YCDS Explores Options

Beukas Comes Out With New Policy

The Yeshiva College Dramatics Society announced yesterday that it has succumbed both to student pressure and common sense and will allow cross-dressing and actual female actors in its plays. Dr. Anthony Beukas, czar of YU dramatic arts, explained, "In the past, all the female roles were played by male actors. Both the administration and I were more comfortable with that arrangement. But I was in the minority, and due to popular demand I had to switch teams, to the side that wanted females in female roles."

Mike Queen, a YC senior, has been acting in plays for YCDS for the past 3 years. Queen remarked, "I never saw anything wrong changing the female roles to male roles. A mother easily becomes a grandfather and a girlfriend becomes a girlfriend's brother. The rules have changed, but I'm not quitting. I've always been willing to try new stuff."

Many around YU have been calling for this change for years. James Traight YC '00 remarked, "It's about time they have girls in the play. I can see guys parading around on stage anytime I want. I live in Rubin." Mark Weir YC '00 exclaimed, "It's about time. I think many of the roles in the plays would be enhanced by cross-dressing. I heard that next year we're doing a play on golf. Since I like to swing clubs, I'll be sure to try out for that one."

This semester YCDS will be putting on (among other things) a production of the famous play and movie "Dead Poets Society." All the major roles are male. Two Stern students and one cross-dresser will fill the few minor female roles. The play was chosen to honor the dead poets, whose lifestyles are a model to many aspiring actors.

The final scene has also been modified. Beukas explained, "Since we are being forced into allowing girls into our society we will change the final scene in protest." The Commentator was allowed to watch a rehearsal along with the new ending. If you are going to see the new version of the play don't read on because I don't want to ruin it for you. For those who would like to know how the new version ends, just keep reading.

In the final scene, instead of having all the students stand on their desks and proclaim, "Oh Captain my Captain," the new script has the students coming out and proclaiming, "Oh Captain, my Captain."