Central Lakes College’s Theatre for a Diverse Population will perform at The Chair Academy’s 19th annual International Leadership Conference March 16 in Minneapolis.

The Chair Academy promotes international leadership excellence in two-year instructions of higher learning. The Central Lakes College production is the only performing group invited to participate in the conference.

Theatre for a Diverse Population explores social issues through theatre. The company is made up of actors from the College’s Occupational Skills Program as well as traditional college students.

This 2009-2010 production is “Donuts, Dogs and Snow,” a number of short plays dealing with bullying, sexual and verbal abuse, racism, gender issues, unemployment and homelessness in rural America.

Theatre for a Diverse Population is the only program of its kind in the U.S., combining students from OSP classes with traditional college students to form a theatre company.

Director Dennis Lamberson developed the program in 2002, the year he was honored with an Arts Access Award from VSA Arts of Minnesota for promoting access to the arts for people with disabilities.

The company has performed at university audiences in Mankato and Moorhead, the state Capital and across Minnesota.

In 2005 the production was part of The Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival performing at the Region 5 Festival in St. Louis.

Participating in the production are Marc Olipant, Kenny Simon, Chris Lister, Robyn Silznoff, Stephanie White, Gabe Franz, Zac Schulz, Katie Nier, Laura Desotell, Angela Pederson, Bruce Praska and David Wilson.