Renowned musicologist Matthew Morrison discusses his recent research, which historicizes the rise of American popular music, performance, and race in the nineteenth century. His talk centers on Blacksound, which Morrison uses as a foil to demonstrate how popular entertainment, culture, and identity have been shaped by the legacy of blackface minstrelsy in and beyond the United States.
The world knows Stacey Abrams as a political leader, founder of the nonprofit Fair Fight Action, and New York Times bestselling author. Ms. Abrams’ tireless commitment to promote nonviolent change via the ballot box recently earned her a Nobel Peace Prize nomination. Lesser known is her creative work as an award-winning author (often using the name of her alter-ego, Selena Montgomery) of eight romantic suspense novels and several non-fiction works. Following the presentation of the Otis Social Justice Award, Abrams will join Artist-in-Residence Joe Wilson, Jr. to have a conversation about the powerful and transformative roles storytellers hold in our society, and how her work as activist and author strengthen each other.
Jonathan Maniscalco has taught English to ESL learners in Japan, Spain, and New York City. A Massachusetts native, he is a graduate of Boston University and a stringer for the New England Review of Books. Ten Stories to Manhood is his first published book. Via Zoom, registration required.
New York–based contemporary photographer Jon Henry discusses his career and work. Re-composed with Afro-American mothers and sons, Henry's photographs from his project Stranger Fruit uniquely reference Michelangelo's Pietà. This project responds to the frighteningly regular deaths of African American men through police violence. Via Zoom, registration required
Writer, performer, musician Jillian Walker will work with playwriting students to create a performance ritual drawing from her training as a dramaturg and fromBlack spiritual wisdom and liberation healing practices. Jillian's own plays and sacred texts for the theatre include SKiNFoLK: an American Show, Sarah's Salt, and Songs of Speculation. This will be a journey in facing collective truths and building community empathy. Via Zoom, registration required.
The phrase Lakou Sanblé connotes a gathering among friends and neighbors. During this live concert the band Eïa!: Christophe Césaire (composer, keyboard, guitar), Christel Coïta (singer), Carole Rosine (piano), and Jacques Bajal (bèlè drum) with special guest Mano Césaire (founder of Malavoi, violin) will perform traditional songs from Martinique, Guaudeloupe and French Guyane.
Kevin Huizenga presents a history of his work in comics and graphic novels including his Ignatz Award winning series Ganges. Huizenga discusses his experiences working on a serialized comic and the ins and outs of big and small publishing as well self promotion for artists. Via Zoom, registration required.
Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the X Series. Explore the process of building this initiative, which was conceived by the Department of Theatre and Dance in response to the challenges of our times. Student participants will be joined by members of the production team to provide an insider’s view into the making of this exciting virtual project. Via Zoom, registration required.
Join us for a conversation with artists Jessica Fuquay, Kara Güt, and jazsalyn from the 2021 Wheaton Biennial, an open-call exhibition focused on new media and juried by author and curator, Legacy Russell.
A freelance writer and editor, Rebecca Long reports on a wide range of topics, including politics, TV, film, literature, and environmental justice. Her writing has been featured in VICE, Bitch Media, Bust Magazine, and Electric Literature. Long’s essay about Stranger Things’ Jim Hopper was Bitch Media’s most-read article of 2019. She currently works as the Digital Content Editor at a women’s non-profit organization and previously held full-time editorial roles at National Geographic Learning and SAGE Publications. Via Zoom, registration required.
