Oakley Hall III in Albany

News from The NYS Writers Institute

Writers Institute, Albany Center Galleries, and Friends of the Albany Public Library Sponsor Appearance by Author and Playwright Oakley Hall III

ALBANY, NY — (11/09/2006; 1015)(EIS) — The New York State Writers Institute, Albany Center Galleries, and Friends of the Albany Public Library are cosponsoring a reading by author and playwright Oakley Hall III and a screening of the film “The Loss of Nameless Things,” in the main auditorium of the Albany Public Library, 161 Washington Avenue, on Tuesday, November 21st, 2006, at 7:00 p.m. This event is free and open to the public, although donations are welcome.

Hall, subject of the critically acclaimed documentary, “The Loss of Nameless Things,” will read from his current work in progress, tentatively titled, “Jarry and Me.” “Jarry and Me” is a biography of the French playwright, Alfred Jarry and Hall’s memoir. Poet and Professor Pierre Joris, of the University at Albany English Department, will moderate what promises to be a lively discussion of the lives of both Jarry and Hall. “The Loss of Nameless Things” will be shown immediately following the reading, with Hall available for audience discussion.

In 1978 Oakley Hall III, son of novelist Oakley Hall (“Warlock,” “Downhill Racer”), was a 28-year-old playwright. He was receiving national attention as founder and artistic director of the avant-garde Lexington Theater Company in the Catskills. His work had been optioned by Joseph Papp at New York’s famed Public Theatre. Hall’s life as a gifted artist and one of the up-and-coming stars of New York’s theatre scene was tragically interrupted when he suffered horrific head injuries in a fall from a bridge. He was hospitalized for nearly a year recovering from the injuries that robbed him of his ability to reason, create, comprehend, and even perform the simple tasks of everyday life.

“The Loss of Nameless Things” (2003, 110 minutes, color) nationally viewed on PBS’s “Independent Lens,” tells the story of Oakley Hall III. Directed by Bill Rose the film explores Hall’s life before his fall, the mysterious circumstances of the accident, and the painful rehabilitation process of rebuilding his life and returning to his craft. The film also shows the triumphant return of Hall into the theatre world, with the premiere of his play, “Grinder’s Stand,” the play he had been working on just before his accident. “The Loss of Nameless Things” has appeared in more than 20 film festivals and has been named “Best Documentary” at four of them.

There will be a reception for Oakley Hall III at the Albany Public Library at 6:00 p.m., with refreshments generously donated by Albany’s Daily Grind and Mezzo Marketplace and Eatery. Admission to the reception is $15.00 and limited seats are available. Call: (518) 463-4578 for reservations and further information.

For more information: Suzanne Lance, 518-442-5624

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