March 31, 2010
Theatrical readings of ‘other people’s letters’ set
CARBONDALE, Ill. -- You can step into another time and the lives of others, famous or not-so-famous, April 8 during Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s “Other People’s Letters: Special Collections Research Center to Host Night of Theatrical Readings.”
The dramatic readings begin at 5:30 p.m. in the John C. Guyon Auditorium in Morris Library.
Those attending will be entertained, amused, shocked and touched by the intimacy and details they’ll hear during the readings of letters from others, said Pamela Hackbart-Dean, director of the Special Collections Research Center. An American soldier writing to his wife during World War I tells of the devastation and hardships he sees for civilians leaving their homeland. Charlie Chaplin discusses the hysteria of the 1950s McCarthyism. James Joyce and others will “speak” as well. The readings will come from the center’s extensive collection of original letters.
The event is free and the public is welcome. A brief reception with refreshments and beverages will follow in the first-floor rotunda.
The Special Collections Research Center collects and preserves unique and rare historical materials within select subject areas and promotes use of them by the University community, scholars and the public. The goal is advancing scholarship while furthering the educational, research and service missions of SIUC.
For more information visit the Morris Library Web site at http://www.lib.siu.edu/index.html.