VCU news

By Mary Beth Alford and Ann Ford

RICHMOND, Va. – In conjunction with Theatre VCU�s season-opener, "Night Sky," Virginia Commonwealth University will host two programs that explore the effects of aphasia, which impairs one�s ability to speak or understand language. A symposium will be held at 11 a.m. Oct. 7 at the Raymond Hodges Theatre in the Performing Arts Center, 922 Park Ave.

At 2 p.m. in Hodges Theatre, internationally known director Joseph Chaikin, who lives with aphasia, will read from "The War in Heaven," a piece he co-wrote with Sam Sheppard.

Symposium panelists include Birdie Minor, regional representative of the National Aphasia Association and supervisor of speech and language rehabilitation at Woodrow Wilson Rehabilitative Services in Fishersville, Va.; Harold F. Young, M.D., head of neurosurgery for VCU�s Medical College of Virginia Hospitals; and Kenneth Stackhouse, Ph.D., director of the Science Museum of Virginia planetarium, who will explore the astronomical aspects of the play.

Showing at Theatre VCU through Oct. 14, "Night Sky" is the tale of a gifted female astronomer who, after suffering a traumatic brain injury, is diagnosed with aphasia. Written by Susan Yankowitz, the play chronicles her struggle to regain her communication skills and her life.

The event is free and open to the public. For information, call Ann Ford at (804) 828-2695.