CAT+FD: Cal | FooD | Base

Be/longing: Bias, Privilege, and Inclusion
A Workshop for Faculty

The purpose of this workshop is to offer an introduction to the use of contemplative and performance practices to create awareness of the vital role that diversity plays in U.S. academic communities. Professor Biagi will lead participants through a series of exercises to address social conflicts resulting from internal bias. Our assumptions, thought of as a “normal” way of looking at things, can often result in prejudice and discrimination and, despite our best intentions, create microaggressions. It is of paramount importance that academic leaders learn how to listen, control and express their emotions in order to create a thriving workplace, in which students, faculty and staff feel appreciated and respected. Working with simple theatrical exercises, Dr. Biagi will discuss the concept of the “performance of identity,” and illuminate the fact that respect of diversity is first to be cultivated within. Be/longing is, at its heart, a “longing to be” seen, heard, and appreciated.

• Led by: Dr. Laura Biagi (DePaul University)
• Date: Thursday, February 1, 2018
• Time: 12:15 - 1:05 PM
• Location: Mellon Seminar Room (LRC 532B)

Note: Laura Biagi, Ph.D., is a performance artist, educator, and yoga teacher working in the fields of performance studies, contemplative pedagogy, and inclusive leadership. Dr. Biagi is currently working as the Multicultural Faculty at DePaul University’s Theatre School, where she teaches performance studies, solo performance, theories of directing, yoga philosophy and practice, and storytelling at Cook County Jail (CCDOC). She has lectured on identity, inclusion, performance and contemplative pedagogy at conferences and in guest talks at DePaul University, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Howard University, Xavier University, and the Inside-Out Center. Dr. Biagi earned a Master of Arts, and a Ph.D. in the Department of Performance Studies at New York University. In New York, she studied performance studies with Richard Schechner and Barbara Browning, “extended vocal techniques” with Meredith Monk, Deep Listening with Pauline Oliveros and Ione, and “Theatre of the Oppressed” with Augusto Boal. In Chicago, Laura Biagi has been devising student plays at DePaul that focus on identity, diversity and belonging (Be/Longing, 2016; Bee’s Knees, 2017). Her solo piece, The High Priestess, was showcased as part of Collaboration’s 2017 Peacebook Festival at the Goodman Theatre and Chicago Ideas Week in the summer and fall of 2017.

Tags: diversity, contemplative, outside speaker
Format: hands-on
Event ID: 01645