Acting vs. Language in Snow Today

Can acting bridge the language barrier in theater?

Two international theater students from Japan believe it can and are presenting a show to prove it today in the Black Box Studio Theatre in the Snow Fine Arts Center. The show, "Muzyun," will be performed during X-period today and again Thursday.

The story of "Muzyun," which is the Japanese word for "paradox," is an argument between the characters Devil and Brave about their weapons of choice in the final stages of a role-playing game. The issue is which is stronger, the strongest sword or unbreakable shield.

The actors first perform the play in Japanese, then in English. The audience can compare their comprehension of the play in each language.

Megumi Kabe, a senior theater student and one of the actors, said he and the other actor, Nano Kasuga, a junior theater student, wrote the script in both languages and performed it to practice their acting. Elizabeth Parker, business manager for the theater, and some professors saw them and suggested that they give a public performance.

Which is stronger?

"I guess the story is easy and funny and people can sort of understand the main stream of the play without English," Kabe said. "Also the atmosphere helps them understand."

Admission is free.

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