Posted on Monday, October 19, 2009
¾¨Ó㴫ý students in the "Performing Peace" cluster wrote and performed "Never Again...Again," an original play, Oct. 15.
The cluster includes the classes "Theatre and Social Engagement," taught by Dr. Scott Mackenzie, associate professor of theatre, and "Peace Studies Seminar," taught by Dr. Sherri Pataki, assistant professor of psychology.
Students learned about the situation in Darfur in Pataki's class, then, with direction from Mackenzie, shaped it into a short play that intertwined an American family's slowly growing awareness and the challenges faced by Darfurian victims.
David Kellner, a senior biology major from Seneca, said, "This class has given me the chance to learn about issues that affect people around the world. The best part, for me, has been the opportunity to be part of the writing and development of a play from scratch."
Junior broadcast communications major Kayla Zoller from Rural Ridge is one of the choreographers. "I jumped right into the cluster without knowing much about where it would take me. I had never done anything with social work nor anything theatre-related besides church plays."
"I co-choreographed the opening dance scene and played the American mother," Zoller added. "Now that the play has taken shape, I feel that we, as a class, can--and will--make a difference. This class has put a lot into perspective, not only for me, but for many others in the class, as well. In high school, I had heard of wars in Africa but didn't do a lot to get involved. Now, I feel that I could go out and educate others about problems in Darfur and Sudan."
Nicholas McKolosky, a senior biology major from Johnstown, played the part of an activist who leads a peace rally and encourages a family to help the people of Darfur. "The movies and documentaries we watched about the genocide in Darfur and the violence against women in the Congo made the biggest impression on me. Going to the ARK House [a homeless shelter for women] for the first time really opened my eyes."
"This class has been a great experience," McKolosky said. "Not only has it opened my eyes to some major national and international problems with poverty, homelessness, violence, and genocide, I have become more aware from a theatrical perspective. Now, I am much more aware of what is going on in the world and have learned some techniques to help fight for the cause."
The class raised over $100 at the performance to purchase solar cookers for Darfurian refugees through Jewish World Watch's Solar Cooker Project. The cookers allow women to cook without having to gather firewood, a very dangerous task.
At ¾¨Ó㴫ý, a cluster is two linked courses taught by at least two faculty members from different disciplines to the same group of students, offering opportunities to integrate knowledge and to develop into a community of learners. All students are required to take at least one cluster.
Contact Mackenzie at (724) 946-6238 or e-mail mackensa@westminster.edu for additional information.
