If you have ever wanted to ask Karl Marx a question, now may be your chance. FAU is holding a Chautauqua in celebration of the newly established School of Communication & Multimedia Studies. This all-day event will feature a poetry slam, a film screening and appearances from several media figures, some of which are dead.

“The whole idea is to have fun with it,” said event advisor Dr. Becky Mulvaney.

Costumed student actors will roam the Free Speech Lawn, taking on the personas of communication pioneers such as director Alfred Hitchcock, author Angela McRobbie and political theorist Antonio Gramsci. The actors will also perform skits and monologues to give students a better understanding of their characters. Students are encouraged to interact with the characters by engaging in conversation and asking questions.

Named for the lake in New York, a Chautauqua is designed to promote thought and discussion on a variety of important political, social and cultural issues. Founded in 1874, these events were popular vehicles for public communication and entertainment in the United States.

FAU’s Chautauqua will showcase the numerous areas of study that the School of Communication has to offer. Several of the student actors are earning directed independent study credits for participating in the event and writing research papers on their characters.

The Chautauqua is organized entirely by students in the Public Communication, Democracy and Civic Engagement class. The students hope that the event will bring a stronger sense of community to the School of Communication as well as FAU at large.

“[Students] usually don’t want anything from us but a free meal and a t-shirt,” said Dr. Mulvaney.

Chautauqua will take place on April 20 between Student Services and the Social Science Building beginning at 10 am.