“What emerged in the research is that people have been debating whether the sport is too rough as far back as the game goes. The science is new, but the debate is not.” JENNY MERCEIN, Tulane assistant professor of theatre. Mercein is co-creator, along with playwright KJ Sanchez, of X’s and O’s, a play that examines the lasting physical and neurological impacts from playing football. They presented a reading and panel discussion of X’s and O’s at the Jill H. and Avram A. Glazer Family Club at Yulman Stadium in February. Mercein was raised in a football family.

In October, Newcomb Art Museum hosted the world premiere of Postcards From Over the Edge, a new theatrical work that illustrates the history of the sale of sex in Louisiana. The play, developed by New Orleans–based artists, was initiated by Karel Sloane-Boekbinder from the School of Liberal Arts’ Department of Theatre and Dance.