Thou Shalt Not Google

          Conflict exploded on campus when the CSULB administration decided not to post the title of the play, “Night of the Tribades,” on the school’s Seventh Street Marquee.  Three articles in the Daily 49er, a news report on the school’s radio station, and one eye-catching student protest later, the school continues to stand by their decision.

            The word “tribades” is an archaic, out-dated word for lesbian.  Stephanie Rivera, who wrote a story on the conflict for Daily 49er, explained why the school decided not to promote the play.  “Courtney Knight [theatre major and leader of the protest] said that people who drive by the school will see the see ‘tribades’ on the marquee and won’t know what it means.  They’ll google the word and the search results will contain graphic images related to tribadism.”

            Tribadism is a lesbian sex position, more commonly known today as scissoring.  Since the two words sound closely-related, the school deemed the play’s title too risqué to be featured on the marquee.

            A CSULB professor, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “offending people means losing support, which means losing money.”  Perhaps recent budget cuts are causing the school to be extra cautious about their appearance in the community.

              Budget cuts aside, students feel that the school’s reasoning behind their decision is irrational.  In order to be offended, a person must take first the time to look up the meaning of “tribades” on the internet.  Second, the person must take the time to be offended by the word “tribadism,” a word that has nothing to do with the play itself.  Third, the person must be offended by the word, and change their perception of the University.  In a fast-paced world, students doubt that this complicated chain of events will actually occur from a driver’s glance at the scrolling marquee. 

            Theatre majors and others involved in the play feel cheated by the CSULB Administration’s decision to not promote the title.  The marquee is an important advertising tool to get the word out about their show.

            However, 24 theatre majors managed to make up for lack of advertising by gaining attention through an unusual protest.

            The protest strategically took place around noon, the school day’s highest traffic time, on November 17^th and 18^th, in front of the fountains at Brotman Hall.   Some of the 24 protestors demonstrated the act of tribadism by sitting in scissor positions.  Their mouths were sealed shut with two pieces of tape in the form of an X, and their shirts featured the word “Tribades” in bold black letters.  These students sat in silence while others passed out fliers explaining their position on the issue.     

            Rhianna Maras, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies major at CSULB, said she is not surprised about the school’s decision.  Maras said, “Topics such as lesbianism and homosexuality are seen as threatening [to the University] because they challenge traditional gender role with regards to sexuality.”

            According to Maras, CSULB is built on patriarchal values and will not allow itself to be represented by anything that goes against traditional roles.  “The marquee represents the school and what the school stands for, and the school does not outwardly support those that challenge its patriarchal foundation (i.e. gay men, lesbians, feminist ect.).”

            Maras also talked about an article written by the Student Union newspaper in September entitled, “How to Get Laid: A Girls’ Guide for Guys.”  The satirical article contains advice such as getting a girl drunk to have sex with her.  This article is offensive and thought by many to be inappropriate for a newspaper representing the school.  The article “justifies the sexual assault of women, especially on the CSULB campus,” Maras said.

            If the school allows a newspaper to distribute hundreds of copies of this article joking about rape, how can they censor a word that simply means “lesbian?”     

            The censoring of this play’s title conflicts with other actions made by the school.  Earlier in the semester, CSULB held a week-long series of events in support of National Coming Out Week (see article, “Lady Vajayjay Stirs Things Up at the Nugget” post below).  The school held these events to celebrate the rights of LGBT, Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgendered, individuals, and to spread the word of the hardships they must overcome to live in our society.       

            CSULB can talk the talk of equality, but with the censorship of this title they have proven that they can’t walk the walk. 

            

SIDEBAR: The National Coming out Week events celebrated by CSULB spawned from National Coming Out Day.  NCOD is celebrated on October 11^th every year.  This movement was founded by Robert Eichberg, psychologist, and Jean O’Leary, politician, in 1988, with its' first headquarters located in West Hollywood.  Since then, recognition of the day has spread to all fifty states, and has even crossed international borders to countries such as Switzerland, Germany, Poland and the United Kingdom.  However, the day is celebrated on October 12^th in some places outside of the U.S.

Under the Veil

          

          In the eyes of Western society, Iraqi women are suppressed, forced to hide under veils by the men who abuse them.  In spring of 2011, University Players will shed new light on what it’s really like to be a woman in Iraq with their play “9 Parts of Desire.” 

            According to the University Players’ website, the play depicts an interesting string of “the personal stories of Iraqi women—doctors, exiles wives and lovers.”  The audience will leave the theatre with a view of “what it means to be a woman in the age-old war zone” of Iraq.

