A group of 10 USF students will travel to Peru this summer with Roberto Gutierrez Varea, assistant professor of visual and performing arts, to immerse themselves in the country’s ancient Incan and colonial-period cultures. The group will travel for 15 days and stop in three cities to observe some of the country’s elaborate indigenous rituals that include elements of its colonialist history, see Incan ruins, and participate in a four-day theater workshop with the Yuyachkani Theater company in Lima, the country’s capitol. “I wanted a trip with experiences of the most contemporary and ancient examples of performance in Peru,” Varea said. “I hope students will take away an appreciation of the diversity and vitality of Latin American theater.” Varea opened up a cultural exchange with members of Yuyachkani when they visited USF two years ago for the university’s Regional Alternative Theater conference.

Professors Rick Davis, Kathi Gallagher, Roberto Varea, Peter Novak, and Alexandra Amati-Camperi received the College Full-time Faculty Service Award. Dean Jennifer Turpin presented the full-time faculty in the Performing Arts Program with the Faculty Service Award at the annual Dean’s Dinner on May 8, 2004. Professors Alexandra Amati-Camper, Richard Davis, Kathi Gallagher, Peter Novak, and Roberto Varea were honored for their outstanding work at USF and the surrounding community. Dean Turpin acknowledged that the five faculty members had produced over 50 performances in one semester alone, including Take Back the Night, the Doll Hospital, Soldado de Arena, and the Student Music Showcase.