Events

Fun Home
2022-11-11 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-11-12 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-11-13 15:00 - 17:00, 2022-11-16 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-11-17 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-11-18 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-11-19 20:00 - 22:00, 2022-11-20 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Lauren K. Woods Theatre
When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires.
Adapted from Alison Bechdel’s groundbreaking graphic novel, Fun Home is a refreshingly honest, wholly original musical about seeing your parents through grown-up eyes.
Presented by the Department of Music and Theatre Arts, Fun Home features Director Sheri Anderson, Choreographer by Bob Boross, Musical Director of George Wurzbach and Assistant Director Annie Sacks.
Fun Home is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals.
“In an effort to make our show accessible to as wide an audience as possible, we’ve decided to make the show free to the public.
Thank you for your ongoing support of the arts at Monmouth University.”

The American Soldier
2022-11-11 20:00 - 22:00 | Pollak Theatre
Douglas Taurel (“Nurse Jackie,” “Blue Bloods”) is the creator and star of the Off-Broadway Award-nominated solo play, “The American Soldier,” based on true events and documentary letters written by veterans and their family members from the American Revolution through current-day Afghanistan. It honors the experiences of veterans and their families and explores the internal struggles they face when returning home from combat. “The American Soldier” has been nominated for the Amnesty International Award for theatre excellence , received 4 stars internationally, and has been featured in The Huffington Post, The Washington Post and Time Out.

Promoting Self-Care for Healthcare Professionals
2022-11-12 10:00 - 13:15
An evidenced based program designed to inspire those who care for others to also take care of themselves. This program will explore the need for self-care and the research supporting it.
The presenters will focus on behaviors that can improve the mental and physical health of both the caregiver and their clients. Join us in exploring simple lifestyle changes and resources that can be shared with your friends and co-workers to improve workplace wellness.
Topics Include

The evidence for self-care: Take good care of your-self: understanding the evidence and applying it to your life.
Mindful meditation: A guided practice and techniques to reduce stress, enhance focus and well-being. Perfect for people who think they can’t meditate.
Tai Chi: Explore the numerous benefits and take part in a brief introduction to the movements.
Self-defense basics: Develop a mindful approach and awareness to your surroundings and observe simple strategies that can be applied in any setting.

Wear comfortable clothes and shoes! Participants will take part in a mindful meditation and participate in the gentle practice of Tai Chi. Self-defense techniques will be demonstrated.
Presenters

Cynthia O’Connell is a recently retired Specialist Professor from the Educational Counseling graduate program at MU. She received her training in teaching Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at the Jefferson-Myrna Brind Integrative Medicine Center in Philadelphia.
Andrea Garcia, OTD, MSW, OTR/L is a specialist professor and doctoral capstone coordinator for Monmouth University’s occupational therapy program. She specializes in upper extremity rehabilitation. Dr. Garcia is a master teacher in reiki.
Shoshanna Katzman, M.S, L.Ac is the founder of Red Bank Acupuncture & Wellness Center. She has been practicing Tai Chi and Qigong since 1974. She also specializes in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine.
Brianna Wesley, RN, B.S. is a registered nurse in the emergency department and current graduate student at Monmouth University. She has a fourth degree black belt in Tae Kwan Do Chung Do Kwan and has been practicing for 22 years.

Successful Completion: Participants will attend 95% of the program, and complete an online evaluation to receive contact hours. None of the planners for this educational activity have relevant financial relationship(s) to disclose with ineligible companies whose primary business is producing, marketing, selling, re-selling, or distributing healthcare products used by or on patients. There is no commercial support for this activity.

For additional questions, email bpaskewi@monmouth.edu
The Marjorie K. Unterberg School of Nursing and Health Studies at Monmouth University is approved as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by New Jersey State Nurses Association, an accredited approver by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation Provider Number: P242-10/21-24

Ian McEwan's Atonement
2022-11-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!
This month’s novel is Ian McEwan’s Atonement.

This month’s novel is NATIONAL BESTSELLER Ian McEwan’s Atonement.
A symphonic novel of love and war, childhood and class, guilt and forgiveness that provides all the satisfaction of a brilliant narrative and the provocation we have come to expect from the acclaimed Booker Prize–winning, international bestselling author Ian McEwan.
On a hot summer day in 1935, thirteen-year-old Briony Tallis witnesses a moment’s flirtation between her older sister, Cecilia, and Robbie Turner, the son of a servant and Cecilia’s childhood friend. But Briony’ s incomplete grasp of adult motives—together with her precocious literary gifts—brings about a crime that will change all their lives.
“A beautiful and majestic fictional panorama.” —John Updike, The New Yorker
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.

