Problem theatre
Acting troupe, literary 'zine offer extracuricular activity

By DAVID ANDREWS
Collegian Arts Writer

A search for a giant sea plant, a mounted swordfish or a morgue table might seem like some type of twisted scavenger hunt, but for No Refund Theater members this is part of their everyday lives.

No Refund Theater, along with the student literary magazine, Problem Child, are two campus groups that get to deal with unusual ideas in unique and innovative ways. And both groups also had humble beginnings.

No Refund Theater was founded last year by a group a students lead by Dan "Lester" Bonfitto (junior-English) and Rick Neville (junior-secondary education). They decided to put on a production of Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and the University Scholars Program agreed to fund their endeavor, so a new theater group was born. They eventually were able to convert an old linen closet in the basement of Atherton Hall to a practice room.

No Refund Theater is directed toward any dedicated students who want to take a stab at acting or directing. Most students in the group are not theater majors.

Any student who wants to direct a play can simply show up to a general meeting with an idea, and will most likely be given the chance to put it on.

Students have total control of their work and No Refund Theater can help provide a practice room, props and funding for aspiring artists.

Amy Gangloff (junior-history) makes her directorial debut in the performance of Steel Magnolias at 8 p.m. today in 111 Forum.

"I wanted to create a family of cast members . . . I'll be so sad when they go," Gangloff said.

While some plays, like Steel Magnolias, are established productions, many are written by the students themselves. The upcoming Theatre of the Bizarre will feature seven short plays, six of which were written by students.

The number of productions put on by No Refund Theater has increased with each semester. Last semester saw productions of one full-length feature, Oscar Wilde's The Importance of Being Earnest, and a festival of one act plays. This semester will include two full-length plays and a series of short plays, and the group has already slated four full-length plays for next semester.

As some students rehearse their lines in a linen closets, a group in the lounge directly above mulls over poetry, stories and artwork for their own artistic venture.

Problem Child, a student literary and art magazine, began in 1988 as a collection of work done mostly by the founding editors and their friends. While the size of the magazine has remained relatively steady, the variety and the size of the staff has increased. The group has also become more organized, with a designated editorial board that is responsible for the selection and production process.

"(Problem Child) is a chance for any undergraduates, not just scholars, to display their literature and artwork," said Tom Rodebaugh (sophomore-psychology and English), co-editor of the magazine.

Both of these groups, funded by the University Scholars Program, have been gaining momentum, but still have a low-profile attitude and minimum expenses. This is where the giant sea plant comes in.

"To keep costs down, we try to get most of our props from the community . . . or make them ourselves," Bonfitto said.

Many of their props are donated by the Scholars office and local stores, and most performances break even despite the fact that the only admission fee is a suggested $1 donation. On the occasion that there is a profit, it is donated to a charity.

At the same time, Problem Child, which is planning to put out a second issue of the year for the first time in four years, spends the little money it uses on photocopies and printing.

And those involved said it is a small price to pay for a chance for students to get exposure for their writing or artistic abilities.

All of the work put out in Problem Child has been written by students. To select what is included in the magazine, each piece is discussed by all the staff members.

Those that are approved are brought to the editorial board, where space considerations are taken into account in making the final choices.

For the first time, Problem Child is starting to reach beyond the scholars community. Copies put in stores and coffee shops throughout town were quickly snatched up.

This may be partly due to the effort Problem Child has made to extend their contributors beyond their own staff. In the last issue, more than 50 percent of their material came from people with no connection to the magazine.

Despite all their recent growth and development, No Refund Theater and Problem Child are not official University organizations.

In fact, in order to reserve a room, No Refund Theater must act through other organizations which make reservations. The Scholars Program has considered creating a parent organizations, which would include programs such as No Refund Theater and Problem Child, but no definite plans have been made.

To students who are unable to make it into University Resident Theater Company, organizations such as this provide vitally important.

No Refund Theater is an ideal venue for students who need to "act or die," said Elizabeth Andrews (freshman-English).