Newsline Sportsline 487·2460 487·3279 Produced by the Office of Information Services forEastern Michigan University Faculty and Staff Volume 21 - Number 37 May 17, 1976 Direcwr Marsliall MQ,Son Attempts The Office of International Studies To Achieve 'Living Theatre' is seeking host families to accommo­ date members of the Bulmershe Choir By Kathy Tinney from Bulmershe College, Reading, "I really am into people. I celebrate people in my work." England, for the nights of July 20 and Marshall Mason, who was nominated this year for a Tony 21. The 40-member choir will arrive in Award for his first directorial work on Broadway - Jules Feiffer's Ypsilanti on July 20 and will present a hit comedy "Knock Knock" - is the guest director-in-residence concert July 21. This summer's visit for EMU's Bicentennial Spring Repertory Theatre Festival. He is will mark the third time the group has directing Tennessee Williams' "Summer and Smoke" and assisting visited the University. On their pre­ James Gousseff, director of EMU Theatre, with "THE HOT L vious visits, choir members stayed with BALTIMORE." Mason directed the original version of the families of faculty and the com- award-winning Lanford Wilson play, which opened in January, ' munity. Anyone interested in accom­ 1973, and ran for 1200 performances. It was the longest running modating one or two students for the American play in the history of off off Broadway. two nights should call 487-2424. "I have an abiding interest in what I call 'lyrical realism,' " he *** explains. "To me, it's the kind of realism which does not drag its feet in the mud but rather tries to suggest, through the direct human experience, larger elements. 'THE HOT L BALTIMORE' Ten members of the first graduating is a very real play, a very naturalistic play which has at its center a class in the Coordinated Program in dying, crumbling hotel which is, of course, a symbol for all Dietetics in the Department of Home society. 'Summer and Smoke' is a kind of story about desire Economics were recently honored in a versus repression, the soul versus the body, religion versus worldly ceremony in Roosevelt Auditorium. A things. program titled "Dietetics: Past, "Both are about very real people. They both are trying to reach Present and Future" was presented by from the specific to the more universal. I like plays that do that." the graduating students. The program The very first play Mason ever directed was also by Tennessee integrates academic studies with clin­ Williams - "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof." He was 19 and a theatre ical experiences during the junior and major at Northwestern University. senior years. Each student spends "I started doing plays as early as I can remember," he recalls. more than 1,000 hours in supervised "At the age of four or five I was doing little backyard type things. clinical experiences m community I was in the school plays from the second grade on. In the nutrition, therapeutic nutrition and primary grades, I used to write plays and I would direct them. I food systems management. The pro­ would put them on but I didn't know what directing was as such. gram is organized according to the I thought that what I was doing was acting and I thought that's guidelines of the American Dietetic what I wanted to do. Association. "Later, after I discovered there was a director, I discovered I *** had been directing all my life. MarshallMason "At the end of my sophomore year (at Northwestern), I decided I wasn't going to be a great actor so I thought about most of Wil:o:r's -najor plays, more than 20 in all. Season football tickets are now on switching over to law. Dr. Gousseff (then an assistant professor at In 1969, ka:on along with Wilson, Rob Thirkield and Tanya sale at the Athletic Department. All Northwestern) talked me into staying the summer and working Berezin, foLnc.ed the now renowned Circle Repertory Company. seats in Rynearson Stadium will be on the Northwestern Festival. We did four plays - 'Oedipus,' Productions: n��d by the Company, including "THE HOT L • reserved for the 1976 games. EMU 'The Rivals,' 'St. Joan' and Dr. Gousseff directed 'A Mid-Summer BALTIMOEE." 'When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?,'' "The students also will be required to have Night's Dream.' I was in all four plays and had a really good time. Sea Horse,' ·".Ba:tle of Angels," "The Mound Builders,'' "Harry reserved seats. Adult season tickets for "Dr. Gousseff talked me into trying directing and that fall Outside" aLd "=<.nock Knock" have garnered numerous honors, faculty and staff are $12; individual (1959) I directed 'Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.' The play received a including 16 ORIEAwards. Mason has earned three OBIE Awards adult reserved seats are $3. For every standing ovation opening night and over night I became a director for distingu:srud :tirection. pair of adult season tickets purchased, whether I wanted to or not. It took me years to make that This spr.nf, Mason is commuting between New York and the Athletic Department is offering a transition in my head, but everyone else knew right away I was a Ypsilanti. 