As soon as Rachel May, the artistic director of Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre, told me that she was going to produce my new play, Exit, Pursued By A Bear, I was alternately humbled and ecstatic (which makes for a bipolar state of mind indeed).

When May said that Emory alumna Taylor M. Dooley 00Ox 02C (seen in a promo photo, at left, with fellow cast members Nicholas Tacosky and Veronika Duerr) was auditioning for one of the roles, I said, “Put down the phone and cast her now!”

Taylor and I were both in the Rathskellar Improv Troupe as Emory undergrads. She was an incredible actor/comedienne even then. The idea of working with her on one of my new plays was too good to be true. But it was true, as a group of Emory alumni witnessed on March 3 at the first public performance of Bear, starring Taylor, in my hometown of Atlanta. (I live in Northern California now, but traveled to Atlanta to attend the premiere.)

What a powerful homecoming it was--made even more powerful by the support of the Emory Alumni Association (EAA), which hosted a preshow reception. I got to meet more than 20 fellow Emory graduates and thank them for their support of me, this play, Synchronicity Theatre, and Atlanta theater as a whole.

Exit, Pursued By A Bear is a Southern revenge comedy about a young woman’s triumph over abuse. It’s based on a famous Shakespearean stage direction, but takes its real cue from the power of friendship and self-respect to help women out of the traps of violence.

(Read Creative Loafing's feature on Gunderson and the play)

I owe much of my current career as a playwright to my time, education, mentorships, and friendships developed at Emory. Both the theater and creative writing departments (the inestimable Jim Grimsley being my guide) fed me the rich foods of literature and performance.

I experienced a similar humbled/ecstatic feeling when Theater Emory’s artistic director at the time Vinnie Murphy told me that they would produce my play Leap (about a young Isaac Newton) during my junior year.

Emory alumna Megan Monaghan 91C directed the luminous production. It was the first time they’d ever produced a current student’s work on the professional stage, and it gave me a vital and thorough education on the real work and art of making theater.

I can’t thank the EAA and my fellow Emory grads enough for coming out to the show. Quite a meaningful and theatrical homecoming!

-- Lauren Gunderson 03C, playwright, Exit, Pursued By A Bear

Visit Lauren Gunderson's official website ...

Exit, Pursued By A Bear runs through March 27 at 7Stages in Little Five Points. Visit the Synchronicity Theatre's website for ticket information.

On Thursday, July 8 the Emory Alumni Association (EAA) and the Michael C. Carlos Museum hosted a swanky, fun event for the Atlanta Young Alumni and Alumnae & Women of Emory (AWE) to explore a sparkling jewelry exhibit and enjoy wine, light fare, and jazz music from the Gary Motley Trio while mingling with friends.

The atmosphere was exceptionally great. In the area outside the ballroom and the Carlos’ third-floor ballroom itself had gorgeous stone column-like replications hanging on the walls. I personally felt like I was in the midst of the ancient Greek or Roman times (despite the painted walls and guests wearing clothes that looked like they came straight out of a SAKS Fifth Avenue catalog instead of togas).

After a glass or two of wine, delicious, gourmet meatballs and veggies from a colorful platter, the guests were free to wander through more than 150 pieces of Indian jewelry from the Susan L. Beningson Collection. This collection celebrates the amazing technical craftsmanship of the jewelry and the inspiration of nature on the designs, as well as the importance of jewelry in Indian people’s lives. The guests were eager to learn more about this, so bright-faced, informative docents were scattered throughout the exhibition to share information about the jewelry and provide answers to questions.

As I admired the dazzling earrings, necklaces, and objects fit for a deity, I noticed the audience around me was thoroughly enjoying the exhibit as well. They were ooh-ing and ahh-ing while saying things like “I have a dress that would match perfectly with this necklace!” and “I am so glad you brought me to this event.” Yes, since this was a jewelry exhibit, the majority of the guests were women; however, I noticed the men there were enjoying themselves to the fullest.

