Of Shange's most recent novel, Betsy Brown, writer lsmael Reed has said, "No contemporary writer has Ms. Shange's uncanny gift for immersing herself within the situations of so many different types of women. No wonder she has achieved almost oracular status among her female readers. She is a writer of many masks. She can serenade you and she can cut you; she can chirp as well as growl; she can delight as well as antagonize. With Betsy Brown the masks come off."

Ntozake Shange has published several books of poetry, plays, and fiction. She has won two Obie Awards (for for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf and Mother Courage) and the Los Angeles Times Book Prize for her collection Three Pieces. Shange is currently at work on a book documenting five generations of post-Katherine Dunhan Afro-American choreography to be titled Dance We Do.

Ms. Shange will speak on playwriting on Thursday afternoon at 12:30. She will read on Thursday night at 8 p.m. Her appearance is sponsored by the Activities Programming Board, Old Dominion University. [extracted from 1986 brochure]

9th Annual Literary Festival