The We Are Nebraska interns return with three performances in October.
The upcoming performances will be:
• Wednesday, Oct. 6 at 5 p.m. in the Cather Dining Complex’s Red Cloud Room (17th and R streets)
• Wednesday, Oct. 13 at 7:30 p.m. in the Student Union auditorium, 2nd floor (14th and R streets)
• Wednesday, Oct. 20 at 7:30 p.m. in the Cather Dining Complex’s Red Cloud Room
All three performances are free and open to the public. Seating is on a first-come, first-serve basis. Doors open 30 minutes prior to each show.
The We Are Nebraska internship program recruits students from across all colleges and backgrounds. Using improvisational methods, the 10 students in this year’s program explore their personal stories with social impact and then will present them in a theatrical experience to inspire, educate and entertain the university and local community.
“I think people connect to our show because it’s entertaining and engaging,” said Julie Uribe, the director and facilitator for the We Are Nebraska internship program. “People are hearing authentic, personal stories without feeling lectured to. We have a variety of points of view.”
The theatrical experiences feature challenging topics. The intention of the program is for students and broader audiences to gain awareness and empathy through their emotional connection.
“The stories range from addition to racism and to sexual assault,” Uribe said. “I’ve had students tell me after the shows that it’s the first time they’ve felt that they are not alone.”
Uribe is an Emmy Award-winning producer with more than 25 years of experience in the television industry and an alumni member of The Groundlings Sunday Company improv, the famous improv theatre in Los Angeles.
She is also the faculty advisor for Lazzi, the student improv troupe that uses the principles of improv for comedy.
“I thought the same principals of improv, which build relationships, create collaboration and improve listening skills to support each other can also be used to heal and to provide a path for empathy,” Uribe said.
The We Are Nebraska internships are sponsored by the Hixson-Lied College of Fine and Performing Arts, Student Affairs, Diversity and Inclusion, College of Business, College of Engineering, College of Law, Office of Research & Economic Development, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.
Facemasks are currently required indoors on campus. For the latest information on COVID-19 protocols, visit https://covid19.unl.edu.
