Featured Events for Spring 2023 (April 19th-22nd, 2023)
Keynote Address: Alok Vaid-Menon
Date: Wednesday, April 19th, 2023
Time: 7pm MST/Doors 6:30pm MST
Location: University of Wyoming Arts & Sciences Auditorium at the University of Wyoming (1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071)
Wyocast Live Stream (UWYO sign-in protected, stream starts at 7pm MST): https://wyocast.uwyo.edu/WyoCast/Play/3f3115c71bdf4362b54ededd56f4137d1d
Information: Free & Open to the Public. After Alok's keynote address, there will be a short 15 minute Q&A followed by a 30-minute book signing of Alok's book, Beyond the Gender Binary in the Arts and Sciences Auditorium. Books can be purchased at the Arts & Sciences Auditorium lobby area before and after the show. This event will feature an opening performance by Black Wolf at 6:30pm. For accessibility accommodations & other questions, please contact shepardsymposium@gmail.com
About: ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound/My Garden (2021). They are the creator of #DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries and have been honored as one of HuffPo’s Culture Shifters, NBC’s Pride 50, and Business Insider’s Doers. Over the past decade they have toured in more than 40 countries, most recently headlining the Vancouver Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and selling out their runs at the Soho Theatre in London and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They are currently on a world tour of their new show which has been described as "provocative and powerful" (Chortle), a "Potent combination of comedy and poetry" (The Scotsman), and a "Jaw-dropping celestial event" (To Do List London). On screen, they will make their feature film debut in Netflix’s Absolute Dominion. On television, they have appeared on Netflix’s Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness and The Trans List.
Q & A: Submit Your Questions to ALOK:
Time: 7pm MST/Doors 6:30pm MST
Location: University of Wyoming Arts & Sciences Auditorium at the University of Wyoming (1000 E University Ave, Laramie, WY 82071)
Wyocast Live Stream (UWYO sign-in protected, stream starts at 7pm MST): https://wyocast.uwyo.edu/WyoCast/Play/3f3115c71bdf4362b54ededd56f4137d1d
Information: Free & Open to the Public. After Alok's keynote address, there will be a short 15 minute Q&A followed by a 30-minute book signing of Alok's book, Beyond the Gender Binary in the Arts and Sciences Auditorium. Books can be purchased at the Arts & Sciences Auditorium lobby area before and after the show. This event will feature an opening performance by Black Wolf at 6:30pm. For accessibility accommodations & other questions, please contact shepardsymposium@gmail.com
About: ALOK (they/them) is an internationally acclaimed author, poet, comedian, and public speaker. As a mixed-media artist their work explores themes of trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017), Beyond the Gender Binary (2020), and Your Wound/My Garden (2021). They are the creator of #DeGenderFashion: a movement to degender fashion and beauty industries and have been honored as one of HuffPo’s Culture Shifters, NBC’s Pride 50, and Business Insider’s Doers. Over the past decade they have toured in more than 40 countries, most recently headlining the Vancouver Just for Laughs Comedy Festival and selling out their runs at the Soho Theatre in London and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. They are currently on a world tour of their new show which has been described as "provocative and powerful" (Chortle), a "Potent combination of comedy and poetry" (The Scotsman), and a "Jaw-dropping celestial event" (To Do List London). On screen, they will make their feature film debut in Netflix’s Absolute Dominion. On television, they have appeared on Netflix’s Getting Curious with Jonathan Van Ness, HBO’s Random Acts of Flyness and The Trans List.
Q & A: Submit Your Questions to ALOK:
Shepard Symposium Dinner & Awards Banquette
Date: Thursday, April 20th 2023
Time: 5:30pm MST/Doors 5:00pm MST
Location: University of Wyoming Student Union Ballrooms (2nd Floor)
DJ Performance: Black Wolf
About: Join Shepard Symposium on Social Justice for a awards banquet dinner that celebrates and honors 2022-2023 Shepard Symposium award recipients! Free dinner (first come first served) will be included, this is a free general admission event (no tickets required) and open to the public. Featuring a DJ performance by Black Wolf from 5:00pm-6:00pm MST.
Awards to be Recognized:
Time: 5:30pm MST/Doors 5:00pm MST
Location: University of Wyoming Student Union Ballrooms (2nd Floor)
DJ Performance: Black Wolf
About: Join Shepard Symposium on Social Justice for a awards banquet dinner that celebrates and honors 2022-2023 Shepard Symposium award recipients! Free dinner (first come first served) will be included, this is a free general admission event (no tickets required) and open to the public. Featuring a DJ performance by Black Wolf from 5:00pm-6:00pm MST.
