Issue date: 11/13/09 Section: News

Director Bill Kincaid talks about finding his love for William Shakespeare's "The Tempest" before Thursday night's performance at the Doudna Fine Arts Center. (Eric Hiltner/The Daily Eastern News)

The 20th annual EIU Literature Conference "Re-encountering Shakespeare" will have two free lectures open to the public today at the Recital Hall in the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

Scholarly professors Alexandra Bennett and Don-John Dugas will deliver the lectures, said English professor David Raybin.

"They are both absolutely wonderful speakers," Raybin said. "Sometimes the speakers that are brought to campus are boring, but these two will be dynamic and fun."
Bennett, associate professor of English at Northern Illinois University, will present "Her Infinite Variety: The Women of Shakespeare's World" at 9 a.m.

Raybin said Bennett was previously a professional actress before being a professor. She has brought that experience to the classroom, and also to summer Shakespeare, teacher workshops and Elderhostel seminars.

Raybin said Bennett is an authority on women in Shakespeare.

Dugas, associate professor of English at Kent State University, will lead "Popularizing, Purifying and Profiting from Shakespeare" at 10 a.m.

Dugas's most recent book, "Marketing the Bard: Re-encountering Shakespeare and Print," was the subject of an hour-long interview on National Public Radio
Besides the free and open lectures, there will be workshops and exchanging teaching strategies for teachers throughout today. Cost for the sessions will be $15 for faculty or teachers who need a lunch. The conference is sponsored in part by a major grant from the Illinois Humanities Council.

Bob Bajek can be reached at 581-7942 or rtbajek@eiu.edu.

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