Looking Towards Living London | Senior Spotlight | Come See Anton Chekov’s The Seagull | Events in the English Department
Looking Towards Living London
We sat down with Constance Walker, the head professor of the Living London program to get the scoop on what some of our English majors will be doing this upcoming term!
Some of our loveliest English (and Theater) majors will be off to jolly ol’ London this Winter to explore some of the most prolific and well-known authors of English literature! London is a vast city, however, and it could take lifetimes to fully explore its historic and contemporary importance to our beloved field. So what will our majors be doing this upcoming term? I had a chat with program leader, Connie Walker, to get more info:
What’s the general structure of this program?
The Living London program is a 10-week seminar: you stay in flats in the heart of the city, with a transportation card and lots of free time to go exploring. My program features going on walks led by knowledgeable local guides to sites and museums around the city, going on field trips to the houses of the writers we’ll be reading, and going to the best of the season’s plays 2-3 nights a week. Tough life…
What authors and playwrights will you be especially focused on?
London Lives is going to explore the city as the home and inspiration for the brilliant work of Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, and Zadie Smith.
What are some key events you are looking forward to?
Charles Dickens’s great-great-great granddaughter is going to take us on a private tour of the Dickens Museum, showing us some family heirlooms not on display to the public. And we have tickets to see The Importance of Being Earnest, starring Stephen Fry, and to The Playboy of the Western World with Nicola Coughlan (Derry Girls, Bridgerton). Can’t wait!
While it’s too late to sign up for this upcoming program, have no fear! Professor Greg Hewett will be leading the next Living London program in spring of 2027, so if any of you intrepid literary nuts are into a cozy, urban spring, then this next iteration is perfect for you! We asked Greg a couple questions regarding his takes on the program:
What do you plan on bringing to the program?
I’m bringing my enthusiasm! Creative writing about amazing London brings, I think, the experience into a deeper place in us. This combines so well with the urban studies course.
What are some things you are especially looking forward to for this upcoming program?
I’m looking forward to seeing varied theatre productions. We see twenty or more incredible plays! I also am looking forward to wandering the many neighborhoods of London. Plus, our trip to the Hebrides. The Isle of Mull and Iona are out of this world!
The first interest meeting for the 2027 program will be this November, so mark your calendars and be on the lookout for specific dates in the future!
Senior Spotlight: Lillie Geil
Have you ever wondered to yourself what Lillie’s favorite book is? Read here to find out.
What is your plan for comps?
I’m writing a poetry collection that’s sort of exploring the personal and ecological futures of the Pacific Northwest region, Puget Sound, because I live there and I love it and I’m worried about it.
What is your favorite book?
Ooh, my favorite book. I reread Slaughterhouse-Five by Kurt Vonnegut last spring for Woodstock Nation, and I remembered how much I love it. But I don’t have a permanent favorite.
What is your most “English major” trait?
I think that I like to print out all my readings and I like to mark them up.
What has been your favorite class?
Let’s see. I think, honestly, I guess in terms of English classes, my advanced poetry workshop was just super cool. It was amazing. It’s so fun to see everybody’s work progress over the term.
What advice would you give to future English majors?
It’s pretty typical, but go to office hours as much as you want, maybe more than you want. Because I often find that if I’m struggling with an essay or something I just need to talk to the professor about it and they’ll give guidance and I’ll just come away feeling like I know what to do. And it’s also nice to be able to build that connection outside of class.
What are your post-grad plans?
I’m not entirely sure yet, but I’m planning on going back home and looking for a job in arts education and outreach. I did that over the summer and it was great working with community art like non-profits and getting communities engaged in art.
Any other concluding thoughts for the Second Laird Miscellany?
I don’t think I do. I want to say something cool. That sucks, I don’t have anything cool to say.
Thanks so much, Lillie!
Come See Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull
Here’s what you can expect from the Theater Department’s fall production during week six!
Next weekend the Theater Department will stage its fall show, Anton Chekhov’s The Seagull. This play is performed around the world in countless theaters, often with famous actors taking part. While Carleton’s rendition doesn’t feature any special appearances from West End stars, its cast is sure to please. I had the chance to interview four cast members to give Miscellany readers a peek behind the scenes. Thea Zimmerman Comas (Polina) describes it as a “modern adaptation” of Chekhov’s play about a gathering of actors and writers at a country estate “exploring their complicated relationships” and the surprising similarities “between the characters despite how differently they express themselves.”
Claire Gannon (Nina) notes that “everyone is in love with someone else,” leading to some complicated love triangles. Jack Bartlett (Trigorin) adds that many characters “are in love with the idea” of who other people are. Though disappointment ensues for these characters, Kaelyn Rothe (Masha) notes that “the director Jeanne says it’s a play about enduring. It’s about wanting a lot of things that you never get and finding ways to survive despite the lack of happiness in one’s life. Very Russian.”
If you enjoy unrequited love and broken dreams, or simply want to see all of Claire’s five fabulous costumes, it is definitely worth making time to see The Seagull. Performances are Thursday, Friday, and Saturday nights at 7:30pm with 2pm on Saturday and Sunday (October 23-26). Tickets are free and available online on the theater department website!
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