Awards to be Recognized:
- UW Undergraduate Student Award
- UW Graduate Student or Post-Doctoral Fellow Award
- UW Faculty or Staff Member Award
- Wyoming Community Member Award
- Shepard Symposium Outstanding Service
Arsonist by Jacqueline Goldfinger - A relative theatrics production
Date: Thursday, April 20th 2023
Time: 7:30pm MST/Doors 7:00pm MST
Location: Laramie Plains Civic Center - Gryphon Theatre
Tickets: Pick-Your-Price of $15/25/40, on sale now (discounts and complimentary tickets available for Shepard Symposium attendees - email amason@relativetheatrics.com for details)
About: ARSONIST is a lyrical Southern Gothic tale inspired by Electra about a father-daughter arson team who escapes to the Florida Everglades. It’s a provocative journey from grief to redemption that delves into the primal bond between parent and child, and explores if that bond can ever truly be broken. "In Jacqueline Goldfinger’s spellbinding new play, the playwright honors the history of theater, but it’s also contemporary.” “An impactful, spine-chilling meditation on the age-old themes of life and death, the power that nature holds over humanity, and the ties that bind father to daughter.” "Haunting, and atmospheric, [this] is not your usual family piece, nor is it anything like a conventional ghost story."
CONTENT WARNING: ARSONIST is suitable for adult audiences and includes content that some viewers may find challenging, including profanity, fake blood, and discussion of grief, mental health challenges, suicide, and arson.
Time: 7:30pm MST/Doors 7:00pm MST
Location: Laramie Plains Civic Center - Gryphon Theatre
Tickets: Pick-Your-Price of $15/25/40, on sale now (discounts and complimentary tickets available for Shepard Symposium attendees - email amason@relativetheatrics.com for details)
About: ARSONIST is a lyrical Southern Gothic tale inspired by Electra about a father-daughter arson team who escapes to the Florida Everglades. It’s a provocative journey from grief to redemption that delves into the primal bond between parent and child, and explores if that bond can ever truly be broken. "In Jacqueline Goldfinger’s spellbinding new play, the playwright honors the history of theater, but it’s also contemporary.” “An impactful, spine-chilling meditation on the age-old themes of life and death, the power that nature holds over humanity, and the ties that bind father to daughter.” "Haunting, and atmospheric, [this] is not your usual family piece, nor is it anything like a conventional ghost story."
CONTENT WARNING: ARSONIST is suitable for adult audiences and includes content that some viewers may find challenging, including profanity, fake blood, and discussion of grief, mental health challenges, suicide, and arson.
QUEER COMMUNITY COALITION Spring Dance: masquerade
Date: Friday, April 21st 2023
Time: 8:30pm MST
Location: Wyoming Student Union Ballroom (Rooms 220B & 220C)
Tickets: Free limited tickets available now at the Wyoming Union Information desk.
About: University of Wyoming Student organization Queer Community Coalition (QCC) is holding is annual free prom like dance on Friday April 21st from 8:30-11:30pm in the Union Ballroom (Rooms 220B & 220C). Partnering with ASUW, Multicultural Affairs, and Laramie PFLAG, the QCC Dance is for everyone to attend and gives a chance for students to have a prom where they can go with their partners or as their genders, in a protected space. Tickets are FREE and are available now at the Wyoming Student Union Information Desk . There will be free dinner and Sugar Mouse cupcakes for all those who attend. This is the QCC dance so dress how you want to present and come with whomever and however you would like!
Time: 8:30pm MST
Location: Wyoming Student Union Ballroom (Rooms 220B & 220C)
Tickets: Free limited tickets available now at the Wyoming Union Information desk.
About: University of Wyoming Student organization Queer Community Coalition (QCC) is holding is annual free prom like dance on Friday April 21st from 8:30-11:30pm in the Union Ballroom (Rooms 220B & 220C). Partnering with ASUW, Multicultural Affairs, and Laramie PFLAG, the QCC Dance is for everyone to attend and gives a chance for students to have a prom where they can go with their partners or as their genders, in a protected space. Tickets are FREE and are available now at the Wyoming Student Union Information Desk . There will be free dinner and Sugar Mouse cupcakes for all those who attend. This is the QCC dance so dress how you want to present and come with whomever and however you would like!
UNITED MULTICULTURAL COUNCIL DRAG SHOW 2023
Date: Saturday, April 22nd, 2023
Time: 7:30pm MST, doors open at 7:00pm MST
Location: Wyoming Student Union Ballroom (Rooms 220B & 220C, Union 2nd Floor)
Tickets: Free general admission open to the public
About: Drag is back at The University of Wyoming, with The United Multicultural Council’s annual UMC Drag Show Saturday April 22nd, at 7:30pm (doors open at 7:00pm MST). Come celebrate the final event of Shepard Symposium on Social Justice with your host Jessica L'Whor and performances from Khrys'taaal, Maverick Smith, Lulu Alnite, Lala Queen & Denim Pearl. Don’t forget to bring those tips as we hope to see you at 7:30pm at the University of Wyoming Union Ballrooms (Union 2nd floor)!
Time: 7:30pm MST, doors open at 7:00pm MST
Location: Wyoming Student Union Ballroom (Rooms 220B & 220C, Union 2nd Floor)
Tickets: Free general admission open to the public
About: Drag is back at The University of Wyoming, with The United Multicultural Council’s annual UMC Drag Show Saturday April 22nd, at 7:30pm (doors open at 7:00pm MST). Come celebrate the final event of Shepard Symposium on Social Justice with your host Jessica L'Whor and performances from Khrys'taaal, Maverick Smith, Lulu Alnite, Lala Queen & Denim Pearl. Don’t forget to bring those tips as we hope to see you at 7:30pm at the University of Wyoming Union Ballrooms (Union 2nd floor)!