2000s

 

Forum Series

 

Dave Pelzer

 

Dave Pelzer is the author of the world renowned book A Child Called "It". This lecture focused on child abuse and the workings of social services. He emphasized the importance of educators, social services, and law enforcement in shaping children's lives.

Howard Zinn

 

Howard Zinn's lecture was on the subject of objectivity and biases. The main theme of Zinn's lecture was that there is no such thing as objectivity, because everything is done with a specific purpose in mind. He encouraged people to state their perspecitves on topics but to keep in mind that societal and personal biases do exist. Zinn also connected objectivity to education and courses. 

 

"The world is already moving in certain directions-many of them horrifying. Children are going hungry, people are dying in wars. To be neutral in such a situtation is to collaborate with what is going on."

 

James Randi

 

James Randi was a magician and escape artist that performed around the world. Similar to the current  Penn & Teller: Fool Us show he would travel to test claims of magicians and supernatural events. He would then explain how these tricks were made possible.

Paul Rusesabagina

 

Paul Rusesabagina was the manager of a hotel in Rwanda in 1994. He sheltered over 1,200 people in the hotel during the Rwanda genocide. In 2005 he established the Hotel Rusesabagina Foundation in order to financially assist children of women who have been affected by genocide in the Sub-Sahara region of Africa. He made it his mission to educate people around the world about the consquences of genocide.

Jodie Sweetin

 

Jodie Sweetin was best known for her role as Stephanie in the hit tv series Full House. She discussed her life during and after the series. Growing up she questioned whether other children liked her for herself or because of her fame. The second part of the discussion was on the introduction of alcohol and drugs in her life. The turning point was when she was rushed to the hospital for an overdose, which led her to seek treatment in rehab.

Robert Sapolsky

 

Robert Sapolsky was a neurobiologist that studied the effects of stress. In his lecture he compared stress effects and responses in humans and animals. He also mentioned how psychological and external factors are linked to stress and can even contribute to making the stress last longer. Stress also affects other systems in the body, such as the cardiovascular, immune, and nervous systems. Sapolsky suggested keeping things in perspective in order to decrease stress levels.

 

Artist Series

 

Odadaa

 

Odadaa was a song and dance group from Ghana that was formed in 1982. They combined local African music with theatrical art. Each piece of the production, the art, dance, and customes all had a specific prupose to engage with the audience.

Play "Driving Miss Daisy"

 

The play Driving Miss Daisy won a Pulitzer Prize with its message of addressing prejudice and pride in American society. The play takes place at the end of the 1940s to the beginning of the 1970s. It follows the lives of Daisy Werthan, an old widow, and her chauffeur Hoke Coleburn. The story follows how their relationship changes overtime through each decade.

National Theatre of the Deaf play "Oh, Figaro!"

 

"Oh, Figaro" was presented in both English and American Sign Language (ASL) as a courtesy by the National Theatre of the Deaf. This Tony award winning romatic comedy was inspired by two French pieces - "The Barber of Seville" and "The Marriage of Figaro". This storyline follows a young man traveling to the Hamptons and find love during the journey.

Ragamala Music and Dance Theater

 

Ragamala Music and Dance Theater: From Temple to Theater portrays the transformation of Bharatanatyam. Bharatanatyam is an ancient classical dance style found in India. This specific style of dance can be found in the southern region of India and was taught in Hindu temples two thousand years ago.

Ballet "Gran Folklórico de México"

 

Ballet "Gran Folklórico de México" focused on Mexican songs, dances, and culture. These forms of entertainment combined ancient and modern Mexican music and dance. It drew heavily on Indigenous styles, such as ancient Mayan, Otomis, and Aztec. 

James Sewell Ballet

 

The James Sewell Ballet performed for the Artist Series twice within a ten year period. The ballets were performed in three forms - American Sign Language, classical ballet, and opera. Combining these forms of art was an innovative way to introduct the art of opera to the audience.

 

Recurring Event: Public Figures

 

Public Figures

 

Many of the guest lectureers and events held by the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire in Zorn Arena are public figures. Public figures have made social, cultural, and political impacts on American society and the world. All of them have the same underlining goal: to enact change.