The nun who inspired the movie “Dead Man Walking” told AACC students on Feb. 18 that the film and opera versions of her story are bringing awareness about the death penalty to the public.
In a meeting with approximately 75 students, faculty and community members, Sister Helen Prejean, who appeared on Zoom before a live audience in CADE, said the death penalty in the United States is “a secret ritual. We don’t see it. … The art is the only way we have to bring people close to this reality.”
Prejean appeared with Jake Heggie, the composer of the opera, which AACC Opera will perform on March 13, 15 and 16 in Kauffman Theater. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the first showing of the musical production in San Francisco.
The production tells the story of Prejean’s relationship with a death row inmate as his execution date nears.
“Sister Helen has said one of the things she appreciates about “Dead Man Walking” is that at the end of the evening [the audience has] … just witnessed an execution and all the emotional things leading up to it,” Heggie said. “And once you experience that, you’re changed forever.”
Music professor Doug Byerly, who will direct the opera, said the event was a rare opportunity for AACC students.
“Our students, AACC students, get to talk to a living composer about a project they’re working on,” music professor Doug Byerly, who will direct the opera, said. “That is so rare because typically college students are singing Mozart or Beethoven or dead composers. They don’t get a chance to talk and listen to the guy or the woman who wrote it.”
Transfer studies student Victoria Westover said Prejean’s remarks taught her “that forgiveness is like the most important thing to heal your own soul, even if it could be the hardest thing in your life.”
Carolyn Parker, a non-student singer who will appear in the show, said “just being in the presence of these two people” was her favorite part of the evening.
“You know, one who is not an artist, one who is an artist,” Parker said, “ You know, the depth of their feelings, the depth of their expression to make a difference in the world. It’s overpowering and quite humbling.”
