It’s election season once again, but the political fun continues even after votes are cast.
On Thursday, Nov. 9, Washington University’s Performing Arts Department (PAD) in Arts & Sciences will host “Playwrights and Politics: Two Acts on the National and International Scene.” The symposium will examine the nature of political theatre and the impact of the arts on national and international politics.
The event — organized by Carter W. Lewis, playwright-in-residence in the PAD — begins at 3:30 p.m. with a reception for the participants. At 4 p.m. Lewis will moderate a panel discussion on “Writing Politically in America,” followed at 5 p.m. by an open discussion on “Global Work.”
Panelists include Michael Bigelow Dixon, literary manger for the Guthrie Theatre in Minneapolis; and Liz Engelman, past president of Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of The Americas and the former literary manager for the McCarter Theatre, ACT Seattle.
Other panelists include Dennis Brown, theatre critic for The Riverfront Times; Ron Himes, the Henry E. Hampton Jr. artist-in-residence in the PAD and artistic director of The Black Repertory Theatre of St. Louis; and Joan Lipkin, artistic director of That Uppity Theatre Company, St. Louis.
“Recently, in the world of politics, truth has lodged itself in the eye of the beholder,” Lewis said. “Trying to decipher our country’s actions in volatile political times has sent citizens scurrying to their ideological corners. I think the arts, theater specifically, can help us to see thru the grey areas and begin to understand the chasm between us.”
Lewis is currently writing his own politically charged work, civil disobedience, which examines the relationship between Fred, a former Supreme Court justice plagued by personal and professional doubts, and Diane, his rebellious libertarian daughter. The play, which will premiere in February, was commissioned by the PAD as part of a season highlighting original work by WUSTL alumni, faculty and students.
“Playwrights and Politics” is free and open to the public and takes place in the A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre, located in the Mallinckrodt Student Center, 6445 Forsyth Blvd. RSVPs are requested. For more information, email carterwl@earthlink.net.
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WHO: Performing Arts Department in Arts & Sciences WHAT: Symposium, “Playwrights and Politics: Two Acts on the National and International Scene” WHEN: 3:30 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9 WHERE: A.E. Hotchner Studio Theatre, Mallinckrodt Student Center, 6445 Forsyth Blvd. COST: Free INFORMATION: carterwl@earthlink.net |