Mac prof to speak on playwright August Wilson

Jeannie Zeck to explore influence of Romare Bearden’s visual art.

MacMurray Associate Professor of English and Theatre Jeannie Zeck will present the next event in the College’s 2010-11 Fine Arts Series with, “Standing on the Shoulders of Giants: The influence of Romare Bearden’s visual art on August Wilson’s drama.”

Dr. Zeck’s speech will be Thursday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. in the Thoresen Recital Hall of the Putnam/Springer Center, at the corner of Clay and State streets in Jacksonville. The event is free and open to the public. Those needing interpreting services should contact the College 72 hours prior to event at dss@mac.edu or call 217-479-7123.

When aspiring playwright August Wilson first saw the visual art of Romare Bearden, he was deeply impressed. Bearden’s use of the figures of blacks and of black themes, along with his collage style, inspired Wilson’s playwriting. Wilson became a world-class playwright with a series of 10 plays depicting the lives of African Americans in the 20th century.

Dr. Jeannie Zeck is an associate professor in the English and Theatre Program at MacMurray College, where she specializes in African-American literature and women’s literature. Before beginning a career in academia, she worked for nearly a decade as an actor, choreographer and director in professional theater.