Celebrating Black History month with X-Night
waited to hear some amazing poetry. On the evening of February 21 the X-night — formerly known as poetry night — took place as part of the celebration of Black History Month. This was only one of many events in February for Black History Month, each celebrating the diversity and inclusivity at our school. X-Night, formerly known as poetry night, was given a name change in honor of Xavier Sales, a Maryville College student who passed away suddenly on May 8, 2017. Xavier was a senior in the year of his passing, and the loss was a large blow to many fellow students and faculty members. He was a bright presence on campus, and all who knew him were pulled in by his warm spirit and energetic personality. The re-naming of this event, along with other tributes around...
Read More
The Womb Spooners to release album
Womb Spooners is a local band featuring the up-and-coming artists Kate Lane, senior Liz Lane, and junior Hannah Wilson. The band defines their genre as folk-punk, and they describe their sound as “folk with angst lyrics and some dry humor.” They band was greatly inspired by bands such as AJJ, The Mountain Goats, They Might Be Giants and Fire and Frenzy. Originally under the name Special F, twins Liz Lane and Kate Lane began the band when they were in high school with another member. However, the band became just the twins before they added Wilson as a bassist a year ago. The band changed their name to Womb Spooners as a joking play on the song entitled “Dream Weaver” but chose to keep the name because of the memorability. Their first album is currently in the works and...
Read MoreA love letter from “9 to 5: The Musical”’s plus-size costumer
While many people who are talking about Maryville College’s “9 to 5: The Musical” are reminding us how timely the 1979 narrative of workplace harassment is in today’s world, one thing stood out to me a bit more as I worked to prepare costumes for the cast members. It stood out as I was picking out clothes for the character Judy Bernly, and it stood out when I struggled to find anything for her. “9 to 5: The Musical” is the most diverse body-type show I’ve ever worked. “9 to 5: The Musical” had two plus-size women leads: Kara Van Veghel as Violet Newstead and senior Hannah White as Judy Bernly, as well as many ensemble members also being bigger women. And sure, there was a bit of challenge to find costumes, as we were at the mercy of...
Read MoreThe 2018 Oscars Follow-Up
Stars rolled up to the red carpet on March 4 for the 90th annual Oscars with all the glitz and glamour associated with the famous awards show. The night began with an introduction from second-time host Jimmy Kimmel with comedic jokes that highlighted important issues in the film industry such as women’s rights, harassment in the industry and Hollywood being more inclusive of minorities. Throughout the night, there were also a few videos that showcased important issues and memories, such as a look back through 90 years of movies, a video calling attention to the Time’s Up and #Me Too movements, and the annual “In Memoriam” video in remembrance of those who had died in the industry over the past year. In between awards, there were also a number of performances of songs up for the best original...
Read More
9 to 5: the Musical and Sexual Harassment
Correction: In a previously published version of this article, the portrait painting of actor Professor Doug James as character Frank Hart was attributed to Dr. Carl Gombert. The painting (which was a digitally designed piece) was actually created by designer and faculty member, Morgan Manning, who is a professor within the design major. Starting Friday Feb. 23 and ending Feb. 25, the Maryville College theater program put on a production of “9 to 5: The Musical.” Around campus about a week before the musical premiered, rumors began circulating about the controversy surrounding the musical. Information went around that the cast was ill prepared and that the musical itself was going to be rude, but “9 to 5: The Musical” was much more than that; the production was the beginning of a discussion that needs to happen. The story of...
Read MoreEloquence Resurrected
Words are power. Throughout history words have changed, influenced and inspired every aspect of human existence. They have incited rebellion, toppled empires and raised armies of angry men. They have explained recipes, expressed love and adorned newspapers such as this for decades. Words give objects, places, people and feelings identity and, thus, meaning. Words are the glue of existence, and in this modern age, severely under-appreciated.(FIRST PAGE END) Whereas prose and literary eloquence were once pillars of communication, the present has chipped away at artful style leaving behind a slab of trite tweets and “dank” memes. Whatever happened to formality? Whatever happened to writers who wrote poems of nature and stories of humanity instead of “sexiest man alive” articles and top 10 lists? The future of well written prose in any context seems dire, yet there is still hope...
Read More