Tag: LEAP Ambassadors

Engaging with Theater–at Murder by the Book

The LEAP Center is known for its emphasis on civic and community engagement, and for good reason. But LEAP students also value a well-rounded education, and that involves the performing arts. So, in a month in which Ambassadors have seen the play “Wicked” and “Pirates of Penzance,” Ambassadors also decided to attend a book discussion of Agatha Christie’s “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.”

What does this novel have to do with the performing arts? The Alley Theatre is currently performing this play, and we will be attending it on August 13. In advance of that performance, however, we visited Murder by the Book, where the book store hosted Mark Shanahan, the Director of Ackroyd and, as it turns out, a wonderful storyteller!

Shanahan discussed his career on the stage, both as a director and as an actor, and he also shared with us the fact that his sister (Christin Brecher) is a crime novelist, and she had a couple of books in the store!

Shanahan also explored the challenges and intrigues of presenting an Agatha Christie play. While Christie was a playwright of note, but The Murder of Roger Ackroyd hasn’t been adapted to the stage. It’s always challenging to adapt a beloved book, especially a whodunit that has been around for almost 100 years–because people already know whodunit!

But Shanahan obviously relishes the challenge, and many in the audience had seen some of the preview performances, and they had good things to say. With that encouragement, we sought out Shanahan for some photos, and we were fortunate to be joined by a couple members of the Ackroyd crew.

Although these preliminary reviews were very positive, we will return with the definitive review following our visit to the Alley on August 13!

Wrapping up a “Wicked” Eight-Day Tour

Taste of Greece

By Jessica Cuevas

This was a special day of sorts. We were headed to see the play, “Wicked,” which was named after our President-Elect, Morgan Robertson. Moreover, it was her birthday–21st, no less. So, we let her choose the place to eat!

She chose “A Taste of Greece,” because Mediterranean is her favorite type of food, and because it is within walking distance of the Fox Theatre, where her biopic was being performed.

The restaurant offered many umami plates, but the ones that caught our eyes and proved to be delicious mouthfuls were the Greek Melt, the From Greece with Love Platter consisting of gyro meat, pork and chicken skewers, and Greek Meatballs served with green beans, pita bread, and tzatziki sauce.

We wished we could’ve stayed to enjoy our meals a little longer, but with every passing minute, a wicked play awaited us.

Wicked

By Morgan Robertson

“It’s time to Trust (our) instincts, close (our) eyes and LEAP!”

–From “Defying Gravity,” in “Wicked.”

Our trip has been full of many athletic, educational, historical, political, and after tonight, entertaining events! The last night of our trip, we checked the entertainment box, and made our way to the historic Fox Theatre to watch their rendition of “Wicked,” the musical.

We were amazed by the grandeur of the Theatre…

…and hastily made our way to our seats.

Despite what the professional advisement of LEAP thinks, not all LEAP Ambassadors are wicked. However, we all have varying degrees of interest in the “Wizard of Oz.” But, of the LEAP Ambassadors, I am perhaps the most unfamiliar with musicals. Due to my familial ties to Kansas, I was raised near the setting of the movie. So, I made an exception and was excited to learn more about the Wicked Witch of the West. I even wore green for the evening!

“Wicked” begins with a frame narrative starting with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North as she brings the good news to the Munchkins that the Wicked Witch is dead. The lively songs harken memories of the original story, and a shrill voice says, “I’m melting, I’m melting!” The delighted munchkins rejoice in the good deeds done by their valiant protector, a midwestern farm girl and her little dog.

Everyone knows the Wicked Witch as Dorothy’s antagonist, but on Thursday night, Elphaba (the Wicked Witch) was good. Elphaba became a fiercely loyal sister, an unlikely best friend, defender of the meek and unspoken for, and a true heroine with a happy ending. From start to finish, “Wicked” had the entirety of the Theatre bellowing in laughter as all these aspects of Elphaba were explored.

I would be remiss if I did not bring attention to the musical talent and songs. As a group, “Defying Gravity” was our favorite, where Elphaba learns of her true capabilities and sets off to save the animals of Oz. Another favorite was “For Good” as it very sweetly and impactfully shows the true nature of Elphaba’s friendship with Glinda.  

Without divulging into every element of irony or song, “Wicked” became a newfound favorite musical of mine. It was an incredible way to close our night, ending our trip on a very pleasing ‘note’!

