JOHN NYGRO
Lecturer
Featured Programs
Presentations last one hour. For additional programs or to book a program, click the "Contact" button above.
Silent Halloween Horror
Silent films are visually striking representations of human emotions, including fear and uncertainty. Participants will view the visual artistry of one of three early films to gain a deeper appreciation of their beauty as well as the psychological implications of what inspires fear in all of us. Portions of a single film will be featured--Nosferatu, The Cabinet of Doctor Calgary or The Phantom of the Opera.
Shakespeare and the 21st Century
What does Shakespeare say about refugees, sexual assault and secretive leadership? Although written over four hundred years ago, Shakespeare’s plays Sir Thomas More, Cymbeline and Richard III not only have much to say about challenges we have faced in the past but also offer a way to think about them in the present and into the future.
The Spectacular Wedding of a Renaissance Prince
A month-long marriage celebration of a member of the illustrious Italian Medici family to a French princess was a supreme achievement combining art, architecture, theater and music. Participants will view portions of a modern video recreation and experience the glorious music and gorgeous designs that made this event one of the most extravagant weddings in history.
Early Hitchcock Films
Before Alfred Hitchcock produced his best known masterpieces of filmed suspense, he created equally compelling films. Participants will view excerpts from his early films from a silent horror film to the story of a vanished traveling companion to an unsettling tale of closeted lovers who murder for pleasure. Single or multiple lecture series.
Shakespeare’s Women
Although performed by boy players in the Renaissance theater, Shakespeare’s female roles are rich, varied, flesh-and-blood characters that have captivated generations of audiences. This presentation will examine several memorable female characters in the Bard’s plays focusing on their power, motivations and the risks they take.
Silent Goddesses
Silent film actresses Greta Garbo, Mary Pickford and Gloria Swanson cultivated their natural beauty and charisma to create unique characters for the cinema. Participants will view performances of these three silent film stars who used their dramatic talents to become goddesses of the silver screen.
Music from
Colonial America
The music of the early United States is a rich, multifaceted panoply of sacred and secular music from the Old World, prayers of Native Americans, slave songs as well as music created in the New World. This presentation will feature music that helped form the foundation of the embracing of our differences that makes up our American spirit.
Television Comedy Duos
There is something magical about a comedy duo—the clever banter of opposing personalities, an intimate relationship between partners and the universal truths their comedy reveals. Participants will enjoy comedy sketches, series excerpts and special examples of Andy Griffith and Don Knotts, Mike Nichols and Elaine May plus Lucille Ball and Vivian Vance.
The Insightful Eye of British Television Comedy
From the drawing room comedy of Mapp and Lucia to the gentle heart of The Vicar of Dibley to the satirical sketches of Monty Python’s Flying Circus, British Television Comedy reveals a thought provoking perspective through a humorous view of life.
Curb Your Enthusiasm
Edgy but infectiously funny, Larry David’s choice of subject matter and his own role as the man for whom no good deed goes unpunished inspires our ability to see humor in everyday occurances. Larry David’s endless attempts to do the right thing inspires us to laugh at ourselves.
The Castrati: Gods of the Baroque Opera Stage
After traumatic surgery to keep their childhood soprano voices intact, young boys matured into strong, talented men who possessed the most brilliant singing voices of their day. Participants will hear recreations of what these phenomenal artists sounded like as well as one castrato who lived into early 1920s.
Richard III: The Historical King and Shakespeare’s Villain
The recent discovery of the remains of the historical King Richard III has sparked a re-evaluation of his true character. This presentation will compare accurate information about Richard’s physical body and contemporary accounts of his personality with Shakespeare's portrayal of him as a malformed, evil manipulator.
Music for a
Medieval Queen
Eleanor of Aquitaine, 1122-1204, ruled over France and England and was one of the wealthiest, most powerful and important woman in the Middle Ages. She is responsible for patronizing the music and poetry of medieval troubadours. The sentiments of these performers form the foundation of our modern conception of romantic love.