Headline: Tim
Robbins' play leaps off the stage and moves through campuses across the country.
The Play Project is more than a performance of DEAD MAN WALKING.
It involves other elements of campus life and learning activities in addition
to drama and theatre: debates; art exhibits; symposia and special convocations;
classroom explorations of ethics, the meaning of justice, the possibility
of redemption; and many more.
Here are just a few of the on-campus initiatives that have been undertaken
in conjunction with the production of the play. If you have a story to tell,
contact us.
Immaculata Regional High School, Kelowna, British
Columbia, Canada
The first international production of DEAD MAN WALKING happened in British
Columbia at Immaculata Regional High School in late May, 2006. The purpose
behind the production of the play was to highlight a social justice issue
not just in their country, Canada, but worldwide. The death penalty was explored
by a student team, “Global Opportunities” (Team GO), made up of
students from all grade levels. The two leaders of the team were the stage
managers for the play production.
At a United Nations forum attended by GO members in September 2005 the issue
of capital punishment was explored for nations beyond the continent. The students
especially focused on children who have been convicted with death penalties
for various crimes, particularly in developing nations around the world.
Over the course of the academic year excitement built around the production
of the play culminating a year-long examination of the death penalty by many
classes. The local chapter of Amnesty International was aware of the school’s
year long focus and were invited to have a display alongside Team GO’s
display in the foyer during the productions of the play.
University of the Pacific in Stockton, CA
The Art Department at the University of the Pacific
in Stockton, CA hosted an art show featuring students art work from the spring
semester on the theme of the death penalty. This art show took place on the
final weekend of the play production and attended by university alumni and
benefactors.
Another academic collaboration was with the school’s literary/arts magazine,
“Calliope”. The magazine’s spring issue, featured works
of art and poetry on the theme of “refuge and release” in conjunction
with the play project. The issue was released on the weekend that Sister Helen
Prejean and Sister Maureen Fenlon visited the university to attend the final
performance of the play. The theatre studies class at East
Union High in nearby Manteca, CA studied the DEAD MAN WALKING
play script to coincide with the university’s production of the play.
Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus, OH
The students at Bishop Hartley High School in Columbus, OH have travelled
to Southern Ohio Correctional Facility to be a prayerful witness against state
sanctioned killings and then on April 10, 2006 visited their state representatives
to express their concerns and request a legislative change to end the death
penalty.
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Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project.
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