ALBANY — The University at Albany has lined up author Joyce Carol Oates and dancer-choreographer Savion Glover as the first two featured guests in its new program, “The Creative Life: A Conversation Series.”
The series is an initiative between the New York State Writers Institute, the UAlbany Performing Arts Center and the University Art Museum. It will feature live onstage interviews conducted by WAMC’s Joe Donahue with artists of national and international prominence in conversation about their inspiration, their craft, their careers and the demands of sustaining their artistic practice over time. A question and answer period closes each program.
“Our guests will span the creative disciplines, including writing, music, dance, choreography, visual arts, architecture, theatre and filmmaking,” said Janet Riker, director of the University Art Museum. “The series will celebrate the depth and range of artistic practices, and explore what it means to dedicate one’s life to a creative pursuit.”
Oates kicks off the series Thursday, Sept. 15, at 7:30 p.m. in the main theatre of UAlbany’s Perfoming Arts Center on the uptown campus, 1400 Washington Ave. Oates is a prolific author of more than 160 books, a five-time Pulitzer Prize finalist and a National Humanities Medal recipient. her most recent novel is “The Man Without A Shadow,” a love story about an ambitious neuroscientist and the handsome amnesiac under her care. She also recently released a collection of essays called “Soul at the White Heat: Inspiration, Obsession, and the Writing Life.”
Glover appears Saturday, Oct. 15, at 1 p.m. at the downtown campus’ Page Hall, 135 Western Ave., prior to his performance that evening at The Egg where he will premiere his latest work, “New Soundz.” Glover is a Tony Award-winning choreographer whose works include “Bring in ’da Noise, Bring in ’da Funk” and “Shuffle Along.” He has also made numerous appearances on “Sesame Street,” performed the live capture dance moves for “Happy Feet” and its sequel, and wrote “Savion! My Life in Tap” for young readers.
“The Creative Life” events are free and open to the public. For more information, call the UAlbany Performing Arts Center at 442-3997.