3� :::pened a new Lanford Wilson play entitled Huron stadium seat cushion as a free director." "Serenadinf Loc.ie" May 5 and is going into rehearsal on a gift. Mid-American Conference action Mason graduated from Northwestern in 1961. Other notables bicentennia:W'iPJ pla!' 1 which he hopes to open by mid-June. ,.ii begins Sept. 4 when the Hurons meet in his theatre class included Paula Prentiss, Richard Benjamin, "The orector works," he explains, "especially in the the Ohio University Bobcats at Penny Fuller, Larry Pressman, Tony Roberts, Marcia Rodd and professional fr ea-re, is once the play opens, you only go back to Rynearson at 7:30 p.m. For further Stuart Hagman. He went to New York that fall and directed his see it ever? ;o often and try to supervise any replacements. ticket information, call Ticket Man­ first play there in 1962. In 1965 he directed his first play by Normally, yo·.1 d.cn't really do any more after the play opens." ager Ron Nemeth at 487-0351. *** Lanford Wilson, "Balm In Gilead," and since then has directed (Continued on page 3) The Department of Speech and Ralph Steffek To Retire from Field Services iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii • Dramatic Arts is sponsoring a summer high school workshop in theatre Aug. 1 - 13 on the EMU campus. The program, directed by Associate Pro­ Ralph Steffek is an educator, an Dr. Steffek says he spends most of his fessor M.R. McElya, is designed to expert on federal educational legislation, time setting up course programs off "stimulate creative endeavor in the an educational/congressional liaison, a campus or setting up workshops for the theatre arts through classes, lectures, golfer, a gardener, an avid traveler, a University. demonstrations and productions." For nature-Jover, a backpacking enthusiast "I get off campus as much as I can," further information or an application, and last - but not least - director of he says. "I listen to what people need out special programs for the University's there and come back here (to the :i. call the Division of Field Services at 487-0407. Division of Field Services. University) and pool all the resources *** But the 65-year-old Dr. Steffek will be within the University." giving up only one of his titles when he A recent example of a special work­ retires July 1 - that of EMU special shop that was created to meet a particular The Intramural Department is programs director. need is a "Communication Sampler offering rental camping gear to stu­ "Most of the notions that I had about Seminar,'' a program Dr. Steffek organ­ dents, faculty and staff. Backpacks, being 65 are for the birds," he admits. ized. Coordinated by the EMU Depart­ sleeping bags, tents, cooking utensils, "I'm beginning to realize that 'old age' is ment of Speech and Dramatic Arts, the gas stoves, compasses, saws, water really a state of mind .. .I plan to program was designed to solve a problem bottles and tent tarps may be rented continue to do the same things in within a division of one of the auto for a fee of three to five dollars. A retirement I did before." manufacturers - a problem that resulted deposit, ranging from $20 to $40, will Dr. Steffek's Jong career began shortly in restricted mobility (promotability) of be required for the rentals. According after he graduated from Michigan State about 250 management personnel. to IM Director Bob England, the Normal School (now EMU) as a teacher "We came to the conclusion that equipment was purchased to allow in 1934. He taught in St. Joseph and communication was the key to making EMU employees and students to enjoy Pontiac before hiring into the Grosse in East Detroit. He later administer:ed the them more mobile," he explains. "Com­ the activity for a nominal fee without Pointe Public Schools where he was a off-campus programs for the ext::n�ic• munication helps you understand and having to invest $150 - $200 in new teacher and a principal for 12 years. service of the University of Michigan. share each other's ideas." equipment. To reserve the equipment, Dr. Steffek earned his doctorate in He joined the EMU staff in 19E4 n a Another program, titled "Management individuals are required to complete a guidance and counseling and school "special services role," a role whi::h he Sampler Seminar" will be held as a requisition form at the IM Office, 216 administration from Wayne State Uni­ says, "is a nice name for doing wha:ev�: followup to the communication program Warner.