It Gets Better Project includes week of events - Feb. 20-25.
It Gets Better Project includes week of events - Feb. 20-25.

It Gets Better Project and Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles visit Miami

The Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles will visit Miami University for a weeklong residency from Feb. 20-25 culminating with a musical performance of “It Gets Better” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 25, in Hall Auditorium. The events are part of the Miami Performing Arts Series.

Throughout the week the “It Gets Better” cast members will lead focused conversations identifying issues members of the LGBTQ community face and discussing possible solutions. The company members do not serve as experts; rather, they draw on their personal and professional experiences to share stories, case study scenarios, and provocative questions to generate meaningful conversation.

The philosophy of the “It Gets Better” tour is that the answers to every community’s questions can be found within that community. General topic areas include bullying, school and classroom climate for LGBT students, supporting at-risk students, and using It Gets Better Project videos in the classroom.

The project was founded in 2010, after a single video posted on the internet to offer hope to young people struggling with their sexuality inspired a worldwide sensation. Today, the mission of the project is to communicate to LGBT youth around the world that “it gets better” and to help effect the changes necessary to make it so.

The events are sponsored by the Bothast-Revalee family in collaboration with Miami’s office of diversity affairs, the Talawanda School District and Oxford PFLAG.

The It Gets Better Project will host several dialogues with Miami students, faculty and staff and members of the Talawanda School District and Oxford community.

It Gets Better cast members

It Gets Better and The Gay Men's Chorus of Los Angeles: Purchase tickets to the Feb. 25 concert.

Residency Events (Open to the public)

Miami University Faculty & Staff Luncheon, noon, Monday, Feb. 20, Goggin Ice Center Club Lounge

Academic personnel and human resources are sponsoring this facilitated dialogue with the “It Gets Better” company about topics and issues related to the touring project. A complimentary lunch is provided. Register online.

Oxford Community Facilitated Dialogue and Luncheon, 11 a.m., Tuesday, Feb. 21, Oxford Community Arts Center Ballroom

Hosted by the Oxford United Way, the cast members will lead a focused conversation identifying issues facing faculty and staff members of the LGBTQ community and discussing possible solutions.

Invited participants include representatives from United Way agencies, Coalition for Healthy Communities, Chamber of Commerce members, Oxford Community Foundation, McCullough-Hyde Memorial Hospital, Butler County Job & Family Services, Oxford Area PFLAG and Oxford community members.

A complimentary lunch is provided. To register, call the Oxford United Way at 513-523-0991.

World Café, 4 p.m., Thursday, Feb. 23, Oxford Community Arts Center Ballroom

The “It Gets Better” cast will lead participants in groups through the World Café problem-solving process, posing questions about how to address the issues that had surfaced throughout the week with the goal of identifying actionable solutions. This event is open to the public, steering committee members, community and campus leaders, and members of the LGBTQ community and their allies.

Piano Cabaret with the Cast, 9 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 23, Armstrong Student Center Shade Family Room

In order to create an opportunity for informal interactions related to the project and to raise community awareness of the performance, the cast will lead an evening of piano cabaret from the musical theatre canon. The cast will perform, and then the audience will be invited to make requests and perform. This event is sponsored by Miami students in partnership with the Late Night Miami program and is open to the public.

It Gets Better, 7:30 p.m., Saturday, Feb. 25, Hall Auditorium

This live musical performance shares a message of hope to LGBT youth around the world that “it gets better.” Through laughter and tears, eight actors bring to life real stories from lesbian, gay, transgender, genderqueer and straight allies from across America and infuse them with dynamic musical numbers. Tickets, $10 student/youth, $19 senior, $20 adult, are available at the Miami box office in 129 Campus Avenue Building or by phone at 513-529-3200.