Judson University’s Spring Production Ars Liturgica Focuses on Slavery: Past, Present and Future
ELGIN, IL – The Judson University Center for Worship in the Performing Arts has announced its spring production, Ars Liturgica, will run March 14 – 15 and March 20 – 22 in the Thulin Performance Hall of the Thompson Center (1151 N. State St., Elgin.) Ars Liturgica (latin for “the worshiping arts”) is a multimedia theatrical production that will focus on the theme of “Slavery: Past, Present and Future,” to explore the issue of slavery from both historical and modern day perspectives, incorporating the visual arts, drama, video, dance and music.
Ars Liturgica is the first production of its kind at Judson, meant to be a showcase of the interdisciplinary arts through the university’s newly established Center for Worship in the Performing Arts, explains Judson Theatre Director and Professor Kimberly Schmidt. Each showcase will present a unique theme. This year’s production will take a global perspective of slavery, sharing stories of African slaves in southern America, as well as stories of modern-day abolitionists, and even a reflection from Judson Art and Design Professor Joe Cory on his 2013 trip to South Africa where he learned about the inhumanities and horrors of apartheid.
“Slavery didn’t end with the American Civil War, and it wasn’t an issue unique to America,” says Schmidt. “Most people don’t realize that there are more slaves now that ever before.”
Her assertion is right – according to International Justice Mission, one of the world’s leading nonprofit organizations to fight modern slavery, there are an estimated 27 million slaves in the world today.
“Our hope with this production of Ars Liturgica is that it will call attention to the issue, and encourage the audience to commit to join the fight against slavery,” Schmidt explains.
The production won’t just emphasize awareness, though. The event will also host several nonprofit organizations that are working to end human trafficking and modern slavery, including Administer Justice, International Justice Mission, Awana, and One Day’s Wages. Information tables will be arranged in the Thompson Center, where Ars Liturgica will be staged, so that show attendees can have the opportunities at their fingertips to join the fight to end slavery.
The Ars Liturgica production is one in a series of opportunities at Judson this spring that addresses the issues of social justice, including hosting a live simulcast of The Justice Conference, as well as a donation campaign for One Day’s Wages.
On February 21-22, Judson simulcasted The Justice Conference, which is a networked national conference that educates, inspires and connects a generation of men and women around a shared concern for the vulnerable and oppressed. The Justice Conference feature leading social justice experts such as Eugene Cho, founder of One Day’s Wages; Lynne Hybels, human rights advocate and co-founder of Willow Creek Community Church with her husband Bill Hybels; Bernice King, daughter of Martin Luther King Jr. and CEO of The King Center; Stephan Bauman, president and CEO of World Relief; and Noel Castellanos, CEO of the Christian Community Development Association, plus many more renowned speakers.
In conjunction with The Justice Conference and Ars Liturgica, Judson University has also committed to raising $5,000 for One Day’s Wages Human Trafficking fund. One Day’s Wages (ODW) is a grassroots movement of people, stories, and actions to alleviate extreme global poverty and associated social problems by promoting simple giving and sustainable relief by developing and supporting partnerships with local organizations in developing areas. Judson’s ODW campaign will end in March with the presentation of Ars Liturgica. Those who wish to contribute to Judson’s ODW campaign can visit www.onedayswages.org/donate/org/judson-university.
Tickets for the production of Ars Liturgica can be purchased at the door or in advance by calling the Box Office at 847-628-2625.
Judson University is a fully accredited, private Christian university of the liberal arts, sciences and professions. Judson offers degrees in more than 50 different majors/minors for traditional, graduate, and adult students. Judson University ranks consistently among the Top-Tier of Regional Colleges in the Midwest by U.S. News and World Report. In 2013-14, Judson is celebrating its Golden Centennial Anniversary, commemorating 50 years since the college’s relocation to Elgin in 1963, after being founded in 1913 as part of Northern Theological Seminary. With an academically challenging environment and encouraging spiritual community, Judson shapes lives that shape the world.
