Peter Ukpokodu, Ph.D., the Roy A. Roberts Distinguished Professor in African & African-American Studies, will present his Distinguished Professor inaugural lecture, "Statements from an Interventionist Theatre Practice," at 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, at the Beren Petroleum Conference Center,

Slawson Hall G192. The lecture is free and open to the public, and will also be live-streamed.

"Statements from an Interventionist Theatre Practice"

Theatre and other arts have long been associated with the health of a community in a way that they purge and refine our emotional wellbeing, leaving us wholesome to approach and appreciate life with a new clarity of vision and purpose. My research for over twenty-five years in socio-political theatre has enabled me to include theatrical interventionism as a way of responding, and seeking resolution, to problematic issues in our shared humanity in order to continue to create a healthy and virile community, whether that community is local, national, international or global. I approach this from two main angles—as a creator of culture (through poetry, playwriting and directing), and as an interpreter of culture (through critical scholarship). In both, I have found it exhilarating working seamlessly within the two departments that are so close to my heart—African & African-American Studies, and Theatre & Dance, at the University of Kansas. In keeping with the tradition of a distinguished professor’s inaugural lecture, the focus will be about my research. - - Peter Ukpokodu, Ph.D.

Click HERE to register for the event.