With the National Football League's spotlight squarely
focused on Detroit for the upcoming Super Bowl, Eastern
Michigan University students are ready to entertain and
educate.
EMU students in the CloseUp Theatre Troupe and students
in the physical education program of the College of Health
and Human Services teamed with the NFL multicultural
outreach program, "One World.One Detroit," to promote cultural
awareness and understanding Jan. 28.
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NFL CLOSEUP: Eastern Michigan University's
CloseUp Theatre Troupe (above) and students in
the
physical education program of the College of
Health
and Human Services teamed with the NFL
multicultural
outreach program, "One World. One
Detroit," to promote
cultural awareness and
understanding. The performance, an icebreaker
for the
Super Bowl host committee, took place Jan.
28 at the new Boll Family YMCA in
Detroit. |
CloseUp, a group of 10 students, performed scenes that
tackle issues related to race and affirmative action as
part of an icebreaker for the Super Bowl host committee
as well as three groups of 250 young people.
Students from the physical education program conducted
interactive sessions in non-traditional physical activities,
such as wheelchair basketball, as part of a cultural diversity
fair.
Both the fair and the CloseUp performances took place
at the new Boll Family YMCA in Detroit.
"This is a wonderful way to use the energy of Super Bowl
week to talk about race, culture and diversity," said MaryJo
Desprez, co-director of CloseUp. "For students from EMU,
one of the most diverse campuses in the area, to be a part
of this is just a wonderful opportunity."
"We don't usually perform for groups outside of universities'
students," said Jessica "Decky" Alexander, co-director
of CloseUp. "We
wanted to see if our work translates to different audiences."
The "One World" outreach program was created by the NFL
as a way to address fear, prejudice and stereotyping among
young people in a post-Sept. 11 world. The NFL identified
a need to create a school curriculum to help young people
appreciate diversity and ensure that the legacy of the
Sept. 11 tragedy is not one of hate, but one of unity,
respect and understanding.
