This Thursday, The Experimental Theater of Vassar College is putting up The Skin of Our Teeth, a play written by Thornton Wilder that first premiered in 1942.  Vassar’s production is directed by Christopher Grabowski, designed by Drama Department faculty members Paul O’Connor, Kenisha Kelly, and Stephen Jones, and features students majoring in Drama.  The play focuses on the struggle of human existence, weaving in biblical references to illustrate the advancement of humanity.  The Skin of Our Teeth focuses on colossal issues like the end of the world, but conveys the struggle with these issues in a deeply humorous and lighthearted manor, balancing on a fine line between comedy and tragedy.  Wilder grapples with the notion of storytelling as a means of moving forward, making the audience hyper-aware of the fact that they are seeing a play.  He does this by writing in moments for the actors to break character, therefore the actors are all playing themselves and their characters.  The production has involved a tremendous amount of collaboration and countless hours of preparation.

Come see the show at the Martel Theater on Thursday, Friday and Saturday at 8:00 PM.

Photography by Alex Schlesinger ’14. Synopsis by Emily Wexler ’14.

Last Wednesday, November 30, 2011, students, professors and Poughkeepsie residents alike gathered in the Chapel to hear the powerful words of modern philosopher and scholar Dr. Cornel West.  The Princeton professor spoke at Vassar last the day after September 11, 2001, enlightening the campus with a controversial lecture reflecting on the events.  This lecture, officially titled “The End(s) of Oligarchy: Our American Blues, Citizenship, and the New Democracy,” touched on subjects of poverty, economic inequality and injustice, specifically in the light of the Occupy movements around the country. The lecture was sponsored by The Vassar Association of Class Activists, Vassar Student Association, Africana Studies, Religious and Spiritual Life, American Culture Department, Office of the President, Dean of the College, Dean of the Faculty, Campus Life and Diversity Office, and the Religion, Political Science and Sociology Departments.

West urged the crowd that “the unexamined life is not worth living,” and to “act with compassion” for the purpose of truth-seeking. He also commented on the subjects of religious leadership in the political realm, prompted by the question “Where are our religious leaders?” in comparison to their prominent presence in the Civil Rights movement and inter-racial relationships in the contemporary United States.  The audience was enthralled with West’s intriguing and insightful words.

Photography by Madeline Zappala ’12.

On Wednesday, November 16, Office of International Studies and VISA put together their annual Kaleidoscope event.  After VISA had some trouble getting funds through supplemental budgeting, the event went on smoothly, bringing a plethora of food venders to offer students cuisines from all over the world.  Students also participated in the cooking in the Dessert Cook-off, as well as in performances in the World’s Got Talent competition.  The event was a part of an International Education Week, which included other events such as the annual International Photo Contest, and the Vassar World Cup.

Photography by Jonah Bleckner ’15.