By Sondra Rodriguez, Page Editor

The Office of Multicultural Enrichment will present Faces of America, a free, 65 minute one-person show that explores the experiences of nine ethnically diverse Americans, at the Paramount Theatre on Thursday.

Faces of America is presented by Will & Company, a non-profit theatre ensemble based in Los Angeles. According to the company’s Web site, performances “include contemporary works that blend educational and historical material with entertainment.”

In addition to Faces of America, the company performs other original works, including American Voice, Portraits of Courage and A Pebble in My Shoe. Each of those shows address boundaries and struggles surrounding different ethnicities.

Faces of America is performed by one person who portrays nine ethnically different characters.

The actor tells stories inspired by real people and events that reflect each ethnicity represented in the show.

Vanessa Whitt, junior graphic design major from the Philippines, is the intern media specialist for the Office of Multicultural Enrichment and said the show will depict the ethnic diversity present in America today.

Creators and actors are embarking on their sixth season to tour and perform for high schools and colleges nationwide as “believers in art for social change.”

This will be the first time Faces of America has performed for ACU students. George Pendergrass, director of Multicultural Enrichment, said he hopes students will walk away from the performance with a “greater awareness of who they are.”

Pendergrass said he wants students to leave the performance with an understanding of who they are in relation to the people, cultures and races around them.

“This makes our planet a lot better,” he said. “And it sure makes our school a lot better.”

Whitt also said students will benefit from the show.

“We’ve got a pretty diverse community here at ACU but we still have a large percentage of students who aren’t culturally aware or involved on campus,” she said. “It’s a good thing to get out there – this is the country you live in – embrace it.”

Although Pendergrass said he does not know how students will react to the one-person show, he said he hopes it will help eliminate racial and cultural barriers that have polarized students in the past, while emphasizing the positive elements each culture contributes to the world.

“What can I learn about different cultures that will make the planet better?” Pendergrass said. “This is a great time for that.”

Students can see the free show at the Paramount Theatre on Thursday at 7 p.m.