ACLU of Florida Executive Director and More Set for 'GREAT SOCIETY' Panel Discussion at Asolo Rep

The second season of Asolo Rep's IllumiNation Series continues on February 11 with a panel discussion, "Creating Change, Counting Voices," focusing on the theatre's current production of THE GREAT SOCIETY.

Robert Schenkkan's THE GREAT SOCIETY is a thrilling political drama that chronicles LBJ's divisive presidency, including his ambitious War on Poverty, the tumultuous Vietnam War, and the uphill battle for Civil Rights. IllumiNation is a series of performances and events promoting cross-cultural conversations in the community.

The event begins with a pre-show reception at 1pm, continues with the 2pm matinee performance of THE GREAT SOCIETY, and concludes with a free post-show panel discussion on the Mezzanine level of the lobby open to all.

The panel will begin at 5pm, and will feature Dr. Howard Simon, American Civil Liberties Union of Florida Executive Director, and Dr. Bernard C. Watson, distinguished educator who served on President Johnson's National Council on Education Professions Development. The discussion will look at the intersection of social issues, public policy, and national politics, using THE GREAT SOCIETY to raise questions about who participates in the political process and how change comes about.

"Long before his current leadership, Dr. Simon was a participant in the famous march from Selma, and Dr. Watson was appointed to service by President Johnson himself. We couldn't be more honored to have these accomplished individuals in Sarasota to lend their perspectives on past events depicted in the play as well as parallels in the present day," said Kathryn Moroney, Asolo Rep's Education & Outreach Director. "From grassroots efforts to national policy, we will reflect on how the dramatic social and political change of the late sixties resonates with ongoing questions about voting rights, civil rights, and what makes a great society in our own America today."

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ABOUT THE PANELISTS:

Howard Simon was appointed Executive Director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Florida in 1997. Prior to that appointment, Simon served as Executive Director of the Michigan affiliate of the ACLU since 1974.

As Executive Director, Simon has overall responsibility for ACLU's legal, public education, legislative lobbying, and membership and fund-raising programs. The ACLU has been extensively involved in addressing the need for electoral reforms in Florida. The organization played a key role in securing the end of the use of paperless electronic voting systems in Florida, leading to the 2008 election in which every county used the optical scan system. The organization has also led efforts to end Florida's policy requiring the lifetime voting ban of former felons.

Dr. Simon was raised in New York, and graduated from the City College of New York. He received a Ph.D. degree from the University of Minnesota in legal and political philosophy and social ethics.

Bernard C. Watson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of the William Penn Foundation in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, after a distinguished career as an educator, a career in which he served as a teacher and administrator in the public schools in Indiana, Deputy Superintendent of the Philadelphia public schools, Professor of Urban Studies and Urban Education, and Academic Vice President of Temple University, where he was later appointed a Presidential Scholar.

In 1967, he was appointed by President Lyndon Baines Johnson to the National Council on Education Professions Development. In 1980, he was appointed by President Jimmy Carter to the National Council on Educational Research. In 1994, he was appointed by President Clinton to the President's Board of Advisors on Historically Black Colleges and Universities. He served as Senior Vice Chairman of the Board of the National Urban League for 13 years. He has served on numerous other boards and commissions, including the Philadelphia City Planning Commission, the Public Interest Law Center, the National Urban Coalition, and the Barnes Foundation.

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2016-17 IllumiNation Series Schedule:

THE GREAT SOCIETY
By Robert Schenkkan
Directed by Nicole A. Watson
Based on the original production directed by Bill Rauch
Saturday, February 11 at 1:00pm
Pre-show reception and a post-show discussion will be held on Asolo Rep's Mezzanine
Performance will be held in the Mertz Theatre

THE LITTLE FOXES
By Lillian Hellman
Directed by Frank Galati
Saturday, April 8 at 1:00pm
Pre-show reception and a post-show discussion will be held on Asolo Rep's Mezzanine
Performance will be held in the Mertz Theatre

THE ELABORATE ENTRANCE OF CHAD DEITY
By Kristoffer Diaz
Directed by Jen Wineman
Tuesday, April 18 at 6:30pm
Pre-show reception and a post-show discussion will be held on Asolo Rep's Mezzanine
Performance will be held in the Cook Theatre

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3-Play Packages and single tickets are available. The package can be for either Section A or Section B seating, ranging from $135 to $225. Non-series ticket holders may purchase the pre-show cocktail reception for an additional $10.

To purchase tickets, call 941.351.8000 or 800.361.8388, visit www.asolorep.org, or visit the Asolo Repertory Theatre Box Office, located in the lobby of the theatre. Asolo Repertory Theatre is located at 5555 North Tamiami Trail in the Florida State University Center for the Performing Arts. The Box Office is open Monday 10am - 5pm, Tuesday - Thursday 10am - 7:30pm, Friday - Saturday 10am - 8pm, and Sunday 10am - 2pm. The box office closes at 5pm when there are no evening performances and phone lines close one hour prior to the start of any performance. Season subscription packages are also available online and by visiting or calling the box office.

Now in its 58th season, Asolo Repertory Theatre is recognized as one of the premier professional theatres in America and one of the largest in the Southeastern United States. One of the few select theatres in the nation that performs in true rotating repertory, Asolo Rep's highly skilled Acting Company and extensive craftsmanship bring to life this unique performance method that gives audiences the opportunity to see multiple productions in the span of a few days. Asolo Rep presents up to 15 productions each season including contemporary and classic works and provocative musical theatre experiences. A theatre district in and of itself, Asolo Rep is committed to expanding its reach into the community, furthering its collaboration with the best theatre artists working in the industry today and cultivating new artists through its affiliation with the FSU/Asolo Conservatory for Actor Training. Under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Michael Donald Edwards and Managing Director Linda DiGabriele, Asolo Rep's ambitious theatrical offerings and ground-breaking education and outreach programming engage audiences and ensure its lasting legacy for future generations.

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