Lipscomb Theatre Department presents ‘When She Had Wings’

Lipscomb Theatre Department presents ‘When She Had Wings’

“When She Had Wings,” staged by the Department of Theatre Feb. 4-13, follows a 9-year-old named B, who believes that when she was younger she could fly, and she spends the story trying to remember. The play by Susan Zeder is specifically written for a younger audience, and parents are encouraged to bring their children.  Bakari King is an adjunct professor and College of Entertainment and the Arts board member who directs this production, his first at Lipscomb. King first began his involvement in the theatre department as an ensemble member in the school’s 2013 production of “Ragtime.”  King said he was steered toward Lipscomb. “I was teaching around Nashville and I had a connection with a great friend who said you need to be at Lipscomb,” King said He said he was drawn to this play, because he believes this story helps connect children and adults with their inner playfulness. He goes on to say that people should have things in this world that help them create and pretend and that he hopes this show inspires that in people. Caylin Maguire, a junior acting major from Nashville, is in the title role of the play being staged at Shamblin. She said one of her favorite things about this show is being able to invite a younger audience to a live theater experience, noting that it was her own theater experience as a child that inspired her to become a performer.  “The story is about finding yourself and overcoming hurdles. Especially nowadays, I think that’s a really important message to people of all ages.” While the production teams are...

Photo Gallery: Reflections

Lipscomb University Department of Theatre and Foundation Dance Theatre presented a night of colorful movement and expressive theatrics this evening in Shamblin Theatre. The show, Reflections, is a combination of choreography and scenes, directed by Justin Boccitto, adjunct theatre professor and award-winning choreographer. Reflections will have two more showings on Tuesday and Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., each night showcasing new original and traditional styles of choreography including tap, ballet, theatre, jazz, hip-hop and modern dance. Created with Admarket’s...

History experts weigh in on African-American experience during Civil War at symposium

The struggles, sacrifices and successes of African Americans during one of the nation’s most turbulent times were at the forefront of conversation in Shamblin Theatre Saturday morning. In conjunction with Lipscomb’s remembrance of the Battle of Nashville’s 150th anniversary, the Department of History, Politics & Philosophy hosted a Civil War symposium that detailed various aspects of African-American life during the war. “The African-American Experience in the Civil War Era” brought three noted historians to share their takes on three different-yet-synergetic topics. James M. McPherson, a Pulitzer-winning author and historian, John F. Baker, a genealogy expert and Joseph Glatthaar, an author and historian, all spoke about different sections of what African Americans endured during that time. Tim Johnson, a professor in the department and the driving force in Lipscomb’s reflection of the battle’s sesquicentennial, said when planning the event, this particular topic came to mind. “We wanted to focus on the African-American experience,” Johnson said. “We wanted to help tell the Nashville community about a story that is often overlooked. That seemed an appropriate theme, given the number of African-American Union soldiers who fought in Nashville in December 1864.” In his talk titled “The Washingtons of Wessyngton Plantation: Stories of My Family’s Journey to Freedom,” Baker shed light on the story behind the plantation where his ancestors worked. Baker said he conducted genealogical and historical research on the local plantation called Wessyngton, located in Robertson County. “My research at Wessyngton started sort of accidentally,” Baker said. “When I was in the seventh grade, we used a social studies textbook called ‘Your Tennessee,’ and I came across this photograph entitled ‘Black...

HumanDocs returns for first movie of season with ‘Big Men’

Briefly: Big Men will serve as HumanDoc’s first film of the season Wednesday night. The documentary, selected for the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival, will screen for free in Shamblin Theatre at 8:30 p.m. A panel will follow. “Over the course of five years, director Rachel Boynton and her cinematographer filmed the quest for oil in Ghana by Dallas-based Kosmos,” Janel Shoun-Smith wrote for Lipscomb’s website. “The company developed the country’s first commercial oil field, yet its success was quickly compromised by political intrigue and accusations of corruption. As Ghanaians waited to reap the benefits of oil, the filmmakers discovered violent resistance down the coast in the Niger Delta, where impoverished Nigerians have yet to prosper from decades-old oil fields.” The news story says the film “provides an unprecedented inside look at the global deal making and dark underside of energy development — a contest for money and power that is reshaping the world.” For more information on the screening, visit Lipscomb’s website. Photo courtesy of...

Christian Scholars’ Conference kicks off with Oscar-winning film

Lipscomb University will be hosting the Christian Scholars’ Conference June 6-8 where Christian Scholars will gather for lectures and discussions on Christianity. The conference will begin on Wednesday, June 4 and will continue through Friday, June 7. The first session will begin at 7 p.m. with a showing of 12 Years a Slave, the 2014 Academy Award winner of Best Picture. On Wednesday, there will be a Dean’s Conference from 7:30 a.m. until 7:30 p.m. At 4 p.m. registration will begin in Ezell Lobby followed by the showing of 12 Years a Slave in Ward Hall at 7 p.m. Each day after will begin with breakfast and worship followed by several different sessions led by some of the top Christian and Theological scholars. On Thursday, after registration, breakfast and worship, the first session will begin which will be 12 paper/panel discussions in various locations. This will be followed by The Inaugural Abraham J. Malherbe Plenary Address by Carl Holladay in Collins Alumni Auditorium. There will be a break for lunch, and then the second session will begin with a continuation of the paper/panel discussions in various locations. Following the discussions will be the Robert E. and Bonnie Cone Hooper Plenary Address in Collins Alumni Auditorium to be given by Phyllis Tickle. At 5 p.m. hors d’oeuvres will be served in Bison Square as a precursor to dinner at 5:30 to 7 and desert afterwards. The day will end with the world premier of John Updike’s Roger’s Version in Shamblin Theatre. On Friday after worship, paper/panel sessions three and four will be back to back. The third session features 13...