A unique partnership between OLLI Northwestern and The Goodman Theater created a rare opportunity for select OLLI members to perform at this internationally renowned theater.

Using themes of the play Nacerima Society by the renowned playwright, best-selling author, and poet Pearl Cleage, members shared their stories in a showcase performance. The room was filled, the energy was high, and the audience support was palpable. The members did not disappoint! Member performances were personal, poignant, humorous, and powerful. Their words moved the audience to laugh, cry, sit in contemplative silence, and experience a few ah-ha moments.

The evening didn’t end there. Members and their guests then attended the Nacerima Society play together in order to have that shared experience.

And there’s more! OLLI at Northwestern University and The Goodman Theater are planning a spring event focused on the captivating works of August Wilson. Together, members will watch the play Joe Turner’s Come and Gone. Members will again be featured in a storytelling showcase performance as they share their personal stories on the themes of the play.

The Goodman Theater is known for its quality of productions, depth and diversity of artistic leadership, and excellence of its many community and educational programs. Therefore, this partnership not only enhances the experiences of current OLLI members, but it is also a great opportunity to reach prospective members and those that will increase the diversity of the Institute’s membership.

Submitted by: OLLI at Northwestern University

Osher Institute at University of New Mexico

New Mexico History

Course Length: Single session 2-hour classes run across several weeks (8 hours)

Course Instructor: Angelo Cervantes is an avid genetic genealogical researcher. He pioneered the study of Anthropological Genetic Genealogy with the creation of the New Mexico DNA Project. He’s a key lecturer on the study of Anthropological Genetic Genealogy for various historical and genealogical organizations. Mr. Cervantes teaches Advanced Placement History at Albuquerque High School.

Course Delivery: In-person

Course Description: Although these classes run as single session classes, they are a series from instructor Angelo Cervantes on the genealogical connection to New Mexico. In this series, the classes examine the history of the original genetics, the connection to the Iberian Peninsula, the lineage relationship to New Mexico, and explore the reality of Rome’s beginnings. Participants explore the connection between Roman colonization of the Iberian Peninsula and its impact on the descendants of the peninsula. Classes contain films and discussions on which New Mexico families show the DNA markers that are most identified with this ancient civilization.

Classes in this series are:

• The Roman Connection to New Mexican Families
• The Phoenician Connection to New Mexican Families
• The Carthaginian Connection to New Mexican Families
• The Suebi Connection to New Mexican Families 

Of Note: This class is enrollment for single sessions while being part of a series. There is a core group of members that take the classes consecutively as the topic of genetic history runs through the series. However, the individual classes are structured to stand alone and allow members to take a single class (and many do). Additionally, this class runs in the early evenings, typically starting at 4pm.

Osher Educational Coordinator

University of Missouri

Lifelong Learning Coordinator

Coastal Carolina University

Program Associate, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

University of North Carolina Wilmington

Administrative Assistant 1, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Boise State University

Administrative Assistant 3, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

Northwestern University

PT Assistant II, OLLI Prescott

Yavapai College

Administrative Specialist CL3, Osher Lifelong Learning Institute

University of Southern Maine

Is there a staff opening at your Osher Institute? Please send it to us at oshernrc@northwestern.edu