American Vaudeville: Forgotten Stars of the Footlights

David Soren
Summer 2012
MONDAYS |  
9:00 a.m. until 11:00 a.m.
July 9, 16, 23, 30, 2012
Course Format: Hybrid
Location: Main Campus

Two years ago the Main Library of the University of Arizona was given a massive donation of original collections from the American Vaudeville Museum by its curators Frank Cullen and Donald McNeilly. This collection is one of the largest in the world. To commemorate this move, Dr. David Soren who coordinated the transfer will offer a course in the history and evolution of American vaudeville from its roots to superstars such as Al Jolson, Sophie Tucker, The Nicholas Brothers, Annette Kellerman, Eddie Cantor and many more.
Dr. Soren was himself a vaudeville performer who is listed among the 1500 most significant vaudevillians in the recent two volume Encyclopedia of Vaudeville. He will discuss the hard life of a vaudevillian, and how the hope of playing the Palace drove performers to endure extraordinary hardships for the chance at success.

Recommended Reading

Trav S.D. No Applause—Just Throw Money. Faber & Faber, 2006. ISBN: 0865470585.

Soren, David. Vera-Ellen. Midnight Marquee Press, 2009. ISBN: 978-1887664813.

Meet Your Instructor

Regents Professor

DAVID SOREN is Regents Professor of Anthropology, Classics, and Art History. He is a Fellow of the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. He was named Honorary Italian Citizen for his contributions to Italian archaeology and Honorary Philhellene by the Greek Orthodox Church for his work in Cypriote archaeology. He has also been named a Successor Generation Scholar by Oxford University and is the 2018 winner of of the Excellence in Undergraduate Teaching Award from the Archaeological Institute of America. 

Location

POETRY CENTER
Dorothy Rubel Room
1508 E Helen
Tucson, AZ 85721
United States

Located on the SE corner of Helen Street and Vine Avenue, one block north of Speedway and three blocks west of Campbell Ave.

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