Denison students, in collaboration with Giving Voice Productions, have created a new performance piece, “Hook-ups and Hang-ups: College Students Speak Out,” that will be presented at 8 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday, Feb. 11-13, with a matinee at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 13, in the Black Box Theatre in Burke Hall (240 West Broadway). Directed by Liz Stanton and Bethany Jean Urban, developed with Christa Ray, and based on interviews with students, the production delves into the private thoughts of young adults on socially relevant topics. The event is free and open to the public.

“Hook-ups and Hang-ups” focuses on the social culture of Denison and tells the stories of what it means to be in college. The scenes address issues such as drinking, hook-ups, sexuality, identity and self-esteem.

Ray, Stanton and Urban developed the show with a student class as a part of a residency program. Their company, Giving Voice Productions, aims to create experimental theatre to spark dialogue with communities. “Hook-ups and Hang-ups” is the first Giving Voice piece focused primarily on the college experience.

The creation and performance of “Hook-ups and Hang-ups” includes Denison students, Kristine Aman (Soudertown, Pa.), Carly Baird (Zanesville, Ohio), Jessica Blaise (Mattapan, Mass.), Sydney Camel (New Orleans, La.), Kaitlyn Grissom (Newark, Ohio), Ammon Hollister (New Richmond, Ohio), Sam Kaiser (Zionsville, Ind.), Christa Nannos (Villanova, Pa.), and Aleksandra Panovska (Blacklick, Ohio), with Kristin Ferenc (Cookeville, Tenn.) as the props master and Laura Judson, a 2009 graduate of Denison, as the stage manager. Ray served as the script manager.

The project was sponsored by, the Laura C. Harris Fund, the Beck Fund, the Theatre department, the Vail Arts Series, the office of Residential Life, the Women’s Resource Center, and the office of Alcohol, Drug and Health Education.

CALENDER LISTING: Denison University, Granville — Denison presents “Hook-ups and Hang-ups: College Students Speak out” at 8 p.m. from Thurs.-Sat., Feb. 11-13, and at 2 p.m. on Sat., Feb. 13, in the Black Box Theatre in Burke Hall (240 West Broadway). Free and open to the public. For more information, contact 740-587-6231 or visit www.denison.edu.

About Denison:

Denison University, founded in 1831, is an independent, residential liberal arts institution located in Granville, Ohio. A highly selective college enrolling 2,100 full-time undergraduate students from all 50 states and dozens of foreign countries, Denison is a place where innovative faculty and motivated students collaborate in rigorous scholarship, civic engagement and the cultivation of independent thinking.

For press inquiries:

Name

Barbara Stambaugh

Position Title

Director, Media Relations

Primary Email

stambaughb@denison.edu

Business Phone

(740) 587-8575