CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Freedom of expression has been a hot topic on the University of Illinois campus in the last couple of years, from a chancellor vilified online for deciding not to cancel classes during a winter storm to a potential faculty member rejected for a job because of tweets to which some people objected.
Illinois Theatre saw the events as an opportunity to explore the notion of free expression. Its 2015-16 season is based on the theme “Free Expression: Censored,” and features plays that have been censored or banned.
“To some extent, this is a response to actions that have occurred over the past year or so,” said Jeffrey Eric Jenkins, head of the department of theatre. “When you look at theater across the centuries, (freedom of expression) is a recurring theme and challenge.”
“Theater done by a university department should be adding to the intellectual conversation on campus,” said Tom Mitchell, associate head of the theatre department.
Mitchell is directing the first play of the season, a production of “1984.” It’s a new adaptation by Michael Gene Sullivan, an author with the San Francisco Mime Troupe, which specializes in theater addressing political and social issues.
“To find an adaptation of the work that was edgy, available and doable on our stage seemed just right,” Mitchell said.
“1984” opens Oct. 15 and runs through Oct. 17 and Oct. 22-25 at Krannert Center for the Performing Arts.
“The Other Shore” opens Oct. 22. The play features an allegorical journey, with an ensemble cast portraying characters who represent different aspects of a man’s life. The playwright, Gao Xingjian, won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 2000. “The Other Shore” was banned in China but has been presented around the world.
Mitchell noted the theatre department has a growing number of Chinese students, and it is important to reach out to that population on campus.
The other plays that will be presented this season, during the spring semester, are “Kingdom City,” “The Grapes of Wrath” and “In the Blood.”
“Kingdom City” is based on a true story of a high school teacher directing her students in “The Crucible.” It deals with the question of what work is appropriate for high school students.
“In the Blood” is a modern interpretation of “The Scarlet Letter.” Mitchell said the theatre department has wanted to produce a play by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Suzan-Lori Parks for some time.
“We hope people will think about the topics being played out before them and ask themselves, ‘Is this controversial? Is this something that should be or should have been suppressed?’ And we want audiences to think about the things we now are suppressing that are taboo and that our culture tells us shouldn’t be talked about in the public square,” Jenkins said.
The department hopes to develop some additional events around the plays to engage the audience beyond the stage.