Join the Harry Ransom Center and The Big Read for performances, readings, exhibition tours, and films showcasing the work of Edgar Allan Poe, the great American poet, critic, and master of the macabre.
All programs are free, open to the public, and at the Ransom Center unless otherwise noted.
PERFORMANCES AND READINGS
"Edgar Allan Poe: Poet and Storyteller" PERFORMANCE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 24, 7 P.M.
Isaiah Sheffer of Selected Shorts, heard on public radio stations across America, hosts "Edgar Allan Poe: Poet and Storyteller," featuring actors René Auberjonois and Fionnula Flanagan. Actors subject to change.
VIEW A LIVE WEBCAST of this event.
JESSEN AUDITORIUM
Poetry on the Plaza: Edgar Allan Poe READING WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 7, NOON
Poetry on the Plaza: Edgar Allan Poe
Performance of "The Tell-Tale Heart" PERFORMANCE THURSDAY, OCTOBER 15, 7 P.M.
Lucien Douglas, Professor of Theatre and Dance at The University of Texas at Austin, performs "The Tell-Tale Heart" and other selections from Edgar Allan Poe.
VIEW A LIVE WEBCAST of this event.
FILM SERIES
The Fall of the House of Usher and La Chute de la Maison Usher POE FILM SERIES MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 28, 7 P.M.
Two silent classics, The Fall of the House of Usher (1928), directed by James Sibley Watson and Melville Webber, and a French adaptation, La Chute de la Maison Usher (1928), directed by Jean Epstein.
VIEW TRAILER for this film on the Ransom Center's YouTube channel
The Fall of the House of Usher POE FILM SERIES MONDAY, OCTOBER 5, 7 P.M.
The Fall of the House of Usher (1960), directed by Roger Corman and starring Vincent Price.
VIEW TRAILER for this film on the Ransom Center's YouTube channel
The Pit and the Pendulum POE FILM SERIES MONDAY, OCTOBER 12, 7 P.M.
Roger Corman's The Pit and the Pendulum (1961), starring Vincent Price.
VIEW TRAILER for this film on the Ransom Center's YouTube channel
The Raven POE FILM SERIES MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 7 P.M.
Roger Corman's The Raven (1963), starring Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and Boris Karloff.
VIEW TRAILER for this film on the Ransom Center's YouTube channel
Spirits of the Dead (Histoires Extraordinaires) POE FILM SERIES MONDAY, OCTOBER 26, 7 P.M.
Federico Fellini, Louis Malle, and Roger Vadim bring three adaptations of Poe stories to the screen in the 1968 film Spirits of the Dead (Histoires Extraordinaires).
VIEW TRAILER for this film on the Ransom Center's YouTube channel
TEXAS BOOK FESTIVAL
Texas Book Festival BOOTH SATURDAY, OCTOBER 31–SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 1
Visit the Ransom Center's booth at the Texas Book Festival for reading guides, bookmarks, and a limited number of free copies of The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe, the selection for the Ransom Center's Big Read.
STATE CAPITOL
VISIT THE EXHIBITION
From Out that Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe EXHIBITION September 8, 2009–January 3, 2010
Experience the enduring influence of Edgar Allan Poe in this comprehensive exhibition about the great American poet, critic, and inventor of the detective story. Commemorating the bicentennial of Poe's birth, this exhibition draws upon the extensive holdings of the Ransom Center and the University of Virginia to explore Poe's works, his relationships and mysterious death, and his literary reputation. Highlights include letters from and about the author, Poe's writing desk, original illustrations, and manuscripts of such works as "The Bells" and "The Raven."
COME FOR A SCHEDULED TOUR
Docent-led Tours TOUR TUESDAYS, SEPTEMBER 15–DECEMBER 29, NOON
There will be no docent-led tour Tuesday, December 22.
Docent-led Tours TOUR SATURDAYS, SEPTEMBER 19–JANUARY 2, 2 P.M.
There will be no docent-led tour Saturday, December 26.
Family-friendly Mystery Tours TOUR SATURDAYS, OCTOBER 3–31, NOON
Curator's Tour of From Out That Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe TOUR THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 7 P.M.
Richard Oram, the Ransom Center's Associate Director and Hobby Foundation Librarian and Co-Curator of the exhibition, leads a gallery tour of From Out That Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe.
Curator's Tour of From Out That Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe TOUR THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 7 P.M.
Molly Schwartzburg, the Ransom Center's Curator of British and American Literature and Co-Curator of the exhibition, leads a gallery tour of From Out That Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe.
BOOK A TOUR
The Ransom Center offers docent-led tours of its exhibitions for school groups of seven or more. Admission to the Ransom Center is free, and tours are offered free of charge. At least three weeks in advance, please contact 512-475-8086 or visit our tour information page to schedule your tour. Tours can be scheduled to take place between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Tuesdays through Fridays, and between noon and 5 p.m. on weekends.
REGISTER FOR THE POE TEACHER WORKSHOP
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 9 A.M.–3 P.M.
The Ransom Center will host a workshop introducing teachers to Poe’s life and legacy. The workshop will include guest lecturers, presentations of lesson plans, and a guided gallery tour. The workshop provides seven hours of Continuing Education Credit. To register, e-mail lisarmurray@mail.utexas.edu
EXPLORE ONLINE
Edgar Allan Poe Digital Collection
From Out that Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe
Visit the Poe Project to learn more about Poe and his work and to submit your own parodies and drawings.
The Big Read is an initiative of the National Endowment for the Arts in partnership with the Institute of Museum and Library Services and Arts Midwest.
Explore Online
From Out that Shadow: The Life and Legacy of Edgar Allan Poe
The digital collection incorporates images of all Poe manuscripts and letters at the Ransom Center with a selection of related archival materials.
Visit the Poe Project to learn more about Poe and his work and to submit your own parodies and drawings.
Partners
General Info
All events take place at the Ransom Center unless otherwise noted and are subject to change.
Please be aware that the Ransom Center's Charles Nelson Prothro Theater has limited seating. Doors open 30 minutes in advance. Many programs are webcast live.
All programs and exhibitions are free unless otherwise noted.
Please request ASL or ADA accommodation two weeks in advance by contacting 512-232-5170 or dsigler@mail.utexas.edu.
Event times are noted in Central Standard Time.
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