Celebrity Tina Fey and her husband, KSU alumnus Jeff Richmond will join an ensemble cast in the radio play version of May 4th Voices, written by David Hassler, Director of the Wick Poetry Center and produced and directed by Joe Gunderman, Production Coordinator at NPR affiliate, WKSU. This riveting play explores the perspectives and viewpoints of individuals who experienced the events of May 4th first-hand: from students and faculty to Ohio National Guardsmen and citizens.
David Hassler was inspired to write May 4th voices as a part of a collaboration with the May 4th Oral History Project, which is housed at the 鶹ý Library. “These were voices that needed to be heard: stories and viewpoints that needed to be expressed as a vital part of the whole story of May 4th,” according to Hassler. In 2013 the play was published as a book by the Kent University Press, and also produced for local PBS broadcast with co-producer Ken Bindas, Professor in the Department of History. Their production of the play won the Oral History Non-Print Format Award in 2014.
The theme of May 4th, as well as themes of peace and conflict resolution, have been a significant part of Hassler’s work at the Wick Poetry Center leading up to the 50th commemoration. Most recently the Wick Poetry Center issued a call for poetry centered on peace and conflict transformation and received over 600 submissions from around the country. There is also an opportunity for global citizens—like you—to share a line or a stanza in the global peace poem, My Voice. This global community poem commemorates the 50th anniversary of the May 4th shootings.
For more information about the play, May 4th Voices, a list of radio stations that will air the production, or to listen to the production online, please visit the website .
Interested in sharing your voice in the global peace poem? There is no experience required: simply visit the website and follow your creativity.