The Seagull
2022-11-17 19:30 - 21:30 | Pollak Theatre
by Anton Chekhov, in a version by Anya Reiss
directed by Jamie Lloyd
Emilia Clarke (Game of Thrones) makes her West End debut in this 21st century retelling of Anton Chekhov’s tale of love and loneliness.
A young woman is desperate for fame and a way out. A young man is pining after the woman of his dreams. A successful writer longs for a sense of achievement. An actress wants to fight the changing of the times. In an isolated home in the countryside, dreams lie in tatters, hopes are dashed, and hearts broken. With nowhere left to turn, the only option is to turn on each other.
Following his critically acclaimed five-star production of Cyrano de Bergerac, Jamie Lloyd brings Anya Reiss’ adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s classic play to stage. Filmed live in London’s West End with a cast including Tom Rhys Harries (White Lines), Daniel Monks (The Normal Heart), Sophie Wu (Fresh Meat) and Indira Varma (Game of Thrones).

The Woods - A mixed-reality, two-player cooperative game
2022-11-29 16:00 - 19:00 | Various Campus Locations
“The Woods” is a mixed-reality, two-player cooperative game that addresses the perils of social isolation by promoting connections between people and actively engaging them through play. Using Augmented Reality (AR) and 4-channel audio spatialization panning, players choreograph their movement in real-world space while interacting with birds, clouds, and other objects in virtual space. In pursuit of a shared goal, players experience an immersive sonic narrative of rumbling storm clouds and disconnected voices that culminate in stories of hope and reconciliation. The design intent behind “The Woods” is to illuminate human connections to others and to celebrate this through collaborative play.
4pm – 5pm – Experience The Woods (Demo)
Location: IDM (Interactive Digital Media) Research Lab, Plangere Room 135
RSVP Required for the demo session ONLY.
For more info or to RSVP, contact Wobbe F. Koning at wkoning@monmouth.edu

6pm – 7pm – Artist Talk and Q&A | Location: Pollak Theatre | Free and open to the public

Bios:
Kyoung Lee Swearingen is a visual storyteller with over a decade of experience as a Lighting Technical Director at Pixar Animation Studios and DNA Productions. Kyoung teaches computer animation at ACCAD/The Ohio State University and specializes in cinematography for games and animation. Her current research focuses on creating games and animation for collaborative play, using various emerging technology, and practicing transdisciplinary collaboration. Her award-winning projects have been shown (inter)nationally at ACM SIGGRAPH, IEEE-GEM, Unite Berlin, GDC, Montreal Independent Game Festival, and Bucheon International Animation Festival, and many more.
Scott Swearingen is an Assistant Professor who teaches game design at ACCAD/The Ohio State University. With a research focus in designing game mechanics that enhance collaborative play, his work cultivates the human experience of connectivity across a variety of physical and social boundaries. His award-winning games and other works have been exhibited at (in)ternational conferences and shows including SIGGRAPH, SIGGRAPH-ASIA, CURRENTS New Media, GLS, IEEE-GEM, IFIP-ICEC, Montreal Independent Games Festival, and HASTAC. Prior to joining Ohio State, Scott worked in the video game industry for over ten years as a game designer, level designer, and environment artist at multiple video game studios including MAXIS, Electronic Arts, and Gearbox Software. There he worked on numerous award-winning games and franchises including Medal of Honor, Brothers in Arms, The Simpsons, Dead Space, The Godfather and The Sims.
https://kyoungswearingen.com/the-woods

Woody Guthrie: Songs and Art, Words and Wisdom - Conversation and Book Signing with Nora Guthrie and Bob Santelli
2022-12-01 19:30 | The Great Hall Auditorium
Hosted by the Bruce Springsteen Archives & Center for American Music at Monmouth University

Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll, Part II
2022-12-01 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-08 19:30 - 21:00, 2022-12-15 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Class Schedule: Thursdays – Dec. 1, Dec. 8 & Dec. 15 | 7:30 – 9:00 PM
When the Rock ’n’ Roll Hall of Fame nominations occur every year, the debate resumes: just what is rock? Instead of drawing from one genre, rock ’n’ roll draws from several, all combining to create a sumptuous gumbo that rapidly captured the world’s imagination.
Part two of the Roots of Rock ’n’ Roll course – a three-session virtual course taught by Kit O’Toole – continues exploring the foundations of the genre, this time exploring country, folk, and skiffle. How these art forms influenced both American and British artists will be studied in terms of instrumentation, singing style, and composition. In addition to multimedia presentations, class discussion and activities will enable attendees to identify the essential elements of rock.
Zoom Link will be provided upon registration.

Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea
2022-12-02 20:00 - 22:00 | Pollak Theatre
The annual holiday tradition returns with the ever lovable and charismatic Father Alphonse Stevenson conducting the Orchestra of St. Peter by the Sea for their 30th concert of carols and seasonal favorites. There’s simply no better way to start the holiday season than to spend a special evening with Father Alphonse, his 42-piece orchestra and distinguished vocalists as he provides humorous and personal anecdotes amidst a program of holiday classics and carols.

Gala at the Great Hall
2022-12-03 18:30 | The Great Hall
Join us for a modern twist on a past event favorite, while helping to ensure that a highly personalized Monmouth education remains accessible to an increasingly diverse student population. Proceeds will benefit the Access Fund, providing scholarships for students with financial need. At this time, we will also recognize Trudy and Charlie Parton ’01HN as this year’s President’s Medal recipients in honor of their lifelong commitment to the University.

Aretha Franklin, Young, Gifted, and Black
2022-12-06 19:30 - 21:00 | Pollak Theatre/Virtual, 400 Cedar Ave, West Long Branch, NJ, 07764, United States
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature Aretha Franklin, Young, Gifted, and Black.
This event will be held in person at Pollak Theatre and will also be available remotely via Zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

Budrus
2022-12-07 19:30 - 21:30 | Pollak Theatre
Join us for a World Cinema Series film screening/discussion illuminating the theme “Wartime Lives: Enduring and Transcending Violence and Occupation” by analyzing the message and impact of the film Budrus (Israeli/Palestinian/American, 2009).
Budrus is an award-winning feature documentary film about Palestinian community organizer, Ayed Morrar, who unites Palestinian political factions and invites Israeli supporters to join an unarmed movement to save his village of Budrus from destruction by Israel’s Separation Barrier. Success eludes them until his 15-year-old daughter, Iltezam, launches a women’s contingent that quickly moves to the front lines. Struggling side by side, father and daughter unleash an inspiring, yet little-known, movement in the Occupied Palestinian Territories that is still gaining ground today.
In an action-filled documentary chronicling this movement from its infancy, Budrus shines a light on people who choose nonviolent strategies to confront a threat. The movie is directed by award-winning filmmaker Julia Bacha (co-writer and editor of Control Room and co-director Encounter Point), and produced by Bacha, Palestinian journalist Rula Salameh, and filmmaker and human rights advocate Ronit Avni (formerly of WITNESS, Director of Encounter Point).
The discussion of the film will be led by Claude Taylor, Director For Academic Transition And Inclusion and Saliba Sarsar, Professor in the department of Political Science and Sociology.

The Hours
2022-12-10 13:00 - 17:00 | Pollak Theatre
The world-premiere staging of Kevin Puts’s The Hours, adapted from Michael Cunningham’s acclaimed novel, which also served as the inspiration for the Oscar-winning film, arrives in cinemas this December. In her highly anticipated return to the Met, soprano Renée Fleming joins soprano Kelli O’Hara and mezzo-soprano Joyce DiDonato to portray three women from different eras who grapple with their inner demons and their roles in society. Phelim McDermott, who recently created the Met’s acclaimed production of Philip Glass’s Akhnaten, directs this compelling drama, and Yannick Nézet-Séguin takes the podium to conduct Puts’s powerful score.
“The Hours contains themes of suicide. If you or someone you know is considering self-harm or suicide, help is available from the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988 or visiting 988lifeline.org.”

Hawks on the Road: Pre-game Reception before Monmouth vs. Princeton
2022-12-10 16:30 - 18:00 | On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, 3567 US Route One South, Princeton, NJ, 08540
Pre-game fan meet-up before Monmouth University Men’s Basketball vs. Princeton!
Join fellow Monmouth fans and alumni at a pre-game reception. Enjoy food, drinks and fun before cheering on the Hawks!
Jadwin Gymnasium is approximately three miles from On the Border.
Basketball game tickets sold separately and can be purchased at this link. The Monmouth team bench is located in front of sections 107-108.
For question or additional information contact Ken Taylor (ktaylor@monmouth.edu).
Be Advised: Payment for registrations not kept or cancelled are non-refundable. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, only guests 21 and older can access the cash bar.

