Memory, Memoir and Humankind: Reflection on Our Universal Themes

Paul McComas will speak on the topic, Memory, Memoir and Humankind: Reflections on Our Universal Themes.  Entertaining, compelling, often moving excerpts from memoirs of the famous (Katherine Graham, Anwar el-Sadat, Maya Angelou, Hillary Rodham Clinton, rural-Wisconsin author Ben Logan) and the not-so-famous illustrate the commonalities inherent in culturally diverse people and peoples.  Alongside his performance and analysis of these excerpts, author/actor/scholar Paul provides practical tips about the elements of craft that reveal those themes as one documents one’s own life experiences for family, friends, and posterity, always with a focus on theme. “No one can tell your stories but you,” McComas says while showing how, “and in so doing, you connect your history and culture with those of others, helping to foster a better, more cohesive world. Lively discussion follows.

Paul McComas is the author of five and editor of two critically acclaimed books of fiction; a scholarly volume on film is under contract for an academic press.  He co-wrote the Logan’s Run sequel-novel Logan’s Last Run—due out next year—with the original sci-fi classic’s now deceased author William F. Nolan.  Paul earned an M.A. in Film at Northwestern, since which his scripts and shorts have won international (Talking Pictures Fest) and national (AFI) prizes.  He is also a musician-songwriter and recording artist on Chicago Acoustic Underground’s CAUDog Records.  He served for 12 years on the National Leadership Council of the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network and has served as an Events Chair for The Kennedy Forum for Mental Health. Paul has taught creative writing, media studies / film / classic-TV, literature, and writing at Northwestern and National Louis Universities and the University of Chicago’s Graham School.  He is in early production on his first full-length film, the animated feature Unplugged (adapted from his award-winning 2002 novel), with voice performances by Ed Asner, Christina Ricci, and Louis Gossett Jr.

Covid safety: let us all keep each other safe!

While we are meeting in person, we need to mutually trust that we will respect the risks to the most vulnerable and hold each other’s well-being as a shared priority. As such, we will be constantly monitoring public health recommendations. In accordance with Cook County Department of Health and local guidelines, we will be practicing the following safety protocols:

• Socially distant seating
• Masks required and hand sanitizer available
• Individually wrapped food