Je Christine
by Southwestern University

Apr. 24, 2017
Monday

Intimate, poignant, and rousing, the works of Christinede Pizan offer a glimpse into a turbulent era of war, civil unrest, climate change and rampant epidemic, and the wit and spirit with which she prevailed. (This show is not appropriate for young children.)

 

CHRISTINE DE PIZAN  (1364 - C.1429) was born in Venice.  From the age of five she lived in Paris, as her father had been summoned by King Charles V to act as his medical and astrological advisor.  Christine was encouraged in her love of learning by her father and had access to the royal library.  Widowed at the age of twenty-five and with a family to support, Christine achieved notice by writing poems for the nobility.  When she publicly entered into a famous literary debate concerning a controversial book, The Romance of the Rose, her position as an important scholarly voice was secured.

 

​During a time of war, plague, and political upheaval, Christine's written counsel became increasingly valued by the royal family.  Christine published her own books, employing scribes, illuminators, and book-binders.  Her many works cover a range of styles:  love poetry, allegory, biography, educational treatises, public correspondence, spiritual writings, and a heroic poem dedicated to Joan of Arc, who was Christine's contemporary.  The City of Ladies and The Book of the Three Virtues stood in defense of women's worth five centuries before feminism became a recognized cause.  The Book of Deeds of Arms and of Chivalry, a manual on preparation for battle and on the laws and philosophy of war, is still referenced at military academies.

 

 

SUZANNE SAVOY  is an educator and a veteran of stage and screen.  Go to the Internet Movie Database to learn more about her extensive onscreen and voice-over work. She currently recurs as DNC Chairwoman Patricia Whittaker on House of Cards and is in production for the feature film Untouchable.

 

Past stage projects have been the creation, design, and direction of  productions based on classical literature:  The Epic of Gilgamesh, The Labors of Herakles, Areito (tales from the Taino tradition), and The Adventures of Lancelot. Suzanne spent ten years designing for the acclaimed NYC touring company The Shakespeare Project and created and ran their education program. 

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Be sure to check out the study guide for materials to share with your organization.

www.jechristine.com

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Je Christine
by Christine de Pizan, adapted by Suzanne Savoy
Southwestern University

5 PM in Mood-Bridwell Bldg. Atrium, Southwestern University, Georgetown, TX

FREE ADMISSION (to reserve seats, please send us an email through the contact form at bottom of Welcome page), free parking in the Admissions lot on Maple, just north of University Ave, on the right.

Suzanne Savoy will also present Je Christine at the Curtain Theatre, Austin's outdoor Renaissance-style theatre on the Richard Garriott estate, on Saturday, April 29. Click here for more information about that performance.