Theatrefest showcases wide range of expression

Freestyle, rap, poetry, musicals, traditional plays and other
art forms are the building blocks of this year’s
largest-to-date Theatrefest.

UCLA students of all majors are taking full advantage of the
open-expression platform provided by Theatrefest, going on from
June 5-8 in the Macgowan Studios. Theatrefest is part of the School
of Theater, Film and Television’s Festival 2003, but is
organized by Theatre Underground, an all-student group that
encourages and supports new and experimental works and talents.

“We don’t want to censor anybody for their work.
There is no process of reviewing the scripts for Theatrefest,
we’re just letting them throw out their own ideas and
talents,” said Theatre Underground President Joy Vanides.

On stage, performances are not limited by traditional boundaries
or guidelines. Instead, the stage offers a space of freedom and
expression.

The ensemble performing “Bearth,” expresses itself
through a hip-hop spoken word collaboration, incorporating many
styles of art. By holding an open-mic session half-way through the
performance, the ensemble hopes to involve the audience more
closely in its play.

“The most important aspect of our piece is to lose the
boundary between the audience and performers and create one
community and space where everyone can share their stories,”
said Sam Golzari, performer of “Bearth.”

Aside from the diverse art forms in the show, the eight
performers come from different backgrounds and offer diverse
messages. According to Vanides, the participants are multicultural,
representing many of the various races, cultures and types of
people on campus.

“In our piece, each person is the creator of their own
ideal nation and tell what they would offer to those
nations,” said Golzari. “Even though we don’t
know exactly what and how our ensemble members are going to
perform, there’s a connection between the artists, and we
trust each other.”

This idea of communal unity seems to extend through the
festival. An all-freshman cast expresses itself through the bold
and daring enthusiasm of the united cast as the members venture
into the limelight of UCLA for the first time in “This is
Youth.”

“We put together an entire cast of just freshmen.
I’m really proud of that. I’ve been told that no
one’s ever done that before. No one’s ever been that
motivated. When we get together, we have a special bond,”
said Albert Meijer, freshman director of “This is
Youth.”

Other pieces are experimental and explore the limitations of
traditions. “Once Upon a Time I Dreamt in Your
Language,” written by fourth-year theater student Terry-Beth
Cherry, addresses the issue of language barriers in a distinct
style.

“My script is different. It’s nonlinear. It’s
written in poetry as opposed to the traditional American way of
playwriting in prose,” said Cherry.

From freestyle, to prose, to poetry ““ the diversity of art
in this 31-production festival does not stop there. In
“Project M-1,” writer and director Myles Nye creates a
different spin on the commercial reality show
“Survivor” by translating it to a musical – the only
original musical piece in the festival.

The different forms of expression exhibited in Theatrefest
appeal to the diverse and large audience that usually attends and
supports the festival. Through different styles, forms and
messages, participants hope to affect and inspire different
individuals. Graduate student Rodney Llyod Scott, who is directing
and acting in the festival, is passing on the inspiration that
touched him three years ago.

“The reason why I started was from an inspiration I got
from a play I saw. Ever since then, I’ve been
involved,” said Scott. “The great thing about
Theatrefest is that it allows people to have fun and express
themselves without being criticized.”

For a schedule of the free performances of Theatrefest, visit
Theatrefest.