Veritas, Vol. 30, No. 09, May 1990

              MAY 1990 • VOLUME 30 • NUMBER 9 • FOR THE FACULTY AND STAFF OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MIAMI
Summer season to sizzle for theatergoers
Miami theatergoers have a special treat lined up this summer: four plays to be staged at the University’s Ring Theatre by a newly formed professional theatre company.
“In a recent survey we found tremendous support for this kind of professional theatre programming during the summer months,” says Andrew Gaupp, Ring Theatre’s managing director. “A number of the performing arts companies in town shut down during the summer months leaving only a few choices for people in the way of entertainment. With our fairly central location in Dade County, a great lineup of musicals and comedies, and some of the area’s best theatre artists, we plan to help fill this entertainment void.”
The lineup:
•	June 6-23 — “Sweeney Todd,” a musical thriller, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, directed by New York director Russell Treyz.
•	June 27-July 7 — “I’m Not Rappaport,” a comedy by Herb Gardner, directed by Mel Shrawder, artistic director of the new theatre company and theatre arts faculty member.
•	July 11-21 — “The Foreigner,” a comedy by
m Not Rappaport
Larry Shue, directed by Terry Sneed, currently assistant to the artistic director of the Alabama Shakespeare Festival.
• July 25-August 11 — “Promises, Promises,” a musical, with book by Neil Simon, based on the screenplay “The Apartment” by Billy Wilder and
I.A.L. Diamond, music by Burt Bacharach, lyrics by Hal David, directed by Mel Shrawder.
Shrawder says he is excited to be starting a new theatre company as a program of the University’s Department of Theatre Arts.
“It has been a number of years since a professional theatre company was operating on campus,” he says. “The establishment of one is an integral part of the professional theatre training provided for students through the 1 department. This will provide a training ground where they are able to work with professionals in a professional production atmosphere—not unlike the ™	summer stock companies of old.”
According to Robert Ankrom, executive producer of the professional theatre company and chairman of the theatre arts department, the company will employ the core company of Equity actors, non-Equity actors and professional designers from Florida.
For ticket information call 284-3355 or 284-3360.
Micheners to endow graduate writing program
UM honors Douglas on lOOtn birthday
Marjory Stoneman Douglas, a vigorous defender of our environment who embodies the history, traditions, and civic public interest of Dade County, joined the Friends of the University of Miami Library at the Biltmore Hotel on March 30 for a gala celebrating her 100th birthday and a lifetime of achievement.
The event also celebrated the Marjory Stoneman Douglas Library Endowment Fund, which was established by the Friends in honor of her belief in the importance of preserving the past to ensure the future. The fund will be used by the library to buy rare and out-of-print materials and scholarly collections.
Ralph Renick, master of ceremonies, was joined by a group of Douglas’ friends w ho recognized her birthday with lively and personal anecdotes on the grande dame of environmental activism.
The University also honored Douglas in April when she w as initiated as an honorary member of Phi Beta Kappa, the nation’s oldest and most prestigious honor society.
James and Mari Michener have pledged $ 1 million to the University of Miami to endow a writing program for graduate students, particularly students from the Caribbean area.
Michener, the author of 36 books detailing the history and culture of many of the world’s civilizations, spent the past three years at the University while he worked on his latest book, Caribbean. He used the extensive Caribbean collection at the Richter Library to research the book.
David Wilson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, became a good friend of the Micheners during their stay in Coral Gables,
“The College of Arts arid Sciences was delighted to have Jim and Mari Michener in residence for the last three years,” he says. “The entire community of students and faculty benefited from their presence. Now his generous gift will enable us to support and train young Caribbean writers in the art of creative expression.”
Veritas wants you!
Beginning next fall Veritas will bring you more information in less time.
In September, which marks the 30th anniversary of the University’s faculty and staff publication, leritas will increase its frequency to twice a month and will be delivered through campus mail to speed up the circulation. This increase in frequency will mean more time and space for news, features, profiles, opinion pieces, and photographs.
Thats where you come in.
Since Veritas strives to cover news from throughout the University3; wed like to hear more from you and your areas —- not only news items or ideas for stories, but your own articles or opinions you would like to see published.
If you would like to contribute to Veritas in any way, contact Susay May. Veritas editor Department of Publications, 1540 Comiche Avenue. Coral Gabies campus; 284-5600: fax 284-2035.