Just as they have for the past nine years, scholars” presentations during the Tennessee Williams Tribute and Tour of Victorian Homes in Columbus Sept. 6-11 will explore inspirations and internal demons that propel some of the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright”s work.
In a week filled with theater, luncheons, home tours, a “Streetcar” 5K run, Stella Shouting Contest, and Williams-themed sermon, five scholars will share insights at Mississippi University for Women”s Carrier Chapel in free sessions Sept. 9-10.
“I”m very pleased with the diversity of the panel,” said Bridget Pieschel, who has directed the scholars” portion of the Tribute since the event”s inception 10 years ago. “We have everyone represented, from our own MUW faculty to a scholar from China.”
The talks are designed to be relaxed and interactive.
“These presentations, because they are sponsored in part by the Mississippi Humanities Council, are meant for a general audience. The purpose of the council”s programming is to help people understand the value of the humanities in their lives,” Pieschel said. “These will be in lay persons” terms, with plenty of film clips, hand-outs and time for Q&A with the speaker.”
Presentations will take place Friday and Saturday and include:
Friday, 2-4 p.m.
- Todd Bunnell, Department of English, MUW, will speak on “Tennessee Williams Meets the Crypt Keeper: The Vengeance of Nitrocris” and What Could Have Been.”
- Dr. Zhang Min, Department of English, Harbin Institute of Technology at Weihai, China, will discuss “Plasticity into Lyricism: Tennessee Williams” Dramatic Theory and Practice.” Dr. Min is a visiting scholar in the Department of Drama at New York University.
Saturday, 10 a.m.-noon
- Dr. Raymond Jean Frontain, Department of English, University of Central Arkansas, will address “Sexual Selfishness in Williams” ”Something Cloudy, Something Clear.””
- Dr. Deborah Barker, Department of English, University of Mississippi, will talk on “”We”ve Had this Date from the Beginning”: Violation in ”A Streetcar Named Desire.””
- Dr. Kenneth Holditch, co-author of the biography “The World of Tennessee Williams,” will discuss “”Help of the Helpless: Oh, Abide with Me”: Tennessee Williams and the Protestant Hymnody.”
Pieschel encouraged the public to take advantage of the presentations, saying, “These are meant to be an enjoyable introduction to the variety of Tennessee Williams” work.”
In addition to the Mississippi Humanities Council, scholars are sponsored by the MUW Center for Women”s Research and Public Policy, the Columbus Cultural Heritage Foundation and the Tribute Committee.
Breakfast
The Columbus Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Tribute Committee invite the public to complimentary breakfasts with the scholars at the Puckett House on the MUW campus Friday and Saturday from 8:30-9:30 a.m. The Victorian home is located on 11th Street South, between College Street and Third Avenue South.
For a complete schedule of the Tribute, go to muw.edu/tennesseewilliams, pick up brochures at the Tennessee Williams Home Welcome Center at 300 Main St., or call 662-328-0222.
Tickets for the Tribute”s ticketed events (“The Night of the Iguana,” Moon Lake Party, luncheons and home tours) are available at the Rosenzweig Arts Center, 501 Main St., 662-328-2787.
Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.
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