Dead Man Walking Book Club At ASC (09-02-05)
The Adams State College Theatre program announced its participation in the national Dead Man Walking School Theatre Project. Partnering with Sister Helen Prejean and the Death Penalty Discourse Center, ASC is among the first schools in the country selected to present the powerful new play Dead Man Walking.
Many events will revolve around the production in the spring. One of the most exciting aspects of the project will be a Dead Man Walking Book Club featuring Prejean's award-winning book that inspired the film and new play.
A volunteer committee has been working for weeks to organize a community-based book club.
"During February and March, I hope that people will come together to read and discuss Sister Prejean's book in homes, schools, and churches across our valley," said Dr. John Taylor, associate professor of Theatre. "With her (Prejean) visit to Alamosa, this is a great opportunity to read the book, meet the author, and see the play."
All interested individuals and organizations are invited to participate in this unique effort.
"In the cold months of winter, we will have an incredible chance to meet with old friends and make new ones while reading a book and discussing some very important issues about the nature of justice in our country," said Taylor. "The death penalty is a complex issue and all opinions and perspectives are definitely encouraged."
And he adds that the work deals with many other issues.
"Both the book and play are as much about the need for reconciliation and forgiveness in our daily lives as they are about the death penalty," said Taylor. "Dead Man Walking is an amazing story about the power of redemption from a faith-based perspective."
If you would like to learn more about participating in the Dead Man Walking Book Club, please contact Taylor at 587-7382.
In addition to the book club, the Adam State Theatre is working with individuals and organizations throughout the San Luis Valley to provide opportunities for the community to engage in an extended conversation about the issues raised in the play, including: sister Helen Prejean will attend the opening night production and participate in a post-show talkback and other campus events; a Dead Man Walking Film Series hosted by ASC Student Life; a one-day symposium examining how various religions view forgiveness and reconciliation sponsored by ASC Campus Ministries; a photography and art exhibition sponsored by Victim/Offender; Reconciliation of Alamosa; An audience created public art in the lobby of the theatre; and an original dance will be performed in conjunction with the play.
"It is a great honor that our theatre program was selected to participate in this national endeavor," said Taylor. "Over the next few years, hundreds of colleges will be staging the play and we are among the first to get to do this remarkable new work."
Adapted from the award-winning book and film, Dead Man Walking, actor and director Tim Robbins has written an extraordinary drama that explores issues of justice, forgiveness, and reconciliation. The production will be in performance during the last two weeks of April, 2006.
