The Ninth Annual William Inge Festival and Conference

Schedule of Events

Friday, April 20, 1990

Friday, April 20 - Writer’s and Scholars Conference. Theme: “Researching and Preparing for Publication”

8:00 am – 5:00 pm - Registration in the Foyer, William Inge Theatre

8:00 am – 5:00 pm - The William Inge Collection open to visitors.

9:00 – 10:30 am - “Researching in Special Library Collections” – Del Singleton, Director of Library Resources and the William Inge Collection, Independence Community College, Independence, Kansas; Gene DeGruson, Curator of Special Collections, Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, Kansas; Nena Couch, Curator of the Lawrence and Lee Theatre Collection, Ohio State University; Dorothy Swerdlove, Curator of the Billy Rose Theatre Collection, Library of Performing Arts, New York City. Lecture Hall, Academic Building.

10:45 am – 12:00 Noon - “The Interview and Oral Histories as a Tool in Research”. R. Baird Shuman, Author of William Inge (Revised) Twayne Series, 1989, University of Illinois, Department of English; Dan Sullivan, Theatre and Drama Critic, Los Angeles Times, currently at work on a biography of William Inge; Ralph Voss, author of A Life Of William Inge: The Strains of Triumph, University of Kansas Press, 1989, Professor of English, University of Alabama. Lecture Hall, Academic Building.

12:15 – 1:15 pm - Luncheon featuring Faith Sullivan, author of The Cape Ann and other novels. Fireside Room, Student Union.

1:30 – 3:00 pm - “Practical Suggestions for Preparing the Manuscript for Publication.” Jackson Bryer, Co-editor of Selected Letters of Eugene O’Neill, Yale University Press, 1988, Professor of English, University of Maryland; Colby Kullman, Co-editor of Studies In American Drama, 1945-Present, Professor of English, University of Mississippi; Fred Woodward, Director, University Press of Kansas; and Arthur McClure, Author of “The Midwestern World of William Inge”, Professor and Chairman of the Department of History, Central Missouri State University. Lecture Hall, Academic Building

3:15 – 3:45 pm - “How to Get an Agent” with Sheri Mann from the Sheri Mann Talent Agency of Los Angeles. Lecture Hall, Academic Building.

3:45 – 4:15 pm - The author of Margo: Helen Sheehy

4:15 – 5:00 pm - Reception/Autographing Party for Inge Biographers – McClure, Shuman, and Voss. Lecture Hall, Academic Building.

7:30 pm - “The Depot”, a one-woman ‘tour de force’, written by Eve Ensler, directed by JoAnn Woodward, and starring Ms. Shirley Knight. William Inge Theatre.



Saturday, April 21

Saturday, April 21 Playwright’s Symposium Theme: “Can Playwrighting Be Taught?” Landon/Roosevelt Room, Hotel Booth, Eighth and Main Streets

8:30 am – 4:00 pm - Registration in the Foyer, William Inge Theatre

8:30 am – 4:00 pm - The William Inge Collection open to visitors

9:30 – 11:00 am - Playwright’s Symposium “Can Playwrighting Be Taught?” Jerome Lawrence, Robert Anderson, John Patrick, and David LeVine as the Moderator for discussion. Landon/Roosevelt Room, Hotel Booth

11:45 am – 1:15 pm - Luncheon with Special Guests – Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Hotel Booth

1:30 – 2:30 pm - Robert Anderson discusses “Writing For An Anthology” Landon/Roosevelt Room, Hotel Booth

2:30 – 3:30 pm - “Writing Poetry” Excerpts from Sense and Nonsense. John Patrick

2:30 – 5:00 pm - Film Festival – “William Inge: Penn Avenue to Broadway” and “Singin’ In The Rain”, starring Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor. Lecture Hall, Academic Building

3:30 – 4:30 pm - “Reception and Autographing Party for Our Playwrights”. Hotel Booth

7:00 pm - Gala Dinner Party at Independence Country Club. The William Inge Festival honors the late Governor Alf Landon with special guests Senator Nancy Landon Kassebaum and Richard Kassebaum. All seats reserved. No admittance without a ticket.

Sunday, April 22

10:00 am - Breakfast Meeting of National Advisory Board. Glencliff Farm

12:30 – 4:30 pm - Registration in the Foyer, William Inge Theatre

12:30 – 4:30 pm - The William Inge Collection open to visitors

12:30 – 2:30 pm - Showtime version of Picnic in the Fireside Room, Student Union

1:15 – 2:15 pm - “I Remember Bill Inge” with Jo Ann Kirchmaier, John Connolly, and Philip B. Clarkson, host and moderator for the panel, Dan Sullivan. Lecture Hall, Academic Building.

1:30 pm - Tour of Inge’s Independence. Meet in Foyer of the William Inge Theatre.

2:30 – 4:00 pm - “Directing an Inge Play” with host and moderator for the panel, George Keathley, Artistic Director of the Missouri Reperatory Theatre, and panel members, Daniel Mann, Marshall Mason, and Joyce Cavarozzi. Fireside Room, Student Union.

3:45 – 5:00 pm - Conference – “The Plays and Films of William Inge and His Contemporaries”. Jackson Bryer, Professor of English from the University of Maryland, Director. Lecture Hall, Academic Building.

7:30 pm - “Tribute to Betty Comden and Adolph Green”. Excerpts from Comden and Green films, tributes from friends both live and taped, live music with special appearances by Broadway actors. Presentation of “The William Inge Award For Lifetime Achievement In The American Theatre”. William Inge Theatre, Fine Arts Building.

Monday, April 23

8:00 am – 4:00 pm - Registration in the Foyer, William Inge Theatre

8:00 am – 4:00 pm - The William Inge Collection open to visitors.

8:15 – 10:00 am - Musical Theatre Workshop with host and moderator for the workshop, Wayne Bryan, Producing Director of Music Theatre of Wichita, Kansas. Music Hall, Fine Arts Building.

9:00 – 10:00 am - Independence’s Alf Landon through the eyes of his grandson, Richard Kassebaum. Film presentation of A Talk With Papa. Lecture Hall, Academic Building.

10:15 – 11:30 am - Playwright’s Seminar – Meet Our Award Winning Playwrights and Lyricists: Robert Anderson, Betty Comden, Adolph Green, and John Patrick. Topic: “The American Musical Theatre is Alive and Well”. William Inge Theatre.

12:00 Noon - Honor’s Luncheon – Members of the Inge family and honored guests will be recognized. Fireside Room, Student Union.