Press Releases

California State University, Dominguez Hills will host a livestreamed production of “Reader’s Theatre,” a faculty-led project that allows students to take the director’s seat. The project will feature three one-act plays by comedic playwright Christopher Durang. The show will run September 29 and 30, and October 1 and 2 at 7 p.m.

Developed by the Theatre Department, “Reader’s Theatre” is a learning project in which student directors are mentored throughout the design and rehearsal process, culminating in a production that brings their vision to life. Selected student directors Matthew Lopez and Kirsty Lynn will explore the collaborative efforts of set design, sound and light design, and character development while guided by faculty mentors Stafani Baez and Brian Stevens.

“I am really looking forward to working with a production team and seeing what it’s like to work with professionals in their fields – like set, costumes, and lighting,” Lynn said. “I want to see their feedback, their ideas, and concepts.”

Lopez is also eager to learn the ins and outs of the entire production process. “As an undergrad, there aren’t many opportunities to direct, so I’m really thankful for this chance to take a swing at it,” he said. “I’m both excited and nervous.”

Faculty mentor Brian Stevens shares the students directors’ enthusiasm. “I don’t think there’s any joy greater than being present for someone’s first experience of discovering their artistic process,” he said. “Bearing witness to Kirsty and Matt’s entry into directing a theatrical piece, and working with them to realize their vision is exciting!”

The show will feature Business Lunch at the Russian Tea Room, For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, and The Actor’s Nightmare, all one-act comedies by Christopher Durang. Durang is known for his satiric, and often absurd comedy style. These selected one-acts laugh at the idea of making it big in Hollywood, and at the stuffy, high-brow worlds of literature and theatre.

On selecting the material, faculty mentor Stefani Baez said: “Durang reminds us all that it’s okay to laugh at the things that we, as society, often take so seriously. And I think we all could use a laugh right about now.”

Tickets:  Livestream tickets are $15 per night. Live audience tickets are $15 per night as conditions allow in response to COVID-19. To reserve a ticket, visit https://www.csudh.edu/theatre-arts/buy-tickets/

Contact:  Call the CSUDH Performing Arts Department at (310) 243-3589, or email at PerformingArts@csudh.edu.

Note:  The show features adult themes and language and is not advised for children under 12.

Ahead of the 20-year anniversary of the September 11 attacks, Professor of Criminal Justice Administration Gus Martin reflected on lessons learned from the War on Terror and the War in Afghanistan, and the ever-changing landscape of extremism at home and abroad.

Martin has authored several books on terrorism, including Understanding Terrorism: Challenges, Perspectives, and Issues, originally published in 2003 and now in its seventh edition (2020), and Understanding Homeland Security, now in its third edition (2019).

Are Americans safer now than we were 20 years ago? Are we better protected against terrorism?

Leading up to 9/11, our biggest security threat was from international terrorists crossing borders and sending their own operatives into the United States. We were expecting more mass casualty events from the international environment then than we are now. Since 9/11, that has not happened in the United States, but it has happened in Europe – in Brussels, Paris, London, and elsewhere.

In my opinion, the biggest threat we face now is from the radicalized “lone wolf” and homegrown extremists. Our homegrown extremists are much more active right now than they were in the 1990s, which was when Timothy McVeigh detonated his bomb.

What has also really changed is the use of the Internet to recruit and radicalize people. That certainly has happened in the United States – look at the 2016 mass shooting in Orlando and the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings as examples. The radicalized “lone wolf” scenario is a very real threat.

How do disinformation and division threaten our national security?

Disinformation is a tactic where you feed false information to an adversary and hope they believe it. It’s easy to do, and with the advancement of mass communications and the Internet, it’s become that much easier than 20 years ago.

The extremism we’re seeing in the United States and elsewhere is absolutely fed by disinformation. We were united after 9/11 and during the early phase of the War on Terrorism, but we have since lost our cohesion in many ways. We are a very divided people now.

