Date/Time
Date(s) - February 25, 2016
7:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Location
Trinity Western University
Categories No Categories
Full Professor Inaugural Lecture of Angela Konrad – “ Confessions of a Drama Queen: How Theatre Can Change the World”
Whenever I talk to someone who doesn’t attend theatre, it takes several attempts to explain my existence. Once I make clear that what I do and care about is not movies, mega-musicals, or the road production of a Broadway hit, I am frequently left looking at a blank and nodding face emitting an indeterminate sound intended to communicate comprehension. The truth is, few people attend theatre and even fewer understand it.
Theatre’s place in academia is equally uncertain. A strange discipline that seems to have more in common with extra-curricular sports than serious intellectual pursuits, theatre is at best seen as ‘fun’ or ‘entertaining’ but certainly not essential. And given the longstanding mistrust of theatre by the Church, the presence of a theatre department and theatre artists within a faith-based University is nothing short of perplexing.
What on earth has theatre to offer the university? The Christian Church? Culture as a whole? In my lecture, I will begin to answer these questions, explaining why I believe acting training should be part of the core curriculum (especially at a Christian University) and how, properly practiced, theatre can indeed change the world. With any luck, it will also be entertaining.
Biography: Angela Konrad – Chair, Department of Theatre
Angela began teaching part-time at TWU in 1993, and accepted a tenure-track appointment in 2001. Her primary teaching areas are acting and directing, as well as directing at least one show each year as part of the SAMC Theatre season. Angela obtained a BA in Theatre from a small liberal arts college in Iowa, went on to graduate theological studies at Regent College, and received her MFA in Directing from the University of Victoria.Angela received an Ovation Award nomination for Outstanding Direction for SAMC Theatre’s The Drowsy Chaperone, which was also nominated for Outstanding Production and Outstanding Set Design. For Pacific Theatre, Angela has directed Emil Sher’s Mourning Dove, Arlene Hutton’s Last Train to Nibroc, Marsha Norman’s Traveler in the Dark, and Craig Wright’s Grace, which won Jessie Awards for Outstanding Production and Direction. Her production of Jesus Hopped the ‘A’ Train for Glass City Theatre, won three Jessie Awards, including Outstanding Production. Up next: Margaret Edson’s funny and moving Pulitzer Prize-winner Wit at Pacific Theatre in May. Angela is immensely grateful for her husband Wilf and daughters Delaney and Franklyn whose love and support make everything possible.
7:30 – 9:30 pm, Freedom Hall, Robert N. Thompson Building, TWU
All are welcome, please RSVP to Shelby Muhic ([email protected]) no later than Friday, February 19, 2016