Date: Feb 11, 2011

Hofstra Department of Drama and Dance and the Hofstra Cultural Center Present "Into Sunlight: The Impact of War on the Social Body, From the Vietnam Era to the Present"

April 14-16, 2011

Featuring Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist David Maraniss; Psychologist and Author Edward Tick;
and Founder of the Continuum Movement Emilie Conrad
 
Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY … Hofstra University’s Department of Drama and Dance is partnering with the Hofstra Cultural Center to present a unique interdisciplinary conference and set of performances that look at the impact of war and violence on the human condition. Into Sunlight: The Impact of War on the Social Body, From the Vietnam Era to the Present will be held April 14, 15, and 16, 2011, and features lectures, panel discussions, speak-outs, art exhibits and performance events. These various presentations will offer diverse perspectives on war. Invited participants from a variety of fields – including history, political science, media, trauma studies, dance, somatic studies, visual art and theater – will engage the audience in active dialogue addressing current conditions of war through the historical lens of the Vietnam Era.
 
Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist David Maraniss is the conference keynote speaker. His book, They Marched Into Sunlight, focuses on two days in October 1967, exploring the effects of violence on both those in battle and those at home desperately searching for peace. This book inspired Hofstra dance faculty member Robin Becker to initiate this conference and to develop Into Sunlight, an evening-length dance piece, that will serve as a focal point of the three day event.  Professor Becker is developing the dance piece with six professional dancers who are graduates of Hofstra.         

Another conference highlight is the world premiere of a new theatrical work, titled Undeclared History, directed by conference co-chair and professor of drama and dance Cindy Rosenthal. Hofstra’s Department of Drama and Dance commissioned Isaac Rathbone, a Hofstra alumnus and co-founder of Oracle Theatre, to write this original play, set on the Hofstra campus. The script is drawn from the oral histories of Hofstra alums during the Vietnam era – veterans, activists, journalists, and faculty.
 
In addition to Mr. Maraniss, other distinguished guests include:

Psychologist and the author of War and Soul Edward Tick. He is founding director of Soldier's Heart: Veteran's Safe Return Programs. Honored for his groundbreaking work in the holistic and community-based healing of veteran's and Post-Tramatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Dr. Tick has been a psychotherapist for 33 years, specializing in working with veterans since the 1970s.

Emilie Conrad, Somatic pioneer and founder of Continuum Movement, has been a featured teacher, lecturer and keynote speaker.  She is the author of Life on Land,  and leads workshops throughout the United States, Canada, Europe and Israel. Continuum Movement has proven to be beneficial in the treatment of trauma and spinal cord injury. Conrad was born and raised in New York City where she studied ballet and Afro-Haitian dance.  In 1963 she began teaching at the Actors Studio, and her novel approach to movement enriched performing artists and led to choreographing and directing many plays and performance works. 

More information on Into Sunlight, including the forthcoming itinerary for the three days, a list of guest speakers, fees, and tickets for Undeclared History and the dance concert, will be posted www.hofstra.edu/culture (click on “Into Sunlight”).  All details, as they become available, will be posted on that Web page. Details are also available by calling the Hofstra Department of Drama and Dance at (516) 463-5444.

Related Link: "Into Sunlight"