GW faculty members Dr. Anna Jayne Kimmel and Sidney Williams, MFA, are collaborating on an event this Fall 2024 that engages stories from men on death row. The event, coordinated in affinity with the World Day Against the Death Penalty in October, will include a staged reading of Kenneth Reams' play "REND" alongside a panel discussion.
Students interested in participating should contact Dr. Kimmel (anna.kimmel@gwu.edu) or Professor Williams (sidwilliams@gwu.edu) by June 17 to learn more. Various roles are available, including actors, designers, and researchers.
"REND is a soul-staring compilation of first-person stories from dozens of men on death row across America. The monologue accounts outline an array of social issues that are often overlooked but clearly exist. REND poignantly illustrates the myriad of ways that society fails to protect and nurture the life and liberty interest of hidden voices while they were children, vulnerable and impressionable, innocence in the fullest sense of the word."
The event aims to explore themes of capital punishment, mental health, and youth experience. Student participation opportunities include:
- Graphic Designer
- Visual/Performing Artists whose work intersects with the event theme
- Public Policy (and/or Humanities/Social Sciences) students whose work intersects with the event theme
- Marketing and communications director
- (4-6) male-identifying actors for stage-reading
- Documentary film/photography for archiving and promotion
- Assistant Director
- Stage Manager
- (2) Event Crew
The organizers are open to other forms of participation as well. This project offers GW students a unique opportunity to engage with important social issues through the arts and humanities.