Jazz and Jewelry was the first event I staffed as an intern. I have experience working events with an internship I had in college, but this event was better than any I’ve ever worked! The registration process went smoothly and there were absolutely no glitches with the event itself. It was wonderful to meet so many Emory alumni and others who work at the University, such as Aimee Nix, the museum’s associate director of development. I also befriended the volunteers who helped work the registration table—now I can say I have friends who went to Emory! (Since I am a graduate of Samford University). I also got to explore an amazing jewelry exhibition thanks to the EAA!

Thank you, Carlos Museum for partnering with us to host this wonderful event! The guests thoroughly enjoyed themselves and it was a great way to explore the Indian jewelry exhibition before it comes to a close.

Photos to come!

--Farah Shackelford, communications intern, EAA

So, I have a little secret. Some might think it’s not a big deal, but I definitely count it as a skeleton in my closet. I’ll tell you what it is in a little bit--let me work up the courage.

I love being on my bicycle. I hit 5,000 miles on my current one just a couple of weeks ago. I can take my husband on three out of five climbing sprints. I’ll get on my bike before I drink a cup of coffee. Am I a serious cyclist? Not really, but sometimes I look like one.

Okay, time for the secret. I’ve ridden 5,000 miles and countless hours. BUT I HAVE NEVER CHANGED MY OWN TIRE! Why not? I’ve got five bike-riding boy friends who take care of everything I need. With my own team of mechanics, who needs women’s lib? But I live in secret fear of the day when I’m on a ride and hear the dreaded hiss that will tell me I’m stranded 20 miles from home. I finally decided to do something about it.

On Thursday, August 13, Alumnae & Women of Emory (AWE) sponsored a cycling clinic with Sorella, a women’s cycling club in Atlanta. We all gathered at Peachtree Bikes; it was a great group. Some women hadn’t been on a bicycle since they were 7, others were thinking about racing. The best part was . . . I wasn’t the only one with a secret. How to change a tire was hands-down the most frequently asked question.

Did I learn how to change a tire? Absolutely. I also learned about the geometry of women’s specific bikes. And how to choose the best bike shorts (more important than you think.) And that you should replace your helmet every three years.

Best of all, I met a couple of other women who might turn out to be great riding partners. In fact, AWE is talking about working with the Sorellas to do a group ride in the fall. Will I be there? You bet. And I’ll help you change your tire if you get a flat.

--Kate Lawlor 01C, director of alumni and student leadership, EAA

I had the pleasure of joining about 75 fellow Emory alumnae for an evening of fashion, makeup, and shopping at the Tory Burch boutique in Phipps Plaza on Tuesday, June 30. Atlanta's Alumnae & Women of Emory (AWE) group hosted Chi Chi Okezie 98Ox 00C, the founder and owner of SIMPLEnetworking, who spoke about the importance of maintaining a professional image and perfecting your business etiquette.

Her advice? “Image is very important, whether you’re a stay-at-home mom, or if you’re in the university system, you’re a doctor, lawyer, whatever—you always want to have that professional look,” she said. “Pick something that fits your career and industry, and go that extra step to ensure you’re conveying confidence.”

Okezie also emphasized the importance of networking and of events like this one hosted by AWE as opportunities for women from all walks of life to get together around an array of topics, including shopping, auto repair, fitness, literature...the list just keeps going. She even motivated me to go to the free fitness event on July 28. (My total number of workout sessions since April: three. You have to start somewhere, right?)

Okezie was joined by Estée Lauder’s Nancy Dozier, who offered crowd-pleasing makeup goody bags and personalized foundation matching tips. After a brief introductory presentation, Okezie and Dozier spent the rest of the evening chatting with alumnae about everything from business consulting to cultural awareness to that perfect shade of lipstick.

Now, in the interest of full disclosure, I am not one to get excited about mascara and designer fashion. But it was hard not to be energized by Okezie's and Dozier's contagious enthusiasm.

When they weren't receiving fashion pointers, guests sipped flutes of champagne and enjoyed the boutique’s private sale with an Emory-exclusive discount.

View our photos of the event here.

“I really had a great time,” Okezie told me as the last few women made their way out, shopping bags and makeup samples in tow, a couple hours later. “A lot of the ladies were really excited to be here, and everyone just enjoyed the atmosphere…and the champagne!”

-- Erin Crews 09C 09G, communications intern, EAA