Release Date: August 27, 2009
Innovative one-man show comes to Kennesaw State University
For media inquiries: Cheryl Anderson Brown, Director of Public Relations,
770-499-3417 or cbrown@kennesaw.edu
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KENNESAW, Ga.—The Kennesaw State University Department of Theatre and Performance Studies will present for its annual "The Spoken Word!" event a unique one-man performance: E. Patrick Johnson’s "Pouring Tea: Black Gay Men of the South Tell Their Stories." The live performance readings will be held on Sept. 18 and 19 at 8 p.m. in the Performance Hall of the Dr. Bobbie Bailey & Family Performance Center.
E. Patrick Johnson, professor of performance studies and African American studies, and director of graduate studies at Northwestern University, will perform excerpts from his book “Sweet Tea: Black Gay Men of the South—An Oral History,” published by the University of North Carolina Press in August 2008. Copies of Johnson's book will be available for purchase at the event, with a book signing following the Sept. 18 performance. Johnson, who earned his Ph.D. in speech communication from Louisiana State University, is both a successful scholar and a talented artist. He has published in areas of gender, race and sexuality while developing these issues through national and international performances.
Johnson is currently touring the country, performing the oral histories of black, gay men who were born, raised and continue to
live in the South. Ranging in age from 19 to 93, the men featured in the book are from
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"Pouring Tea" in performance |
15 states, including Atlanta and its surrounding communities, and highlights modern-day issues and topics, as Johnson collected data for this particular book between 2004 and 2006.
The event’s coordinator, Assistant Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies Hannah Harvey, says, “Part of the purpose of this work is to bring forth marginalized stories to wider audiences, but also to bring them back to the communities out of which they come.” The performance presents an opportunity to observe Johnson’s innovative work in the field of performance studies and to “experience what is new and upcoming in theater,” according to Harvey.
Knowledge of the narratives featured in the book is not necessary to appreciate and enjoy Johnson’s performance. “The performance stands alone as both accessible and entertaining,” says Harvey.
To purchase tickets, visit www.kennesaw.edu/arts or call the box office at 770-423-6650. The performances will be followed by a book signing and copies of the book will be available for purchase at the event.
This event may not be suitable for all audiences.
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A member of the 35-unit University System of Georgia, Kennesaw State University is a comprehensive, residential institution with a growing student population of more than 21,000 from 142 countries. The third-largest university in Georgia, Kennesaw State offers more than 65 graduate and undergraduate degrees, including new doctorates in education and business.
The KSU College of the Arts is one of only four Georgia institutions to have achieved full national accreditation for all of its arts programs.