MONTREAT
COLLEGE
ALETHEIA
Volume XXIX, Number 7
Montreat College
November 21,1996
Chinamen Puts New Emphasis On Dinner Theatre
By Eric R. Satter
Get ready for laughs as the
Graybeard Players begin their fall
studio production, Chinamen. This
one-act comedy tells the frantic story
of Jo and Stephen, a couple whose
carefully planned dinner party unravels
around them to hilarious effect.
The cast is comprised of freshman
Brett Bornfe Id as Barney, freshman
John Comfort as Alex, freshman
Shayla Ghiotto as Jo, sophomore
Stephanie Italiano as Bee, and fresh
man Thomas Newton as Stephen.
The show is directed by junior
Melissa Brown, who is familiar to
Montreat audiences as an actor,
figuring prominently in the casts of The
Late Christopher Bean, The Artist’s
Model, and Fortress. Chinamen will
be Brown’s first directorial attempt.
'^Chinamen was chosen because I
felt that it would be a challenge for
everyone, but at the same time be fun
to perform and appealing to the
audience,” Brown said.
Another challenge came from the
pre-production planning phase of the
play, led by Junior Sam Simpkins.
“Man, that set is a killer,” Simpkins
boasted, as he supervised construction
of the largest set built for a Greybeard
one-act.
Simpkins had made an impressive
leap from his work as Greybeard
publicity photographer to the position
of Technical Director. He cited that
theatre veteran Akiko Matsumoto was
the secret of his success. “Akiko kept
saving my butt,” Simpkins admitted.
“She’s my hero.”
The show’s technical crew chiefs
are Andrea Curry (Lighting), Matt
McMurrin (Sound), Kerstin Spain
(Costumes & Properties), and Queen
Musengwa (Publicity).
Sophomore Casey Short (“Notori
ous”) is enjoying his first exposure to
theatre, while debuting with the troupe
as Assistant Director.
“I was never really involved in
drama before, but now I really want to
act or do something with the spring
show,” Short said.
Assistant Professor of English
Communication Brian Fuller is the
show’s faculty producer. He praised
Brown for tackling a project of this
scope.
“Missy [Brown] has picked a hard
show. Comedy is always hard; it’s
much more prop-and set-intensive than
most dramas. But its most difficult
element is timing, without question,”
Fuller said.
Performances begin at 8:00 p.m.
Thursday, November 21 - Saturday,
November 23 in the Upper Anderson
Theatre. Tickets will be available at
the door for $2.00.
S.G.A.- Do You Know What They're Doing For
You?
By Shellie Bowser
This year the SGA is striving to do
things to better the lives of Montreat
College students.
With the leaving of Amanda
Nesbitt and Mark Arnett, the SGA
was left with quite a few problems.
Ed Carty commented on the situation,
“Members were in and out. It was
hard to get things done.” Nathan
Gragg stepped in as the temporary
Vice President and Amy Guffy came
in as the temporary Secretary/Trea
surer. The hunt for new permanent
members at these positions began a
few weeks ago with the posting of
numerous signs. Only a few students
were interested in these positions. The
legislature met November 10. It took
nominations for the positions, discussed
the nominees, and then voted.
Stephanie Italiano was named Vice
President and Tacy Albritton was
named Secretary. “I am enjoying my
new role as SGA V.P. We are well
organized,” commented Italiano on
her new position on the SGA.
The SGA has had many accom
plishments already this year. First, the
SGA office has moved from the lobby
of McGregor to the second floor of
Belk Campus Center. In this office,
the SGA has voice mail and a new
computer. This new computer allows
the SGA to have access to the Internet
and e-mail. These new features allow
further communication between SGA
and students.
The legislature also has a list of
things to change in the Montreat
College constitution. Tomorrow there
is a meeting of the Constitution Revi
sion Committee. The SGA has also
been instrumental in getting the
yearbook started. Hunt Briggs, the
SGA President, has also placed every
member of the legislature on a com
mittee, therefore, every member of the
SGA does more than go to a meeting
every two weeks.
The progress of the SGA may not
be apparent to many students, but
there are many projects underway.