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Features

Star struck students unite for Louisville Comic-Con 2014

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By Megan Johnson

For anyone interested in spending a day with the one and only “11th Doctor Who,” buying a special edition comic book or meeting a childhood hero, the opportunity has finally arrived.

Comic-Con International is a popular comic book and media convention annually held in San Diego, California. However, a series of miniature conventions are held leading up to this. This is the cause of creating Louisville Comic-Con, which will take place on March 28,29 and 30 at the Kentucky International Convention Center.

Several comic-book fanatics are excited for the event, including sophomore comic book collector Elizabeth Tong.

“I am a lover of comics. So, I think it would be neat to be in an environment like that and just have a good time,” she said. Tong explained that she will not be able to attend the event, but shared what she would suggest doing.

“If I could go, I would take the opportunity to dress up and walk around.”

Not only will current television actors be there, but previous actors such as Jason David Frank from the “Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers,” will be attending the convention as well.

However, Comic-Con is not only a chance to meet a favorite actor, artist or writer, but it is a place to freely socialize.

“I think it’s being able to meet people who share similar interests and sharing the excitement of all shows,” said junior Chelsea Balmer. Balmer shared that she has never attended an event such as this, but is excited to go.

Several events, panels and meets and greets will take place at Comic-Con. Possible events include meeting “Doctor Who” actor Matt Smith or joining in on a panel about the CW’s hit shows, “Vampire Diaries” and “The Originals.” For comic book lovers, an event called “Superheroes, Psychology and Myth,” features superhero experts Danny Fingeroth, Andrei Molotiu, Marco Arnaudo, Ian Fischer and Miles Fuller. As well as booths that allow fans to buy merchandise from a particular fandom or cosplay business.

For more information on the “Louisville Comic-Con”  visit http://www.wizardworld.com/home-louisville.html.

A&E

FC theatre recreates Jane Austen’s 1813 classic

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By Melanie Parrish and Megan Johnson

“Alright ladies and gents, line up for the last dance in the second ball,” said director Amy Harpenau.

Theatre students hastily take their places on the floor. As they disperse and the talking dies down, a countdown of “five, six, seven, eight” is given and classical music begins to play.

Pride and Prejudice is a play set in the early 1800’s about a young woman whose strong willed intentions clash with the surrounding beliefs of others.

“I think the sort of strict boundaries of this time period go along with relations between characters, because if somebody dances with the same girl twice, then it’s like ‘oh, well we’re expecting a marriage proposal now’,” said junior Chelsea Balmer, who plays Lady Catherine de Bourgh.

Pride and Prejudice is a novel originally written by Jane Austen. The book created the basis for the play later written by Jon Jory. Within this play, there are several themes: romance, independence, responsibility, and of course, pride and prejudice.

A major theme within both the play and the book  is justified within the first lines, “It is a truth universally acknowledged, that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife.”

However, in order for these themes to be shown thoroughly, they must have actors who are able to naturally display them.

“When we choose a student for a role, we’re looking at the character qualities as a person and as an actor,” said Harpenau. “Actors are more than just what is written on a page.”

Director Amy Harpenau coaches senior Savannah Wormley and sophomore Ashley Denny. Photo by Megan Johnson.
Director Amy Harpenau coaches senior Savannah Wormley and sophomore Ashley Denny. Photo by Megan Johnson.“Actors are more than just what is written on a page.”

The play is defined as a “satire,” meaning comical ridicule is used to show the indirect problems within the plot. As the play is a satire, actors must be able to act in a comical manner, yet still channel the true emotion of their character.

“I try to think about the character’s mental status,” explained Balmer. “I try to think, ‘how does that affect their thinking and their feeling?’”

Though the specifics of stage design have not been released yet, there will be a new addition.

“It will include an extension of the stage, allowing the actors to be closer to the audience,” said theatrical arts teacher Robbie Steiner.

“Hopefully the design doesn’t stick out; I want the audience’s focus to be more towards the students.”

Pride and Prejudice will be showing April 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 p.m. and April 26, 27 at 2 p.m.

“With such a range of characters, you are bound to find someone that you like. There’s a lot of great banter between the characters, so it’s fun, but there’s also a really good underlying message.”