'SPINNING INTO BUTTER' YSU will invite audiences to discuss diversity after play

The play will provoke questions such as, 'Are we all racists?'
By L. CROW
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Dr. Dennis Henneman has a theory about theater: it "should assert its claim to be educational because it presents ideas in the most memorable way," he said.
The Youngstown State University theater professor said it is a theory he learned from Tyrone Guthrie, founder of the Stratford Theater, and that he tries to employ at YSU.
"Every year, we do a play that addresses an issue worthy of discussion, followed by a symposium, an open forum with the audience. This year, the issue is diversity."
The play is "Spinning into Butter," by Rebecca Gilman. It takes place on the campus of fictional Belmont College in Vermont, a college not unlike YSU. It strives to embrace diversity: cultural, political, sexual orientation. But an incident of racism on the campus forces its liberal-minded dean of students, Sarah Daniels, and her less open-minded colleagues to explore attitudes toward diversity at the college. It pushes them to open a dialogue across campus to find the roots of racism.
"This is a play that addresses issues," said Henneman. "We have a point of understanding and can react to that. The play doesn't provide answers, but instead raises our awareness of the nature of racism. It provokes questions such as, 'Are we all racists in some way?' 'How does racism present itself?' 'Is it part of our culture?'
"I think it is important in a university setting to keep up discussions on political, social, moral and religious issues, issues such as the right to die," Henneman continued. "In the past we have done plays on Latin/South American tyranny, torture and imprisonment, on lesbian relationships, sexual harassment. Our purpose is not to persuade but to open dialogue. The only element of persuasion is that we always try to reflect on the playwright's position -- how he or she meant to express a point of view. Then, we go from there."
Example
Henneman cited examples of how plays have had an impact on issues. He recalled "The Crucible" written by Arthur Miller in 1953 about the Salem, Mass., witch trials in 1692. "The play was really about McCarthyism, and the attitudes in the country then," Henneman said. "It was a frightening time. People were fired because of their political belief. It was about how we overreact, go on witch hunts."
In "Spinning Into Butter," the dean is trying to do the right thing by helping a student get a scholarship. On the form that he must fill out, he puts "other" for his ethnic background. When questioned, he says he is Nuyorican, an ethnic group subjugated by the Spanish. Because no one on the committee would recognize Nuyorican, the dean persuades him to agree to Puerto Rican, but this is demeaning to him. In another episode, a black American student reports harassment.
Each night after the performance, members of the YSU community will make a statement; then, the audience will be invited to react. Some of the experts include Dr. Misook Yun, assistant professor, Dana School of Music; Dr. Mike Theall, director of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; Leon Stennis, coordinator of diversity initiatives; Dr. Sharon Stringer, psychology professor; Dr. Ron Shaklee, director of University Scholars program; Dr. Gabriel Palmer-Fernandez, director of the YSU James Dale Ethics Center; Glorianne Leck, professor emeritus and human rights activist; and the Rev. Jim Ray.