Alternative Theatre
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I enjoyed Marion Stocking’s recollections of underground theatre at Beloit in the 1960s (spring 2006 issue). I do wish there had been an attempt to place the productions that Stocking describes in the larger context of student-generated theatre at the College. Some of the most memorable productions that I attended and participated in during my Beloit years (1988-92) were not sanctioned by the theatre department and were staged by the student-run Performing Arts Group in non-traditional spaces. These included Marlene Mayer’s powerful drama about the sex industry, Etta Jenks, directed by Deb Barber’91, and a terrific production of Christopher Durang’s Laughing Wild, featuring Edie Serkownek’91 and Eric Spitznagel’91, staged in Richardson Auditorium. There were even a couple of productions of new plays in Richardson, including a play of mine, Guiteau, directed by Jym Pieper’90. I think such productions were every bit as “underground” in their spirit as the productions of Aristophanes, Beckett, and Marlow described in the article.
My point is not that my era is somehow superior to the 1960s, but rather that there has likely always been “underground” theatre at Beloit, and there always will be. So why focus on the ’60s? I would be very interested to know what sorts of non-departmental theatre is happening now. When I was at Beloit, there was an unfortunate tendency to romanticize how cool the College was back in the ’60s, and to assume that nothing since could possibly measure up. Even in the highly unlikely case that this assumption is true, isn’t it defeatist to keep perpetuating it 40 years later?
Jonathan Graham’92
Richmond, Ind.
I had intended to write a few lines about Marion Stocking’s reminiscence about SAG Theatre in the basement of Eaton Chapel, but kept putting it off as day-to-day matters intervened. Lo and behold, the next issue of Beloit College Magazine came out before I could act. Well, shame on me!
I am quite flattered to be remembered in both Bob Arnebeck and Linda Hurley-Bruce’s letters (both class of 1969). They, along with Tom McConnell’69, were the cast in my first foray into playwriting, The Harris Family (which also marked my first foray into directing). They were, and hopefully still are, three very talented and exceptional people. The SAG Theatre gave me my start on the theatrical road, which has had many twists and turns. But the resourcefulness (using Tensor lamps with a physics department rheostat and scraps of Scoville Hall gels to get our lighting effects), the ingenuity (the incredibly fascinating and memorable production of the Cantos), and the education (Bink Noll having the better plays from his playwriting class staged at SAG) were incomparable. I’ve related stories about SAG productions through the years to my students to show them what can be accomplished with little or no money.
I want to thank that inspirational teacher, Marion Stocking, for reminding the Beloit College community of a wonderful part of the College’s educational and artistic history.
D. Roger Dixon’68
Middlefield, Ohio
Beloit and the Asian Century
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It was with some surprise that I read in the summer 2006 Beloit College Magazine that Ellen Fuller’78 was the first Beloit graduate to obtain a major in Asian Studies. I graduated in 1976 with a major in Asian Studies: an interdisciplinary approach focusing on Japan. My major was part of a program that allowed students to devise their own majors and design their own curriculum.
I remember very fondly all the help I received from Prof. Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney of the anthropology department, Prof. Beverly Clarity of the languages department, and Prof. Scott Crom of the philosophy department. The time, energy, and insight they gave me so willingly made my time at Beloit very special.
Carolyn Smith Puckett’76
Springfield, Va.
RELATED LINK:
Beloit College and Asia: 1846 to 2006
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Martha Peterson’s story reads like a Willa Cather novel … I imagine the two of them had more than one thing in common. Thinking about her ashes blowing in the Kansas wind brings to mind the infinite number of people touched by someone like her. Recently, I finished another week of the high potential leadership program I run for Acxiom. At the end of the week, our top leader came into the room and said that what we were doing was impacting the entire company in a way she’s never seen. She said that she’s not sure how we created a team that aligned learning with business, but she’s felt the energy of it and seen the results, and to keep doing what we’re doing.
Well, what we’re doing started with what I learned from John McDonnell (professor of education) and the Beloit experience. And McDonnell, along with many others, wouldn’t have had a job in Beloit, Wis., in 1975 without Martha Peterson. She touched John who touched me. I touch folks everywhere from Germany to California, they touch everyone in their worlds — and there is that much more light in the world.
And that is only my story. Imagine the infinite number of other connections she forged that continue on. Infinite. Just like what touches those ashes blowing in the Kansas wind.
Martha Peterson is still leaving her mark on the world. That is a legacy.
Roger Wright’76
Chicago, Ill.
RELATED LINK:
In Memoriam - Martha Peterson, Beloit's Seventh President