And with that, LEAP’s 8-day exploration of the Deep South came to an end! We are incredibly grateful to have had the opportunity to visit Georgia and South Carolina and learn about their individually rich and fascinating history.

High on Art in Atlanta, GA!

By Olivia Discon

Our fun-filled day continued with our theme of public engagement, both historic and contemporary, with our visit to the High Art Museum. We were immediately off to a great start, as on our walk to the building, we walked by a wonderful piece from Lichtenstein’s “House” series.

The aluminum sculpture is an optical illusion, or trompe-l’œil, that shifts perspective at various angles, a bizarre sight to pass at a steady walking pace. Also outside sat Rodin’s “The Shade”, which in hindsight was most definitely one of my favorite sights at the museum.

The museum offered numerous works that provided a distinctive and captivating experience for the entire group. One collection, in particular, delved into the African diaspora and its connection with the rising popularity of folk art during the same historical period. Bruce Onobrakpeya, a Nigerian painter and printmaker, had several pieces with Christian influences. His “Station of the Cross” series was fascinating to view, with the differences in technique from its Western counterparts.

Though we undoubtedly saw many unfamiliar and enthralling pieces, there were some notable names we identified from their undeniable technique and style; such as Claude Monet, Georgia O’Keefe, Mary Cassatt, and John Singer Sargent. We were delighted to further build on our prior associations with these artists through the exhibits as we pressed forward.

One of the best collections was the museum’s mid-century modern display. There were famous artists who made great contributions to the era, such as Ellsworth Kelly, spread across the museum.

However, the most impressive collection of a mid-century modern artist was Frank Lloyd Wright, an American architect widely known for his innovative designs and meticulous detail, one of his most famous works being a home known as “Fallingwater”. The High Museum had several pieces of furniture, such as different armchairs and my personal favorite; a desk with shelving units that appeared to be floating at certain angles.

There were also decorative accents from Wright that were specific to the homes he would design, such as a giant, blue-mirrored clock, and custom stained glass.

It was also interesting to see Morgan rush to works of art that she previously claimed to not understand or actively dislike. Previously on Morgan’s list of banned artwork were almost anything modern, certainly anything abstract, and of particular dislike was Rothko.

But on this day she bounced up to the Rothko with a smile, as though she were greeting an old friend.

She showed a similar ebullience upon seeing an Ellsworth Kelly, whom, before today, she said, she “didn’t get.”

When we asked for clarification, we got a look that said, “Drop it.” So, we did.

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In the contemporary section, we came across an untitled piece from Anish Kapoor, the artist recognized for Chicago’s reflective sculpture “Cloudgate” (otherwise known as “The Bean”). This particular work, shaped as a concave dish, is a multisensory experience. As you step closer, you can simultaneously view fractured, mirrored images of yourself, while also having your voice and hearing distorted from a few feet behind you. We played around with this scientific masterpiece for a good while, alternating places and marveling at our distorted voices, which were somehow louder than usual.

The High Museum of Art possesses an eclectic collection, and we thoroughly enjoyed exploring it in their beautiful and spacious facility. The thoughtful curation of each space enhanced our viewing experience, making it a truly enriching visit.

From Sullivan’s Island to West Virginia

Based on the weather in the morning…

…we did not expect a full day of outdoor activities.

But with a little help from the weather, and with some weather forbearance on our part, we were able to partake in a full day, which would include a morning of kayaking (see here), an afternoon of exploring Sullivan’s Island, and an evening mixer with legislators, lobbyists, and legislative staff. Quite a day for college students!

Fort Moultrie

We arrived at Sullivan’s Island ready to explore, despite some rain, and we learned that the name of the island comes from Florence O’Sullivan, who was among the first European to settle and did much to develop the colony of South Carolina in the 17th century.

We began by visiting the “Edgar Allan Poe” library, fittingly named not only because it is a library, but also because Poe lived on this island when stationed at Fort Moultrie. It’s even possible Poe stepped foot in the structure that now houses a library; it was a garrison long before it was a library.

Interestingly, Poe wrote “The Gold Bug” here, and he used the island setting in the short story.

Poe was stationed at Fort Moultrie, which played a key role in the American Revolutionary War.

Entering the Fort’s visitor center, we were able to browse the varying artifacts that were preserved from the days the fort was active, such as a 300-pound cannonball, manillas (a form of currency to purchase slaves), and an actual map with the route of the slave trade.

