The University of Arkansas (U of A) announced the reading of
The Taming by ArkansasStaged on
Inauguration Day. The event is free; a percentage of the suggested $5 donation will
benefit Planned Parenthood.
The playwright Lauren Gunderson has donated the use of the
play with the stipulation that it be performed on Inauguration Day. The event
will be held at 7 p.m. on Jan. 20 at the 21c Museum Hotel in Bentonville.
"In 2013 I wrote The
Taming to unpack the deep frustration of a divided and obstructionist
patriarchy, … to laugh with the painful truth about extremism on both sides, to
toy with our country's history and wrestle with its foundational imperfections,
and to make manifest a dream of reason and understanding prevailing in America,"
Gunderson said. "That feels more necessary now than three years ago."
Inspired by Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, The
Taming is an all-female power play focused on super-patriotic Miss Georgia.
She convinces an ultra-conservative senator's aide and an ultra liberal blogger
to rewrite the Constitution.
U of A instructor of theatre Jenny McKight will direct the
reading while the artistic and managing direction will be directed by alumna
Laura Shatkus. An ensemble of women singers and instrumentalists will perform
American music.
"Transfers of political power are always fraught with a
measure of uncertainty, never more than this year," McKnight said. "Playwright
Lauren Gunderson finds the humor, the ridiculousness, and the common ground in
her play — we're hoping to have some laughs, illuminate some truths, and find a
hopeful and uplifting way to end a momentous day."
More Stories
- Omnibus package needed to support front-line university research on COVID-19
- AACC president recognized with leadership award
- BERRY COLLEGE: Online Add/Drop for Cleared Returning Students Opens at 8am
- ANDREWS UNIVERSITY: Thoughtful Thursday to be Held January 14
- Ross, Showalter: Education and Employment promise can help future generations survive
- AMERICAN UNIVERSITY: 32nd Annual Ann Ferren Conference
- EASTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY: Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer appoints Nathan K. Ford and Dr. Jessie Kimbrough Marshall to the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents
- EASTER MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY: Read President Smith's Dec. 18 update to campus, which includes information about advising over break and the announcement of two personal wellness days in March
- BERRY COLLEGE: Prayer & Share for Women
- ADTALEM GLOBAL EDUCATION INC.: Adtalem Global Education Named One of America's Most Responsible Companies by Newsweek