The History of Bowling

By Mike Ervin

The History of Bowling punctures both the lowly and the mighty as two mismatched lovers take on an alternative PE assignment in order to finally graduate. The History of Bowling is a sly campus comedy with equal parts irony and romance. Along the way this quick-paced drama challenges the dehumanization of people with disabilities and argues for social and personal acceptance. "You don't have to be a part of the disability community to find this play entertaining and worth while," says Cody Unser, Community Liaison for the production and a Johnston senior at the University of Redlands. Cody continues: "The History of Bowling brings to the stage challenges we all face. . .life lessons in hilarious moments. I am so excited to be a part of something so real and eye opening."

This production marks the first time that the Theatre Arts Department of the University of Redlands will be offering two performances interpreted in American Sign Language for deaf and hard-of-hearing audience members (Thursday, April 2nd at 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 5th at 2:00 PM). The interpreted performances are made possible through the support of the University of Redlands Disabled Student Services. Additional support provided by the California Arts Council and the National Arts Disability Center.

Playwright Mike Ervin has published over 1,000 articles and essays-mostly on disability topics and jazz-in more than 40 newspapers and magazines, including the Chicago Tribune, the Los Angeles Times, The Progressive and Downbeat. A long-time member of direct action disability rights group ADAPT, Ervin has been arrested more than a dozen times protesting for accessibility.

April 2 - 5, 2009

Cast: