Back by popular demand, Dr. Michael Fowlin is returning to Wilton to reprise his one-man performance of “You Don’t Know Me Until You Know Me.” He presented his talk to the Wilton High School student body last December. By student request, he returned for a parent presentation in May. The response from parents was so enthusiastic that he is being brought back for a third time.
The presentation will be held Wednesday, Nov. 1, from 7-8:30 p.m., at the Middlebrook School Auditorium.
As an actor and a clinical psychologist with a Ph.D., Fowlin takes the audience on an experiential journey, guiding it to reexamine core precepts that are taught from as early as first grade. He touches on the masks people wear to hide personal pain, and the assumptions people make because of stereotypes and prejudice. Fowlin uses many of his gifts–humor, performance art, poetry, storytelling, psychology, theatrical monologues, and his personal journey–to help the audience understand the value of peeling away the things that hide the true self, out of fear of being rejected and/or judged, to create a moving experience for all who are open to this evolution.
Fowlin asks the audience to imagine, as a foundational premise, that we are raised and trained to celebrate differences, as an inclusive process, not just a tolerable one. His mission is to create an atmosphere of worldwide inclusion, not just tolerance, towards all people. He has worked extensively with all age groups in the United States and in other countries. His work includes peer mediation, diversity trainings, gender equity workshops, and violence prevention seminars.
Admission is free; online registration is recommended. For more information or with questions, email the Wilton Publis School‘s safe school climate coordinator Kim Zemo.
The program is sponsored by the Wilton Public Schools, the Wilton High School PTSA, the Wilton Youth Council, and Wilton Youth Services.