International storyteller Eddie Kerr headlines Humanities Week
International storyteller, playwright, and arts facilitator Eddie Kerr will give a multimedia performance, “Writing the Wrongs: Art as Healing,” on Thursday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. in the Recital Salon in Squires Student Center.
The headliner for Commonwealth Humanities Endowment Week, Kerr’s presentation focuses on the strong contribution of the arts to the healing process, particularly in Northern Ireland. Kerr’s lecture will examine the role of classical and contemporary Irish Theatre in reflecting the need for reconciliation and healing. Kerr last performed at Virginia Tech in 2002 as “The Bard of Erin,” telling Irish folktales and myths.
A native of Northern Ireland, Kerr is known for his involvement in creative writing, storytelling, broadcasting, and drama throughout Europe and the United States. He utilizes drama to work with people who have a range of social and personal problems. “One in Four,” a play and film on mental health; “It's like this,” a school-based production on bullying and teenage pregnancy; and “Under Pressure,” a play and film on teenage suicide, have extensively toured Ireland. The productions are accompanied by interactive workshops for the audiences.
In 2003, Kerr was awarded the freedom of Derry in recognition of his great contributions to the Northern Ireland arts community. Kerr is also noted for his accomplishment as the only Irishman living outside of the United Sates to be formally decorated as a Commissioned Kentucky Colonel.
Kerr’s presentation is sponsored by the Humanities Program, the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the Department of Theatre Arts. The performance event is free and open to the public. For more information, call 549-231-9593. Parking is free in the Squires Student Center lot, located at the corner of College Avenue and Otey Street, and the Shultz Hall lot, located off Alumni Mall near the main campus entrance on Main Street.
The College of Liberal Arts and Human Sciences embraces the arts, humanities, social and human sciences, and education. The college nurtures intellect and spirit, enlightens decision-making, inspires positive change, and improves the quality of life for people of all ages. It is home to the departments of apparel, housing and resource management, communication, educational leadership and policy studies, English, foreign languages and literatures, history; human development, interdisciplinary studies, music, philosophy, political science, ROTC, science and technology in society, sociology, teaching and learning, and theatre arts.
