Humorist Jeanne Robertson to Light Up The McCallum Stage, 11/20

Through the generosity of Tim and Barbara Arnstein, the McCallum Theatre presents humorist Jeanne Robertson on Friday, November 20, at 8:00pm. Jeanne Robertson charms audiences with her humorous observations about life around her. This former Miss North Carolina, standing tall at 6'2", has an infectious personality and sense of humor. Jeanne achieved national attention after a handful of humorous clips from her talks became viral videos in 2009. With seven DVDs, three books and more than 18 million YouTube hits, the demand for Jeanne's family friendly and engaging brand of comedy has grown exponentially. Her anecdotes air regularly on satellite radio comedy channels including XM Radio's Laugh USA - The Family Comedy Channel. Some of her most popular anecdotes include "Don't Go to Vegas Without A Baptist," "Don't Bungee Jump Naked" and "Don't Send a Man to the Grocery Store." Her witty depiction of everyday situations never fails to have audiences of all ages rolling with laughter.

Professional speaking might not have been predicted when Jeanne was in the seventh grade in Graham, North Carolina, where she would have been voted most likely to make the basketball team and least likely to be a contestant in the Miss America Pageant. She did make the team, averaging more than thirty points per game in her junior and senior years. Named as Miss North Carolina 1963, she went on to compete in the Miss America Pageant where she was named "Miss Congeniality." Following her Miss North Carolina reign, she used the scholarship money to fund her college education.

It was her participation in the Miss America pageant that turned Jeanne's life into a succession of events which led her to be one of the funniest, busiest and most popular professional speakers in America today. Because she was asked to speak every day as Miss North Carolina, Jeanne traveled her native state for one year speaking at pageants and addressing civic clubs and corporations. When that time was over, she found that people were willing to pay her to come and address their groups and conventions and loving every laughing minute of it. They wanted Jeanne, not just as a title holder, but as someone who made them laugh.

At that point, Jeanne still viewed speaking as a way to make a little money while continuing her education. She received her degree at Auburn University and taught physical education in high school and college, a career she enjoyed for nine years. But throughout those years, the requests continued to pour in for her to speak. In 1976, she stopped teaching and entered professional speaking full time.

With the flexibility to speak more often, Jeanne's rise in the speaking profession was nothing short of phenomenal. Clients and speakers alike were quick to recognize her ability. In addition to a full speaking schedule, she has received many awards, including the Golden Gavel Award from Toastmasters International, Auburn University's Woman Entrepreneur of the Year, and the 2003 Woman of Achievement by the Miss North Carolina Organization. She was inducted into the CPAE Speaker Hall of Fame, was named the North Carolina Press Association's "North Carolinian of the Year" and, in 1989, became the first woman to receive the National Speakers Association's most cherished honor, the Cavett Award.

While she enjoys making people laugh, Jeanne views the role of a humorist as more than eliciting laughter. As audiences are holding their sides and wiping tears from their faces, she makes her point clear. Perhaps that is why thousands of meeting planners make their point clear when they say "the meetin' ain't over 'til the tall lady speaks!"

Through the generosity of Tim and Barbara Arnstein, the McCallum Theatre presents Jeanne Robertson on Friday, November 20, at 8:00pm.

Tickets are priced at $47, $37, $27 and $22 and are available at the Theatre's web site at www.mccallumtheatre.com or by calling the McCallum Theatre box office at (760) 340-ARTS.