'LAUGHTER FOR LIFE' AIMS TO GET PEOPLE TALKING

Al Staggs takes on different personas to get people talking about religion and how it has affected American life, and each one brings a new and necessary voice to the conversation.

Staggs will give four performances during a visit next week to the Southeast Missouri State University campus and area churches as part of the Messer Lectures.

The performances are at 6 p.m. Tuesday at the Baptist Student Center Chapel, at noon Wednesday at Rose Theater on campus and again at 7 p.m. at Old St. Vincent Catholic Church, and at 7 p.m. Thursday at First Assembly of God Church. Each lecture will be a different performance.

The Messer Lectures are named for a former religious studies professor at the university and are sponsored by the Baptist Student Center.

Staggs portrays more than 40 people in his "Laughter for Life" performance that teaches about the need for humor in spiritual, emotional and physical health.

He also takes on the persona of Dietrich Bonhoeffer as the Lutheran pastor awaits execution in a German prison during World War II. The audience listens to the struggles Bonhoeffer had with evil, injustice and God.

Sometimes the struggles of society are voiced through just one person. Oscar Romero, an archbishop of El Salvador, spoke on behalf of the poor in his country and sought peace and forgiveness for the people. He was assassinated in 1980 as he celebrated Mass.

Through Staggs performance, the audience learns how Romero called for a more just society and hears his words.

During his final performance, Staggs will integrate issues of Christian community, peace and brotherhood when he portrays Clarence Jordan. Jordan is best known as founder of Koinonia Farm near Americus, Ga., and being a co-founder of Habitat for Humanity.

In portraying important historic and religious figures, Staggs lets the audience "meet them to hear in their own words the issues they raise," said Dr. Andy Pratt of the Baptist Student Center.

By hearing about those issues in a performance, it also brings them to light again, Pratt said.

The lectures are free and open to the public. No tickets are required.

During the performance Thursday, a special offering will be collected to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

Lecture series

Tuesday

Time: 6 p.m. Tuesday at Baptist Student Center chapel.

Topic: "Laughter for Life."

Wednesday

Time: Noon at Rose Theater at university campus.

Topic: "A view from the underside: The Legacy of Dietrich Bonhoeffer."

Time: 7 p.m. at Old St. Vincent Catholic Church.

Topic: "Oscar Romero: Martyred Archbishop of El Salvador."

Thursday

Time: 7 p.m. at First Assembly of God Church

Topic: "Clarence Jordan and the God Movement."

A special offering will be collected to benefit Habitat for Humanity.

The lecture series is sponsored by Baptist Student Center.