Walker honored with University Players tribute

Helen Sarah Walker will be honored March 30 in a musical tribute by her friends and peers, the University Players. Walker, who had just completed her junior year at IU, was killed in an automobile accident last May. \n"Closer Than Ever," a compilation of Broadway songs celebrating Walker's life, will be performed at the Willkie Auditorium at 8 p.m. Juniors Ann Aurbach and Gilana Alpert coordinated the program to celebrate Walker and the joy she brought to their lives.\n"It started out as a tribute about her, but it has become a tribute to her," Alpert said. "We don't want it to be another upsetting thing -- it's a celebration of her life. We want to bring to others the joy she brought to us."\nAurbach believes it's important to remember what an integral part of the community Walker was. \n"We're doing this because we care so much for her," she said. "Even if you didn't know her, you'll be able to feel her warmth." \nThe program begins with a group performance of the title song, "Closer than Ever," includes one duet and several solos, and ends with a group performance of "Season of Love."\n"One thing we said was to try to find upbeat songs," Alpert said. "We didn't want this to be ballad after crying ballad. There are some songs that are really going to rip at the heartstrings, but there are some that are lighter."\nGeorge Pinney, faculty member from the Department of Theatre & Drama, will also speak at the program. He and Walker worked together on several musicals. \nMembers of the cast and crew belong to the University Players, of which Walker was a board member for more than two years.\n"Our mission is to provide theatrical opportunities specifically to undergraduates," said senior Sara Bancroft, University Players Managing Director. "We put together a season of about three shows a year. We decided this was one of the things we wanted to do this season. We wanted to hold a celebration for her, and we wanted to benefit the (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) chapter locally."\nThe public is welcomed and encouraged to attend. \n"We want as many people to experience this as possible, so we're not going to charge a fee," Alpert said.\nThough admission is free, Alpert said donations to the Bloomington chapter of MADD would be appreciated.\n"The main thing we want to emphasize is that this event, although it is named for Helen, is also commemorating other victims of drunk driving as well," said junior Blake Wilson, University Players Artistic Director. "The money is going straight to MADD." \nAurbach said the University Players appreciate the chance to give back to the community. \n"This is something that we like to do, and we finally have a purpose for it," she said. "We just want to open the eyes of the community here and we hope to give back to the community. We want to make it a safe community for all of us."\nAlpert said she hopes attendees will take away a little more personal responsibility for themselves and the situations they find themselves in.\n"It only takes one person on one night making a bad decision," she said, "and you can lose someone who you love"