Prof brings 'full of life' theater from homeland

It's gotten easier for the world's nations to form connections with each other. The world is shrinking and cultures are becoming more alike, but Carroll University is just beginning a partnership with the University of Costa Rica as a way to embrace the differences that still exist and as a means of expanding educational opportunities.

As part of this blossoming collaboration, Carroll is currently hosting Dr. David Vargas, a renowned scene and lighting designer from the University of Costa Rica (UCR), who is kicking off what is hoped to be a long-term, educational exchange between the two institutions.

Rich histories unite

Carroll's theater department has had a rich history over the past 20 years including a variety of international programs, David Molthen, professor emeritus of theater arts, explained. So when Carroll received a U.S. Department of Education grant to further explore international programming, Molthen and Dr. Charles Byler, vice provos at Carroll University, traveled to UCR in May 2011 in the hopes of establishing a partnership.

"We see Costa Rica as a place with learning potential," Dr. Byler said, referring to not only in the arts, but humanities, languages, and sciences as well.

During his years at Carroll, Molthen had developed several theater and cultural exchanges in Central America and throughout the world, and it was during a group trip to an El Salvador theater festival that Molthen met Vargas and a friendship followed. After Molthen and Byler's trip, UCR sanctioned Vargas visit to Carroll to teach students and local theater groups about Costa Rican theater, and to explore future collaborations.

Sharing his expertise

Since Vargas began his residency at Carroll on Jan. 9 he has since been sharing his years of experience designing sets for Costa Rican theater, television, and film with staff and students.

He explained that Costa Rica has had an interesting relationship with theater. In the early 1970s, theater was jump-started in the country by the works of a handful of playwrights which created a boom of interest for the next 20 years. Interest declined after a while but is again on the upswing with new Costa Rican writers and actors finding renewed energy in the art.

Due to a lack of funding for many productions in Costa Rica, theater, TV, and movie crews have responded by keeping costumes and sets to a minimum and reusing items from other productions, something that Vargas taught to Carroll students and staff. The idea caught on so well at Carroll that students and staff created a new word to express this idea: "splendiferous: taking a small amount of resources and making theater out of it."

"Too often American theater is spending too much money," Molthen said.

Vargas illustrated that Costa Rican theater has a "poetic sense of looking at things around us," something that he additionally hopes to pass along during his visit. Costa Rican theater has a strong story telling element. Costa Rican theater gives you chills, transports you to another place, and shows you that no matter how bad things get, there is always something enchanting to be found.

Vargas lecture tonight

Molthen explained that Central American theater is based on "pura vida," which roughly translates to "full of life." Central American theater is seen as revolutionary.

It combines all elements of theater "in a poetic, lyric, metaphoric nature." Said Mothlen.

Having brought two Costa Rican scripts along with him, Vargas will be helping students conceptualize the plays using these Costa Rican ideas. The bilingual plays will be performed during Carroll's Festival of New Works this spring.

As the most respected scene and lighting designer in Costa Rica, Vargas's work has annually gained nomination from his peers. He holds a BA in international theater as a Fulbright Scholar at the University of Kansas.

"I'm overwhelmed at the hospitality. Everyone has been just wonderful," Vargas said of his trip. "I'm just so pleased to be here."

Vargas' residency was supported in part by the May Nickell Rankin Memorial Fund and the Lenore M. Berslin Theatre and Music endowment funds.

He will be giving his second and final lecture, "Costa Rican Contemporary Theatre: Producing Practices and Drama" at 7 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 26. For more information or to register for the event, call (262)-524-7302.

IF YOU GO

Who: Dr. David Vargas, a renowned scene and lighting designer from the University of Costa Rica

What: Lecture entitled "Costa Rican Contemporary Theatre: Producing Practices and Drama"

When: 7 p.m. today

Where: Carroll University.

To register: Call (262) 524-7302