Image provided by: University of Nebraska-Lincoln Libraries, Lincoln, NE
About The daily Nebraskan. ([Lincoln, Neb.) 1901-current | View Entire Issue (Nov. 7, 1994)
Arts ©Entertainment Monday, November 7,1994 Page 9 Professor enjoying assistant deanship By Joel Stmucti__ Senior Reporter Kevin Hofeditz, associate professor of theater arts at UNL, has been named the as sistant dean in the College of Fine and Per forming Arts. Hofeditz said, “I think it’s great. Admin istration is something that I’ve grown into over the last few years. “I feel fortunate to be able to do the work of this position.” Hofeditz took over some of the duties of the assistant dean on Aug. IS, and the Uni versity of Nebraska Board of Regents ap proved his appointment at its September meeting. UI am enjoying the experience a great deal. “I enjoy working with Dean Lusk, the staff of the college, the faculty and the stu dents,” he said. “We all work well together. That’s what makes it positive. “As a small department, one of our strengths is that the faculty members work very hard and very well together. I want to continue to be a part of that.” Hofeditz said he still planned to teach as well as perform his new duties. “I will continue to teach one course a se mester and very much plan to remain heavily involved in the activities of the department of theater and dance.” Prior to his career in academics, Hofeditz acted professionally in off-Broadway produc tions, in regional theater and in dinner the ater, and he has been an equity guest artist. “An equity guest artist is a guest actor at - a college or university theater production,” he said. “It is a very positive experience for both the actor and the students. “Working with university theater pro grams in that capacity gave me the idea to enter academics as a profession myself,” Hofeditz said. Hofeditz said he started by teaching part time at the community college level. “I felt that I wanted to continue to act, but academics was a field that I wanted to get involved in. “I wasn’t sure if I would like teaching or Travis Hsyinft/DN Kovln Hofsdtz, an aooodato professor of thoator arts, liocaaio assistant doan off tho Col logo off Fins and Porfomdng Arts Aug. 18. if I would be good at it,” he said. “I was fortunate enough to get a teaching job here. My experience at UNL has been very positive.” Hofeditz said he knew not every actor could teach acting. “The knowledge base is the same, but teaching is a very challenging thing,” he said. “1 Vc been very pleased with the result and hope that the students have too.” Hofeditz said the University of Nebraska Lincoln had provided him with many op portunities to get involved with the univer sity. “After a few years, I was head of the ac tor training department, and 1 have been in volved with several committees involving curriculum. “This made me look at the university in a broader view and also broadened my inter est in administration,” he said. Hofeditz hopes his new responsibilities and the assistant deanship won’t take away from his involvement with the theater de partment and its productions. “I don’t think that it will. Continuing to perform both here at the U and elsewhere is what I do to stay active in my field,’’ he said. Hofeditz has remained involved with uni versity theater and recently began practic ing for his upcoming role as Charles Dickens in the university production of “A Christ mas Carol." Top-notch acting, great sets electrify ‘Frankenstein’ By Qorry Mti Staff Reporter One of the most highly antici pated films of the holiday season, r‘Maiy Shelley’s Frankenstein” is here. After Francis Ford Coppola’s latest success as producer-director of “Bram Stoker’s Dracula,” he was asked to give life to another monster project, “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein.” However, “Dracula” was drain ing for Coppola, so he stepped away from the director's chair to serve solely as producer for “Fran kenstein," and Kenneth Branagh stepped in. Is it a surprise to anyone that Emma Thompson (Mrs. Branagh, to anyone who lives in a cave) Court My of TrtStar PloturM The obsessive desire of Victor Frankenstein (Kenneth Branagh) to create life loads to tragedy for almost ovoryono In “Mary Sholloy’s Frankenstein," a TriStar Pictures release. STILL manages to show up in the film? Robert DeNiro, one of Hollywood’s busiest actors, turns in an incredible performance as Victor’s misshapen, misunder stood creation. The makeup pro cess to turn Bobby from man to monstrosity took up to 12 hours each time, covered DeNiro from head to toe and still allowed full facial and speech capabilities for his performance. Victor Frankenstein (Branagh), who lost his mother during child birth, becomes obsessed with cheating death. While attending medical school, he meets the sinister Pro fessor Waldman (John Cleese), thus taking Victor closer to his goal in life. (“John Cleese” and “sinis ter” in the same sentence? What’s next: “issues” and “campaign ing"?) Anyway, Victor decides he should try to create life from death, despite Waldman’s objections, and lacking a Northwest Fabrics store to get the right pattern, he uses the body of a recently hanged crimi nal (guess who?). Branagh took “Frankenstein” down a dramatic path with only touches of horror. Frankenstein’s creation was not an animal that was born to destroy but one that Movie: “Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein” Rated: R Stan: Robert DeNiro, Kenneth Branagh, Helena Bonham Carter Director: Kenneth Branagh Grade: B+ Five Words: dramatic tale of love, life was misunderstood by anyone who met him. Although Branagh is great as always, it is DeNiro that steals the film. As “aesthetically incorrect” as he may be, the audience always feels sorry for him, no matter what he docs. He has been created and then abandoned by his creator. An incredible amount of unre lenting detail given to the medical and creative processes — plus a healthy chunk of nudity — add up to a film where THE KIDS SHOULD STAY HOME. Incredible sets, a great score and top-notch performances from i ie combine to make “‘Mary ’s Frankenstein” a great flick for adults to see.
