Written by Isabella Roy
Photographed by Alexis Atkins
On Wednesday, May 13 the Clarence Thomas Center for Historic Preservation housed Seersucker Live, one of many nonprofit events that give local writers the opportunity to read their work in a nonacademic environment. This event revolved around comedy.
In “SCAD & Seersucker Live – The Art School Episode II,” SCAD professors and a few special guests read excerpts from their works, played a short game of Truth or Dare and captivated the crowd for an entire evening.
Founders and hosts Christopher Berinato and Zach Powers said that they wanted to find a balance between respecting the literary world and having fun with it as well. The duo welcomed students, faculty and a few groupies of the literary world to their goofy take on the importance of supporting and gathering talented writers; in this case, of the SCAD variety.
There were two special guests of the evening: poets Alexis Orgera and Laura Davenport, who both presented the crowd with their take on modern poetry. Professors Jonathan Rabb, Lee Griffith, James Lough, Andrea Goto and Beth Concepcion, dean of the School of Liberal Arts, were among the readers.
“Writing is often a lonely pursuit, so it’s nice to get everyone together,” said Davenport.
The professors read excerpts from both new and published pieces. The variety of works included historical fiction and general fiction, satirical letters and academic excerpts as well as personal essays.
“This is an opportunity for students to come and throw tomatoes at their professors,” said Rabb.
This event marked the second time that SCAD officially joined up with Seersucker Live, giving students the opportunity to hear their professors’ work and see them as a member of the writing world, not just a professor in a classroom.
This year is the five-year anniversary for Seersucker Live, and they plan on holding a special event later in the year to celebrate.
The next Seersucker Live event will be held on May 29. To learn more about Seersucker Live and their future literary events, visit their website or their Facebook page.
