SAULT STE. MARIE, Mich. - Maya Angelou, internationally known poet and author, will open the fifth annual Superior Festival, a showcase of stage performances Oct. 13 to 15, at Lake Superior State University's Arts Center.
Angelou, hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature, will speak at 7:30 p.m., on Thursday, Oct. 13.
A poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Angelou travels the world to make appearances. She is known for captivating her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception, and for her ability to connect with all races and classes.
Angelou has written 12 best-selling books, including, "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" and her current best-seller, "A Song Flung Up to Heaven."
In 1981, Angelou was appointed to a lifetime position as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. In January 1993, she became the second poet in U.S. history to have the honor of writing and reciting original work at the presidential inauguration.
Angelou holds more than 85 degrees, awards and other honors.
Her address at LSSU is part of Superior Festival V.
"This year's festival will explore the use of performance as a means by which to teach and foster cultural literacy," said Gary Balfantz, LSSU professor of English and communication.
Balfantz said performers will include Donna Marie Nudd of Florida State University, Terry Galloway of the Mickee Faust Club of Tallahassee, Fla., Laila Farah of DePaul University, Chicago and Iya Omi Osun Olomo/Joni Lee Jones of University of Texas at Austin. They will be featured in three days of performance, lecture and discussion.
For more information, contact Balfantz at 906-635-2278, or gbalfantz@lssu.edu.
Tickets for Maya Angelou's performance, $35 each, are available at the Norris Center box office, 906-635-2602, or on-line at www.lssu.edu/artscenter. The website includes information on other fall performances, including Three Men and a Tenor, on campus Oct. 20 to 22.
Sponsorship opportunities for any performances are available by contacting the LSSU Foundation at 906-635-2665.
