Center for Civic Engagement
Hofstra University
Center for Civic Engagement
the Hofstra Cultural Center
and the
Office of the Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs
present
Democracy in Performance 2012
Monday, October 15, 2012
in conjunction with the 2012 Presidential Debate at Hofstra University
American democracy comes to life on our campus as student and professional actors, dancers and musicians create a series of performances that highlight pivotal moments in our nation’s history. A variety of events will explore immigration, workers’ issues, the Great Depression, the struggle for the abolition of slavery and voting and civil rights, and the concerns and treatment of veterans.
Middle and high school classes studying American history and social issues are especially encouraged to attend.
Performances primarily take place between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., indoors and outdoors.
Typically, classes will be able to attend 2 to 3 performances.
Seating is limited. Save the date, make your reservation, and book your buses now!
All events are free and open to the general public.
Online registration and descriptions of individual events coming shortly.
What is Democracy in Performance?
In the tradition of chautauqua, a series of edifying and entertaining lectures and performances, Democracy in Performance presents interactive living history scholar/performers recreating vital speeches and public discourse that shaped our nation. Chautauqua, called “the most American thing in America” by Teddy Roosevelt, began in 1874 in western New York and spread across the country through traveling circuits that brought discussions of culture and issues of the day to tents in small towns. Infused with a spirit of moral uplift and democratic ideals, chautauqua (as a generic term for lectures that educate and entertain) is performed today by humanities scholars playing the roles of historical figures who spoke out—or might have—in the chautauqua tents of the early twentieth century. For Hofstra’s Democracy in Performance, students should come prepared to ask questions of the scholar/performers, who will answer in character.
For more information, contact Professor Cynthia Bogard at 516-463-5640 or via email.
Democracy in Performance Schedule of Events
Classes will be guided to the venues they choose. Each class should choose 2-3 events.
Tent space will be provided from 11:15 onwards for a lunch break but students may bring and eat lunch at any of the outdoor venues. Most events are outside though the tents have side flaps in case of rain.
| 9:05 a.m | 1 Slave and Free: The Story of Sojourner Truth Annette Grevious as Sojourner Truth Special Guests: Performers from Claflin University, Orangeburg, South Carolina Location: Adams Playhouse |
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10:00 a.m. |
2 Escaped Slaves' Stories and the Fight for Abolition
Location: Tent |
3 Tales from the Great Depression
Location: Tent |
4 The Promised Land: Immigration to America |
5 A Century of Struggle:
Location: Tent |
|
11:15 a.m. – 12:40 p.m. |
6 Democracy Dance Location: Adams |
7 Veterans United for their Rights: The Bonus Army Original play by Isaac Rathbone |
8 Workers: Tragedy and Triumph
Location: Tent |
9 Civil Rights and the birth of the NAACP Location: Tent |
|
12:50 p.m. – 1:45 p.m. |
10 Resistance to Jim Crow through poetry and music
Poetry performed by Location: Cultural Center Theater |
CANCELED
|
12 Child Labor in the |
13 JFK and the
Location: Tent |
| 2:55 p.m. – 4:20 p.m. |
Civil Rights and the Birth of the NAACP Location: Tent |
Veterans United for their Rights: The Bonus Army Original play by Isaac Rathbone |
Workers: Tragedy and Triumph
Location: Tent |
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