Tuesday, January 9

We Are Charleston, panel discussion

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts, 6 p.m.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Commemorative Address

One year after the unimaginable and brutal slaying of nine church members and the wounding of five others at Mother Emanuel AME Church in Charleston, South Carolina, journalist Herb Frazier, historian Bernard Powers and poet Marjory Wentworth published, ”We Are Charleston: Tragedy and Triumph at Mother Emanuel,” a book to possibly explain not only what happened on the night of June 17, 2015, but also why. At Elon, the trio will discuss the shooting and its aftermath; the history of slavery and racism in Charleston; and the importance of the AME denomination in the fight for freedom and civil rights. They will also consider the nature of forgiveness and their hope for reconciliation and healing in the face of ongoing mass killings across the country. Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets will be available beginning November 27 at elon.edu/boxoffice.

SATURDAY – Tuesday, January 20-23

Friday – Saturday, February 2 – 3

Department of Performing Arts presents “The Antipodes” by Annie Baker

Roberts Studio Theatre, Scott Studios at Arts West, 406 W. Haggard, Elon
Jan. 20, 22-23 and Feb. 2-3 at 7:30 p.m.; Jan. 20-21 and Feb. 3 at 2 p.m.
Directed by Scott Proudfit

In Annie Baker’s “The Antipodes,” a group of writers sit around a table sharing, cataloging and inventing stories. Their purpose is never clear: Are they brainstorming ideas for a TV show? A videogame? A new mythology? This is a world in which ghostly fables co-exist with mundane discussions of snacks and sexual exploits, in which the vague instruction to tell stories about “something monstrous” though “it might not be a literal monster” becomes maddeningly impossible. Part satire, part sacred rite, “The Antipodes” asks what value stories have for a world in crisis. Content warning: “The Antipodes” contains explicit discussion of sexual acts.  Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Reservations will be offered beginning January 12 at www.elonperformingarts.com.