The University of Southern Indiana Philip H. Hagemann Performing Arts Department will present "The College Memoir...A Work in Progress," a unique evening with senior theatre majors, at 7 p.m. Saturday, April 2 in the USI Performance Center. The event is free and open to the public.  

Original and personal material created by students for their Theatre Capstone Project class will be performed at the event. Students included in the performance include Cole Brinker, Easton Crisp, Noah Harrison, Nate Jenkins, Grace Koltz, Clare McGregor, Shayna Survil and Blake Whitehouse.  

The Capstone Project focuses on theatre students creating original material to be performed as a way of making their own opportunities for showcasing their talents. Drawing from personal experiences, many of the pieces in "The College Memoir" examine students’ struggles and quests to find their place in the world.  

"Writing and performing in my own piece was a challenge, but it opened up a whole new world of creativity," says Student Performer Koltz, "Performing in not just my own piece, but the pieces of my peers, held such a deep meaning for me. To be onstage with everyone in my class one last time before graduation is truly special."

Due to the nature of the material, which touches on mental health challenges, self-harm and drug addiction, the performance may be triggering for certain audience members. However, it is a singular chance to hear the unfiltered thoughts of today’s college students and will be of particular interest to USI students and faculty involved in social work, psychology and creative writing. Even the serious pieces are leavened with humor and self-awareness and contrasted with satirical skits (and some puppets). 

For questions regarding the event, contact Rebecca Lutton, University Theatres Managing and Marketing Director, at 812-465-7110.