Transformational Art in an Era of Alternative Truth
The Institute for Theatre and Social Change (ITSC) at the USC School of Dramatic Arts, in partnership with Roski School of Art and Design and the California African American Museum, is hosting its first annual conference at USC from April 12 – 14, 2018, on the theme Radical Fictions: Transformational Art in an Era of Alternative Truth. World-renowned scholars, artists, and activists are invited to share performances, presentations, exhibits, workshops, and panels dedicated to exploring expressive and interactive art as a tool of social change, particularly challenged in recent history to cut through the miasma of fake news and distorted messaging from dominant organizations such as government, news, and social media outlets.
Augusto Boal’s paradigm-shifting global body of work known as Theatre of the Oppressed provides an ethical framework for shaping this social, political, and therapeutic dialogue about the usefulness of art as, in his words, “a rehearsal for the revolution”.
Location is on USC University Park Campus UPC), at the California African American Museum, just south of UPC, and at Ebony Repertory Theatre in the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center on Washington Blvd.
Admission is free. RSVP for each event separately (below).
April 12 Keynote Dialogue (RSVP Click Here) w/ Bryonn Bain, Patrisse Khan-Cullors, Ange-Marie Hancock Alfaro, Jody Armour, Brent Blair and featuring the poetry of Father Amde Hamilton. 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. at the California African American Museum.
April 13 Performing Radical Fictions (RSVP Click Here) featuring a short devised Theatre of the Oppressed piece on themes of racism in America, followed by a full production of Brandon Jacobs-Jenkins’ An Octoroon. 7:00 – 10:00 p.m. at the California African American Museum.
April 14 Plenary Dialogue (RSVP Click Here) featuring artist Suzanne Lacy and performer Richard Montoya of Culture Clash. 9:30 – 11:00 a.m. at Joyce J. Cammilleri Hall, USC Campus.
April 14 Breakout Sessions (Details and RSVP’s Click Here) featuring workshops, presentations, and panels on the theme of Radical Fictions: Transformational Art in an Era of Alternative Truth. Ongoing, 11:30 – 5:30 p.m. in the McClintock Building (MCC) on USC Campus.
April 14 Performance: Lyrics from Lockdown (RSVP Click Here), Bryonn Bain’s acclaimed one person show. 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. at Ebony Repertory Theatre in the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, Washington Blvd. ONE NIGHT ONLY.
