Over the next several months, the Ransom Center will be offering several programs to help show it off “in a new light.” Below is a sampling. Unless otherwise noted, the events take place in the new Prothro Theater, located on the northeast corner of the ground floor of the HRC.
Sunday, May 18
“In a New Light: The Harry Ransom Center” Introduction to the HRC, its history, its collections, and programs presented by Oliver Franklin, curator of public programs. 2pm.Friday, May 30
“Fridays in Photography: The First Team: D.O. Hill & Robert Adamson” Examination of two pioneers of 19th-century photography, David Octavius Hill and Robert Adamson, presented by David Coleman, associate curator of photography. 3:15pm.Tuesday-Wednesday, June 10-11
“In a New Light at the Paramount: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” Screenings of the films Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf, Mike Nichols’ landmark film version of the Edward Albee drama, featuring Oscar-winning performances by Elizabeth Taylor and Sandy Dennis, and Butterfield 8, Daniel Mann’s soapy saga of a high-class prostitute, desperately looking to get out of the biz and find the right man, featuring Liz Taylor’s first Oscar-winning performance. Paramount Theatre, 713 Congress, introduced by Steve Wilson, associate curator of film.Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf: Tuesday, 7:15pm; Wednesday, 9:25pm;
Butterfield 8: Tuesday, 9:45pm; Wednesday, 7:15pm.
Thursday, June 26
“In a Very New Light: Vander Clyde and Barbette” A program about Barbette, the Central Texas-born, cross-dressing aerialist who became a sensation in belle époque Paris, presented by Dale Rice, Austin American-Statesman writer and biographer of Barbette. 7pm.Thursday, July 10
“In a New Light: Through a New Lens” Overview of the history of photography through the photography collection at the HRC, presented by David Coleman, associate curator of photography. 7pm.Thursday, July 24
“In a New Light: Silent Swanson” Screening of the silent classic Male and Female (1919), a seminal work in Gloria Swanson’s career, with live musical accompaniment. 7pm.Thursday, August 28
“In a New Sound: From Chanting Monks to Charlie Parker: A Sonic Tour of the HRC Music Collections” A musical tour of the HRC presented by HRC music specialist Dell Hollingsworth. 7pm.This article appears in May 16 • 2003.