My Mother's Italian, My Father's Jewish & I'm Home For The Holidays!
2022-12-11 16:00 - 18:00 | Pollak Theatre
After last season’s sell-out, it’s another laugh-filled evening of family chaos from the award-winning writer and comedian Steve Solomon. Steve is back with more wild and hilarious stories – including holiday dinner at Grandma’s, where if you’re under 55, you STILL sit at the children’s table. A time of peace – a time of joy – a time of remembering why you left home in the first place!
We’ll meet: Uncle Willie, Stuttering Cousin Bob, Demented Cousin Kenny, Steve’s new therapist Cousin Sal (and Sal’s parole officer) and a myriad of astounding characters we know, love and tolerate from our own families; each one brought to life on stage by Steve using his gift for creating voices dialects & wacky sound effects that only add to the hilarity of each story.

Hawks on the Road: Watch Party at Deal Lake Bar & Co
2022-12-12 19:00 | Deal Lake Bar & Co, 601 Main Street, Loch Arbour, NJ, 07711

Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven
2022-12-13 19:30 - 21:00 | Virtual
Join us for Tuesday Night Book Club! Hosted by Monmouth University’s Ken Womack, each month we’ll explore a different novel. All you have to do is Zoom in and join the discussion!
This month’s novel is NATIONAL BESTSELLER Emily St. John Mandel’s Station Eleven.

An audacious, darkly glittering novel set in the eerie days of civilization’s collapse—the spellbinding story of a Hollywood star, his would-be savior, and a nomadic group of actors roaming the scattered outposts of the Great Lakes region, risking everything for art and humanity. Now an original series on HBO Max.
Kirsten Raymonde will never forget the night Arthur Leander, the famous Hollywood actor, had a heart attack on stage during a production of King Lear. That was the night when a devastating flu pandemic arrived in the city, and within weeks, civilization as we know it came to an end.
When you register you will be provided the meeting link to join the conversation.

Much Ado About Nothing
2022-12-15 19:30 - 22:30 | Pollak Theatre
Katherine Parkinson (The IT Crowd) and John Heffernan (Dracula) lead the cast in Shakespeare’s romcom of sun, sea and mistaken identity.
The legendary family-run Hotel Messina on the Italian Riveria has been visited by artists, celebrities and royalty. But when the owner’s daughter weds a dashing young soldier, not all guests are in the mood for love.
A string of scandalous deceptions soon surround not only the young couple, but also the adamantly single Beatrice and Benedick.
Following the award-winning success of National Theatre Live’s Romeo & Juliet, Twelfth Night and Antony and Cleopatra, director Simon Godwin returns with this irresistible comedy, broadcast live from the National Theatre stage.

Bruce Springsteen's Greetings from Asbury Park
2023-01-03 19:30 - 21:30 | The Great Hall Auditorium
It’s just like book club but with albums! With new advances in technology, the way we consume music through our devices, apps and on demand streaming services like Pandora, Spotify and iTunes is making the idea of the “album” as an art form extinct. Get together with other music enthusiasts on Tuesday nights to discuss some of the greatest records of all-time! Listen to the album beforehand and then come prepared to discuss. This event will feature Bruce Springsteen’s Greetings from Asbury Park.

This event will be held in person at the Great Hall Auditorium and will also be available remotely via Zoom. When you register you will be provided the ZOOM meeting link to join the conversation.
Free and open to the public, but registration is required.

50th Anniversary Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ Symposium
2023-01-07 00:00 - 23:59 | The Great Hall Auditorium
The Bruce Springsteen Archives and Center for American Music at Monmouth University will present a symposium on Saturday, January 7, 2023 that celebrates the release of Springsteen’s debut album a half century ago. Titled The 50th Anniversary: Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J, the day-long symposium will include panel discussions, interviews, a book signing, and a special performance of the songs on the album by Jersey Shore musicians.
Among the guests participating in the symposium will be original E Street Band members Garry Tallent, David Sancious, and Vini Lopez, along with former Springsteen manager Mike Appel. Nicki Germain will debut and sign her photography book of stunning images from the 1974 Springsteen concert at Liberty Hall, TX

Hawks on the Road at Drexel
2023-01-07 10:30 - 13:30 | Landmark Americana Bar & Grill, 3333 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA, 19104
Pre-game fan meet-up before Monmouth University Men’s Basketball vs. Drexel!
Join fellow Monmouth fans and alumni at a pre-game reception. Enjoy food, drinks and fun before cheering on the Hawks!
The Landmark is attached to the Daskalakis Athletic Center on the Drexel University campus.
Basketball game tickets sold separately and can be purchased at this link. The Monmouth team bench is located in front of section 2.
For question or additional information contact Ken Taylor (ktaylor@monmouth.edu).
Be Advised: Payment for registrations not kept or cancelled are non-refundable. Guests under 21 must be accompanied by an adult, only guests 21 and older can access the cash bar.
