Outreach Committee
Council for Gender Equity and Department of Theatre and Dance co-sponsor Panel Discussion around themes of mental and reproductive health
On December 3rd at the Canady Center for Creative Arts, a Panel Discussion was sponsored to explore themes presented in the production of Caryl Churchill’s The Skriker.
The WVU School of the Theatre & Dance DEI Committee and the WVU Council for Gender Equity Outreach Committee came together to co-host the event which included a panel discussion, and a resource-filled reception. Moderated by Sarah Bourne (School of Theatre and Dance, Council for Gender Equity), the panelists included Dr. Brianne Depcrymski (Carruth Center), El Didden (WVU School of Medicine, WVU Rainbow Coats), and Taylor Scites (WVU LGBTQ+ Center). Exploring themes from “The Skriker,” the panel focused their discussion around mental and reproductive health.
Afterwards, a reception offered the opportunity for attendees to meet with various campus organizations to connect and explore resources available to the university community including the WVU LGBTQ+ Center, WVU Student Engagement’s The Rack, The WVU Carruth Center, and the WVU Student Recreation Center.
About the Skriker:
The Skriker
by Caryl Churchill
Directed by Radhica Ganapathy
Ancient and damaged, a mythological creature known as Skriker emerges from the underworld in pursuit of two young mothers named Josie and Lily. The Skriker utilizes various disguises to manipulate and ultimately entrap them. Josie goes to the underworld first in what appears to be for a brief period, but the Skriker’s magic twists her understanding and ultimately her fate. Lily follows a similar path but meets an even darker end. Blending ancient folklore and contemporary settings, Churchill's play also draws attention to issues of destruction that plague the environment.
Inclusivity Statement: The female body is central to this narrative with its portrayals of non-traditional perceptions of motherhood - an important commentary in the on-going Roe v. Wade debate. There are no specific race/ethnicity requirements to bring together this complex thought-provoking play.
hal/12/06/22