MLS Students Experience London Theatre and the Arts

There's nothing quite like a trip abroad to bring home an even better understanding of the premise upon which the Master of Liberal Studies program is based: Studying the great ideas of Western civilization leads to increased intellectual awareness and self-fulfillment.

Just ask Nadia Garzon, who capped her first year in the program with an eight-day field study in London – the highlight of a summer Masterworks course, "London Theatre & The Arts," taught by Joseph Nassif, Rollins professor emeritus of theater arts and dance. Says Garzon, "Traveling abroad and experiencing art and theater is part of becoming a well-rounded individual, which is definitely one of the many wonderful things you accomplish in this program."

The June 12-20 trip was designed to give the group of 13 – including Nassif and MLS Director Patricia Lancaster – a greater appreciation of London as an artistic center. "Wonderful." "Spectacular." "Moving." "Captivating."  "Clever." Those are just some of the superlatives used to describe a lineup that included the plays "Priscilla Queen of the Desert," "War Horse," "Blood Brothers," and "The Merchant of Venice," featuring Patrick Stewart and performed at the Royal Shakespeare Theater in Stratford-upon-Avon.  Wrapping up the series was Prokofiev's "Romeo and Juliet," performed by the Royal Ballet and London Philharmonic. Nassif says he was "absolutely incredibly shocked" that the musicians and dancers were able to pull off such an "extraordinary production" in the 18,000-seat O2 arena. "It worked," he says, "because of amazing projection and camera work that brought the ballet right into our laps."

It's no wonder that choosing a favorite among the productions might prove a tad difficult. "I loved aspects of each performance," Garzon says. "The puppets  in 'War Horse' were breathtaking; 'Priscilla' was very entertaining, 'Merchant' was very clever and Patrick Stewart was phenomenal; and 'Blood Brothers' is a great play, and the acting and singing were fantastic."

The group's time in "the theater capital of the world" included a daily after-breakfast meeting to review the day's plans and to discuss what students had seen the day before. Three dinners together provided an opportunity for "jam sessions."

And, of course, in true MLS style, students were given "carte blanche to visit as many museums, galleries, concerts and lectures as they could cover," Nassif says.

The price of all the fun and adventure? Five production critiques and a topic paper, including one from a student expressing gratitude for being left "to discover for ourselves what art exists in London."

"Discussing the plays and productions with Dr. Nassif allowed students to benefit from his expertise as an actor, director and professor of drama," says Lancaster. Nassif retired in 2004 to his home in Cedar Rapids, but  continues his long association with Rollins when the beautiful Iowa summer gives way to winter. In January, Nassif will teach an undergraduate survey course and a Masterworks course, "Shakespeare's Villains – A Study in Evil."

What do MLS students with a serious case of wanderlust have to look forward to next year? According to Lancaster, the coming attraction is a trip to Turkey with Tom Cook, professor of philosophy, who travelled and taught in Turkey while on sabbatical leave last year.  The travel dates are June 16-24, and the itinerary includes Istanbul, Cappadocia, Izmir, Pergamum and Ephesus. International travel grants are available, on a competitive basis, to Holt School students participating in Rollins-sponsored travel courses offered through the International Programs Office.

Dixie Tate '05MLS