Doug Cassel is a Notre Dame Presidential Fellow, and director of the Law School’s Center for Civil and Human Rights. Mr. Cassel has worked as a consultant to the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the United States Department of State, and the Ford Foundation. He lectures worldwide and his articles are published internationally in English and Spanish. His commentaries on human rights are published in the Chicago Tribune and broadcast weekly on National Public Radio in Chicago. Cassel is also featured in the Oscar-award winning documentary, Taxi to the Dark Side, which examines the use of torture and other harsh techniques in the “war against terror.”

This post-show discussion immediately followed the performance of The Island, Remy Bumppo Theatre Company’s current mainstage show. Athol Fugard’s daring drama is set in an unnamed prison based on the one where Nelson Mandela was held. John and Winston are cellmates who spend their days doing back-breaking labor, and their nights rehearsing Sophocles’ Antigone to present to their fellow inmates. When John learns his sentence is being reduced, the men’s friendship is tested. Fugard plays the parallels between Antigone’s fight against political and patriarchal boundaries off of the imprisoned men’s fight for their dignity. The Island is a testament to the resiliency of the human heart.

Recorded Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at The Greenhouse Theater.