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Andrew J. Corsa is a professor, writer, and artist who lives in Florida. He is the author of the forthcoming book, Theater to Change the World: Shia LaBeouf and the Slauson Rec Company. It is available for pre-order on Amazon here.

Theater to Change the World tells the story of the Slauson Rec Theatre Company, which was located in South Central Los Angeles. While this book situates the company within the social and cultural landscapes of LA, its main focus is on broader philosophical and psychological concepts concerning how theater relates to empathy, interpersonal relationships, and democratic participation. Actor training has been shown to enhance nonverbal communication and encourage empathetic understanding, raising the question about the extent to which such practices can be used beyond dramatic performance.

Informed by interviews with company members such as Shia LaBeouf as well as references to contemporary and historical thinkers, the book considers how practicing collaborative theater can function as a site for personal development and collective expression. It also integrates insights from theater studies, philosophy, and psychology, offering a reflective account of how participatory art forms can contribute to civic engagement and the cultivation of democratic values.

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Andrew has another webpage, describing many of his other projects, which is available: here.