The Museum, in partnership with Normal Public Library, are pleased to host author and scholar John Bassett, who will present a program on his new book about playwright and theatrical director, Rachel Crothers who was born and raised in Bloomington. This free, public program will be held at Normal Public Library on Wednesday, March 25 at 6:30 p.m.
This program combines a lecture and discussion about one of America’s most successful—yet largely forgotten—female playwrights, who authored 24 Broadway productions. Rachel Crothers was a Broadway innovator, a feminist pioneer, and a leader in her profession. She integrated themes of double standards, prostitution, and women's rights into her work, and she went on to become President of the Stage Women's War Relief Fund through both World Wars and the Great Depression. This program will revolve around how she was able, as almost no other playwright, male or female was, to direct all her own plays on Broadway; what the place of Broadway productions is in the study of American culture; how her Bloomington years influenced her career; and more.
John Bassett is President and Professor Emeritus at Clark University, as well as Founding Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at Case Western Reserve University. His previous books are on William Faulkner, Mark Twain, Sherwood Anderson, and Southern Literature. He and his wife, Kay, live in retirement near their grandchildren in Michigan.
Copies of Bassett's book will be available for purchase and a book signing will immediately follow the program. Questions? or for more information, contact the Education Department at education@mchistory.org or 309-827-0428.