Bearded woman comes to campus

Who better to challenge stereotypes than a bearded woman? That's just what Jennifer Miller will being doing when she visits the College on April 5. Except don't refer to her as "the bearded lady." She prefers "woman with a beard." Miller is the founder and artistic director of Circus Amok, a circus-theater company that focuses on social issues like health care, the environment, education, homophobia, racism, human rights, public space and the distribution of resources. The group performs shows for free in poor and working-class neighborhoods of New York City. "With a lot of humor, she challenges assumptions," anthropology professor Sumi Colligan said. Miller has taught political theater at various colleges and institutions, won theatrical awards, and has even appeared on the Jerry Springer Show. Miller will be visiting the College on April 5 to put on a show called "Clowns, Queers, and Causing a Ruckus." She will show a 20-minute documentary called "Juggling Politics," followed by a solo performance. Professor Colligan said that Miller and Circus Amok is valuable to students because they are dedicated to broad social change, and are not focused on their own issues. "Visits to college campuses provide inspiration that the world can be changed," said Colligan. People who go to the event can expect to see Miller's attempts at "breaking down, [and] challenging homophobia, [but] not always explicitly," said Colligan. Miller came to the College last year. Albert Gardner called it "entertaining, informative, and refreshingly uninhibited." Gardner also said, "Her work with Circus Amok crosses gender and sexuality barriers while entertaining those of different racial, gender, religious and socioeconomic backgrounds. Jennifer juggles, sings, dances and swallows fire. An opportunity to see Jennifer Miller in person should not be missed." "Clowns, Queers, and Causing a Ruckus" will be held in Sullivan Lounge on April 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. Academic Affairs, Diversity Committee, Department of Sociology, and the Women's Center are sponsoring the event.