Evening with Judith Ivey tonight

Published 2:36 am Friday, October 29, 2010

Actress Judith Ivey, a former Dowagiac resident, put on a workshop Wednesday evening at Beckwith Theatre where she put on a workshop. She’s pictured with Beckwith board members: Rich Frantz, Maycie Boyle, Tom Hoff, Deanie Sala, Jim Keech, Soni Smith, Paul Pugh, Rebecca Maxey and Jeff Gunn. Judy also worked with Thom Cooper’s theater students at Southwestern Michigan College, of which her father, Nathan, who lives in Texas, was the first president.

Actress Judith Ivey, a former Dowagiac resident, put on a workshop Wednesday evening at Beckwith Theatre where she put on a workshop. She’s pictured with Beckwith board members: Rich Frantz, Maycie Boyle, Tom Hoff, Deanie Sala, Jim Keech, Soni Smith, Paul Pugh, Rebecca Maxey and Jeff Gunn. Judy also worked with Thom Cooper’s theater students at Southwestern Michigan College, of which her father, Nathan, who lives in Texas, was the first president.

Dogwood Fine Arts Festival, Beckwith Theatre Company and Southwestern Michigan College are teaming up to welcome two-time Tony Award- winner and Emmy-nominated actress Judith Ivey.

Ivey’s appearances are part of a week-long collaboration of events sponsored by the family of Marion Weaver.

Ivey is a previous resident of Dowagiac and is most recently known for her portrayal as “B.J. Poteet” during the final season of the television sitcom “Designing Women.”

Ivey’s 29 film credits include  “Brighton Beach Memoirs,” “Harry and Son,” “The Devil’s Advocate” and “Flags of Our Fathers,” as well as the television remake of the 1950s movie, “The Long, Hot, Summer.”

This past year has seen her return to the stage in revivals of “The Glass Menagerie” in New York and Los Angeles.

Beckwith Theatre Company hosted an invitation-only event geared toward community theater participants and supporters from the Michiana area on Wednesday, Oct. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the theater.

Ivey will also be participating as a guest instructor on campus with SMC theater students.

This week culminates with “An Evening with Judith Ivey,” an event open to the public, on Friday, Oct. 29, 7:30 p.m. at the Dale A. Lyons Building on the SMC Dowagiac campus.

A reception will follow the event.

Tickets cost $12 adults/$8 students.