Sam Shepard and the Eclectic American West
Saturday July 28, 9:30 am – 5 pmIn our 14th annual Community Symposium, Stanford Summer Theater and the Continuing Studies Program explore the life and work of Sam Shepard, focusing on his interest in the American west. Raised in rural southern California, Shepard grew up with first-hand experience of the myths and realities of the American west: failed farms, sleazy bars, the big city’s allure, real-estate swindles, the dream of escape and a “fresh” start, the delusions of Hollywood, the realities of rural life. As in past symposia, we will offer lectures, short performances, panel discussions with SST artists working on Curse of the Starving Class, and a delicious catered Western lunch.
Professor Frank Murray (Chair of the Performing Arts Department, Saint Mary's College of California) will deliver the keynote address. Other lecturers include William Eddelman (Associate Professor Emeritus, Stanford Drama) on Shepard stage design, Rush Rehm (Professor of Drama and Classics, SST Artistic Director) on Shepard and Music, Emma Creedon (Humanities Institute of Ireland, University College Dublin) on Shepard and Surrealism, Adrian Daub on Shepard and the West on Film. SST artists Marty Pistone, Courtney Walsh, Ben Fisher and Keith Marshall will discuss their work on Curse of the Starving Class, and SST company members will perform scenes from short Shepard plays and stories.
Registration for the symposium is available at the Continuing Studies website. Registration opens on May 1 2012.
