College of Humanities, Arts, and Sciences

Join us for a talkback with the Mad Forest company following the October 21 and 28 performances of Mad Forest.

Written and directed by Jennifer Cooley and Karen Mitchell.

Carne viva in Postville: Stories of Madres and Monarchs is an ethnodrama based on the testimonials of Guatemalan women living in Iowa who seek to survive in the aftermath of the May 12, 2008 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Postville. Carne viva provides a medium for voices that are often silenced or "undocumented." The play explores the role of women's creative work (such as weaving, cooking, and storytelling) as a constructive force that combats the destructive elements of the workplace environment, gender divisions, racism, and government policies regarding immigration. Creators and actors will draw spectators into the complex and interwoven world of global migration in the 21st century through post-performance talk-backs, where solutions seem as elusive as butterflies...

by Caryl Churchill

Directed by Cynthia Goatley 

Caryl Churchill’s Mad Forest places ordinary people into the churning realities of acting and defining revolution. With a wedding being planned, two families must navigate what should be a joyous occasion of union against the onslaught of threats, hearsay and chaos, that eventually topple a megalomaniacal regime. With similar events in Egypt not too distant, Churchill’s play, set in Romania during December 1989, presents a theatrical perspective on “revolution” that will speak to us all – as individuals, members of family and community, and citizens of the world. For more information, visit the Strayer-Wood Theatre web site.

The UNI Student Affiliates of the American Chemical Society are hosting a Halloween House, free and open to the public. People of all ages will enjoy watching witches make Gummy Bears scream, pirates who turn pennies to gold, imps who breathe fire and Dr. Frankenstein channel electricity. Guests are also welcome to make their own gak, slime and liquid nitrogen ice cream!

The School of Music will host Robert Duke, whose research on human learning and behavior spans multiple disciplines, including motor skill learning, cognitive psychology and neuroscience. His most recent work explores procedural memory consolidation and the cognitive processes engaged during musical improvisation. A former studio musician and public school music teacher, he has worked closely with children at-risk, both in the public schools and through the juvenile justice system. He is the author of Scribe 4 behavior analysis software, and his most recent books are Intelligent Music Teaching: Essays on the Core Principles of Effective Instruction.

Faculty artist and educator Amanda McCandless will offer a recital on clarinet featuring unaccompanied clarinet works by contemporary women composers. This event is free and open to the public.

Written and directed by Jennifer Cooley and Karen Mitchell.

Carne viva in Postville: Stories of Madres and Monarchs is an ethnodrama based on the testimonials of Guatemalan women living in Iowa who seek to survive in the aftermath of the May 12, 2008 Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Postville. Carne viva provides a medium for voices that are often silenced or "undocumented." The play explores the role of women's creative work (such as weaving, cooking, and storytelling) as a constructive force that combats the destructive elements of the workplace environment, gender divisions, racism, and government policies regarding immigration. Creators and actors will draw spectators into the complex and interwoven world of global migration in the 21st century through post-performance talk-backs, where solutions seem as elusive as butterflies...

by Caryl Churchill

Directed by Cynthia Goatley 

Caryl Churchill’s Mad Forest places ordinary people into the churning realities of acting and defining revolution. With a wedding being planned, two families must navigate what should be a joyous occasion of union against the onslaught of threats, hearsay and chaos, that eventually topple a megalomaniacal regime. With similar events in Egypt not too distant, Churchill’s play, set in Romania during December 1989, presents a theatrical perspective on “revolution” that will speak to us all – as individuals, members of family and community, and citizens of the world.For more information, visit the Strayer-Wood Theatre web site.

Through spoken word and music, Omekongo Dibinga, a poet, motivational speaker and positive rapper, presents "Violence in the Congo and Your Role in It" workshop.

Dr. Maureen McCue, Iowa Physicians for Social Responsibility will speak on these topics: "Coal and Your Health," "Local Energy Transition: A Look at the Options," and "Building the Political Will to Transition to Renewable Energy in the Cedar Valley."