Thirteen Ohio Wesleyan University students studying the literature, history, and practice of 20th and 21st century political/social cabaret and agit-prop theatre will spend a week learning on-stage technique during workshops with nationally known performance artist Tim Miller.
The “Political/Social Cabaret” class is one of the unique opportunities offered at Ohio Wesleyan this semester through the university’s new Sagan Fellows courses, designed to blend theory and practice.
The students will write and perform their own contemporary political and social material, with their efforts culminating in weekly cabarets to be held April 5, 12, 19 and 26. The students also will showcase the results of their work with Miller at a free performance at 8 p.m. on February 20 in Chappelear Drama Center.
Miller, based in Los Angeles, is known for “saucy, sharp-knifed” solo performances that demonstrate his feelings on various topics. Miller will perform his newest solo show “Lay of the Land” during a free public performance at OWU’s Chappelear Drama Center at 8 p.m. on February 18. This show, intended for mature audiences, is about his views of “the up and down merry-go-round” of gay marriage rights in California. Although admission is free, reservations are requested by calling (740) 368-3846 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. weekdays.
“The workshops and class are wonderful opportunities for student to experience how social conscience can both inform performance and engage audiences,” said Ed Kahn, associate professor of Theatre and Dance, and course instructor.
Other Sagan Fellows courses offered at Ohio Wesleyan this semester include “Gender and the Immigrant Experience,” “The Vietnam Experience,” “International Competition and Cooperation in the Exploration of Space,” “Biofuels,” and “The Mexican Migration Experience.
