On Thursday, Feb. 2, Kent State University at Trumbull and its Faculty Lecture Series present “Shakespeare, Politics and the Revival of Empathy” by Dr. Peter Byrne, Kent State University at Trumbull Associate Professor of English.
This is the tenth year Byrne will write the script for the Shakespeare Theatre Company’s annual “Will on the Hill” benefit in Washington D.C. The performance brings together volunteers from the government (mostly members of Congress, both the House and the Senate) as well as national media, lobbyists and corporate sponsors to perform an original one-performance play based on Shakespeare and infused with comedic references to contemporary politics. Last year’s performance raised over $500,000 for artistic, education and community outreach programs to bring Shakespeare to in-need schools in the area.
“Writing the play this year, when Washington and the country are going through such divisive--not to say combative--times, has presented me with a serious challenge in writing what's supposed to be a light comedy about current events,” Byrne said. “But Shakespeare's language--his values--his empathy--offer not just comfort, but a solution to our times.”
The lecture series event, which is free and open to the public, begins at 6:00 p.m. and will be held in the Kent State Trumbull Theatre, 4314 Mahoning Ave. NW in Warren. Attendees are encouraged to register for the event at http://tinyurl.com/KSUTFLS.
For additional, visit www.kent.edu/trumbull.