Marquette and two local universities will team up this weekend at a national conference on campus to focus on art's connection to reflection and political action.

Starting today, the Department of Performing Arts will host the three-day Art, Faith and Social Justice Conference in conjunction with Alverno College and the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee's Peck School of the Arts.

The "major event" of the conference will be a performance on Friday evening of the play "The Trial of the Catonsville Nine," which will be followed by a talkback session with the play's author, the Rev. Daniel Berrigan, according to conference co-coordinator Phylis Ravel. Ravel is the play's artistic director and chair of the Department of Performing Arts.

The play centers around Berrigan's experience as one of nine Vietnam War protestors in 1968 who burned draft cards in Baltimore "so the government did not have the names of these people who were eligible to fight in the war," Ravel said.

"Being a play, it is a work of art, but the subject matter it covers is about nine individuals that felt so strongly about issues of social justice that they were willing to go to prison for their convictions," said Maureen Kilmurry, director of the play and a adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Performing Arts.

Alverno College will also hold a public debate entitled, "What is the Place of Faith in the Political Process?" which will allow the audience to "address whatever issues are raised in the debate" rather than just listening, Ravel said.

"It is important to be respectful of the separation of church and state, yet to still have a spiritual life that calls one to have concern for others and work for social justice," said Janine Geske, distinguished professor of law and a panelist for the debate.

Other panelists will include the state director of Pro-Life Wisconsin, a chaplain with Aurora Healthcare and the regional chief of community corrections of the Wisconsin Department of Corrections.

Ravel said the conference is part of a yearlong Art, Faith and Social Justice festival that has already sponsored a film series, performed the play "Everyman" at Marquette and brought the Roache Sisters, a performing group that sets written prayers to music, to Alverno. She said programs occur about once a month.

The conference will also begin with an "all-day workshop on video gaming and social change," she said. It will answer the question of how "our video gaming can teach social justice rather than just violence and sexual exploitation."

Other events scheduled throughout the three days include a speaker about artists' collaboration with the United Nations as well as workshops centering on performing arts, acting and music, Ravel said.