WKCTC's Clemens Fine Arts Center Opens New Exposure Series with "Walking on Cotton"

Short Dramatic Play in Recognition of October's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month

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PADUCAH, KY (09/21/2018) On average, nearly 20 people per minute are physically abused by an intimate partner in the United States. During one year, this equates to more than 10 million women and men, according to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence.

In recognition of October's National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, West Kentucky Community and Technical College's Clemens Fine Arts Center will open its new Exposure Series with "Walking on Cotton" to shed light on this issue. The presentation, which is free and open to the public, will be held October 1 at 7:30 p.m. in the Clemens Theatre.

As a part of our new Exposure Series, which focuses on enabling audiences and artists to explore ideas about our world with an interdisciplinary and more education-based approach, the Clemens Center is presenting the new dramatic work, written by Brenda J-Yazd.

"The short play is about women and children living with domestic violence, a silent epidemic in our society and our community," said Clemens Center Director Todd Birdsong. "After working with Brenda on another project, I was impressed with the words she had written and the message of hope and survival that the play conveys to the audience."

The art form was chosen, along with song and movement, to give voice to the women and children that are unable or too afraid to speak. Although the play is not all inclusive, domestic violence can affect anyone, there is no precipitous for it, no ethnicity, gender, class or socioeconomic group, Birdsong added.

"Walking on Cotton" is sponsored in part by the WKCTC's Diversity and Inclusion Office. Seating is limited to 100 seats. Both J-Yazd and the audience will share the stage in this intimate performance. A question and answer session will follow.

For more information, call (270) 534-3212.