A UT graduate student will play all thirty-five roles in a Pulitzer Prize- and Tony award-winning play at the Clarence Brown Theatre.
Brian Gligor, a Master of Fine Arts student, will present I Am My Own Wife on October 23 and 24 at 8:00 p.m., and October 25 at 2:00 p.m., at the Clarence Brown Theatre’s Carousel Theatre space.
I Am My Own Wife, by Doug Wright, tells the true story of Charlotte Von Mahlsdorf, an East Berlin antiques collector and transgender person who endured both the Nazi and Communist regimes. Shortly after the fall of the Berlin Wall, Wright began a series of interviews with Von Mahlsdorf and found himself quickly entranced by her fascinating and controversial story.
Gligor received a $10,000 grant from the College of Arts and Sciences for the project, which is his master’s thesis.
He used part of the money to travel to Berlin to conduct research on Von Mahlsdorf. Gligor was provided with the opportunity to meet people who knew Von Mahlsdorf and was able to visit her country home that she renovated into a museum, which acts as the setting for the play.
Gligor used the rest of the grant to purchase the costumes and set, hire a director, and secure the rights to the play.
“Taking on thirty-five roles to tell the story of Charlotte is a challenge I welcome,” said Gligor. “Her story embodies courage and a commitment to personal values, and should be honored in a way that effectively portrays her character.”
Tickets are free to the public but should be reserved in advance. Reservations can be made by e-mailing IWifeKnoxville@gmail.com. After they are distributed to patrons with reservations, tickets will be available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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CONTACT:
Amy Blakely (865-974-5034, amy.blakely@tennessee.edu)