The 53-year-old performer and author is politically radical and sexually provocative. He's been arrested several times while demonstrating for funding for AIDS research and to promote civil rights. His shows, he has said, are based on his personal life as a gay man and activist.
But Miller has a second career holding workshops and lectures at universities nationwide, including Penn State and Kutztown Universities and Muhlenberg College, a Lutheran-based school, where he will be on April 12.
He's also had residencies at Claremont School of Theology, which trains Methodist ministers, and at many Baptist universities, he said.
His workshop at DePaul in 2008, "was terrific," recalled Doug Long, an adjunct professor of communications who helped organize the event. Miller led about 12 students in exercises involving self-exploration that they turned into performance pieces.
The program was arranged by the college of communications without any interference from DePaul administrators, he said. It was paid for by the school.
While he said Villanova may be reacting to the some of the theme's in Miller's own shows, the workshop was all about the students. One or two students focused on their sexuality, he said.
Miller, who will perform at InterAct Theater in Philadelphia April 9 to 15, said his shows focus more on political, rather than religious themes, and he has "never taken on the Catholic Church in my performances. Quite the contrary, I have a rich history of ecumenical dialogue."
He said he has collaborated with Episcopal priests, including the first openly gay priest and writer Malcolm Boyd, on sermons and performances.
The title page quote from Miller's last book, 1001 BEDS: Performances, Essays and Travels, is taken from St. Augustine's fourth century autobiographical book, "The Confessions."
"In the immense court of my memory ... I come to meet myself."
"There's no solo performer who has done more work with communities of faith than I have," said Miller.
"Villanova tries to present itself as being this really tolerant place but clearly they're really succumbing to homophobia."
Contact staff writer Kathy Boccella at 610-313-8123 or kboccella@phillynews.com
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