Democracy in Performance to Re-Enacted Events in American History in Spirit of Hosting the Third Presidential Debate
Professional actors and Hofstra students will stage a series of historical re-enactments in-costume with relevance to the 2008 presidential election as part of a series of events leading up to Hofstra’s hosting of the third and final presidential debate on October 15.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Professional actors and Hofstra students will stage a series of historical re-enactments in-costume with relevance to the 2008 presidential election as part of a series of events leading up to Hofstra’s hosting of the third and final presidential debate on October 15. The Center for Civic Engagement is a co-host of Democracy in Performance on October 14, 2008 from 9:15 a.m. - 11 a.m. in John Cranford Adams Playhouse and 11:10 a.m. - 3:45 p.m. in tents on the South Campus quads. This event, part of Educate ’08, is a series of historical re-enactments reminiscent of the nineteenth century Chautauqua traveling educational performances.
“American democracy will come to life on our campus in live performance as fully costumed professional living history performers, assisted by our top student performers,” said Cynthia Bogard Ph.D., Director for the Center for Civic Engagement. “The performers will create a series of presentations that highlight pivotal moments in our nation’s history. We are excited to put on this extraordinary event which will be a wonderful addition to the history this debate will be making on our campus.”
This event grew out of an Educate ’08 class taught by taught by Professor of Performance Studies and Communication Lisa Merrill, Ph.D., titled “Democracy in Performance.”
“I adapted the course with specific historic performances that would be resonant with current political issues as an Educate ‘08 course offering,” said Dr. Lisa Merrill. “With Dr. Bogard’s vision, it grew from an undergraduate course featuring students' historical outdoor performances in the Chautauqua style, to the large Democracy in Performance event.”
The keynote event will take place at John Cranford Adams Playhouse from 9:15 to 11 a.m. featuring Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Frederick Douglass talking about slavery, the civil war and the status of African Americans. Performances will continue in four tents on the South Campus quads re-enacting historical events and movements including the abolitionist movement, civil rights and women’s rights. In addition, Hempstead High School and Hempstead Accapella choirs will sing at the event.
For more information on including a complete schedule, please visit hofstra.edu/educate08.
On October 15, Hofstra University will host the third and final presidential debate of the 2008 election season. This debate, focused on domestic issues, will be televised live around the world.
Leading up to the debate and the 2008 election, Hofstra is proud to host Educate '08, an unprecedented series of lectures, conferences, artistic performances and exhibitions, town hall meetings and interactive forums focused on the issues, history and politics of presidential elections. Educate '08 provides our students, faculty and the entire surrounding community with access to the newsmakers, scholars and policymakers who have unique insight and knowledge of the American political system. Many of our programs and events are free and open to the public, and we encourage you to join us for what will be a fascinating series of events. During spring 2008's Educate '08 schedule, Hofstra hosted more than 30 events, including guests such as Mary Matalin and James Carville, David Gergen, William Kristol and Maureen Dowd, Charlie Cook, and many scholars, historians, journalists and policymakers.
Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students can choose from more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, as well as a School of Law. With a student-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, our professors teach small classes averaging 22 students that emphasize interaction, critical thinking and analysis. Hofstra offers a faculty whose highest priority is teaching excellence. The University also provides excellent facilities with state-of-the-art technology, extensive library resources and internship programs that match students’ interests and abilities with appropriate companies and organizations. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.
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