Celebration of women through several mediums

Kara Hodge Entertainment Beat

"Pieces of She: A Celebration of Women in the Arts" will run Feb. 14 - 17 at 8 p.m. in Greer Arena Theatre. This is the sixth annual presentation featuring drama, poetry, dance and visual art.

"Pieces of She" features the work of Appalachian women faculty and students as well as work contributed by alumni and local writers. The artistic director for the production is Maeve McAuliffe.

The first show was presented in 1996 to celebrate women and to give women in the university and community to show off their talents. New material is performed each year. McAuliffe's sister Kathryn was the creator of the project. This is McAuliffe's fifth year in "Pieces of She."

"I'm going to be really dissapointed when I have to leave Appalachain," said McAuliffe, "I'm just really proud of the production because it's a good opportunity for women to show thier talents."

Marie Anderson and Andrea Gilkey are the assistant artistic directors and will take over McAuliffe's position when she graduates in May.

"It's such an honor to take over "Pieces of She" because it's such a wonderful experience,Ó said Anderson, ÒIt depicts all women in such a real light."

Kristin Schriber is the art coordinator and Vanessa Welch serves as the dance coordinator. The technical director is Beth Goldfischer and the production manager is Tara Blake.

Among the works to be presented is "MotherShip," a look at the world of magic, written by Dr. Georgia Rhodes and directed by Mary Anne Maier. The performers for "MotherShip" are Sarah Carpenter, Emily Ferguson, Ingrid Hayes, Cassidy Maier and Kirstin Schriber. "Backdrop of America", a statement about this country's society, was written by Jennifer Harrison and is being directed by Anna Ward.

The performers of "Backdrop" include Lyndsay Cox, Emily Ferguson, Trisha Harmon, Kirstin Schriber, Kerri Strand and Annie Wiegand. "Laundry", a correlation between dirty laundry and life, was written by Mary Kohn and is being directed by Vanessa Welch. The performers in "Laundry" are Andrea Gilkey, Heather Houglin and Sharon Pinney.

This year's show also includes works by Appalachian students Diana Mercedes, Cejhas, Shelby Jennings, Cami Maher, Maeve McAuliffe, Lara Murphy, Natalie Serianni and Bobbi Williamson.

ASU alumnae Kathryn McAullife and Ashley Nation contributed written works. Juanita Tobin of Blowing Rock and Lilace Mellin Guignard of Reno, Nev., also submitted written work. Other members of the show include Jen Allman, Carrie Baker, Michelle Bank, Rebecca Coffey, Caryn Crye, Sarah Hanley, Jessie Hanley, Jessica Hunt, Shelby Jennings, Jessica Kaufman, April McEachern, Aliza Mendelewicz, Alex Moody, Kelly Noice, Jessica Pearson, Kat Ryan, Carmen Watson and Elisha Webster.

Dance pieces include "The Woman in You," choreographed and performed by Sherry Kerr, "Untitled," choreographed and performed by Jessica Lowry, and "Uncomfortable Skin," choreographed by Marianne Adams and performed by Amy Beasley, Rebecca Howe, Kristene Kelly, Amanda Morse, Anna Smith, Kathryn Ullom, Malone Wade and Amy Young.

"I think it ("Pieces of She") reflects how great our theatre and dance department really is -- we don't get enough credit for what we do," said Anderson.

"Pieces of She" is free and open to the public, but donations to O.A.S.I.S. may be made at the door. For further information, contact the Valborg Theatre box office at 262-3063.