Examining difficult subjects in girls’ and women’s lives through new work, this show begins with UCI MFA director candidate Melissa Livingston and UCI actor Monica Minix about their play “Is There Life After Birth?” This production focuses on the lives of teenage mother, and draws, in part, on the director’s own experiences. The play will run from Nov. 17- Nov 18, on and off campus respectively. Information about these performances is available at: http://illuminations.uci.edu/events/2017_11_17_Life_After_Birth.html.

In the second segment, (min 31:00) Dania Alkhouli, Syrian-American writer, poet, and spoken word artist presents her collection of poems entitled “Oceans & Flames.” Her self-published anthology, highlighting work she created amidst her experience dealing with domestic abuse, is illustrated by Syrian American artist Sama Wareh, and designed by Syrian Artist Dima Arabi Katbi. Follow Dania on social media as “Lady Narrator” for information about buying her book and meeting her.

In addition information, for the UCI 11-16-17 benefit for Refugee Students Scholarship Program, information is available at: http://www.accesscal.org/refugee-students-scholarship-program/.