Auditorium Theatre Partners With National Geographic Live For Speaker Series

The Auditorium Theatre kicks off its three-part National Geographic Live speaker series on Wednesday, September 26, with "When Women Ruled the World," featuring Dr. Kara Cooney, National Geographic author and professor of Egyptian art and architecture at the University of California, Los Angeles.

In "When Women Ruled the World," Cooney delves into the histories of six powerful women leaders of ancient Egypt who, while often neglected in history books, wielded undeniable influence: Cleopatra, who used her sensuality and wealth to build alliances with warlords of the Roman Empire; Neferusobek, who was the first woman to take on the title of "king"; Nefertiti, who united a fractured country but is known more for her beauty than her leadership; and others. Cooney offers insight into what we can learn today from how these women ruled and the obstacles they faced during their reigns.

"We are excited to partner with National Geographic Live on this speaker series which highlights the stories of exceptional women, with each of our three events led by women who are at the forefront of their fields," says C.J. Dillon, Auditorium Theatre Chief Programming Officer. "Starting the season with Dr. Kara Cooney's enlightening discussion on these rulers of ancient Egypt will engage and fascinate Chicago audiences."

"We are thrilled to be returning to Chicago by popular demand for the 2018-19 Season, and to have a new home at the Auditorium Theatre for many years to come," says Yulia Petrossian Boyle, Senior Vice President for Global Media and Experiences at National Geographic. "National Geographic Live events are a unique opportunity for Chicagoans to be inspired by the fascinating stories and breathtaking images they will share from their expeditions to the far corners of our planet."

In addition to her work at UCLA, Cooney has participated in digs with the Metropolitan Museum of Art at the Royal Pyramid complex of Senwosret III and with Johns Hopkins University at the Theban Necropolis. She appeared as a lead expert in the popular Discovery Channel special The Secrets of Egypt's Lost Queen, and is a recurring team member on the History Channel's Digging for the Truth. Her book The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt was published in 2014, and her book When Women Ruled the World: Six Queens of Egypt, published by National Geographic, is forthcoming in 2018.

Tickets start at $42 and are available online at AuditoriumTheatre.org, by phone at 312.341.2300, or in person at the Auditorium Theatre Box Office (50 E Congress Pkwy/50 E Ida B Wells Dr). When Women Ruled the World is part of the National Geographic Live Series (which also includes Pink Boots and a Machete and Point of No Return), which offers a 25% discount on tickets. Discounts are also available for groups of 10+.

The Auditorium Theatre also offers $15 student rush tickets to full-time college students, and $5 tickets to young people ages 13-19 with Urban Gateways' Teen Arts Pass program. The Auditorium Theatre's ADMIT ONE program, launched in 2016, offers complimentary tickets to Chicago area community groups. Community groups may apply for ADMIT ONE here.