Department of Theatre at ESU Present Thought-Provoking Drama Top Girls April 30 – May 5

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Posted by: admin on April 24, 2013, No Comments

At a time when the role of women in the workplace and the need to balance career and family choices are again lively topics for discussion, East Stroudsburg University’s Department of Theatre is presenting a pioneering play that looks at the work-life balance, Top Girls, by Caryl Churchill.

The 1982 Obie-winning drama, set in Margaret Thatcher’s England, explores the challenges for women of balancing career and family historically and in the modern era.  Characters from history, literature and painting intersect with a modern businesswoman, her sister and the children caught in the melee.

Curtain times for the play are 7:30 p.m. April 30 and May 1-4, and 2 p.m. May 5.  All performances are at the Smith-McFarland Theatre of the university’s Fine and Performing Arts Center, Normal and Marguerite streets, East Stroudsburg.  The production is recommended for mature teens and adults because of adult language and situations.

Performances will be followed by discussions on “Exploring The Balance – Women Pursuing Vocations and Avocations and Balancing Life Choices.”

Dates, topics and speakers include:

Tuesday, April 30 – Tales From the Field: Is There a Still a Glass Ceiling for Women Seeking Professional Careers? with Patricia Kennedy, J.D., Ph.D., associate professor of communication studies, with ESU students: Karima Williams, a senior from Philadelphia, Pa., and Nikole Threat, a junior from Bushkill, Pa.

Wednesday, May 1 – “Women Leaders:  Voices for Positive Change” with Kelly McKenzie, instructor in the department of academic enrichment and learning, and student Abdelis Vega, a junior from Ranshaw, Pa.

Thursday, May 2  – “The Experiences and Observations of ESU’s Top Woman” with ESU President Marcia G. Welsh, Ph.D.

Friday, May 3 – “Third Wave Feminism:  Where are We and Where are We Going?”  with Andi McClanahan, Ph.D., associate professor and chair of the department of communication studies and interim director of women’s studies.

Saturday, May 4 – “Juggling the Career/Life Balance in 2013” with ESU Alumni.

Sunday, May 5  – “Women in India in the 1980s and the Communal Card” with Erin O’Donnell, Ph.D., assistant professor of history.

Yoshinori Tanokura, assistant professor of theatre, designed the sets and costumes for the production.  Guest designer Annie Weigand created the lighting for the piece.

General admission is $12; $10 for senior citizens, faculty & staff with ID; $7 students with ID; and $5 for youth.

For more information or ticket reservations, please call the Fine and Performing Arts Events Line at 570-422-3483, and press option 4 or email esuarts@esu.edu.  All reservations will be held until ten minutes before curtain time.