Tag: Center for Law Engagement And Politics

Shear Madness is Sheer Fun!

by Cinthia Villarreal

As LEAP Ambassadors, we do our best to maximize our experiences. This means taking as many opportunities as possible in a given location. So, following a day of conference sessions, we took advantage of a free evening to see “Shear Madness” at the beautiful Kennedy Center.

As we entered the building, a majestic, jaw-dropping hall with worldwide flags hung from the tall ceiling greeted us…

…and at the end, windows from top to bottom with a red dragon on it allowed us to see into the Potomac River.

To add to it, the sun setting on the other side of the building gave us an amazing reflection inside the hall and an awesome view of the D.C. skyline. 

While wandering around the building, we were able to recognize the artists of the various art pieces at the patio. Throughout the trip, we have seen numerous works of Lichtenstein so, even though not a fan favorite, we still felt proud to recognize his art. 

This trip we have learned and gotten to know the work of Joel Shapiro. Using rectangular abstracts of human figures, Shapiro captures movement of the human body.

Olivia and I saw Debra Butterfield’s work on our Southwest trip at the Texas Tech campus and were ecstatic to see her work again, and in the other side of the country, too. 

As we entered the Kennedy Center’s lobby, beautiful chandeliers showed the way into the theatre… 

…and we were ready for the play to begin.

The play takes place in a present-day Georgetown in retro styled beauty salon where Tony Whitcomb and Barbara DeMarco, the hair stylists; Mrs. Shubert; Eddie Lawrence, an antique dealer; and Nick O’Brien, an undercover police officer, are introduced to the public.

As Tony and Barbara are at work, they get sidetracked and wrapped in current gossip, frequently unbothered about their costumer’s time or even safety. Suddenly a piano starts playing and Tony begins to complain about Isabel, the upstairs elderly neighbor who is also a worldwide recognized pianist. 

Suddenly, the group is told that Isabel has been mysteriously murdered and everyone becomes a suspect to an open crime.  As the interrogations begin, the crew starts acting suspiciously and begin to throw each other under the bus with the police in order to not be the main suspect. 

What truly made this experience one-of-a-kind, is when Officer O’Brien turned to the public for their insight on the case. With this, the play became interactive, and the crowd begins calling the actors out for lying, covering each other, or acting suspicious. He then invited the public to ask questions, which forced the actors to come up with the answer impromptu, and consequently, start improvising with jokes about current affairs and even about the audience. 

Being new to the theater world, I never thought I would find the theater so captivating and humorous.  It was amazing to witness the true skills needed for improvisation and I seriously admire the actor’s professionalism and readiness for staying in character without knowing what was to come.

In a small way, it’s like being a LEAP Ambassador, grabbing opportunities as they come, even when we don’t know what might be around the corner!

From the LEAP Lens: Photography Exhibit at the Walker Education Center

Last year, Derrick Birdsall, Director of the Sam Houston Memorial Museum and Republic of Texas Presidential Library, asked whether we would be interested in having an exhibit of our photographs. Of course we said, “Yes!” And with this agreement, we had the pleasure of working with Derrick, Jude Routh, Megan Buro, and the wonderful Museum staff on this exhibit.

The exhibit showcases photos taken by either LEAP Ambassadors or their advisors, Mike Yawn and Stephanie Fors. The photos range from state parks, national parks, architecture, people, wildlife, and other scenes–all taken from a LEAP-related trip or adventure.

We were, of course, concerned that people might not attend. It’s not easy to explain what LEAP is, and we are not logically or conceptually associated with photography. LEAP, after all, stands for Law, Engagement, And Politics. So, what if people thought it was an exhibit about Law? Or Politics? Or what if no one wanted to see photographs by people who aren’t professional photographers?

All those were legitimate concerns, so we took extra care to send out invitations, and the Museum did a great job marketing the event (and hanging the show)!

As it turned out, we had a great showing of town-and-gown participants. It was wonderful to see some of our LEAP alumni there…

We saw many old friends, such as Mac and Leanne Woodward, Dr. Ralph and Linda Pease, Gene Roberts, Vice-Provost Anne Gaillard, Linda McKenzie, Dr. Stacy Ulbig, Charlie Vienne, Karen Altom, Dr. Tamara Waggener, Thomas Leeper, Ken Holland, and President James and Nancy Gaertner!

In all, more than 200 people showed up, which may be a record for an exhibit opening at the Walker Education Center. We were very pleased with the attendance, and even more grateful that we live in a community that supports students. We, personally, have had some amazing experiences and memories because of our adopted hometown.

Derrick Birdsall did a nice job introducing us…

…Morgan Robertson then made a few comments and introduced the other Ambassadors…

…and then Professor Yawn discussed the LEAP program, told some stories (and some stories behind the stories), and described the exhibit.

We were pleased with the showing from elected officials, such as Commissioner Bill Daugette, Tax-Assessor Collector Diana McRae, District Attorney Will Durham, Judge Tracy Sorenson, Councilmember Casey Cox, School Board Trustee Ken Holland, and Jeff Murski from Congressman Pete Sessions’ office was also on hand! We even had Councilmember Hinojosa and the City Manager from Madisonville, Fabrice Kabona, on hand. And, we were especially gratified to see so many City Staff, with whom we’ve had long partnerships in internships, programs, and other forms of community support.

Most of all, it was wonderful to see so many friends and also to see so many people having a good time.

Thanks to the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, the many people who attended, and the to the University at large.

If you missed it, the exhibit is open until May 12. The Walker Education Center is open from 9am-4pm Tuesday-Saturday. If you’d like to arrange a “group tour,” the LEAP Ambassadors are also happy to accommodate. Feel free to contact Professor Mike Yawn at mike.yawn@shsu.edu.

CCC Trail: Palo Duro State Park

Olivia Discon

Palo Duro Canyon is sometimes boastfully referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” and that’s not really fair to the Grand Canyon. But taken on its own, it is in fact a grand and beautiful adventure.

LEAP Ambassadors on the
Lighthouse Trail, 2018

The LEAP Ambassadors have traveled to Palo Duro twice, once in 2018, and again in January of this year. It was my first trip to a State Park!

It was beautiful, and I enjoyed the activity, the beauty, and the idea that the State is preserving these areas for the use of all.

The best shot I was able to get was when we were returning from the CCC Trail, just before sunset. It was a beautiful short hike, one where I also learned about the Civilian Conservation Corps–part of FDR’s Works Progress Administration.

What struck me most, though, was the beauty. And as we were heading back, I saw this beautiful view, with Professor Yawn and Stephanie hiking and providing a sense of scale, and I got the image!