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Movement Rhizome: Quillian International Symposium on Sri Lanka
The symposium is open to all who register. Register Here
8:30 a.m – Contemplative Practice Session Houston Houston Memorial Chapel
9 a.m – “Identity & Politics” Roundtable Houston Memorial Chapel
In-person roundtable presentations and discussion featuring the following scholars:
- Katie Powell, Director of the Center for Refugee, Migrant, and Displacement Studies and Professor, Virginia Tech
- Chamila Priyanka, Sri Lankan theatre practitioner, Visiting Lecturer, PhD student in Performance as Public Practice, University of Texas at Austin
- Susan A. Reed, Associate Professor of Women’s & Gender Studies and Anthropology, Bucknell University
- Athula Samarakoon, award-winning filmmaker, Senior Lecturer, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
10:30-10:45 a.m – Break
10:45 a.m – “Building Resilience through Art & Performance”
Hybrid In-Person/Virtual Panel Houston Memorial Chapel
Hybrid in-person/virtual panel, bridging the distance between the United States and Sri Lanka, featuring the following scholars and artists in collaborative dialogue:
- Suzanne M. Bessenger, Barbara Boyle Lemon ’57 and William J. Lemon Associate Professor of Religious Studies, Randolph College
- Tharaka Gunasekara, architect, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Chamanee Darshika Hewagamage, theatre practitioner, Lecturer, Department of Theatre, Ballet and Modern Dance, University of the Visual and Performing Arts, Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Thamali Kithsiri, Senior Lecturer, Department of Geography, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vijay Madasamy, activist, community organizer, Researcher and Project Coordinator at Law and Society Trust
- Sumudu Manelanga, movement artist, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Hasanthi Niriella, movement artist, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Dilanjana Pathirana, music scholar, Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
12:30-1:30 p.m. – Lunch Dining Hall
1:30 p.m – “History & Performance” Houston Memorial Chapel
In-person roundtable presentations and discussion featuring the following scholars:
- Gunindu Abeysekera, Sri Lankan American ethnic studies scholar, art and cultural ethnographer, and community archivist; PhD candidate in Culture and Performance, UCLA
- Chinthaka Bandara, internationally acclaimed drummer, Senior Lecturer, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka
- Tyler Lehrer, Assistant Professor of History, Virginia Wesleyan University
- Sudesh Mantillake, Quillian International Visiting Scholar, Randolph College; Professor of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
- Vajira Dilrukshi Mantillake, dancer, educator, Visiting Lecturer, Department of Fine Arts, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka
3 p.m – Breakout Groups Houston Memorial Chapel
4-4:15 p.m – Break
4:15 p.m – Film Screening & Talkback:
“The Dance Ritual of Eighteen Vannamas” (Public) Nichols Theatre
Director & Speaker: Athula Samarakoon
This screening and talkback is open free to the public.
6 p.m – Speakers Dinner Randolph House
