Tamara Williams Memorial Lecture: Ben Atherton-Zeman's "Voices of Men" April 6, 2011

“Voices of Men” is a multi-media play that deals with issues of sexual assault and date rape, domestic and dating violence, sexual harassment and objectification. The play uses humor and celebrity male
voice impressions to bring these topics to an audience in a way that minimizes defensiveness. Each male character in the play is forced to deal with one of the issues listed above – in doing so, they come to the realization that they are, in fact, part of the problem. The performance includes graphic images of violence. More information about Mr. Atherton-Zeman and his work can be seen at http://www.voicesofmen.org

The program is free and open to the public. Public parking is available in the Hill Street parking structure between Tappan Street and East University Avenue.

Mr. Atherton-Zeman also will present two workshops earlier that day, free and open to the public:

• Increasing Men’s Accountability in Their Work to Stop Violence Against Women, 10:00 – 11:30 a.m., April 6. The five steps described in this workshop are based on accountability to women’s leadership. The steps encourage men to speak out against sexism and violence in the world and in themselves.

• How to Use Interactive Theater to Prevent Violence Against Women, 1:00 – 2:30 p.m., April 6. This workshop invites audience members to create scenarios to show interactions between an abused woman and her abusive boyfriend. The resulting skit will illustrate how interactive theater can be used to dispel common myths about dating and domestic violence (Note: The skit includes the simulation of violence).

Both workshops are in Forum Hall, on the 4th Floor of Palmer Commons, at the corner of Washtenaw Avenue & Palmer Drive. Public parking is available in a structure next to Palmer Commons on
Palmer Drive. For directions and parking information please see the following web site: http://www.palmercommons.umich.edu/content/mapsdirectionsparking

Tamara Williams was a University of Michigan student and Family Housing resident when she was killed by her boyfriend in 1997. The annual lecture is meant to commemorate her life, raise awareness of
domestic and dating violence, and increase interest in their prevention.

This year’s program is sponsored by University Housing, the School of Social Work, the Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Center, Abuse Hurts and University Human Resources, the Michigan Coalition
Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, the Office of the Dean of Students, University of Michigan Health System, and the Center for the Education of Women. Co-sponsors include the Interdisciplinary Research Program on Violence Across the Lifespan, SafeHouse Center, and the Batterer Intervention Services Coalition of Michigan.