Participation Type
Performance
Session Title
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Session Abstract or Summary
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
Presentation #1 Title
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Sherry Cook Stanforth teaches creative writing, along with ethnic and environmental literature at Thomas More College, and is the founder/director of the Creative Writing Vision program. She is Pine Mountain Sand & Gravel co-editor and poetry collection Drone String is inspired by the music and storytelling traditions. She performs in a traditional Appalachian family band, Tellico, keeps bees and studies native plants.
Presentation #2 Title
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Presentation #2 Abstract or Summary
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Jeni Hall is a senior at Thomas More University where she is earning a bachelor’s in political science and Associate’s degrees in International Studies, English, and Non-Profit & Public Administration. After graduation, she plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Geography. She is originally from Floyd County, Kentucky and enjoys focusing her writing on ideas of her home in the mountains and research regarding the economic development of the region.
Presentation #3 Title
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Presentation #3 Abstract or Summary
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #3
Erin Carrus is a junior, English and Mathematics double major with a minor in Environmental Science at Thomas More University planning to pursue a career in environmental consulting, concentrating in water sustainability. Originally from Winchester, Kentucky, she enjoys exploring abstract concepts about identity and the natural world through her writing.
Presentation #4 Title
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Presentation #4 Abstract or Summary
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #4
Brook Batch studies English with a concentration in creative writing at Thomas More University. She plans on graduating in the spring of 2019. Her poetry revolves around themes of home place, relationships, and the natural world. In her free time, she reads, writes, hunts for snails, and dreams of becoming a cranberry farmer.
Presentation #5 Title
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Presentation #5 Abstract or Summary
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #5
Michael Thompson is a Fine Arts and English double major, with a Spanish Minor in his second year of study at Thomas More University. He grew up in Richmond, Kentucky where he spent the majority of his time reading, creating, and exploring the outdoors. He now occupies his spare moments finding ways to synthesize his multiple creative interests and enjoys examining the unique juxtaposition of the metaphysical and the natural world in his writing.
Presentation #6 Title
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Presentation #6 Abstract or Summary
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #6
Jim Cook is a retired engineer who grew up in the mountains of East Tennessee and North Georgia. He enjoys singing and playing guitar.
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Express Appalachia Wide Open Mic
Developed as part of an Urban Appalachian Leadership Project grant, this interactive literary/musical/dramatic performance features the cross-generational migration and “home” perspectives of young (student) adults, community advocates and teaching artists who wish to inspire empathic communication and identification among diverse groups of people. Group performers will briefly share how various Express Appalachia program designs have worked to creatively engage local youth in Urban Appalachian cultural themes and to provide innovative scenes for storytelling across generational lines and role definitions. Younger members of this performance group will reflect on their evolving sense of Appalachian identity and their personal connections to coal country, Asian- and African-American cultures, the natural world, family music and rural/urban tensions. How might the roots of Appalachia grow adaptively—rupturing binaries and expanding in directions that sustain new voices and perspectives? How might the Urban Appalachian migration experience come to represent matters of value to non-Appalachian groups? One simple response to these questions is to cultivate a space where people feel invited express their unique translations of home, listening to one another with care and curiosity. This collage-style performance will incorporate singing, strumming, poetry, personal testimony, visual and performance arts in the spirit of including audience members directly in the Express Appalachia experience.
