February 4, 2010: News & Views

Performance artist Tim Miller will come to campus for workshops with students of the Sagan Fellows class “Political/Social Cabaret.”

Photo by Leo Garcia

Sagan Fellows Course Features Cabaret Performances
Studying ‘Political/Social Cabaret’ of the 20th-21st centuries

The literature, history, and practice of 20th and 21st century political/social cabaret and agit-prop theatre are being studied in the classroom this semester by students in Ohio Wesleyan’s “Political/Social Cabaret” class taught by Associate Professor of Theatre and Dance Ed Kahn. This Sagan Fellows course will allow students to carry theory into practice as each develops his or her on-stage persona for the cabaret performances.

The students will have a unique opportunity to develop their performance skills in workshops with Los Angeles-based performance artist Tim Miller, who will be in residency on campus during the week of February 15.

Miller is known for his solo performances that reflect on his life as a gay man. He will perform his newest solo show “Lay of the Land” during a free public performance at Chappelear Drama Center at 8 p.m. February 18. This show, which is intended for mature audiences, is about his views of the gay marriage rights issues in California. Although admission is free, reservations are requested by calling (740) 368-3846.

The Ohio Wesleyan “Political/Social Cabaret” class students will create their own cabaret performances that evolve from the workshops with Miller at 8 p.m. February 20 in Chappelear Drama Center. Admission is free to this event. The students will write and perform additional cabaret performances with their own contemporary political and social material during weekly cabarets to be held April 5, 12, 19 and 26 at 9 p.m. in Chappelear Drama Center. The students will also be involved with all aspects of the production.

“One thing that really makes me love this class is that you get the chance to do everything: writing, directing, serving coffee, acting, playing a musical instrument—whatever your heart desires,” first year student Andrea Kraus explains. Kraus attended a performing arts high school, and plans to major in theatre and use theatre for activism after she graduates from OWU.

A few class members recently attended a performance of the San Francisco Mime Troupe, and were able to discuss their OWU class with the performers. “They were very impressed that such a class as ours existed,” Kraus says. “They were very supportive of what we were doing.”

To create a cabaret-like atmosphere at the performances in April, the students plan to serve food and beverages. They are seeking donations of “unique mugs” that can be used to hold drinks for those attending the cabarets. If you have a unique mug to donate, please drop it off at the theatre department office between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.

– Linda O’Horo