Following the opening of The Roost this year, the Mercyhurst Institute for Arts and Culture has hosted two successful evenings of Readings at the Roost, with the third to come on Dec. 9 at 7 p.m.

This event was originally scheduled for Nov. 11 but was rescheduled due to weather.

The Readings at the Roost so far have celebrated Irish stories and writers.

September featured a reading of “Riders to the Sea” by John Millington Synge, and October featured Irish ghost stories.

The upcoming readings will showcase the work of Oscar Wilde.

“I wanted to do a series of reading that celebrated the university’s Irish heritage as well as these remarkable writers, and to try in some small way to recreate the feeling of gatherings at public houses, where people would congregate to tell stories and listen to music and sing and dance and spend the long winter’s night,” said Brett Johnson, PhD, director of MIAC.

“I think the Roost, the Playwright’s snug section of the Roost in particular, is perfect for that kind of event, it’s cozy, intimate, it provided an opportunity for communion and conversation,” Johnson said.

Events of the Readings at the Roost series have so far begun with a scholarly introduction.

An introduction will be provided for the upcoming event by Brian Reed, Ph.D., of the English Department, who will provide remarks on Oscar Wilde, his life and his works.

A curated selection from the works of Oscar Wilde, showcasing his range as a writer, will be presented, including excerpts from “The Importance of Being
Earnest,” “The Picture of Dorian Grey,” “De Profundis” and “The Ballad of Reading Gaol.”

It will also feature quotes by Wilde and a song from the musical “A Man of No Importance.”

The readings will feature students Tessa Sayre (senior, B.A. Psychology and English), Rosie Pregler (graduate student) and Jacob Tretinik (senior, B.S. Biology) and professors Gregory Brown, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of English, James Snyder, Ph.D., Chair of the Philosophy Department and Verna Ehret Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Religious Studies.

“I don’t know if we will always focus on Irish writers or what the future of it is, but for the time being we’ve had really great reception, we’ve packed the room for the first two events, and I anticipate another eager crowd on December 9.”

This event will take place in the Playwright’s Snug of the Roost.

It is free and open to the public, but there is limited seating