ONLINE: Theater and the Mastery of Mind, Body and Spirit

media release: Talk will take place at https://www.facebook.com/UWConnects/. For a complete schedule, visit https://badgertalks.wisc.edu/badger-talks-live/.

Dec. 15:

In a blend of personal narrative, dramatic text, and philosophy, Mark Hairston, director, performer, and UW-Madison assistant professor – reflects on his practice of theater as a profession, as a means of expression, and as a unique path towards self-mastery. 

A native of Washington, DC, Mark Hairston is a director, performer and educator with a primary focus on American theater and theater of the African diaspora. He is particularly drawn to classical works, innovative literary adaptations, and theater for community development. Mark is a graduate of the MFA Directing program at Columbia University School of the Arts, where he was the Dean’s Fellow and studied under the primary mentorship of Anne Bogart and Brian Kulick. His recent directing highlights include The Escape; or, A Leap for Freedom, King Lear, The Cherry Orchard, and The Henry Dumas Project.  Along with directing, Mark has worked extensively as a professional actor with some of the nation’s leading theater companies. He graduated with High Honors from the BFA Acting program at Rutgers University, and was classically trained at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in London. Most recently, Mark served as the Artistic Producer on Steppenwolf Theatre Company’s acclaimed production of We Are Proud to Present a Presentation…, and his current projects include Ms. Blakk for President at Steppenwolf Theatre Company (Assistant Director to Tina Landau) and a collaboration with the legendary Bill T. Jones on a new work scheduled to make its world-premiere at the Park Avenue Armory in NYC in the spring of 2020.

This virtual talk will take place on the UW Connects Facebook page here. Can't catch the live talks? Check out past talks here. 

Badger Talks is supported by a grant from the Wisconsin Foundation & Alumni Association, and donations from friends and fans like you. While a donation is not required to attend this virtual Badger Talks Live, we appreciate your consideration in making donation to support future Badger Talks programming. Your donation is tax deductible to the extent of the law. 

Badger Talks features over 350 UW- Madison faculty and staff who are available to give talks virtually around Wisconsin. We have temporarily paused requests for face to face talks due to COVID19, but if you would like to request a virtual talk, feel free to check out our website, where you can search for speakers by topic or keyword using the search bar at the top, and submit a request for a virtual talk.

In these uncertain times, many of us are in the same position: hunkered down, trying to get a handle on our new reality. Like organizations and businesses across the globe, we at the University of Wisconsin–Madison have made changes to keep our campus and community healthy and safe. While gifted UW researchers identify ways to understand and develop a vaccine for COVID-19, our campus experts are finding new, innovative ways to support and connect with Wisconsin residents.  

We are pleased to offer Badger Talks LIVE…. a Facebook Live series intended to help you cope, stay engaged and thrive during these challenging times. Can't catch the live talks? Check out past talks here.