As some of you are aware, we have been working for some time to achieve a visit to the School of Drama and the Carnegie Mellon campus by Dr. John Kani, who will be visiting the Drama School from January 15 to 19.
I have attached a short biography for your review, but know first that this remarkable actor, director, playwright and humanitarian created one of the two roles in THE ISLAND, which he co-authored with Athol Fugard. His performance was subsequently honored in America with a Tony Award. (As I'm sure you'll recall, we produced the play in a shortened version earlier this
term.) He also served the reknowned Market Theatre in South Africa as Artistic Director for a very distinguished term.
I am aware that these dates fall on our first week back, but John goes into rehearsal for a play that will be produced in London and run until June.
Therefore he must leave to begin rehearsals on January 20.
Still we will have him on campus as our guest for almost a week -- which is a remarkable commitment of time. As Monday is Martin Luther King Day, he may participate in some of those observances if he is sufficiently rested from his trip from South Africa.
His first official duty is meeting with Sophomore Actors between 9 AM and 12 PM, on Tuesday.
We are offering a preparatory lecture on his importance to world theatre -- currently planned for the Chosky Theatre between 1:30 to 2:50. All Drama History students will attend. All others are welcome.
John Kani will give a University Lecture in the Chosky Theatre on Tuesday, January 16 at 4:30. This event is co-sponsored by the August Wilson Center, the President's Diversity Council, the office of the Dean of Student Affairs, and the President's Office. All Drama students are required to attend.
Option coordinators are working with me on confirming the rest of his schedule. Our goal is to have him interact with as many students as possible.
His non-apartheid theatre work includes performances in a series of Western plays both controversial and acclaimed - for example, HAMLET and OTHELLO both directed by actor and activist Janet Suzman which transferred to the Royal Shakespeare Company's Complete Works Festival.
I can't imagine a better start to 2007 than time spent with this extraordinary artist, whom I hope will be an inspiration to us all.
I extend every good wish for a peaceful, restorative and well deserved break. A great deal of very hard and worthwhile work has taken place in the Drama School this autumn.
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