University of Virginia Library

Street Theater
Protests War

The newly formed Guerrilla Theater
coalition at the University has been
staging non-verbal demonstrations around
the Grounds to protest the American air
war over Vietnam.

The street theater technique used by
the group is a graphic representation to
make moral points causing people to
think, according to a group spokesman.
They are hoping to shock and disgust
people back to reality who are "so into
being apathetic," and have pulled back
into their own private reality, said the
spokesman.

The group became active last week,
staging its first demonstration this past
weekend, most notably at the ROTC
troop review and Military Ball last
Saturday.

The technique creates a parody by
using upsetting contrasts. At a protest at
the Rotunda Restoration Luncheon
Friday, they used "whiteface"
greasepaint to create a death mask on a
Vietnamese girl, making her look beaten
up. The demonstrators ate from a table
set up with her on it. Those at the luncheon
were invited to join in.

The Guerrilla Theater coalition will
hold a meeting tonight at 9 p.m. in room
4B, Newcomb Hall. The group states that
interested students are invited to attend.