VOL. XCX NO. 15 LAWRENCE UNIVERSITY, APPLETON, WISCONSIN 54911 FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1986 MotherbyV». BillD ill Thomasrpw---------- ■ Courage■ Displays Mettle Bertolt Brecht is not an easy playwright perform. His plays are highly presenta­ tional and theatrical, and require strength in all areas of production. The LU theatre department's decision to do Mother Courage was highly ambitious, but they have suc­ ceeded in doing a commendable job. Rhonda Kundry, as Mother Courage, is the only non-Lawrentian in the cast. She has a beautiful voice and has no problem with Paul Dessau's d iffic u lt score. She also succeeds in capturing her character's gruffness and confidence. At times the part is slightly out of her acting range, and she lac ks theìe dominatingdc stage presence that would greatly strengthen her perfor- mance, but she aoes have her moments particularly the tragic ones. Her grief over her son's death in the first act is touchingly poignant. > e The student actors who make up the supporting cast all put in a good effort. Of particular note is Karin Gunderson, as Katrin, the mute girl. Miss Gunderson is a consistently fresh and delightful actress, and is nothing less than that here. She hasn't a single line, but can steal a scene with the smallest gesture. Sean McCollum is also strong as the cook, and his duet with Kundry in the second act is one of the show's high points. Jeff Jolton, as Swiss Cheese, Courage's stupid but honest son, proves once again that he is one of Lawrence's better character actors. Mark Dintenfass' direction is solid throughout. He sets up intelligent stage vignettes and is frequently able to have several bits of business going on at once without distracting the audience from either one. A strong hand is needed to guide an unprofessional cast through such a difficult play and he has given it. Other aspects of the production are done equally well. Karen Sconzert's costumes are colorful and appropriate, and are easily altered to fit tne different scenes througn the use of a few accessories. The sets, by Rich Frielund, flow easily from ',cene to scene and are right on the ball. They are accented by beautiful lighting effects. The orchestra is under the direction of Dwayne Nelson and is a credit to him and the production as a whole. It is obvious a lot of time and effort have gone into Mother Courage, and it is worth seeing, not only for its own merits as a play, but also for the worthiness of this production. The LU Theatre Depart­ ment once more proves that it is a facet of the university that deserves more support than it frequently gets. GUESS WHAT? Chinese Educational System ExaminedTuition Costs by Scott Whitcomb Professor Pan paid a visit to Lawrence to Skyrocket Professor Pan J'iluan thinks that Ameri­ last Tuesday night on his whirlwind tour can college students are very fortunate of some U.S. businesses in order to drum by Steve Siegel compared to their Chinese couterparts, up more trade between America and China. Students returning this fall will be greeted because competition for university schooling He came to the United States as a professor with the second increase in the cost of there is "very hot." of engineering from Qing Hua [pronounced attending Lawrence in as many years. Ching Huaw] University in Beijing, China The substantial portion of the $1,026 and took some time out to visit with a hike will be in the area of tuition, wnich medium-sized group of Lawrentians to is rising 927 dollars, from a 1985-86 level talk a little bit about the educational of $8,325 to $9,252 next year. Token system in China. increases appear in the fees for room Chinese undergraduate and graduate and board. The cost of a room becomes studies are much like those in the United $1,080 versus $1,050 this year; board States, according to the professor; but rises to $1,494 from $1,425. The grand the major difference is the fact that only total, which is called the "comprehensive three to five percent of Chinese students fee", will be $11,826, an 11.5% increase are able to attend any kind of formal over this y e a r 's total. schooling beyond the senior high school Despite the increase, which comes just level. Those who do go, however, are one year after a sizeable increase for assured of being able to afford the experi­ the 1985-86 academ ic year, there will ence, since all of their costs are covered be no change in the approach to financial by the Chinese government. aid