            Rhianna Maras, Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies major at CSULB, said “People in the U.S. must gain knowledge about the real lives of women in Iraq rather than continuing to perpetuate the stereotype that Middle Eastern women are victims in need of being saved. It is essential for Westernized society to see that the women in Iraq who are primarily Muslim are not oppressed due to their religion.” 

Advice for Graduates

          Though getting to act, sing and dance on “the reg” is part of the perks of being a performing arts major, the road to finding success after graduation can be difficult.
          Recent graduate, Wallis Barton, knows firsthand how tough it can be for a young actor trying to start a career. Her advice to those graduating from CSULB with majors in the performing arts is to “Train for that moment when preparation meets opportunity. That is what I make myself live by.”
          From getting the right head-shots, to meeting people and networking in the entertainment industry, Barton said “there is a lot more work to getting jobs than auditioning alone.”
Graduates of CSULB lucky to live in an area saturated with opportunities to make their dreams come true.          
          Check out the CSULB’s website to see what types of cool things the University’s Theatre and Dance alumni are doing now.

Salsa and Spice

For those of you interested in shakin' it Latino style, you are in luck.  CSULB has a salsa dance team, Salsa club, and even offers Salsa fitness classes.

                Zakiya Shivji, current president of the Salsa Club and last year’s Salsa Team president, said, “The club and team are open to students and non-students.  But we must keep 20 percent or less as non-students.” 

                Salsa dancing is a fun way to meet people and work up a good sweat.  Shivji said, “My favorite thing about salsa dancing is how fun it is and the ability to just social dance with anyone that asks.  It doesn’t have to be a choreographed dance and your own style is what makes it unique.  I love how different genres of dance can be combined with salsa from jazz to hip hop.”

                To learn more visit “CSULB Salsa Dance Team” facebook group, and for fitness classes visit Intramural Sports on the CSULB website.

Tell Me More, Tell Me More...

          Not only is CSU Long Beach plopped in the middle of a society obsessed with entertainment, the campus is than an hour away from the heart of entertainment, Hollywood..  One would think that students would be lined up outside the box offices, elbowing their way up to get tickets to the next theater or dance performance.  Right?  Wrong. 

            Julianne Dulis, CSULB student, said, “I have attended a dance performance at CSULB, but the only reason I knew about it was because it was announced in one of my dance classes.  I would definitely be more likely to attend if I know when they were going on. I don't think the school does enough advertising for those two programs.”

                        A survey showed that 15 out of 30  students have never seen a theatre or dance performance at long beach. Every person said they would be interested attending a show in the future if they were informed of theatre department’s upcoming events. 

Lady Vajayjay Stirs Things Up At The Nugget

The word around campus is that if you didn’t get to attend Queer Hip-Hop Uncensored last Thursday at the Nugget, you definitely missed out!  Outlandish performer and vivacious drag queen Lady Vajayjay hosted the evening performance.  Adorned with a multi-colored wig and covered head-to-toe with rhinestones, the diva-in-drag left audience members rolling on the floor with laughter.  

This show was just one event of CSULB’s celebration of National Coming Out Week.  The performers reached audience members through the art of song and dance.  Topics ranged from Prop 8 and gay marriage to the emotional struggles of being a member of the non-heterosexual community.    

Queer Hip-Hop Uncensored was a fun way to celebrate, learn about, appreciate and gain respect for all gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered people in today's society.  

University Players Get Sexy in "Nine: The Musical"

          “Flirtatious and potent women haunt, hinder, agitate, inflame, tantalize, inspire, arouse, stimulate, invigorate, aggravate, torment, comfort, and disarm an aging Italian filmmaker,” in The University Players’ upcoming production of "Nine," according to the Theatre Department. 

Glitzy costumes, savvy dance moves and exciting music make this musical a favorite among the theatre community.   Throw in the wonderful, talented CSULB undergrads and this show promises to be a great one.

You may remember "Nine" from the film version of the musical released in 2009, with the all-star cast including Kate Hudson and Penelope Cruz, Daniel-Day Lewis and Fergie.  The play made its debut on Broadway in 1982 and won five Tony Awards, including best musical.  It was Inspired by Frederico Fellini’s book,  “8 ½ .”

The show will take place in The Studio Theatre, in the Theatre Arts building.  It will be running from Oct. 29 to Nov. 6.  For further information or tickets call (562)985-7000.