MAGNOLIA—- Although the first semester of college can be filled with excitement about future possibilities, it can also be a time when making the wrong decision has a lasting impact.
Issues such as peer pressure, drug abuse, date rape, binge drinking, cheating/plagiarism and time management will be explored in the play “The First Semester,” at 7 p.m. September 6 in Harton Theater at Southern Arkansas University.
In the play, these situations are seen from the viewpoint of five African American students enrolled at a university. Cledis Stuart, assistant dean of Multicultural Services at SAU, said he thinks it is important for the play to address diversity on campus. However, he said students from all backgrounds can benefit from the play because they may identify with one or more of the characters, each of whom can normally be found on any campus in America.
If students see and confront the issues they could face head on they may avoid some of the problems they could have otherwise avoided, he said.
“The play is all about possible snares in a person’s college life that can change things forever,” Stuart said.
The play is being provided by the company Public Awareness, Inc. of Detroit, Michigan. The production is free and open to the public.