That loss of cohesion leaves us not only more vulnerable to attacks from international terrorism movements, but to our own domestic terrorist movements. It also leaves us more vulnerable to state actors, like we saw with Russian interference in our election process. That will happen again. Already, state actors are taking advantage of our chaotic pullout from Afghanistan.

That chaotic end to the War in Afghanistan is coinciding with the 20^th anniversary of 9/11. What lessons can be learned about how we respond to terrorism?

We need to be very careful about mission creep. We went into Afghanistan in the first place to hunt Al Qaeda and eliminate that threat. Arguably, our mission succeeded in 2011 when we killed Osama bin Laden. Perhaps we should have declared victory and come home then. But the mission creep came out of nation building. The U.S. mistakes in Afghanistan go back over four or five presidential administrations. There was not a single administration that did not make a mistake.

The lesson that enemies of the U.S. are learning from the Taliban’s model is that a patient, holy war will prevail. Al Qaeda and the Islamic State think longitudinally, in longer terms than we do. Here in the U.S., we think 20 years is far too long. They would say, what about three generations from now? The war is far from over from their perspective. We have to maintain our vigilance.

In partnership with Rite Aid, California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) is once again hosting pop-up vaccination clinics for CSUDH students, faculty, and staff, and members of the community. The campus and Rite Aid previously held pop-up clinics in May and June.

The walk-in clinics will take place on two Thursdays, Aug. 26 and Sept. 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.* in CSUDH’s Extended Education building. A team of Rite Aid health professionals will administer Pfizer vaccines (first or second doses) and single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccines.**

Appointments are encouraged but not required. To schedule an appointment, visit https://vaccination.as.me.

Anyone who received their first dose of Pfizer on or just before Aug. 5 can make an appointment to the Aug. 26 clinic for a second dose. Individuals who receive their first-dose Pfizer vaccine on Sept. 16 can schedule an appointment for their second dose at any Rite Aid pharmacy at www.riteaid.com/covid-19 or by calling 1-800-748-3243.

In July, the CSU announced that students and employees will need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 30 to access campus facilities. CSUDH is partnering with Rite Aid to bring these clinics to campus to make it easier for everyone to get vaccinated and stop the spread of COVID-19.

Parking will be free in CSUDH Parking Lot 3, which is adjacent to the Extended Education building and easily accessible from Victoria Street at Tamcliff/Toro Center Drive. For a CSUDH campus map and driving directions, visit csudh.edu/visit-us.

For more information, visit csudh.edu/together/vaccine.

*Update: the Sept. 16 clinic will take place from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.

**Update: The Sept. 16 clinic will no longer offer Johnson & Johnson vaccines.

California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH) President Thomas A. Parham has been selected to serve on the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC). His three-year term on the board of commissioners began on July 1, 2021.

“I am honored by the WSCUC’s vote of confidence and am delighted to serve,” said Parham. “I look forward to assisting my colleagues in their important work, maintaining the quality, integrity, and equity of colleges and universities throughout the nation and world.”

The WSCUC is an institutional accrediting agency that works with a diverse membership of public and private higher education institutions in the US and internationally. It engages in peer review of accredited institutions to encourage continuous improvement and to assure the membership and the public that the institutions are fulfilling their missions in service to their students and the public good.

Parham is one of six incoming WSCUC commissioners, and joins fellow California State University (CSU) presidents Ellen Junn (CSU Stanislaus) and Judy Sakaki (Sonoma State University) as new members on the commission.

“These new members add deep experience and further diversity to our distinguished Commission,” said WSCUC President Jamienne S. Studley. “Their leadership, knowledge, and commitment will help WSCUC serve students and advance key initiatives on equity and inclusion, standards review, governance, and financial sustainability.”

“We are truly grateful that President Parham has agreed to undertake this responsibility, especially given what a pivotal time this is for assuring confidence in accreditation and the value of postsecondary education.”