KNOXVILLE — Jane Curry, a writer and performer who addresses women-s history and gender equality, will bring her one-woman shows to the University of Tennessee March 29-31. Curry is a Chancellor’s Artist in Residence, and her visit is the highlight of Women-s History Month at UT.
Curry-s three performances, -Samantha Wrastles the Woman Question,- -Nice Girls Don-t Sweat- and -Sisters of the Quill and Skillet,- all use humor to address the history of women and changing gender roles in American culture. All performances are free and open to the public.
Based on a character from noted 19th century author and humorist Marietta Holley, Curry plays Samantha in -Samantha Wrastles the Woman Question.- The character is a farmer-s wife and philosopher who challenges the status quo in the name of women-s rights. This performance will be held at 4 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, in the Hodges Library Auditorium.
In -Nice Girls Don-t Sweat- Curry plays Samantha-s granddaughter, a retired professional female basketball player telling stories about women in athletics. As another of Samantha-s granddaughters in -Sisters of the Quill and Skillet,- she plays Weezie Alton, an advice columnist addressing gender expectations in the home. Both shows will be performed at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 30, and Friday, March 31, respectively, in Alumni Memorial Building Room 32.
Curry notes that men tend to enjoy her programs as much as women, even if they attend with spouses or partners under duress.
Since 1983 Curry, an author, storyteller and performer has performed nationally, as well as touring in Israel and Japan. She holds M.A. and Ph.D. degrees in American culture from the University of Michigan and has published three books: -The River-s In My Blood: Riverboat Pilots Tell Their Stories,- -Samantha Wrastles the Woman Question- and -Marietta Holley.-
Her performances are sponsored by UT-s Office of the Chancellor, Women-s Coordinating Council, the College of Law, Department of English, John C. Hodges Better English Fund, Department of History, American Studies, Sports and Leisure Studies and Women-s Studies.
UT also will honor three exceptional women with the Marian Moffett Unsung Hero Award at noon Wednesday, March 29. Mary Robinson, recently retired administrative aide to Chancellor Loren Crabtree; Melissa Parker, director of advising services for the College of Arts and Sciences; and Bonnie H. Ownley, associate professor of entomology and plant pathology, will be honored at a ceremony in the executive board room on the eighth floor of Andy Holt Tower.
For more information on Curry-s performances or the Moffett awards, contact Chuck Maland at 974-6938 or cmaland@utk.edu, or Deb Haines at 974-0989 or dhaines@utk.edu.
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Contact:
Beth Gladden, media relations, 974-9008, beth.gladden@tennessee.edu
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