aerial view of Western's campus at night, with golden lights surrounded by dark trees

New Play Featuring the Diverse Life Stories of WWU Students to Run Nov. 19-21

“First Person: Diverse Student Stories,” a new play in the words of Western students, will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on Nov. 19, 20 and 21 at the Western Washington University Performing Arts Center’s DUG Theatre. 

“First Person: Diverse Student Stories,” written by Assistant Professor of Journalism Professor Maria McLeod and directed by Western alum Karee Wardrop, is a collection of seven monologues about college student lives told from the perspective of students of color, differing abilities, ages, ethnicities and gender identities.

The stories, derived from interviews conducted earlier this year by McLeod, are performed by Western student actors, community members and one visiting actor from Detroit. ASL interpreters will interpret all three performances.

Narratives include stories of finding one’s passion as a returning student veteran, learning the meaning of money on a senior trip to Las Vegas, trying to explain one’s gender identity to parents, being racially and/or ethnically profiled, and navigating the educational system as a deaf person in a hearing world.

 “Every student has a story, and these seven are particularly powerful, compelling and deserving of an audience,” McLeod said. “Karee, cast and crew have done an amazing job of bringing these stories to life.”

This production of “First Person” marks the second time McLeod and Wardrop have teamed up for a documentary-theatre production. In 2012-13, Wardrop directed another piece by McLeod, also derived from interviews, “Body Talk: Sexual Triumphs, Trials and Revelations,” with sold-out shows at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center in Bellingham.

Tickets for “First Person,” are free with prior registration and can be obtained by visiting or calling the WWU Box Office at (360) 650-6146.

For more information, contact Maria McLeod, assistant professor of Journalism, at (360) 650-4270.