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Tibet Is Bus

Stop For Elfie

By Linda Beauregard
Dr. Elfie Hummel, language in-
structor, fulfilled a life-long dream
this summer when she visited one of
the world's most remote and exotic
countries - Tibet.
She toured the western portion of
Tibet or Ladakh for five weeks.
During her visit, Dr. Hummel
studied and compared the Tibetan
culture and people.
"The difference between our
country and Tibet is like day and
night," she said. "The people are so
frugal. They live on a paste of
buttered barley and green tea with
rancid butter, with most of them
eating only once a day.
"In some villages it is the custom
for the bride to be the wife of all of
the brothers in the family. She must
pretend that she does not want to
get married. The principal part of
the wedding ceremony consists of
dipping fingers into a bowl of butter
tea.
"In some remote villages, the
funeral ceremony is most primitive
and sometimes barbaric.
"In a land where snow is present
nine months of the year and every-
thing is scarce, nothing is wasted.
When a person dies, the whole
village gathers at the ceremonial
place.
Dr. Elfie Hummel poses with four young Llama monks in Tibet, one of the world's most remqte and exotic countries now "The corpse is cut up into strips of
ruled by Communist China. Dr. Hummel spent five weeks touring in a jeep and, at times, sleeping in a tent. An inde- meat and left for the animals to eat.
fatigable traveler, Dr. Hummel has toured many remote areas of the world from the jungles of Brazil to little-seen The bones are ground into fertili-
regio~s of Central Asia. She wrote a book based on her Brazil adventures. zer."
One of the highlights of the trip
was an interview Hummel con-
Thesps Rehearse ducted with the Dalai Lama, the
religious and political head of the
people.
"The Dalai Lama was a god to the
2 Stage Plays people. Since 1959, he has been in
exile. It was a great privilege to
speak with him," Dr. Hummel said.
By Kathy Carver
People of Tibet are extremely
Rehearsals are underway for two religious.
plays to be staged this semester by "When the monastery is in need
Theatre Four, COC's drama group. of repairs, the common people pay
They are In the Service .of Justice, a their temple tax by giving labor
drama written by William Baker, instead of money. The religion is a
oral communications instructor and combination of many things includ-
drama coach, and The Thirteen ing Buddhism and primitive super-
Clocks, a fairy tale to be presented stitions," she explained.
at various elementary schools in the Another area of primitive life is
Santa Clarita Va)).ey. the field of medicine.
Cast for In the Service of Justice, "The doctor uses trances and
a "realistic" two-act comedy drama, dances to discover what is wrong
includes Peri Davis, Harlin Hiltner, with the patient," Dr. Hummel
Kathy Hearn, Carol Hart, Steve explained.
Humphreys, David Spradlin, Tina Dr. Hummel slept in a tent and
Landrum, Mickie Parker, Debra traveled by jeep during her stay in
Lane, Bruce Neugebaur, Kevin Ladakh. Even though she became ill
Comer, Kathy Carver and Tom while there, it didn't interfere with
Brown. her joy of seeing a country she had
The play takes place entirely in a dreamed about all her life.
jury room. It is a study of the
characters, personalities and biases Newly elected officers of Theatre
of the 12 jurors and how these Four are Carol Hart, president;
diverse characteristics affect the Harlin Hiltner, vice-president;
final decision. Kathy Hearn, secretary; Bruce
Rehearsing the children's play are Neugebaur, treasurer; Kathy Car-
Eileen Johnson, Patricia Pellino, ver, publicity and David Spradlin,
Peri Davis, Mary Barnes, Tom troupe director.
Brown, Becky Brown, Daria Dye, Theatre Four is open to all
Harlan Hiltner, Paul Libis, Tim students who would like to parti-
Brouillette and David Spradlin. cipate in the theater proquctions
Becky Brown and Tom Brown are cast in leading roles in The Thirteen Clocks, a The Thirteen Clocks will be during the year. The club meets
children's play that will be presented a,.t a number of elementary schools in the presented :under sponsorship of the every Friday at 2 p.m. in the Little
Santa Clarita Valley starting in mid-October. Also in rehearsal at COC is In the American Association of University Theatre behind the bookstore. Club
Service of Justice, an original play by drama coach William Baker. Women, Baker stated. advisor is Baker.