FGCU play explores homophobia
Student play looks at romantic relationships in the homosexual world
BY CARL-JOHN X _VERAJA Florida Weekly Correspondent

COURTESY PHOTO Blake Levine as "Detective Cole" and Miriam Schroetter as "Mrs. Winsley" in "Stop Kiss." The play, at Florida Gulf Coast University's Theatre Lab, opens Wednesday, Oct. 17.

Homophobic reactions and their aftermath are nothing new but they may be something new to the stage in Lee County. "Stop Kiss", a production of Florida Gulf Coast University that opens on Wednesday, Oct. 17, examines the issue as well as the complexity of romantic relationships in the homosexual arena.

The play is directed by Dr. Michelle Hayford, an assistant professor at FGCU whose background as a director and actor lent itself to the work at hand.

"I directed, when I was in Chicago, an all-female version of 'West Side Story,'" Hayford said. "An adaptation. I was in a role as a drag-king as in K I N G to oversimplify women performing masculinely."

Hayford grew up in the Los Angeles area and said she considers herself a Californian in more ways than one.

Asked about casting choices and how these affect her directing, Hayford's unique approach came out.

"I like someone who can take directions," Hayford said. "Someone who is intelligent. Intelligence goes a long way. Acting ability - always. That's very exciting to me. I found both in this cast. Very talented and very intelligent people."

As for how these cast members will get to lend their talents to producing interesting drama, Hayford offered some of her creative outlook.

"I try to be open to what comes out in rehearsal," Hayford said. "You never quite know where an actor can take a part in the rehearsal process. I try to be open to that process and see where the actors can contribute creatively to the part. Their interpretation of the part. The balance is in achieving a director's vision and also in allowing them to feel they have their talent to invest. They put a lot of themselves in a part."

Due to the themes the play will tackle, Hayford was asked how she directs more subtle elements such as body language and sexual chemistry.

"Well, for me how an actor relates to their body and how much awareness they have of their body, that's something I consider quite a bit when I cast," Hayford said. "How comfortable they feel. A lot of times in the rehearsal process I employ physical acts training where I have the actors do particular exercises that really get them in touch with their bodies."

Hayford feels that sexual chemistry can be generated spontaneously and by the mechanisms of an actor's talent. She feels it is wise to let the actors find and develop chemistry in the process of working together.

Hayford said she was eager to direct "Stop Kiss."

"I chose Stop Kiss because I'm looking for a play that would have a small ensemble, a smaller cast and a female lead," Hayford said. "…I wanted to deal with social issues that I think are underrepresented here."

The issue of lacking social awareness was echoed by the co-star, Megan Pugh, who is a psychology major and third-year student at FGCU.

"Actually the content of the show is what made me want to be a part of the play," Pugh said. "I have lived here for three years I've noticed the conservative tone and I think this play will open eyes in the community to not just homosexual issues but to minority issues and how people really are ostracized for things they can't change."

Hayford took issue with the term "homosexual" and opted for "queer", eloquently explaining why.

"I don't like the word homosexual. I just think it's a little clinical sounding," Hayford complained. "I think it's alienating and has too many syllables. It references a sort of institutionalized homophobia. I prefer the word 'queer', which is a really often misunderstood term because it has yet to gain sort of popular acceptance. People don't understand queer outside of it being a sort of degrading term… Queer has become the one able to be the umbrella term. Or people call themselves queer because their politics are queer."

The play runs through Oct. 28 at the Theatre Lab on campus.

If you go

>>What: "Stop Kiss" >>When: Oct. 17-28 >>Where: FGCU's Theatre Lab, Arts Complex, park in lot 7 >>Cost: $10 >>Information: Call 590-7268