Brookdale Civility Week Opens with Keynote Series on Creativity and Democracy

Brookdale Community College will kick off its 2026 Civility Week with a special two-part keynote program exploring how creativity, storytelling, courage, and community can play a role in civic life.

The Premiere Keynote Series will take place on Monday, October 12, at 11:00 a.m. in the Navesink rooms on the second floor of the Student Life Center. The two-hour program will feature John Dias, former artistic director of Two River Theater, and Kerri Kennedy, Associate General Secretary for International Programs at the American Friends Service Committee.

The event launches a week of programs centered on this year’s Civility Week theme, “Democracy Takes Creativity.”

Dias will open the program with Imagining the World We Want: An Artist Conversation, an open discussion with Brookdale’s Director of Transformative Learning Angela Kariotis about the role of theater, art, and storytelling in civic life.

Their conversation will explore how stories can help people face difficult issues, understand different points of view, and imagine new possibilities. Theater has long given audiences a place to see society reflected on stage, ask questions, and consider how the world might be different.

Dias brings years of experience in theater and the development of new work. During his time as artistic director of Two River Theater in Red Bank, he helped expand the theater’s programming, support the creation of new plays, and strengthen connections between artists, audiences, and the community.
The program will then turn from imagining change to taking action with Kennedy’s presentation, Courage, Community, Action: How We Defend Democracy in an Authoritarian Era?

Drawing on more than 25 years of international experience, Kennedy will share lessons from communities around the world that have faced conflict, political repression, censorship, and limits on civic participation. She will discuss signs of democratic backsliding, the importance of community involvement, and ways people can become more active in civic life.

Kennedy has worked in more than 50 countries, including areas affected by war and conflict. In her role with the American Friends Service Committee, she works on international programs focused on peace, justice, and human rights.

Together, the two keynote conversations will set the stage for Civility Week. Dias will explore how creativity can help people imagine the world they want, while Kennedy will focus on how individuals and communities can work together to shape it.

Brookdale’s 2026 Civility Week is built around the idea that democracy must be imagined, built, challenged, and renewed. This year’s theme, Democracy Takes Creativity, looks at creativity as more than artistic expression. It can also be a tool for solving problems, sharing ideas, bringing people together, and finding new ways forward.

From theater and music to community organizing and public dialogue, Civility Week will invite students, employees, and community members to consider how imagination and participation can influence civic life.

For the complete Civility Week schedule and registration information, visit Brookdale’s Civility Week webpage.

The Premiere Keynote Series is produced by Brookdale’s Student Development Committee and the Whyman Center for Transformative Learning.