packages awarded oy the university, "You are fortunate that most of you according to Jackie King, director of can enter college," Mr. Pan remarked. financial aid. "We are tying to increase enrollment The university will "continue to meet and to educate people in any way possible, need", said King, through grants, loans, but the budget of tne government is simply and work-study programs. The only not big enough at this point." procedural change will be a request for Another reason that Chinese high students' tax forms, added King, who school students find it so difficult to enter noted that this is due to the fact that college is that everyone must take an the government is now requesting the excruciatingly difficult entrance examina­ reporting of students' incomes. tion before even being considered for Asked if the university expects difficulty higher education. Professor Pan said filling its quota of students in light of that the margin for accepting a student the Targe fee increases, King responded can boil down to a matter of tenths of negatively. She pointed out that most Professor Pan Jiluan of China. (pho,° by Hob Mue> a percent on their exam scores. of the schools of Lawrence's caliber have (continued on page 8) ■ Continued on page 8) Page 2 Friday, February 28, 1986 OPINIONS/LETTERS ■ è'-'' UnUere/fA. ASSOCIATED COLLEGIATE THE PRESS 0 LAWRENTIAN 8> (306680) G.A.I. Sponsors Weekend V O L . X C X - N O . 15—F R ID A Y , FE B R U A R Y 28, 1986 advantages of learning about how to deal : Olllce: u ! 8/M . Business M gr. M l , W63 Published wMkly during in* by Michael Aki school ) W u c a p l during »«ammaUon period» by The lawrentlan ol Lawrence with this topic will greatly reduce the University Printed by Th* Bulletin. Inc. ol Appleton OMdlin« lor copy I* noon painful consequences that might happen. Tuesday All copy handed Into in * laanm tian must be typed, but names may be Last week, I ran an article on three omitted upon request Yearly subscriptions $12.00. overseas airmail 121. seamailevents that GAI was sponsoring for the For those who are attending the dinner IS Second class postage paid al Appleton. Wisconsin first, events will get under way starting Annfetf ihrv A4 A*1* 0 * « Frtnoltont. ApptHon, Wl 28th of February, and tne 1st of March. Well, this article is merely a reminder at 7:00 PM. For those interested in atte nd­ of the events that will be happening. ing the speech, Amy will present her speech Though the banquet ticket deadline has at 8:30 PM. All this will be held in the already been passed, the speech by Amy Evergreen room in the Paper Valley Hotel Ashworth is still open, a point which 1 located on the pool level. failed to clarify in GAI's posters and the Also a reminder not to forget about ‘Survivors’ of the OPEN FORUM ON GAY AND LESBIAN last article. GAI is encouraging everyone to attend ISSUES to be held in the Union in Riverview this presentation by Amy Ashworth. Amy Lounge. The Forum will start at 10:00 is a dynamic speaker and is worth the AM and go to 4:00 PM with a lunch break Flight 105 walk to Paper Valley Hotel. As was written between 12:30 and 1:30. This will be in the earlier article, she is nationally on Saturday, March 1st. Later on that by Amy Marenick known through Phil Donahue, Good Morning night, there will be two workshops held America, and the Dave Suskind show as for parents and relatives and gay and On Sunday, March 2, Lawrence Universi­ well as other various TV and radio shows. lesbians in the Con. These will start at ty and Trever Hall are honored to have Amy will be speaking on how important 6:00 PM in room 138 for the parents, Wavne Redbere as a guest speaker. Mr. the family unit is to gay and lesbian child­ and 259 for gays and lesbians. Reaberg is well educated and experienced ren, how the break up of the family unit The workshops will be CAN WE UNDER­ on handling death and the grief that accom­ causes much stress and anguish ana how STAND OUR CHILDREN? by Amy Ash­ panies it. Currently he is working as to overcome these problems and differences. worth, and COMING OUT TO YOUR. PAR­ the consultant for the survivors of the I believe that what Amy has to say is ENTS by James Gandre. Everyone is Midwest Express Flight 105 crash which especially important to tne college crowd invited to attend whether heterosexual took place earlier this year. His book, who some will no doubt be contemplating or homosexual, parent or just young adults. Survivors, is about this.