UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – The critically acclaimed courtroom drama "Defamation" is summoned to serve as the jury for a civil suit which includes the social issues of race, religion, gender, class and the law. Presented by the Schreyer Honors College, the play is scheduled for 7 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, in 112 Kern Building on Penn State's University Park campus. Admission is free, and doors open at 6:30 p.m. for first-come, first-served seating.
In addition to the Schreyer Honors College, sponsorship support from the Presidential Leadership Academy; the College of the Liberal Arts; Center for Character, Conscience, and Public Purpose; Center for Women Students; Office of the Vice Provost for Educational Equity; Hillel; the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer Ally Student Resource Center and Paul Robeson Cultural Center also makes possible the company’s first appearance in the state of Pennsylvania.
“Throughout our lives we will encounter people who are different from us in some way, and our ability to find commonalities, challenge our prejudices and show empathy, allows us to gain new perspectives,” said Schreyer Honors College Dean Christian M.M. Brady. “This play and the conversations activated by it have the potential to help us examine what we believe, think, tolerate and resist, and of those things, reflect on what we are willing to change.”
Written by Todd Logan, a playwright, filmmaker and national columnist, the play follows a civil suit where an African-American woman sues a Jewish real estate developer for defamation. Logan’s goal was to create a play that “encourages greater tolerance and understanding by spurring self-examination and promoting compelling civil discourse.”
The legal issue at the center of the drama is whether or not financial harm was caused after the woman was falsely accused of stealing a watch. The play and deliberations generate post-performance conversations about difficult issues as the judge asks audience members to cast their votes either “for the plaintiff” or “for the defendant” twice, once before the deliberations begin and again afterward.
The trailer for "Defamation" can be viewed here. Additional scenes from the play are available here.
Sponsoring special events and lectures throughout the year for the campus, community and region, the Schreyer Honors College presents programs and initiatives in support of Penn State’s values and mission. The efforts to expand knowledge, enhance cultural understanding and engage individuals in beneficial conversations through such programming complement the educational experience.
The Schreyer Honors College promotes academic excellence with integrity, the building of a global perspective and creation of opportunities for leadership and civic engagement. Schreyer Honors Scholars, including Gateway Scholars admitted after their first or second year of enrollment, total more than 1,900 students at University Park and 20 Commonwealth campuses. They represent the top 2 percent of students at Penn State University who perform well academically and lead on campus.
NOTES FOR MEMBERS OF THE MEDIA:
During the play performance, taking photos or recording any audio or video is not permitted.
Schreyer Honors College Dean Christian Brady and Schreyer Honors College Coordinator of Diversity Melissa Doberstein will be available for in-person or phone interviews leading up to the play by contacting Rose Carter at 814-863-4560 or rcarter@psu.edu. Following the performance, Dean Brady, Doberstein, "Defamation" playwright and producer Todd Logan and cast members are available for photos and interviews.
Seats for this event are limited. Media members interested in attending are asked to RSVP to Rose Carter at the contact information above no later than 12 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6. Any seat reserved for the media that is not occupied fifteen minutes before the start of the performance will be released.
The Nittany Lion Deck with its entrance off Fischer Road offers the closest public parking area to the Kern Building. If any additional accommodations are required, contact Rose Carter at 814-863-4560 so arrangements may be made in advance of the performance date.