Literature, Poetry, and Drama   

The group will read aloud together in each class session 3 plays by Jean-Paul Sartre (The Flies, No Exit, & Dirty Hands) and discuss his portrayal of the Electra/Orestes Greek tragedy, Hell, and French resistance in World War II to illustrate his existential philosophy. We will use No Exit and Three Other Plays by Jean-Paul Sartre- Vintage International Edition 1989. Please be sure to have this edition the first day of class.

Gail Hubbard taught French for over 25 years in Ann Arbor Public Schools and has led several OLLI study groups. Drama is her favorite literary genre.

Poets have often been inspired by paintings and vice versa. Sometimes art works have inspired music as well. Each week we will look at and discuss several pairings of poems and paintings or occasionally some music. A painting will be sent out ahead of each session and members will be asked to write a paragraph, a poem, or a haiku in response which will be shared in small groups. Each session will include a mini lecture of background on the artists and poets, lots of discussion, and some small group sharing.

Beth Spencer is an experienced Study Group leader with a love of art and degrees in social work, education and English. CarolynRose Stone also has a love affair with art and an MFA in creative writing. They shared some of the poetry and art in a graduate class they taught prior to the pandemic.

This study group will take an in-depth look at King Lear. In addition to reading and discussing the play, we will view clips of several Lear's onstage, and then see two films which provide other perspectives on this work, which has been called "the height of literary experience." Text: the Folger Library edition has helpful annotations, but any text of the play will do.

Marilyn Scott has taught in the Classical Studies and UM's Great Books program. Since retiring, she has led numerous OLLI study groups.

An OLLI tradition! This study group will explore the Shakespeare plays presented at the 2025 Stratford Festival in Ontario, Canada: As You Like It, Macbeth and The Winter’s Tale. Participants will be able to interact in one half hour session with members from the Stratford company. This study group will enhance the experience for everyone attending the plays at the Stratford Festival this season and those that love Shakespeare.

Robert Lamphear has been leading Shakespeare study groups at OLLI for 5 years. He retired from teaching collegiately after over 25 years. He has attended the Stratford Festival for over 55 years. He also teaches lifelong learning courses in Florida.

This study group will read aloud from and discuss the three Theban plays of Sophocles (Antigone, Oedipus Rex, Oedipus at Colonus). We will get to know something about the Sophoclean Hero, who demonstrates "that man's keenest sight is blindness, his highest knowledge ignorance, his soaring confidence and hope an illusion." In addition to reading, we will watch a performance of The Gospel at Colonus, with Morgan Freeman. Text: Robert Fagles, Sophocles: The Three Theban Plays.

Marilyn Scott has taught in the Classical Studies and UM's Great Books program. Since retiring, she has led numerous OLLI study groups.

Who was Shakespeare? We’ll look at this long-standing (beginning in the 1590’s!) question of who wrote the most glorious plays and poems in the English language. We’ll study evidence and hints in the First Folio, Shakespeare’s contemporaries, the Stratford connection, and the deep familiarity displayed in the plays with Italy, France, classical literature and Elizabethan aristocracy.

Michele Roberge holds a B.A. in English Literature/Speech & Drama from St. Mary’s College and an M.A. in Theatre from University of Michigan. She worked in presenting and producing theatre in California for 40 years, and taught Shakespeare for OLLI at Cal State Long Beach for 17 years.