About the Workshop
Beyond Theater of Witness Workshop with Fiona Gallagher, Lee Lavis, Anne Walker and Robin Young
Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 3:30-5:00 p.m.
Via Zoom (To register, click here.)
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Beyond Theater of Witness will host a virtual peacebuilding workshop on Wednesday, November 20, 2024, from 3:30-5:00 p.m. via Zoom. The workshop is free and open to Appalachian State University students, faculty and staff. To register, click here. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
Using audio visual material combined with a participatory virtual workshop, this transformative event will enable participants to witness the Northern Irish conflict from the perspective of those involved and participate in the ongoing processes of peacebuilding. Participants will also gain transformative skills in communicating across deep political divides.
The workshop is sponsored by Appalachian State's Center for Judaic, Holocaust and Peace Studies; Department of English; Department of Interdisciplinary Studies; Department of Languages, Literatures and Cultures; Honors College; Office of International Programs and Watauga Residential College.
Questions can be directed to the event organizers: Dr. Jessica Martell, associate professor in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, via email at martelljl@appstate.edu or Dr. Belinda Walzer, associate professor in the Department of English, via email at walzerbl@appstate.edu.
About Beyond Theater of Witness
Beyond Theater of Witness is a group of four inspiring post-conflict storytellers from Northern Ireland who relate their conflict associated experiences of the Northern Ireland Troubles from different “sides” of the conflict: from retired members of state organizations to former combatants, each victims and survivors of violence and aggression in its various forms. They seek not only to relate their accounts of conflict but to actively encourage others to share and learn from their experiences.
In the News
Theater of Witness
Theater of Witness is an innovative form of testimonial theater developed by founder and artistic director, Teya Sepinuck, in 1986 in which the true stories of people whose voices haven’t been heard in society are shaped into original theater and films performed by the people themselves. The performers share their own true stories of trauma, marginalization, resilience and transcendence.
"Anne and Kathleen"
Featured excerpts and highlights from Anne Walker and Kathleen Gillespie’s parts from the original Theater of Witness production, "I Once Knew a Girl," produced by The Playhouse in Derry, Northern Ireland, in 2010. Directed by Teya Sepinuck.
BBC News: "How to Disagree Well: Two Close Friends Who Have Reason to Hate Each Other"
Fiona Gallagher and Lee Lavis have good reason to hate each other - but have become close enough to regard each other as brother and sister. It's a friendship which they believe has much to teach others, writes the BBC's Hugh Levinson.
BBC Sounds: "A Guide to Disagreeing Better"
Why do we hold our opponents in contempt? Former politician Douglas Alexander believes that disagreement is good, it's how the best arguments get refined. But, today, public discourse has become so ill-tempered, snide and lacking in respect that we are no longer engaged in a battle of ideas but a slanging match. He talks to people with personal tales about how we might all raise our game and disagree better, among them a relationship counsellor, an ex-soldier, a peace broker and a foster mother. Their tips? Civility is not enough. And knowledge is essential, as well as radical honesty, fierce intimacy and openness. So, dial down the rhetoric, rein in the insults - they will persuade no-one that your opinion is worth listening to - and pay attention.
Left to right: Lavis, Young, Martell, Walker, Gallagher and Walzer