Shawyer dissertation May 2008 final version - The University of ...

if necessary, Mobe was unable to get its permit to march to the InternationalAmphitheater where the Convention would take place. In a frightened city waiting to seewhat the horde of demonstrators might do, the tension was excruciating. Anything couldhappen.child_boob_bubble gum_water_cheer_Guerrilla Theatre—Yippie Chicago posterWith their extravagant promises and outrageous threats to a media all-too-willingto publicize their madcap antics, the Yippies had set the stage for a do-your-own thingperformance week with thousands of participants. While some events were planned—thenomination of Pigasus at the Civic Center, a free rock concert on Sunday in Lincoln Park,a march to the International Amphitheater where the Convention was being held to talk todelegates about the war—the Yippies were also relying on their followers to perform inas many different styles and techniques as they could, from snake dancing in the park toburning draft cards to passionate speeches. Yet Yippie leaders like Hoffman and Rubinalso planned specific moments of guerrilla theatre and Theater of Cruelty for the week.Although their Theater of Cruelty shocked the nation during the middle of Conventionweek, it was the Yippies’ guerrilla theatre event at the Civic Center that first grabbednational headlines.The mock press conference to nominate Pigasus as Youth International PartyPresidential Candidate took place on 23 August, two days before the Festival of Life was161