Upcoming reading of Parallel Press play, “If the Whole Body Dies” by Bob Skloot

April 4, 2013
Cover image of “If the Whole Body Dies,” by Robert Skloot. Parallel Press, 2006.

On Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 p.m., Bob Skloot, UW-Madison Professor emeritus of Theatre and Drama and Jewish Studies, will present his play “If the Whole Body Dies: Raphael Lemkin and the Treaty Against Genocide” (Parallel Press, 2006).

The play tells the story of Raphael Lemkin, the man who coined the word “genocide” and devoted his life to lobbying the United Nations to adopt a treaty against genocide. He achieved this goal in 1951 when the U.N. ratified the Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide, which he wrote.

The reading of the one-act play is a part of the Conney Conference on the Jewish Arts, organized by the UW’s Mosse-Weinstein Center for Jewish Studies and will take place in the H’Doubler Theatre in Lathrop Hall. There is no cost for the event.

Following the 50 minute reading will be a “talk-back” with the director and cast, including Bob Skloot, who will play the part of Raphael Lemkin.

At a Glance:

  • What:  A performance of “If the Whole Body Dies”
  • When: Thursday, April 11 at 7:00 pm
  • Where: Lathrop Hall, H’Doubler Theatre
  • Cost: FREE

For more information about the play and its author, check out this article highlighting a recent interview with Bob Skloot: “If the Whole Body Dies”: The little play that keeps on giving