Page 4 Retriever features Cults: not a fad but a movement by Tim Doyle AIso, there are about 3 million people involved lives, emotional release, spiritual certainty, and in cult activity in the United States. a sense of community. Most cult organizations We all remember the horror and surprise Contrary to the beliefs of many people, cults have "apocalyptic views" and believe that they after hearing about the Jonestown, Guyana are not just a fad—they're a movement. They will be saved, and salvation can be quite allur- mass-suicide in 1978. We saw the films of the made their biggest impact on American life dur- ing for someone with no answers. hundreds of dead bodies that were strewn on ing the fertile decades of the 60's and 70's, when Perhaps the most frightening aspect of cult the ground, face down, over 900 of them. They Vietnam and governmental policies spawned a recruitment is the process of indoctrination. were the bodies of men, women, and children; national sense of searching and unrest. They try to suck people in through brainwash- that's not quite the Utopian society that Jim With all the different cults, there's really a ing and a process called "love-bombing," where Jones promised these people. The victims were group for everybody. You name it, sex, drugs, the recruits are showered with love and accep- buried in a common grave. Jones' People's music, crime, celibacy, vegetarianism, and tance. But their blind obedience comes after Temple was left an empty temple. almost everything imaginable, cult groups cater this: and that's achieved through isolation, dep- This incident aroused the conscience of the to the desires of their following. They hold a lot rivation, peer pressure, and enviroment. It's an American people to the sometimes-fatal out- of allure for those with no place else to go, assault on the psyche that continues until the mind 'snaps'and allegiance is assured. One beg- ins to think collectively with other followers while most aspects of individuality are snuffed out. Many cults reside in communes or farms Jillian Gordon, John Wellmann, and David Steinberg in The Fall of the House of Usher. where they remain detatched from society. TV, newspapers, media, family, and friends are for- bidden. "Mail drops", where a letter's return address is nowhere near the cult member, are common. Outside influences are vehemently Poe's House of Usher discouraged. To raise revenue for cults, many groups sell things. We've all seen the flower peddlers before. But that's just the beginning, some makes a stage debut groups are involved in housecleaning, sex acts, and crime to pay for cult activity. This is a good by Melissa Skillman design with the UMBC Theatre Department. case for slave labor in many of these groups. Ms. Zlotescu says that she believes in "making When and if one gets away from a cult, a From one of the greatest tales of horror right costumes, not beautiful ones." process called deprogramming often follows. comes the American premiere of the chilling Also working side by side with McCready is This system attempts to free the minds of cult theatrical adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's The Anrew Bolton, a senior and music student here. followers who are oblivious to everything but Fall Of The House Of Usher. This gothic night- Bolton is creating the original choral and the workings of their group. "It's [deprogram- mare, scripted by the genius of the British thea- instrumental scoring. He will rely on synthesiz- ming] like trying to break up lovers,"said Koch. tre, Steven Berkoff, will be "one of the most ers and percussions to create the chilling atmos- ■ It's an arduous process but it's usually successful. exciting and unusual theatrical events ever to be phere of this gruesome tale. It frequently takes about 7-15 days. Depro- presented at UMBC," according to director Poe's horrifying masterpiece centers around gramming is often an abusive process that Sam McCready. Roderick and Madeleine Usher who live in a brings out pain, emotion, and anger, but it McCready made his directing debut last fall decaying house. They both have become men- come of cult activity. A cult, as Webster des- promising refuge, community, and spirtual eventually frees the victim from his association with the original Punk/ Renaissance revival of tally unstable due to the intertwining of their cribes, is a label for religious activites of many certainty. with a cult. the 30's hit musical, The Boys From Syracuse. resistance to change and the incestuous nature kinds. But there's a problem— it's also a label Cults revolve around multitudes of different Some cults are very powerful. Moon, who is McCready will carry on his innovative tech- of their relationship. A friend is invited over in for unconventional religious or spiritual philosophies. Many cult ideologies fashion scheduled for release from jail shortly, will niques as he finds a fresh interpretation of Poe's hopes of alleviating the boredom. The friend, deviance. It usually describes a relatively small themselves after western doctrines; others, like return to his $825,000 home and business as Usher. By using a chorus of the living dead, however, gets drawn into the horrific atmos- group of worshippers, fanatical devotees, that yoga and Zen, originated in the east. Still, oth- usual. Koch's program also highlighted a list of sixteen centuries of gruesomely twisted and phere. Madeleine dies and is buried in the fam- mainstream society considers destructive and ers worship physical phenomena like UFO's. funding organizations for the Unification decayed Ushers will be on stage, bringing the ily vault. Some days later Roderick makes a unacceptable. One. almost universal aspect of cults is the Church that is about a mile long. house itself to life. McCready believes that "a startling confession. This is a tale not only of a "We're talking about those cults that destroy existence of a charismatic leader. Many leaders, This exemplifies the long arm of voracious house is not built of wood and stone, but from house, but of the death of a civilization and a minds and personalities," said expert Molly such as Reverend Moon of the Unification cult groups. The Unification Church is heavily its ancestors—it's people that make a building." whole way of life. Koch. Koch, who has spoken here on a number Church, claim to be the Son of God. Other involved in rational politics and they also own In this unique production, which runs from From my small preview, the performers of occasions, doesn't scare easily. Despite a leaders, like Jim Jones, have a hypnotic effect, and operate the Washington Times newspaper. March 7-9 and 14-16 at the UMBC Theatre, promise to keep the audience wide-eyed. David number of threats, she's not afraid to speak out and can persuade their worshippers to do In an attempt to influence world policies, the McCready will present the entire Western Civil- Steinberg will be portraying Usher; Jillian Gor- about the danger of cult activity. anything. Unification Church has recruited many learned ization on the stage via his ancestral chorus. don will portray the ailing Madeleine: Carl In her program "Cults: What They are and These leaders are elevated through the expec- people as part of a vast religious and political This is the first time this has ever been done in Freundel will be the friend; and John Wellman, How to Avoid Them," she described many tations of their followers. Many leaders have machine. the history of theatre. The impact of the walk- the servent, Oswald. problems with cults in America. She knows her absolute authority, making them spiritual dic- "I see this [cult activity] as an evil in our ing dead breathing life into Usher and the house The stage itself will be the perfect setting for stuff. Armed with government reports and tators or terrorists, if you will. "Never doubt the society," said Koch. She makes this abundantly through words and actions is deliriously scary this tale of deprivation and destruction, information, she answered all questions with leader, that's the key thing about cults," said clear. She is a woman who is not afraid to speak in itself. inspired by the haunting Medieval unicorn conviction. Koch. "They almost always live better than out about the terrible injustices that persuade Costume designer Elena Zlotescu will add to tapestries of Gavin Holmes with lighting and The program, sponsored by the Jewish Stu- their followers, which makes their following the core of many cult organizations today. She the eerieness with her stunning costumes for sound by Terry Cobb. dent Association (JSA), was another prime believe that the leaders are better. speaks frequently at various schools and events. both the living and the dead. McCready General admission is $5; Students and Senior example of disinterest at this campus. Over 400 "Recruitment techniques are subtle, and they Perhaps, through her work and that of others, believes her creations to be so powerful that he Citizens are $3. Group rates are available upon flyers were distributed throughout the dorms, prey on human nature," said Koch. She added the terrible crimes that occur with cult activity told his performers in a recent rehearsal, "No request. For reservations call 455-2917 from 9 but the turnout was a meager 20 students. "I've that cult recruiters are very well-trained, and will become a thing of the past. one should abuse the talents of these costumes." am-4 pm daily. become used to small turnouts," said Eudice they know exactly who to look for.