A theatre department at a liberal arts college has a responsibility to present thought provoking, academically relevant plays. Too often, the desire to produce a popular hit overrides this obligation. Thankfully, this is not the case with Tom Stoppard's "Arcadia," a beautiful production by Gary Gisselman, the artistic director of St. Olaf Theatre.
Frizzy hair pulled back by a maroon handkerchief, renowned cartoonist and writer Lynda Barry peered through her thickly rimmed glasses at the 30 students and adults assembled in Rolvaag 525 Monday. In front of each attendee were 50 sheets of notebook paper, waiting for the writing session to begin.
The St. Olaf Band has been friend to many living, up-and-coming composers under the baton of conductor Timothy Mahr, and its spring concert last Sunday was a vibrant testament to how fruitful premiering new music can be.
