On Monday, April 2, the first Distinguished Alumni Symposium will present “Darwin” live on stage.
Teacher Robert Dennison will play the role of the famous scientist in a one-man show at Ferguson Auditorium at 1 p.m. Dennison – who boasts awards from the National and Texas Associations of Biology Teachers – is well known for his portrayal of Darwin, a scientist most famous for developing the evolutionary theory.
A&M-Commerce alumnus Alton Biggs is a close friend of Dennison.
“Robert doesn’t break character once he walks on stage as Charles Darwin,” Biggs said in an A&M-Commerce press release. “If Robert doesn’t know how Darwin would react to a situation or question, he doesn’t speak to it. Many who have seen him have said he ‘channels’ Darwin when he is on stage.”
Dennison began using his Darwin impression when teaching biology to students at Cypress Fairbanks ISD near Houston. This required extensive reading of Darwin and his studies. The show itself is composed almost entirely of quotes from the scientist’s written works.
“Charles Darwin changed the way we see the world,” A&M-Commerce President Dr. Dan Jones said in the press release. “I am thrilled that the A&M-Commerce Distinguished Alumni and the Texas Association of Biology Teachers have joined forces to bring this world-class program to our university.”
Dennison’s portrayal of Darwin is internationally known, according to the press release. He also plays a number of other past scientists, including Gregor Mendel and Carolus Linnaeus.