The original fort on this site was defended by South Carolina colonist Col. William Moultrie–for whom the fort is named–and was made of Palmetto wood. When the British attacked, the fort, and Moultrie’s men, withstood the bombardment. Moultrie became a hero, and the Palmetto became the State Tree of South Carolina.

We took the time to go through the many structures by the fort, making sure to get up close to some rare cannons from the Civil War lining the exterior. The cannons included several Rodmans, Brooke Rifles, Parrott Rifles, and Columbiads, reflecting the technological innovation that occurred over the years in battle.

There was also a Sally port, which was a highlight for the group. The bomb-proof structure was used to store gunpowder, keeping their supply dry and ready for use. Morgan, in particular, couldn’t fathom how soldiers could run back and forth through the narrow passageways in a battle.

In one of the structures, we discovered a small “passageway” where soldiers or those based in the fort could receive mail – magazines. Jessica and I decided to test this out by having me hand her an umbrella.

The visit to Fort Moultrie was captivating, educational, and exciting to see! And, perhaps best of all, it was on the beach, allowing us a quick transition to some senseless fun!

Sullivan’s Island Beach

The beach offers not only fun in the sun (or clouds), but also a nice view of The Arthur Ravenel, Jr. Bridge.

For most of us, this was only the second beach we had really been to (Galveston was our common experience), and we were able to swim, share stories, laugh, and even engage in some competitive behavior.

Even after a couple of hours spent at the beach we could have stayed longer, but we needed to eat and get back for our evening with at the Southern Legislative Conference.

Mex 1 Coastal Cantina

Feeling a bit exhausted and famished after a long day of outdoor activities, we searched for a place where we could enjoy a nice meal that would satisfy our craving for Mexican food. Sullivan’s Island had the perfect restaurant a couple of blocks away from the beach: Mex 1 Coastal Cantina. 

We were greeted by a welcoming staff and presented with traditional tortilla chips and tomato salsa, not long after we were seated. Our entrees included Street Taco Platters: Carne Asada Tacos with Roasted Corn and a mixed plate with a Carne Asada and Pork with Pineapple taco, Chicken Quesadillas, Braised Chicken Baja Bowl, and the Mexi-Cali Burrito. This restaurant’s menu included some of the traditional Mexican delicacies, but it also had many unique entrees that were inspired by different cultures. An example of this would be the Mexi-Cali Burrito, a twist on a Mexican burrito with the addition of French Fries and queso on top. 

The food was savory – full of flavor – and delectable; it was the perfect way to end our adventure on Sullivan’s Island. With tans, happy hearts, big smiles, and most importantly, full stomachs, we headed back to the hotel to prepare for an evening of fun hosted by the West Virginia Legislature.

Almost Heaven, West Virginia–2024 Conference Preview

By Ingrid Cuero

Who could turn down a night that includes great music, not-so rhythmically inclined dancing, and vibrant conversations? Not us! 

In 2024, West Virginia will be hosting the Southern Legislative Conference. As a preview, the State Legislature hosted an evening of jazz, dancing, a few remarks by legislators, and a lot of fun–all with a 1920s theme.

The Rivercity Dixieland Jazz Band set the stage with their jazz standards, including their rendition of “The Charleston,” which we attempted to learn! The song fit both our location, and also the 1920s’ theme of the evening.

We enjoyed the food provided by the sponsors, the music, and we even danced a bit! Morgan, Olivia, and I danced early in the night, and by the end of the night, Jessica and Michelle joined us!

With the evening being sponsored by the West Virginia delegation, Roger Hanshaw, Speaker of the WV House…

…invited everyone to attend next year, emphasizing that the conference would be held at the beautiful Greenbrier Hotel. We were sold!

To sweeten the deal, he and the WV Director of Tourism did some giveaways (which we competed for but lost)…

…and then he led a rendition of John Denver’s, Take Me Home, Country Roads.

Not many speakers could take on the role of musical guest, and it was an absolute delight. Afterward, we took a photo with him, and it was Michelle and Olivia’s first time to meet a Speaker of the House!

And we also enjoyed the music, people watching, and conversations.

Our long day ended in style-and in air conditioning, away from the threatening weather elements of the morning and afternoon. We called it a night, got in the car, and let city roads take us back to the place where we belong.