunch Box sessions. Storer is not only the co-founder and artistic director of Manbites Dog Theater, but he is also the director of next semester's play, Spring Awakening. In Nov. 16's session, he will hold an informational forum-as well as a read through of-the upcoming production, which he hopes will be helpful for students wanting to audition.

Events such as the forum parallel Lunch Box's vision of providing inspiration, guidance and opportunities for students to broaden their theatrical scope.

"Lunch Box provides students with a no-pressure, hands-on experience where they can explore new theatrical horizons, if only for an hour or so every Friday," Michael Bergen said. The sophomore recently appeared in the 75-minute long Meet the Bard production originally titled The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).

The Department of Theater Studies has a long history of hosting a number of workshops and programs, but Lunch Box is shaping up to be one of the most heavily attended. So far, student turnout has exceeded the directors' expectations even though many students themselves are not surprised by the enthusiastic response. And for those early birds who R.S.V.P. by noon the Thursday before the program, a free box lunch is included-an incentive that Bergen observed to be a drawing factor for the program. "These sorts of things seem to be most attractive when there is food on the table, like a big theater family dinner," Clum said. He added that he felt delighted the University's theater community seems to be excited about Lunch Box.

"The nature of our college experience is that, no matter how intimate the classroom is, there is and will always be a wall that exists between students and faculty," Hankla said. "The Lunch Box program attempts to break down that wall by giving students an opportunity to talk with complete frankness with people about work, beliefs and any other topics raised. It is a satisfying experience, and one that is greatly needed."

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